form10q.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2007
Commission
File Number: 000-33297
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Nevada
|
|
88-0450923
|
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
|
(IRS
Employer
|
|
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
5804
E. Slauson Ave., Commerce, CA 90040
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(323)
725-5555
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes x No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
“accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
Accelerated Filer o |
Accelerated
Filer o
|
Non-accelerated
Filer x
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
o No
x
As
of
November 13, 2007, 26,232,200 shares of the registrant’s common stock were
outstanding.
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PART
I
|
Financial
Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Condensed
Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PART
II
|
Other
Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1A.
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
|
39
|
PART
I
ITEM
1.
|
CONDENSED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
BLUE
HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Note
12]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
221,202
|
|
|
$ |
109,031
|
|
Due
from factor, net of reserves of $106,237 and $178,801,
respectively
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,662,425
|
|
|
|
1,366,588
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net of reserves of $1,193,000 and $901,941
respectively:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Purchased by factor with recourse
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,380,109
|
|
|
|
7,662,198
|
|
-
Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
146,672
|
|
|
|
19,312
|
|
Inventories,
net of reserves of $590,701 and $1,742,893 respectively
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,943,060
|
|
|
|
5,394,006
|
|
Income
taxes receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,190
|
|
|
|
2,030,919
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
868,011
|
|
|
|
2,488,082
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,120,502
|
|
|
|
396,810
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,403,171
|
|
|
|
19,466,946
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,875,925
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Property
and equipment, less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,881,012
|
|
|
|
1,611,171
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,160,108
|
|
|
$ |
21,078,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank
overdraft
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
903,804
|
|
|
$ |
266,788
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
864,559
|
|
|
|
2,820,024
|
|
Short-term
borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,463,317
|
|
|
|
10,026,814
|
|
Due
to related parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,778
|
|
|
|
710,153
|
|
Advances
from majority shareholder
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,876,991
|
|
Current
portion of liability for unrecognized tax benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,850
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,042,379
|
|
|
|
2,133,932
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,456,687
|
|
|
|
17,834,702
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan
from majority shareholder
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
|
2,556,682
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-current
portion of liability for unrecognized tax benefits
|
|
|
231,592
|
|
|
|
231,592
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
231,592
|
|
|
|
2,788,274
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
18,688,279
|
|
|
|
21,244,961
|
|
|
|
17,834,702
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity (deficiency):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock $0.001 stated value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 1,000,000
Series A
convertible shares issued with 6% cumulative dividend of the designated
purchase price and initial conversion price of $0.7347 (Note
12)
|
|
|
2,556,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock $0.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 26,232,200
and
26,057,200 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
26,232
|
|
|
|
26,232
|
|
|
|
26,057
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
5,445,904
|
|
|
|
5,445,904
|
|
|
|
4,964,091
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(5,556,989 |
) |
|
|
(5,556,989 |
) |
|
|
(1,746,733 |
) |
Total
stockholders' equity (deficiency)
|
|
$ |
2,471,829
|
|
|
|
(84,853 |
) |
|
|
3,243,415
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficiency)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,160,108
|
|
|
$ |
21,078,117
|
|
BLUE
HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
|
|
FOR
THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$ |
9,458,399
|
|
|
$ |
14,551,581
|
|
|
$ |
26,300,592
|
|
|
$ |
41,610,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
8,511,248
|
|
|
|
10,116,732
|
|
|
|
15,789,839
|
|
|
|
23,797,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
947,151
|
|
|
|
4,434,849
|
|
|
|
10,510,753
|
|
|
|
17,812,465
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
distribution & administrative expenses
|
|
|
4,468,960
|
|
|
|
4,281,467
|
|
|
|
13,046,619
|
|
|
|
13,204,554
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before other expenses and provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
(3,521,809 |
) |
|
|
153,382
|
|
|
|
(2,535,866 |
) |
|
|
4,607,911
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
453,302
|
|
|
|
257,997
|
|
|
|
1,205,835
|
|
|
|
643,759
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
relating to acquisition of Long Rap, Inc.
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
500,887
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
500,887
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
other expenses
|
|
|
453,302
|
|
|
|
758,884
|
|
|
|
1,205,835
|
|
|
|
1,144,646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(3,975,111 |
) |
|
|
(605,502 |
) |
|
|
(3,741,701 |
) |
|
|
3,463,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
(benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
(92,826 |
) |
|
|
(184,642 |
) |
|
|
16,090
|
|
|
|
1,489,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(3,882,285 |
) |
|
$ |
(420,860 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,757,791 |
) |
|
$ |
1,973,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.15 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
|
$ |
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
26,232,200
|
|
|
|
26,057,200
|
|
|
|
26,154,422
|
|
|
|
26,057,200
|
|
SEE
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BLUE
HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Issued
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Par
Value
|
|
|
Paid
In
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 1, 2007
|
|
|
26,057,200
|
|
|
$ |
26,057
|
|
|
$ |
4,964,091
|
|
|
$ |
(1,746,733 |
) |
|
$ |
3,243,415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
value of vested stock options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
254,488
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
254,488
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of adoption of FIN 48
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(52,465 |
) |
|
|
(52,465 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued under co-branding agreement
|
|
|
175,000
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
227,325
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
227,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the period
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(3,757,791 |
) |
|
|
(3,757,791 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
26,232,200
|
|
|
$ |
26,232
|
|
|
$ |
5,445,904
|
|
|
$ |
(5,556,989 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,853 |
) |
BLUE
HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
|
|
FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(3,757,791 |
) |
|
$ |
1,973,812
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
312,442
|
|
|
|
136,644
|
|
Fair
value of vested stock options
|
|
|
254,488
|
|
|
|
356,528
|
|
Changes
in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
4,154,729
|
|
|
|
(3,598,620 |
) |
Due
from factor
|
|
|
(1,295,837 |
) |
|
|
(789,990 |
) |
Income
taxes receivable
|
|
|
1,969,729
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(3,549,054 |
) |
|
|
(3,629,291 |
) |
Due
to related parties
|
|
|
(624,375 |
) |
|
|
399,950
|
|
Due
from related parties
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
15,974
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
20,123
|
|
|
|
(235,423 |
) |
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(496,192 |
) |
|
|
(740,641 |
) |
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(650,468 |
) |
Bank
overdraft
|
|
|
637,016
|
|
|
|
(594,303 |
) |
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
(1,955,466 |
) |
|
|
553,751
|
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
(91,553 |
) |
|
|
588,046
|
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(4,421,741 |
) |
|
|
(6,214,031 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of equipment
|
|
|
(582,282 |
) |
|
|
(1,216,063 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(582,282 |
) |
|
|
(1,216,063 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
borrowings
|
|
|
4,436,503
|
|
|
|
4,912,007
|
|
Advances
from majority shareholder
|
|
|
679,691
|
|
|
|
2,412,025
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
5,116,194
|
|
|
|
7,324,032
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
(decrease) increase in cash
|
|
|
112,171
|
|
|
|
(106,062 |
) |
Cash
at beginning of period
|
|
|
109,031
|
|
|
|
228,127
|
|
Cash
at end of period
|
|
$ |
221,202
|
|
|
$ |
122,065
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for interest
|
|
$ |
1,205,835
|
|
|
$ |
643,759
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for income tax
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
$ |
2,551,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of adoption of FIN 48
|
|
$ |
52,465
|
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in prepaid for fair value of stock issued under co-branding
agreement
|
|
$ |
227,500
|
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEE
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
|
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
NOTE
1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF
OPERATIONS
(a)
Basis of Presentation
The
interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but in the
opinion of management of the Company, contain all adjustments, which include
normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position
at September 30, 2007 and the results of operations for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and cash flow for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006. The condensed consolidated balance sheet
as of December 31, 2006 is derived from the Company’s audited financial
statements.
Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
that have been presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to interim financial
statements, although management of the Company believes that the disclosures
contained in these financial statements are adequate to make the information
presented therein not misleading. For further information, refer to
the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The
Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be
expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
The
condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of Blue
Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions
and
balances are eliminated in consolidation.
(b)
Organization
Blue
Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on
February 9, 2000 under the name Marine Jet Technology Corp. On April
14, 2005, Blue Holdings entered into an Exchange Agreement with Antik Denim,
LLC
(“Antik”). At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
Exchange Agreement, which occurred on April 29, 2005, Blue Holdings acquired
all
of the outstanding membership interests of Antik (the “Interests”) from the
members of Antik, and the members contributed all of their Interests to Blue
Holdings. In exchange, Blue Holdings issued to the members 843,027
shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share,
of
Blue Holdings (“Preferred Shares”), which, on June 7, 2005, as a result of a
change to Marine Jet Technology Corp.’s name to Blue Holdings, Inc. and a 1 for
29 reverse stock split, were converted into 24,447,783 shares of Blue Holding’s
common stock on a post-reverse stock split basis.
As
such,
immediately following the closing and upon the conversion of the Preferred
Shares, the Antik members and Elizabeth Guez, our former Chief Operating Officer
and wife of Paul Guez, owned approximately 95.8% of the total issued and
outstanding common stock of Blue Holdings on a fully-diluted
basis. Following completion of the exchange transaction, Antik became
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Holdings. The acquisition was
accounted for as a reverse merger (recapitalization) in the accompanying
financial statements with Antik deemed to be the accounting acquirer and Blue
Holdings deemed to be the legal acquirer. As such, the financial statements
herein include those of Antik since September 13, 2004 (the date of its
inception). All assets and liabilities of Marine Jet Technology Corp.
were assumed by the major shareholder of Blue Holdings, Inc. prior to the
exchange transaction and were inconsequential to the merged
companies.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
On
June
7, 2005, Marine Jet Technology Corp. changed its name to Blue Holdings, Inc.,
and increased its authorized number of shares of common stock to
75,000,000.
On
October 31, 2005, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with Taverniti
So Jeans, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Taverniti”), and the
members of Taverniti (the “Taverniti Members”). Under the exchange
agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding membership interests
of
Taverniti (the “Taverniti Interests”) from the Taverniti Members, and the
Taverniti Members contributed all of their Taverniti Interests to the
Company. In exchange, the Company issued to the Taverniti Members, on
a pro rata basis, an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company, and paid to the Taverniti Members, on a pro
rata basis, an aggregate of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($750,000). At the closing of the exchange transaction, Taverniti
became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Paul Guez, the
Company’s Chairman and majority shareholder, was and remains the sole manager
and was a member of Taverniti. Elizabeth Guez, Paul Guez’s spouse and
the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer, was also a member of
Taverniti. Two other members of Mr. and Mrs. Guez’s family were the
remaining members of Taverniti. The transaction was accounted for as a
combination of entities under common control. As such, the financial statements
herein have been presented to include the operations of Taverniti since
September 13, 2004, the date of its inception, and the $750,000 payment was
considered as a deemed distribution to the members of Taverniti upon the closing
of the combination.
(c)
Nature of Operations
The
Company operates exclusively in the wholesale apparel industry. The Company
designs, develops, markets and distributes high fashion jeans and accessories
under the brand names Antik Denim, Yanuk,Faith
Connexion and Taverniti So Jeans. The Company’s
products currently include jeans, jackets, belts, purses and
T-shirts. The Company currently sells its products in the United
States, Canada, and Japan directly to department stores and boutiques and
through distribution arrangements in certain foreign
jurisdictions. The Company is headquartered in Commerce, California
and maintains showrooms in New York and Los Angeles. The Company opened a retail
store in Los Angeles during August 2005 and another store in San Francisco
in
September 2006. These retail operations are not yet significant to the
consolidated operations.
NOTE
2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a)
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues. On an
ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates, including those related to returns,
discounts, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes,
contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience
and
on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about
the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from
other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(b)
Revenue Recognition
Revenue
is recognized when merchandise has been shipped against a customer’s written
purchase order, the risk of ownership has passed, selling price has been fixed
and determined and collectibility is reasonably assured either through payment
received, or fulfillment of all the terms and conditions of the particular
purchase order. Revenue is recorded net of estimated returns, charge
backs and markdowns based on management’s estimates and historical
experience.
(c)
Advertising
Advertising
costs are expensed as of the first date the advertisements take
place. Advertising expenses included in selling expenses approximated
$165,442 and $285,016 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007,
respectively, as compared with $51,420 and $627,482 for the same respective
periods last year.
(d)
Shipping and Handling Costs
Freight
charges are included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in
the
statement of operations and approximated $187,731 and $484,966 for the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to $263,881
and
$588,672 for the same respective periods in the prior year.
(e)
Major Suppliers
We
purchase our fabric, thread and other raw materials from various industry
suppliers within the United States and abroad. We do not currently
have any long-term agreements in place for the supply of our fabric, thread
or
other raw materials. The fabric, thread and other raw materials used
by us are available from a large number of suppliers worldwide. During the
three
months ended September 30, 2007, only three suppliers accounted for more than
10% of our purchases. Purchases from these suppliers were 12.9%, 11.2% and
10.7%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, two
suppliers accounted for more than 10% of our purchases and purchases from these
suppliers were 15.4% and 11.4% , respectively. During the three months ended
September 30, 2006, three suppliers accounted for more than 10% of our
purchases. Purchases from these suppliers were 31.5%, 13.0% and
11.8%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 two
suppliers accounted for more than 10% of our purchases and purchases from these
suppliers were 13.6% and 12.9%, respectively.
(f)
Major Customers
During
three months ended September 30, 2007, one customer accounted for more than
10%
of the Company’s sales and sales to that customer was 11.1%. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2007, two customers accounted for more than 10% of the
Company’s sales and sales to those customers were 10.7% and 10.5%,
respectively. During fiscal 2006, two customers accounted for more
than 10% of the Company’s sales. Sales to those customers were 30.3%
and 11.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 15.6% and 14.3%
for
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
International
sales accounted for approximately 17.9% and 20.9% of the Company’s sales during
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, including
Japan which accounted for 9.7% and 12%, respectively, of our total sales.
International sales accounted for approximately 25% and 30% of sales in the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, including Japan
which accounted for 16% and 17%, respectively, of our total sales.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
As
of
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, one customer accounted for 18% and
42%
of total accounts receivable, respectively.
(g)
Stock-Based Compensation
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS
123R”). This statement requires that the cost resulting from all
share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements.
This
statement establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting
for
share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a fair-value
based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions
with
employees except for equity instruments held by employee share ownership plans.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS 123R, using the modified prospective method. Under this
method, the provisions of SFAS 123R apply to all awards granted or modified
after the date of adoption and all previously granted awards not yet vested
as
of the date of adoption.
The
fair
value of options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the
three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
|
4.50 |
% |
|
|
4.50 |
% |
Expected
volatility
|
|
|
48.20 |
% |
|
|
46.01 |
% |
Expected
life of options
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h) Earnings per Share
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” requires
presentation of basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per
share (“Diluted EPS”). Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution, using
the treasury stock method, that could occur if securities or other contracts
to
issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted
in
the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.
In
computing diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method assumes that
outstanding options and warrants are exercised and the proceeds are used to
purchase common stock at the average market price during the
period. Options and warrants will have a dilutive effect under the
treasury stock method only when the average market price of the common stock
during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options and
warrants.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
At
September 30, 2007 and 2006, potentially dilutive securities consisted of
outstanding common stock options to acquire 471,500 and 685,000 shares,
respectively. These potentially dilutive securities were not included in the
calculation of loss per share for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2007 as they were anti-dilutive for the periods in 2007 and insignificant to
the
calculation in 2006. Accordingly, basic and diluted earnings per
share for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
are the same.
Issued
but unvested shares of common stock under forfeitable service agreements are
excluded from the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share until
such shares are earned.
(i)
Reclassifications
Certain
prior year balance sheet items have been reclassified to conform to the current
period presentation.
(j)
Adoption of new accounting policy
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN
48”)—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes.” The Interpretation addresses the determination of whether tax
benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded
in
the financial statements. Under FIN 48, we may recognize the tax benefit from
an
uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position
will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the
technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial
statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit
that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate
settlement. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and
requires increased disclosures. At the date of adoption, and as of September
30,
2007, the Company made a cumulative effect adjustment. See note 8.
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various
states. The Company is subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations
by tax authorities for years after 2002. The Company’s tax returns are currently
under examination by the government. As of September 30, 2007, the taxing
authorities have not proposed any significant adjustments to taxable income.
The
Company does not expect to receive any adjustments that would result in a
material change to its final position.
The
Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax provisions
as income tax expense. See note 8.
(k)
Recent accounting pronouncements
In
February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115” (FAS 159). FAS 159, which becomes effective
for the company on January 1, 2008, permits companies to choose to measure
many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and report
unrealized gains and losses in earnings. Such accounting is optional and
is
generally to be applied instrument by instrument. The company does not
anticipate that election, if any, of this fair-value option will have a
material effect on its consolidated financial condition, results
of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
In
September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157 (“FAS 157”), “Fair
Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
FAS
157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates
inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements.
FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on
its
consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash
flows or disclosures.
NOTE
3 – DUE FROM FACTOR
We
use a
factor for working capital and credit administration purposes. Under
the various factoring agreements entered into separately by Blue Holdings,
Antik
and Taverniti, the factor purchases all the trade accounts receivable assigned
by the Company and its subsidiaries and assumes all credit risk with respect
to
those accounts approved by it.
The
factor agreements provide that we can borrow an amount up to 90% of the value
of
our purchased customer invoices, less a reserve of 10% of unpaid accounts
purchased and 100% of all such accounts which are disputed. The
factor agreements provide for automatic renewal subject to 120 days’ termination
notice from any party. The factor also makes available to all three companies
a
combined line of credit up to the lesser of $2.4 million or 50% of the value
of
eligible raw materials and finished goods. As of September 30, 2007, borrowings
under this line of credit were $14.5 million of which, the Company drew down
$2.4 million of this credit line against inventory, $4.9 million against
accounts receivable and $7.2 million against personal guarantees of Paul Guez,
our Chairman and majority shareholder, and the living trust of Paul and
Elizabeth Guez.
As
of
September 30, 2007, the factor holds $2,831,979 of accounts receivable purchased
from us on a without recourse basis and has made advances to us of $63,315
against those receivables, resulting in a net balance amount Due from Factor
of
$2,662,425, net of reserves of $106,236, as of September 30, 2007. The Company
has accounted for the sale of receivables to the factor in accordance with
SFAS
No. 140, “Accounting for the Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities.”
As
of
September 30, 2007, the factor also held as collateral $3,380,109 of accounts
receivable that were subject to recourse, against which the Company has provided
reserves of $1,193,000 and as of September 30, 2007, the Company received
advances totaling $14,463,000 against such receivables, eligible inventory,
intangibles, and on the personal guarantee of Mr. Paul Guez. The Company has
included the $3,114,334 in accounts receivable, and has reflected the
$14,463,000 as short term borrowings on the accompanying balance sheet. The
factor commission against such receivables is 0.4% and interest is charged
at
the rate of 1% over the factor’s prime lending rate per annum.
The
factor commission on receivables purchased on a without recourse basis is 0.75%
if the aggregate amount of approved invoices is below $10 million per annum,
0.70% if between $10 million and $20 million and 0.65% if between $20 million
and $30 million. The Company is contingently liable to the factor for
merchandise disputes, customer claims and the like on receivables sold to the
factor. To the extent that the Company draws funds prior to the deemed
collection date of the accounts receivable sold to the factor, interest is
charged at the rate of 1% over the factor’s prime lending rate per annum. Factor
advances are collateralized by the non-factored accounts receivable, inventories
and the personal guarantees of Paul Guez, our Chairman and majority shareholder,
and the living trust of Paul and Elizabeth Guez (see note 6).
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
NOTE
4 - INVENTORIES
Inventories
at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are summarized as
follows:
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw
Materials
|
|
$ |
3,027,735
|
|
|
$ |
3,583,019
|
|
Work-in-Process
|
|
|
1,037,913
|
|
|
|
991,775
|
|
Finished
Goods
|
|
|
5,468,113
|
|
|
|
2,562,105
|
|
|
|
|
9,533,761
|
|
|
|
7,136,899
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Inventory valuation allowance
|
|
$ |
(590,701 |
) |
|
|
(1,742,893 |
) |
TOTAL
|
|
$ |
8,943,060
|
|
|
$ |
5,394,006
|
|
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
NOTE
5 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are summarized
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furniture
|
|
$ |
33,316
|
|
|
$ |
14,294
|
|
Leasehold
Improvements
|
|
|
1,308,423
|
|
|
|
1,219,094
|
|
Computer
Equipment
|
|
|
1,090,826
|
|
|
|
616,551
|
|
|
|
|
2,432,565
|
|
|
|
1,849,939
|
|
Less:
Accumulated depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
(551,553 |
) |
|
|
(238,768 |
) |
|
|
$ |
1,881,012
|
|
|
$ |
1,611,171
|
|
Depreciation
expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $124,763
and
$59,174, respectively and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
2006
was $312,442 and $136,644, respectively.
NOTE
6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The
Company purchased fabric at cost from Blue Concept, LLC an entity that is owned
by Paul Guez, the Company’s Chairman, for $1,502 and $184,830 during the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $10,555 and $262,213
respectively, during the same periods in the prior year.
On
January 1, 2006, the Company leased its facility at Commerce, California from
Azteca Production International Inc., as a sub-tenant and is paying it $19,030
per month. Azteca is a company that is co-owned by Paul Guez. Rent expense
includes $57,090 and $171,270, respectively, for the three and nine months
ended
September 30, 2007, paid under this lease.
On
July
5, 2005 the Company entered into a ten-year license agreement with Yanuk Jeans,
LLC., an entity that is solely owned by Paul Guez. Under the terms of
the agreement, the Company became the exclusive licensor for the design,
development, manufacture, sale, marketing and distribution of the Yanuk
brand products to the wholesale and retail trade. The Company pays to Yanuk
Jeans, LLC a royalty of six percent of all net sales of the licensed products
and a guaranteed minimum royalty on an annual basis. Yanuk has agreed to waive
such royalties due for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007,
and
has agreed to waive such royalties through December 31, 2008. Yanuk Jeans,
LLC
is solely owned by Paul Guez. In addition, during the term of the license
agreement, the Company has the option to purchase from Yanuk Jeans, LLC the
property licensed under the agreement. The royalties paid and payable for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, were $60,902 and $243,833,
respectively.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
On
October 6, 2005, the Company entered into a five-year license agreement with
Yanuk Jeans, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company became the
exclusive licensor for the design, development, manufacture, sale, marketing
and
distribution of Yanuk Jeans, LLC’s U brand products to the wholesale
and retail trade. The Company pays to Yanuk Jeans, LLC a royalty of five percent
of all net sales of the licensed products and shall pay a guaranteed minimum
royalty on an annual basis. In addition, during the term of the
license agreement, the Company has the option to purchase from Yanuk Jeans,
LLC
the property licensed under the agreement. The royalties for the three and
nine
months ended September 30, 2007 paid or payable to Yanuk Jeans, LLC for the
U brand products was $0 and $0, respectively and $0 and $0,
respectively, for the same period last year.
Paul
Guez
and the living trust of Paul and Elizabeth Guez have guaranteed all advances
and
ledger debt due to the Company’s factor (see note 3).
On
August
27, 2005, the Company opened a retail store on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles,
California and took over all the obligations of a 10-year property lease which
was entered into by Blue Concept, LLC in April 2005. The lease will expire
on
March 15, 2015.
Taverniti
is the exclusive licensee for the design, development, manufacture, sale,
marketing and distribution of the Taverniti So Jeans trademark in the
denim and knit sports wear categories for men and women. It is paying
royalties to Taverniti Holdings, LLC in the ranges of 5-8 percent depending
on
the net sales of the licensed products pursuant to a license agreement with
Taverniti Holdings, LLC. Taverniti Holdings, LLC is jointly owned by
Paul Guez (60%) and Jimmy Taverniti (40%), the designer of the products for
the
brand, and Mr. Guez is the sole manager. The license agreement was
signed in May 2004 and expires on December 31, 2015. Royalties paid
or payable for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $77,878
and $217,728, respectively, and $289,634 and $874,254 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
NOTE
7 - DUE FROM/TO RELATED PARTIES
The
related parties are the Company’s majority shareholder (who is also the
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company) and limited
liability companies that are either owned or co-owned by the majority
shareholder. These amounts are all unsecured and non-interest
bearing. All non-trade related advances from related parties have
been repaid. Trade-related outstanding items follow regular payment
terms as invoiced. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, total
trade-related items due to related parties amounted to $85,778 and $710,153,
respectively.
From
time
to time, the Company’s majority shareholder, Mr. Paul Guez, made advances to the
Company to support its working capital needs. These advances were non-interest
bearing and unsecured, with no formal terms of repayment. On July 1, 2006,
Mr.
Guez converted the advances to a line of credit in an agreement with the
Company. The line of credit allows the Company to borrow from him up to a
maximum of $3 million at an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company may
repay
the advances in full or in part at any time until the credit line expires and
repayment is required, on December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, the balance of these advances was $2,556,682 and $1,876,991
respectively and accrued interest thereon was $104,857 and $0, respectively.
Interest expense includes $37,356 and $0, for three months ended September
30,
2007 and 2006, respectively, and $104,857 and $0, for nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
Subsequent
to September 30, 2007 the Company agreed to issue convertible preferred shares
valued at $2,556,682 to Mr. Guez in satisfaction of $2,556,682 of advances
to
the Company by the majority stockholder (see Note 12).
NOTE
8 - INCOME TAX
The
Company accounts for income taxes and the related accounts under the liability
method. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on
the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in
which the basis differences reverse.
The
Company’s provision for income taxes was $16,090 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 compared to $1,489,453 for the same period of the prior
year.
The
provision for income taxes consists of the following for the periods
ended
September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
(1,624 |
) |
|
$ |
1,305,011
|
|
State
|
|
|
17,714
|
|
|
|
419,865
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(189,462 |
) |
State
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(45,961 |
) |
Provision
for income tax expense
|
|
$ |
16,090
|
|
|
$ |
1,489,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective
tax rate is as follows for the periods ended September 30:
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Statutory
federal rate
|
|
|
34.0 |
% |
|
|
34.0 |
% |
State
taxes, net of federal benefit
|
|
|
6.6 |
% |
|
|
7.1 |
% |
Income
not taxed at Company level
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
Permanent
differences
|
|
|
-0.5 |
% |
|
|
-0.1 |
% |
Change
in valuation reserve
|
|
|
-40.3 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Unrecognized
tax benefits
|
|
|
-0.3 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Other
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Effective
tax rate
|
|
|
-0.4 |
% |
|
|
43.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
The
Company and its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal
jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions,
the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state and local income
tax
examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003. The Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax
return for 2005 in the first quarter of 2007 that is anticipated to be completed
by the end of 2007. As of September 30, 2007, the IRS has not
proposed any adjustments.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No.48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. As a result of the
implementation of Interpretation 48, the Company recognized a $32,288 increase
in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as
a
reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. A
reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
is as follows:
Balance
at January 1, 2007
|
|
$ |
(310,458 |
) |
Additions
based on tax positions related to the current year
|
|
|
-
|
|
Additions
for tax positions of prior years
|
|
|
(17,984 |
) |
Reductions
for tax positions of prior years
|
|
|
-
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance
|
|
$ |
(328,442 |
) |
Included
in the balance at September 30, 2007 are $263,731 of tax positions for which
the
ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty
about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of
deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance
of
the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective tax
rate
but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier
period.
The
Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax
benefits in income tax expense. During the period ended September 30,
2007, the Company recognized in income tax expense $17,984 for interest and
penalties. The Company included in its balance for unrecognized tax
benefits at September 30, 2007 $79,473 for the payment of interest and
penalties.
NOTE
9 – STOCK OPTIONS
Under
the
Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Company Plan”), the Company may grant
qualified and nonqualified stock options and stock purchase rights to selected
employees. The Company reserved 2,500,000 shares of common stock for
issuance under the Company Plan.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
At
September 30, 2007 options outstanding are as follows:
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
Weighted
average
|
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
|
options
|
|
|
exercise
price
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Balance
at January 1, 2007
|
|
|
335,500
|
|
|
$ |
5.75
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
925,000
|
|
|
$ |
1.98
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(164,000 |
) |
|
$ |
5.20
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance
at September 30, 2007
|
|
|
1,096,500
|
|
|
$ |
2.27
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Additional
information regarding options outstanding as of June 30, 2007 is as
follows:
|
|
Options
outstanding
|
|
|
Options
exercisable
|
|
|
|
Exercise
price
|
|
|
Number
outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted
average
Remaining
contractual
life (years)
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price
|
|
|
Number
exercisable
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8.10
|
|
|
|
42,000
|
|
|
|
7.43
|
|
|
$ |
8.10
|
|
|
|
22,000
|
|
|
$ |
8.10
|
|
|
|
$ |
5.30
|
|
|
|
33,500
|
|
|
|
7.87
|
|
|
$ |
5.30
|
|
|
|
33,500
|
|
|
$ |
5.30
|
|
|
|
$ |
5.20
|
|
|
|
96,000
|
|
|
|
8.25
|
|
|
$ |
5.20
|
|
|
|
35,500
|
|
|
$ |
5.20
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.98
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
9.50
|
|
|
$ |
1.98
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
$ |
1.98
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.40
|
|
|
|
625,000
|
|
|
|
9.75
|
|
|
$ |
1.40
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
$ |
1.40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
5.20
- $8.10
|
|
|
|
1,096,500
|
|
|
|
9.40
|
|
|
$ |
2.27
|
|
|
|
316,000
|
|
|
$ |
2.89
|
|
Stock
based compensation expense of $254,488 and $356,528 were recognized during
the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, relating to
the
vesting of such options. As of September 30, 2007, the unamortized value of
these option awards were $587,119 which will be amortized as a stock based
compensation cost over the average of approximately three years as the options
vest.
NOTE
10 – CO-BRANDING AGREEMENT
On
May
11, 2007, the Company entered into a Letter of Intent with William Adams, aka
will.i.am, of the Black Eyed Peas, pursuant to which the parties agreed to,
within 30 days of the date of execution, enter into (i) a co-branding agreement
for the creation of a collection of premium denim and denim-related apparel
under the name “i.am Antik” or such other similar name upon which the parties
shall agree, and (ii) a joint venture agreement pursuant to which the parties
will design, develop, market, manufacture and distribute apparel products
bearing the “I.Am” trademark subject to a license agreement. The term of each of
the co-branding agreement and the joint venture agreement shall be for five
years, with the first year commencing on the execution of the Letter of Intent
and ending on the last day of February 2008, and each year thereafter commencing
on March 1 and ending on the last day of February. Prior to their entry into
the
Letter of Intent, the parties had no material relationship with each other.
The
Letter of Intent was effective May 11, 2007 and was approved and certified
by
the shareholders of the Company on June 21, 2007.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
Mr.
Adams
is required to perform specific design, marketing and promotional services
under
the term of Letter of Intent. In consideration of such services rendered by
Mr.
Adams, the Company issued to Mr. Adams as base compensation 175,000 shares
of
its common stock on May 21, 2007 and will issue to Mr. Adams 81,250 shares
on
each anniversary of the effective date of the Letter of Intent for a period
of 4
years, subject to the prior effectiveness of a registration statement on Form
S-8 registering the issuance of the shares to Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams will also
be
entitled to receive up to an aggregate of 500,000 additional shares of common
stock from the Company upon achieving certain milestones based on net
sales.
Mr.
Adams
is permitted to terminate the co-branding agreement and/or joint venture
agreement in the event that the Company is delisted from the NASDAQ Capital
Market, a final and binding legal determination is made by a body with
appropriate jurisdiction that the Company has failed to comply with the rules
and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the
joint venture’s failure to launch an “I.Am” collection within 12 months from the
date of execution of the definitive joint venture agreement.
The
Company determined that since the shares contain performance requirements and
specific services to be performed, and the shares would be returned if such
services were not preformed, it is appropriate to recognize as expense the
value
of the issued shares that are earned each month. As such, the Company
determined that the 175,000 shares that valued at $227,500 were issued in May
2007 will be amortized as earned over a one year period. The shares earned
will
be valued at the end of each month based on the fair value of those shares
in
accordance with EITF 96-18. Compensation expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 amounted to $63,000.
NOTE
11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
License
agreements:
On
January 12, 2007, the Company entered into a License Agreement with Faith
Connexion S.A.R.L., a company formed under the laws of France (“Faith”).
Pursuant to the License Agreement, Faith granted an exclusive right and license
to use the Faith Connexion trademark for the manufacture, marketing,
promotion, sale, distribution and other exploitation of men’s and women’s
hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and hats in North America (including
Canada), South America, Japan and Korea. Compensation for use of the Faith
Connexion trademark will consist of a royalty calculated as 9% of the
Company’s net sales arising from products bearing the Faith Connexion
trademark in the first two years, and 9.5% of net sales in year three. The
License Agreement has a term of three years as follows: the first year is
comprised of 18 months, year two is comprised of the next nine months, and
year
three is comprised of the following 12 months. Per the agreement, the Company
has agreed to a guarantee payment of royalties on identified minimum net sales
amounts ranging from $3.5 to $10 million over each of the three years (equal
to
minimum royalties of $450,000, $315,000, and $950,000, in each of years one
(first eighteen months), two (next 6 months) and three (next twelve months),
respectively, and to spend at least 3% of actual net sales amounts on marketing
and advertising the Faith Connexion trademarked products in the
territory. During three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recorded
royalty expense of $75,000.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
On
April
27, 2007, Antik Denim, LLC (“Antik”), a California limited liability company and
our wholly-owned subsidiary, executed a License Agreement (the “Mercier License
Agreement”) dated to be effective as of April 18, 2007, by and between Antik and
Mercier SARL, a company formed under the laws of France
(“Mercier”).
Pursuant
to the Mercier License Agreement, Antik granted an exclusive right and license
to use the Antik Denim trademark for the manufacture, marketing,
promotion, sale, distribution and other exploitation of denim and sportswear
apparel in Europe. Compensation for use of the Antik Denim
trademark will consist of a royalty calculated as 10% of Mercier’s net sales
arising from products bearing the Antik Denim trademark. The
Mercier License Agreement has an initial term of twenty (20) months, and
includes four (4) one (1)-year extension options available to Mercier to the
extent it achieves specified minimum net sales. Mercier has agreed to
guarantee payment of royalties on an identified minimum net sales amount of
$2.5
million during the initial twenty (20) month term, and on identified minimum
net
sales amounts ranging from $2.5 million to $10 million over the eligible
extension terms. In connection with these minimum net sales, the Mercier
License Agreement provides for an upfront minimum guarantee advance of $250,000
which has been received by the Company and recorded as a deferred revenue as
of
September 30, 2007, and an aggregate of minimum royalty payments of $2.5 million
for the years 2009 though 2012 assuming the Mercier License Agreement is renewed
at the end of 2008.
On
April
27, 2007, in anticipation of Antik’s entry into the Mercier License Agreement,
Antik executed Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement (the “Amendment”), dated to
be effective as of April 25, 2007, by and between Antik and North Star, LLC
(“North Star”). The sole purpose of the Amendment was to remove the
European territory from the rights previously granted to North
Star.
On
May 1,
2007, Antik executed a License Agreement (the “Max Ray License Agreement”) dated
to be effective as of May 1, 2007, by and between Antik and Max Ray, Inc.,
a
California corporation (“Max Ray”). Pursuant to the Max Ray License
Agreement, Antik granted an exclusive right and license to use the Antik
Denim trademark for the manufacture, marketing, promotion, sale,
distribution and other exploitation of small leather goods consisting of belts,
handbags, small leather accessories and scarves in the United States and its
territories. Compensation for use of the Antik Denim
trademark will consist of a royalty calculated as 8% of Max Ray’s net sales
arising from products bearing the Antik Denim trademark. The Max
Ray License Agreement has an initial term of eighteen (18) months, and includes
four (4) one (1)-year extension options available to Max Ray unless earlier
terminated by Max Ray. Max Ray has agreed to guarantee payment of
royalties on an identified minimum net sales amount of $1.1 million during
the
initial eighteen (18) month term, and on identified minimum net sales amounts
ranging from $3 million to $10 million over the eligible extension terms.
In connection with these minimum net sales, the Max Ray License Agreement
provides for an upfront minimum guarantee advance of $20,000 to be applied
against the minimum guaranty for the aggregate initial term, and an aggregate
of
minimum royalty payments of $2.1 million for the years 2009 though 2012 assuming
the Max Ray License Agreement is renewed at the end of 2008.
Employment
agreements:
On
September 21, 2007, the Company elected Glenn S. Palmer as a new member of
its
board of directors. Prior to his appointment as a member of the Company’s board
of directors, Mr. Palmer was appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
and President on July 24, 2007. Mr. Palmer has no family relationships with
any
of the Company’s other directors or executive officers.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
On
September 21, 2007, the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of
Directors approved the Company’s entry into a revised Employment Agreement with
Mr. Palmer and revisions to the termination provisions of the option previously
granted to Mr. Palmer on July 24, 2007.
The
revised Employment Agreement is effective as of July 1, 2007, has an initial
term through December 31, 2010, and is subject to automatic renewal thereafter
for one-year terms unless either party gives the other party written notice
of
its intention to terminate the Employment Agreement at least 90 days prior
to
the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term. Under the terms of
the
Employment Agreement, Mr. Palmer will receive base compensation for each of
the
third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2007 of $87,500 and minimum annual
compensation for each of fiscal 2008 through 2010 of $400,000. Mr. Palmer is
also entitled to receive an annual bonus equivalent to 2.5% of the Registrant’s
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for each of
the
years ended December 31, 2008 through 2010, and is eligible to receive a bonus
for the period ended December 31, 2007, if any, as determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Palmer is also
entitled to four weeks paid vacation and reimbursement of expenses, including
up
to $2,000 per month for all expenses incurred by Mr. Palmer with respect to
his
personal automobile. The Company has also agreed to provide Mr. Palmer with
a
furnished apartment or comparable living space in Los Angeles, California
suitable to his position for the initial twelve months of the term of the
Employment Agreement. Additionally, the Company has agreed to pay for no more
than two coach or economy class round trip tickets per month from Los Angeles
to
New Jersey for Mr. Palmer to visit with his family. Mr. Palmer has agreed to
establish a permanent residence within twenty miles of Los Angeles, California
no later than July 1, 2008. Upon the termination of Mr. Palmer’s employment
under the Employment Agreement before the expiration of its stated term by
Mr.
Palmer for good reason or by the Company for any reason other than death,
disability or cause, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Palmer 12 months base
salary plus a pro-rated bonus for the year during which such termination occurs
as severance.
As
an
inducement material to Mr. Palmer’s decision to enter into employment with the
Company, the Company previously granted to Mr. Palmer an option to purchase
625,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The option has a term of 10 years,
a per share exercise price of $1.40 and will vest over a period of two years,
with 125,000 shares vesting on the date of grant and 125,000 shares vesting
on
each subsequent six-month anniversary of the date of grant. The revised option
provides that upon the termination of Mr. Palmer’s employment with the Company,
the option remains exercisable for various periods based on the circumstances
under which Mr. Palmer’s employment was terminated.
Legal
proceedings:
On
July
17, 2006, Taverniti Holdings, LLC (THL), an independent entity not owned or
controlled by us, and Jimmy Taverniti, an individual, filed an action in the
United States District Court for the Central District of California (Case No.
CV06-4522 DDP) against Henri Levy alleging that defendant has infringed THL’s
mark J. TAVERNITI and further infringed Mr. Taverniti’s commercial publicity
rights, by defendant’s adoption and use of the mark TAVERNITY. We
have been informed that in a counter-claim against THL, defendant has also
named
our company and Taverniti as purported counter defendants. As it
relates to Taverniti and our company, the counter claim seeks only a declaration
of rights, to the effect that Taverniti and our company have conspired with
THL
to defeat defendant’s alleged rights in his TAVERNITY mark, and a further
declaration that as a result of such alleged misconduct, neither Taverniti
nor
our company have any enforceable rights in the TAVERNITI SO JEANS
mark. It does not seek any monetary relief against either Taverniti
or our company.
BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS
OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
We
have taken the position that neither
Taverniti nor our company can properly be added as new parties to this lawsuit
by naming us as counter defendants, and that we can only be named as third
party
defendants. The defendant has not, as yet, served either Taverniti or
us with the counter claim, and so we are not yet formally parties to the
case. At such time, if ever, that the defendant takes the necessary
action to formally serve us with the counter claim, we intend to deny all the
material charging allegations of the defendant’s claim for declaratory relief
and to vigorously defend against his claims. At this time, we are
unable to express an opinion whether it is likely that the defendant will take
such actions, or whether, if he does, it is likely or unlikely that he will
be
able to prevail against us on his claim for declaratory relief.
NOTE
12-SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Issue
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Subsequent
to September 30, 2007 the Company agreed to issue 1,000,000 Series A convertible
preferred shares valued at $2,556,682 to Mr. Guez in satisfaction of $2,556,682
of advances to the Company by Mr. Guez. The Series A preferred
shares are convertible into 3,479,899 shares of our common stock based on a
conversion formula equal to the price per share ($2.556682) divided by the
conversion price ($0.7347) multiplied by the total number of Series A preferred
shares issued, subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of
the certificate of designation for the Series A preferred shares. The
conversion price equals the average closing price of a share of the Company's
common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market, over the 20 trading days
immediately preceding November 13, 2007, the closing date of the transaction.
The Series A preferred shares accrue cumulative dividends at the annual rate
of
6% of the purchase price in preference to the common stock. The
purchase price for the Series A preferred shares is $2.556682 per
share. Upon the liquidation or dissolution of the Company the Series
A preferred shares are entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the
holders of common stock, 100% of the purchase price plus all accrued but unpaid
dividends. The Company has reflected the effect of this transaction as if it
would have occurred on September 30, 2007 in the proforma liabilities and
stockholders’ equity section on the balance sheet.
ITEM
2.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
|
Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements
made in this Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) that are not historical or
current facts are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”),
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”). We intend that such forward-looking statements be
subject to the safe harbors for such statements. We wish to caution
readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date made. Any forward-looking statements
represent management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the
future. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on
current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties.
Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to,
among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and
future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict
accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we
believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there
can
be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly
Report will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant
uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the
inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by
us
or any other person that our objectives and plans will be
achieved. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
of
such statement or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated
events.
The
words
“we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company,” refer to Blue Holdings,
Inc. The words or phrases “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate,” or “continue,” “would be,” “will
allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,”
“is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions, or the negative
thereof, are intended to identify “forward-looking
statements.” Actual results could differ materially from those
projected in the forward looking statements as a result of a number of risks
and
uncertainties, including but not limited to: (a) our failure to
implement our business plan within the time period we originally planned to
accomplish; and (b) other risks that are discussed in this Quarterly Report
or
included in our previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”).
Description
of Business
Overview
Blue
Holdings, Inc. designs, develops, markets and distributes high end fashion
jeans, apparel and accessories under the brand name names Antik Denim,
Yanuk, U, Faith Connexion and Taverniti So
Jeans. We plan to also design, develop, market and distribute
jeans and accessories under other brands that we may license or acquire from
time to time. Our products currently include jeans, jackets, belts,
purses and T-shirts. We currently sell our products in the United
States, Canada, and Japan directly to department stores and boutiques
and through distribution arrangements in certain foreign
jurisdictions. We are headquartered in Commerce, California and
maintain two showrooms in New York and Los Angeles. We opened a
retail store in Los Angeles during August 2005 and another in San Francisco
in
September 2006. The Company has announced that it is reviewing its
strategic alternatives regarding its retail stores. These retail
strategic alternatives include no action, sale, licensing, and/or possibly
closing the stores. As of November 13, 2007, no determination has been made
by
the Company’s Board of Directors.
Corporate
Background
We
were
incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 9, 2000 under the name Marine
Jet Technology Corp. From our inception through January 2005, we
focused on developing and marketing boat propulsion
technology. Between January and February 2005, we entered into
separate transactions whereby, among other matters, Keating Reverse Merger
Fund,
LLC (“KRM Fund”), an existing shareholder of the Company, agreed to purchase a
substantial majority of our outstanding common stock, and Intellijet Marine,
Inc., a company formed by our former majority shareholder and principal
executive officer and director, Jeff P. Jordan, acquired all of our boat
propulsion technology assets and assumed all of our then existing
liabilities.
Between
February 4, 2005 and April 29, 2005, we existed as a public “shell” company with
nominal assets.
Significant
Developments in Third Quarter
On
July
24, 2007, we appointed Glenn S. Palmer as our new Chief Executive Officer and
President. Mr. Palmer’s Employment Agreement is effective as of July 1, 2007,
has an initial term that expires on December 31, 2010, and is subject to
automatic renewal thereafter for one-year terms unless either party gives the
other party written notice of its intention to terminate the Employment
Agreement at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any
renewal term. Under the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Palmer will
receive base compensation for each of the third and fourth quarters of fiscal
2007 of $87,500 and minimum annual compensation for each of fiscal 2008 through
2010 of $400,000. Mr. Palmer is also entitled to receive an annual bonus
equivalent to 2.5% of our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 through 2010, and
is
eligible to receive a bonus for the period ended December 31, 2007, if any,
as
determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr.
Palmer is also entitled to four weeks paid vacation and reimbursement of
expenses, including up to $2,000 per month for all expenses incurred by Mr.
Palmer with respect to his personal automobile. We have also agreed to provide
Mr. Palmer with a furnished apartment or comparable living space in Los Angeles,
California suitable to his position for the initial twelve months of the term
of
the Employment Agreement. Additionally, we have agreed to pay for no more than
two coach or economy class round trip tickets per month from Los Angeles to
New
Jersey for Mr. Palmer. As an inducement material to Mr. Palmer's decision
to enter into employment with us, we agreed to grant Mr. Palmer an option to
purchase 625,000 shares of our common stock. The option has a term of 10 years,
a per share exercise price of $1.40 and will vest over a period of two years,
with 125,000 shares vesting on the date of grant and 125,000 shares vesting
on
each subsequent six-month anniversary of the date of grant. Upon the
termination of Mr. Palmer's employment with us the option remains
exercisable for various periods based on the circumstances under which Mr.
Palmer’s employment was terminated.
Mr.
Palmer commenced the implementation of a comprehensive action plan with key
strategic initiatives focused on cutting costs to reduce our SG&A by
approximately 10% by the end of the year, selling off our excess inventory,
and
aggressively reviewing and evaluating the long-term viability of our brands,
licensees and retail strategy. On September 24, 2007, we announced
the discontinuation of our joint venture with Life & Death LLC, a reduction
in approximately 25% of our workforce and our plans to exit our two retail
stores. We continue to evaluate our retail strategy which includes a
variety of options including the possibility of exiting the retail business.
At
this time no determination has been made.
On
September 28, 2007, Scott J. Drake resigned as our President of Sales and Chief
Operating Officer. We appointed Mr. Drake to those positions in March
2007.
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain data derived
from
our consolidated statements of operations and certain such data expressed as
a
percentage of net sales.
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
$ |
9,458,399
|
|
|
$ |
14,551,581
|
|
|
$ |
26,300,592
|
|
|
$ |
41,610,112
|
|
Gross
Profit
|
|
|
947,152
|
|
|
|
4,434,849
|
|
|
|
10,510,754
|
|
|
|
17,812,465
|
|
Percentage
of net sales
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
43 |
% |
Selling,
distribution & administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
4,468,960
|
|
|
$ |
4,281,467
|
|
|
$ |
13,046,619
|
|
|
$ |
13,204,554
|
|
Percentage
of net sales
|
|
|
47 |
% |
|
|
29 |
% |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
32 |
% |
Income
(loss) before provision for income taxes
|
|
$ |
(3,975,110 |
) |
|
$ |
(605,502 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,741,700 |
) |
|
$ |
3,463,265
|
|
Percentage
of net sales
|
|
|
-42 |
% |
|
|
-4 |
% |
|
|
-14 |
% |
|
|
8 |
% |
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(3,882,284 |
) |
|
$ |
(420,860 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,757,790 |
) |
|
$ |
1,973,812
|
|
Percentage
of net sales
|
|
|
-41 |
% |
|
|
-3 |
% |
|
|
-14 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2007 vs. 2006
During
the third quarter, net sales, and in particular gross margin, were impacted
by
our strategic decision to reduce excess inventory through increased sales volume
of discounted merchandise and substantially increased markdown
levels. In addition, poor product assortment, late deliveries and the
softening of the denim market had a significant impact on both net sales and
gross margin.
Net
sales
decreased from $14.55 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006
to
$9.46 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The sales decreased
due to the recessionary economic climate, weak premium denim market and lack
of
any material European distribution.
Gross
profit for the three months ended September 30, 2007 decreased to $0.95 million
from $4.43 million during the three months ended September 30, 2006. The
decrease in gross profit was largely due to reduced sales during the quarter
ended September 30, 2007 and also due to the mark down of inventory and sales
of
off-price inventory, approximately 27%, during the period. During the third
quarter, the Company experienced a dramatic reduction in the price at which
it
could sell its off-price product. There is a rather restricted avenue of
distribution for off-price denim product and that market at this time is deluged
with off price product, resulting in substantially lower selling
prices.
However,
we expect our gross margin to be maintained at approximately 50% or greater
in
the future.
Selling,
distribution and administrative expenses for the three months ended September
30, 2007 totaled $4.47 million compared with $4.28 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2006. The principal components in the second quarter of
2007
were payroll of $1.89 million (compared to $2.28 million in the third quarter
last year), trade show expense of $0.21 million ($0.27 million in the same
period of 2006), professional fee expenses of $0.19 million ($0.23 million
in
the same period of 2006), royalties of $0.15 million ($0.51 million in 2006)
and
stock-based compensation of $0.12 million ($0.13 million in the same period
last
year). At the conclusion of the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the
Company made significant reductions in its selling, distribution, and
administrative expenses. Payroll was reduced by $2,400,000 dollars on an annual
basis, or $600,000 quarterly.
Net
Income (loss) after provision/benefit for taxes in the third quarter of 2007
was
$(3.9) million or 41% of net sales compared to $0.42 million or 3% of net sales
in the third quarter of 2006. Basic and diluted earnings per share decreased
to
$(0.15) from $(0.02) in the same period of last year. For the three months
ended
September 30, 2007, the Company recognized income tax benefit of $0.09 million
compared to income tax benefit of $0.18 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2006.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2007 vs. 2006
Net
sales
decreased from $41.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to
$26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The sales were
less
than during the same period last year for a variety of reasons. First, the
recessionary economic climate coupled with weak premium denim market sales
resulted in reduced sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Secondly, our international sales decreased from 30% in 2006 to 20.9% during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Gross
profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 decreased to $10.5 million
from $17.81 million during the same period last year. The decrease in
gross profit was largely due to reduced sales during the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and also due to mark down of the inventory and sales of
off-price inventory, approximately 27%, during the period. During the third
quarter, the Company experienced a dramatic reduction in the price at which
it
could sell its off-price product. There is a rather restricted avenue of
distribution for off-price denim product and that market at this time is deluged
with off price product, resulting in substantially lower selling
prices.
However,
we expect our gross margin to be maintained at approximately 50% or greater
in
the future.
Selling,
distribution and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September
30,
2007 totaled $13.05 million compared with $13.20 million for the same period
last year. The principal components during the nine months ended September
30,
2007 were payroll of $5.24 million (compared to $3.5 million in the same period
last year), professional fee expenses of $0.65 million ($0.58 million in the
same period of 2006), advertising and trade show expenses of $0.55 million
($0.71 million in the same period of 2006), rent expense of $0.47 million ($0.37
million in the same period of 2006), royalties of $0.36 million ($0.83 million
in 2006) and stock-based compensation of $0.14 million ($0.23 million in the
same period last year). At the conclusion of the quarter ended September 30,
2007, the Company made significant reductions in its selling, distribution,
and
administrative expenses. Payroll was reduced by $2,400,000 dollars on
an annual basis.
Net
Income (loss) after provision for taxes during the nine months ended September
30, 2007 was $(3.7) million or 14.3% of net sales compared to $1.97 million
or
4.7% of net sales during the same period of 2006. Basic and diluted earnings
per
share decreased to $(0.14) from $0.08 in the same period of last year. For
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized income tax
provision of $0.02 million compared to the provision for income tax of $1.49
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
believe we currently have adequate resources to fund our anticipated cash needs
through December 31, 2007 and beyond. However, an adverse business
development could require us to raise additional financing sooner than
anticipated.
Our
primary source of liquidity is expected to be cash flow generated from
operations, cash and cash equivalents currently on hand, and working capital
attainable through our factor. We received a $2.0 million tax refund during
the
third quarter of 2007. We may seek to finance future capital needs
through various means and channels, such as issuance of long-term debt or sale
of equity securities.
For
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007, net cash used in operating activities
was
$(4.4 million). The deficit was primarily due to an increase of $3.5
million in inventory and $1.3 million in due from factor and a
decrease in accounts payable of $1.9 million and was offset by a decrease in
accounts receivables of $4.2 million, and an increase in bank overdraft of
$0.6
million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $5.1 million due to
an
increase in short-term borrowings by $4.4 million and an increase in
advances from our majority shareholder by $0.7 million.
Under
a
new initiative instituted by the Company’s CEO, the Company plans to
significantly reduce its level of both fabric and finished goods
inventory. This reduction will provide the company with a substantial
amount of liquidity. The plan is to reduce the fabric inventory by
approximately 200,000 yards, and the finished good inventory by approximately
75,000 to 110,000 units. The Company anticipates this will result in the
generation of approximately $2,500,000 of cash.
The
Company currently is in negotiations with its factor to term out a portion
of
its short term debt. If completed, this negotiation will result in
the generation of additional working capital.
The
Company currently is in negotiations with its majority stockholder to sell
to
the Company his interest in the trademarks Yanuk and Taverniti So
Jeans.
We
use a
factor for working capital and credit administration purposes. Under
the various factoring agreements entered into separately by Blue Holdings,
Antik
and Taverniti, the factor purchases all the trade accounts receivable assigned
by the Company and its subsidiaries and assumes all credit risk with respect
to
those accounts approved by it.
The
factor agreements provide that we can borrow an amount up to 90% of the value
of
our purchased customer invoices, less a reserve of 10% of unpaid accounts
purchased and 100% of all such accounts which are disputed. The
factor agreements provide for automatic renewal subject to 120 days’ termination
notice from any party. The factor also makes available to all three companies
a
combined line of credit up to the lesser of $2.4 million or 50% of the value
of
eligible raw materials and finished goods. As of September 30, 2007, borrowings
under this line of credit were $14.5 million, of which, the Company drew down
$2.4 million of this credit line against inventory, $4.9 million against
accounts receivable and $7.2 million against personal guarantees of Paul Guez,
our Chairman and majority shareholder, and the living trust of Paul and
Elizabeth Guez.
As
of
September 30, 2007, the factor holds $2,831,979 of accounts receivable purchased
from us on a without recourse basis and has made advances to us of $63,315
against those receivables, resulting in a net balance amount Due from Factor
of
$2,662,425, net of reserves of $106,236, as of September 30, 2007. The Company
has accounted for the sale of receivables to the factor in accordance with
SFAS
No. 140, “Accounting for the Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities.”
As
of
September 30, 2007, the factor also held as collateral $3,380,109 of accounts
receivable that were subject to recourse, against which the Company has provided
reserves of $1,193,000 and as of September 30, 2007, the Company received
advances totaling $14,463,000 against such receivables, eligible inventory,
intangibles, and on the personal guarantee of Mr. Paul Guez. The Company has
included the $3,114,334 in accounts receivable, and has reflected the
$14,463,000 as short term borrowings on the accompanying balance sheet. The
factor commission against such receivables is 0.4% and interest is charged
at
the rate of 1% over the factor’s prime lending rate per annum.
The
factor commission on receivables purchased on a without recourse basis is 0.75%
if the aggregate amount of approved invoices is below $10 million per annum,
0.70% if between $10 million and $20 million and 0.65% if between $20 million
and $30 million. The Company is contingently liable to the factor for
merchandise disputes, customer claims and the like on receivables sold to the
factor. To the extent that the Company draws funds prior to the deemed
collection date of the accounts receivable sold to the factor, interest is
charged at the rate of 1% over the factor’s prime lending rate per annum. Factor
advances are collateralized by the non-factored accounts receivable, inventories
and the personal guarantees of Paul Guez, our Chairman and majority shareholder,
and the living trust of Paul and Elizabeth Guez (see note 6).
From
time
to time, our majority shareholder, Mr. Paul Guez, made advances to us to support
our working capital needs. These advances were non-interest bearing. On July
1,
2006, Mr. Guez converted the advances to a line of credit in an agreement with
us. The line of credit allows us to borrow from him up to a maximum of $3
million at an annual interest rate of 6%. We may repay the advances in full
or
in part at any time until the credit line expires on December 31,
2007. As of September 30, 2007, the balance of these advances was
$2.6 million.
Subsequent
to September 30, 2007 the Company agreed to issue 1,000,000 Series A convertible
preferred shares valued at $2,556,682 to Mr. Guez in satisfaction of $2,556,682
of advances to the Company by Mr. Guez. The Series A preferred shares are
convertible into 3,479,899 shares of our common stock based on a conversion
formula equal to the price per share ($2.556682) divided by the conversion
price
($0.7347) multiplied by the total number of Series A preferred shares issued,
subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of the certificate
of
designation for the Series A preferred shares. The conversion price equals
the
average closing price of a share of the company's common stock, as quoted on
the
NASDAQ Capital Market, over the 20 trading days immediately preceding November
13, 2007 the closing date of the transaction. The Series A preferred shares
accrue cumulative dividends at the annual rate of 6% of the purchase price
in
preference to the common stock. The purchase price for the Series A
preferred shares is $2.556682 per share. Upon the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company the Series A preferred shares are entitled to
receive, prior to any distribution to the holders of common stock, 100% of
the
purchase price plus all accrued but unpaid dividends. The Company has reflected
the effect of this transaction as if it would have occurred on September 30,
2007 in the proforma liabilities and stockholders’ equity section on the balance
sheet.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues. On an ongoing
basis, we evaluate estimates, including those related to returns, discounts,
bad
debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and
litigations. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various
assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the
results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions
or
conditions.
Revenue
Revenue
is recognized when merchandise has been shipped against a customer’s written
purchase order, the risk of ownership has passed, selling price has been fixed
and determined and collectibility is reasonably assured either through payment
received, or fulfillment of all the terms and conditions of the particular
purchase order. Revenue is recorded net of estimated returns, charge
backs and markdowns based on management’s estimates and historical
experience.
Accounts
Receivable - Allowance for Returns, Discounts and Bad
Debts:
We
evaluate our ability to collect accounts receivable and the circumstances
surrounding chargebacks (disputes from the customer) based upon a combination
of
factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s
inability to meet its financial obligations (such as in the case of bankruptcy
filings or substantial downgrading by credit sources), a specific reserve for
bad debts is taken against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable
to the amount reasonably expected to be collected. For all other
customers, we recognize reserves for bad debts and uncollectible chargebacks
based on our historical collection experience. If our collection
experience deteriorates (for example, due to an unexpected material adverse
change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us),
the estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a
material amount.
Inventories
Inventories
are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the
first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.
Income
Taxes
We
account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income
Taxes.” Under SFAS No. 109, income taxes are recognized for the
amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax
liabilities and assets are recognized for the future tax consequences of
transactions that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax
returns. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely
than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be
realized.
At
the
beginning of fiscal year 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation
No.48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” As a result of
the implementation of Interpretation 48, we recognized a $52,465 increase in
the
liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction
to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
In
September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157 (“FAS 157”), “Fair
Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
FAS
157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates
inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements.
FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its
consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or
disclosures.
In
February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115” (FAS 159). FAS 159, which becomes effective
for the company on January 1, 2008, permits companies to choose to measure
many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and report
unrealized gains and losses in earnings. Such accounting is optional and
is
generally to be applied instrument by instrument. The company does not
anticipate that lection, if any, of this fair-value option will have a
material effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations,
cash flows or disclosures.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to off-balance sheet risk
consist of factored accounts receivable. The Company sells certain of
its trade accounts receivable to a factor and is contingently liable to the
factor for merchandise disputes and other customer claims.
As
of
September 30, 2007, the factor holds $2,831,979 of accounts receivable purchased
from us on a without recourse basis and has made advances to us of $63,315
against those receivables, resulting in a net balance amount Due from Factor
of
$2,662,425 net of reserves of $106,236, as of September 30, 2007. The Company
has accounted for the sale of receivables to the factor in accordance with
SFAS
No. 140, “Accounting for the Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities.”
RISK
FACTORS
YOU
SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ALL OTHER INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS DESCRIPTION BEFORE PURCHASING SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK
OR
OTHER SECURITIES. INVESTING IN BLUE HOLDINGS’ COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A
HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED BELOW ARE
NOT THE ONLY ONES FACING US. ADDITIONAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT
WE ARE NOT AWARE OF, OR THAT WE CURRENTLY DEEM IMMATERIAL, ALSO MAY BECOME
IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT AFFECT US. IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS OR
OUTCOMES ACTUALLY OCCURS, OUR BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION WOULD LIKELY SUFFER. AS A RESULT, THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR
COMMON STOCK COULD DECLINE, AND YOU MAY LOSE ALL OR PART OF THE MONEY YOU PAID
TO PURCHASE OUR COMMON STOCK.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
have a limited operating history, making it difficult to evaluate whether we
will operate profitably.
Antik
and
Taverniti, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, were formed in September 2004 to
design, develop, manufacture, market, distribute and sell high end fashion
jeans, apparel and accessories. Further, Faith Connection,
although successful in Europe, is not fully tested in the United
States. As a result, we do not have a meaningful historical record of
sales and revenues nor an established business track record. While
our management believes that we have an opportunity to be successful in the
high
end fashion jean market, there can be no assurance that we will be successful
in
accomplishing our business initiatives, or that we will achieve any significant
level of revenues, or continue to recognize net income, from the sale of our
products.
Unanticipated
problems, expenses and delays are frequently encountered in increasing
production and sales and developing new products, especially in the current
stage of our business. Our ability to continue to successfully
develop, produce and sell our products and to generate significant operating
revenues will depend on our ability to, among other matters:
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successfully
market, distribute and sell our products or enter into agreements
with
third parties to perform these functions on our behalf;
and
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·
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obtain
the financing required to implement our business
plan.
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Given
our
limited operating history, our license agreements with Yanuk Jeans, LLC, our
acquisition of Taverniti, and our lack of long-term sales history and other
sources of revenue, there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve
any of our goals and develop a sufficiently large customer base to be
profitable.
We
may require additional capital in the future.
We
may
not be able to fund our future growth or react to competitive pressures if
we
lack sufficient funds. Currently, management believes we have
sufficient cash on hand and cash available through our factor to fund existing
operations for the foreseeable future. However, in the future, we may
need to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings or
collaborative relationships, including in the event that we lose our
relationship with our factor. This additional funding may not be
available or, if available, it may not be available on commercially reasonable
terms. In addition, any additional funding may result in significant
dilution to existing shareholders. If adequate funds are not
available on commercially acceptable terms, we may be required to curtail our
operations or obtain funds through collaborative partners that may require
us to
release material rights to our products.
Failure
to manage our growth and expansion could impair our business.
Management
believes that we are poised for reasonable growth in 2008 by diversifying the
Company’s sales to a higher proportion of department store business, and by
maintaining focus on our core brands. However, no assurance can be given that
we
will be successful in maintaining or increasing our sales in the
future. Any future growth in sales will require additional working
capital and may place a significant strain on our management, management
information systems, inventory management, sourcing capability, distribution
facilities and receivables management. Any disruption in our order
processing, sourcing or distribution systems could cause orders to be shipped
late, and under industry practices, retailers generally can cancel orders or
refuse to accept goods due to late shipment. Such cancellations and
returns would result in a reduction in revenue, increased administrative and
shipping costs and a further burden on our distribution facilities.
Additionally,
we intend from time to time to acquire and/or license other businesses and
brands, as applicable, as we deem appropriate. If we are unable to
properly integrate any business or brands we acquire and/or license, this could
adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.
The
loss of Paul Guez or our lead designers would have an adverse effect on our
future development and could significantly impair our ability to achieve our
business objectives.
Our
success is largely dependent upon the expertise and knowledge of our Chairman,
Paul Guez, and our lead designers, and our ability to continue to hire and
retain other key personnel. The loss of Mr. Guez, or any of our other
key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
development, financial condition, and operating results. We do not
maintain “key person” life insurance on any of our management or key personnel,
including Mr. Guez.
We
currently own or license, and operate, a limited number of principal
brands. If we are unsuccessful in marketing and distributing those
brands or in executing our other strategies, our results of operations and
financial condition will be adversely affected.
While
our
goal is to employ a multi-brand strategy that will ultimately diversify the
fashion and other risks associated with reliance on a limited product line,
we
currently operate, directly and through ur wholly-owned subsidiaries Antik
and Taverniti, a limited number of principal brands, most of which are being
operated pursuant to very recent license or acquisition
agreements. If we are unable to successfully market and distribute
our branded products, or if the recent popularity of premium denim brands
decreases, or if we are unable to execute on our multi-brand strategy to acquire
and/or license additional companies and/or brands, as applicable, identified
by
our management from time to time, our results of operations and financial
condition will be adversely affected.
Our
operating results may fluctuate significantly.
Management
expects that we will experience substantial variations in our net sales and
operating results from quarter to quarter. We believe that the
factors which influence this variability of quarterly results
include:
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the
timing of our introduction of new product
lines;
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the
level of consumer acceptance of each new product
line;
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general
economic and industry conditions that affect consumer spending and
retailer purchasing;
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the
availability of manufacturing
capacity;
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the
seasonality of the markets in which we
participate;
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the
timing of trade shows;
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the
product mix of customer orders;
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the
timing of the placement or cancellation of customer
orders;
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quotas
and other regulatory matters;
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the
occurrence of charge backs in excess of
reserves;
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the
timing of expenditures in anticipation of increased sales and actions
of
competitors; and
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the
value of the dollar, in relation to other
currencies
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As
a
result of fluctuations in our revenue and operating expenses that may occur,
management believes that period-to-period comparisons of our results of
operations are not a good indication of our future performance. It is
possible that in some future quarter or quarters, our operating results will
be
below the expectations of securities analysts or investors. In that
case, our common stock price could fluctuate significantly or
decline.
The
loss of business from any significant customer would affect our results of
operations.
One
customer accounted for 11.1% of our sales for the quarter ended September 30,
2007. A decrease in business from or loss of any significant customer
would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Additionally,
certain retailers, including some of our customers, have experienced in the
past, and may experience in the future, financial difficulties, which increase
the risk of extending credit to such retailers and the risk that financial
failure will eliminate a customer entirely. These retailers have
attempted to improve their own operating efficiencies by concentrating their
purchasing power among a narrowing group of vendors. There can be no
assurance that we will remain a preferred vendor or our existing
customers. Further, there can be no assurance that our factor will
approve the extension of credit to certain retail customers in the
future. If a customer’s credit is not approved by the factor, we
could assume the collection risk on sales to the customer itself, require that
the customer provide a letter of credit, or choose not to make sales to the
customer.
Our
business is subject to risks associated with importing
products.
A
portion
of our import operations are subject to tariffs imposed on imported products
and
quotas imposed by trade agreements. In addition, the countries in
which our products are imported may from time to time impose additional new
duties, tariffs or other restrictions on their respective imports or adversely
modify existing restrictions. Adverse changes in these import costs
and restrictions, or our suppliers’ failure to comply with customs or similar
laws, could harm our business. We cannot assure that future trade
agreements will not provide our competitors with an advantage over us, or
increase our costs, either of which could have an adverse effect on our business
and financial condition.
Our
operations are also subject to the effects of international trade agreements
and
regulations such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the activities
and regulations of the World Trade Organization. Generally, these
trade agreements benefit our business by reducing or eliminating the duties
assessed on products or other materials manufactured in a particular
country. However, trade agreements can also impose requirements that
adversely affect our business, such as limiting the countries from which we
can
purchase raw materials and setting duties or restrictions on products that
may
be imported into the United States from a particular country.
Our
ability to import raw materials in a timely and cost-effective manner may also
be affected by problems at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation
and warehousing providers, such as labor disputes. These problems
could require us to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers to avoid
disruption to our customers. These alternatives may not be available
on short notice or could result in higher transit costs, which could have an
adverse impact on our business and financial condition.
Our
dependence on independent manufacturers and suppliers of raw materials reduces
our ability to control the manufacturing process, which could harm our sales,
reputation and overall profitability.
We
depend
on independent contract manufacturers and suppliers of raw materials to secure
a
sufficient supply of raw materials and maintain sufficient manufacturing and
shipping capacity in an environment characterized by declining prices, labor
shortages, continuing cost pressure and increased demands for product innovation
and speed-to-market. This dependence could subject us to difficulty
in obtaining timely delivery of products of acceptable quality. In
addition, a contractor’s failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to
meet the required quality standards could cause us to miss the delivery date
requirements of our customers. The failure to make timely deliveries
may cause our customers to cancel orders, refuse to accept deliveries, impose
non-compliance charges through invoice deductions or other charge-backs, demand
reduced prices or reduce future orders, any of which could harm our sales,
reputation and overall profitability.
We
do not
have long-term contracts with any of our independent contractors and any of
these contractors may unilaterally terminate their relationship with us at
any
time. While management believes that there exists an adequate supply
of contractors to provide products and services to us, to the extent we are
not
able to secure or maintain relationships with independent contractors that
are
able to fulfill our requirements, our business would be harmed.
We
have
initiated standards for our suppliers, and monitor our independent contractors’
compliance with applicable labor laws, but we do not control our contractors
or
their labor practices. The violation of federal, state or foreign
labor laws by one of our contractors could result in us being subject to fines
and our goods that are manufactured in violation of such laws being seized
or
their sale in interstate commerce being prohibited. To date, we have
not been subject to any sanctions that, individually or in the aggregate, have
had a material adverse effect on our business, and we are not aware of any
facts
on which any such sanctions could be based. There can be no
assurance, however, that in the future we will not be subject to sanctions
as a
result of violations of applicable labor laws by our contractors, or that such
sanctions will not have a material adverse effect on our business and results
of
operations.
We
may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property
rights.
The
loss
of or inability to enforce our trademarks or any of our other proprietary or
licensed designs, patents, know-how and trade secrets could adversely affect
our
business. If any third party copies or otherwise gains access to our
trademarks or other proprietary rights, or develops similar products
independently, it may be costly to enforce our rights and we would not be able
to compete as effectively. Additionally, the laws of foreign
countries may provide inadequate protection of intellectual property rights,
making it difficult to enforce such rights in those countries.
We
may
need to bring legal claims to enforce or protect our intellectual property
rights. Any litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could
result in substantial costs and diversions of resources. In addition,
notwithstanding the rights we have secured in our intellectual property, third
parties may bring claims against us alleging that we have infringed on their
intellectual property rights or that our intellectual property rights are not
valid. Any claims against us, with or without merit, could be time
consuming and costly to defend or litigate and therefore could have an adverse
affect on our business.
Our
business is growing more international and can be disrupted by factors beyond
our control.
We
have
been reducing our reliance on domestic contractors and expanding our use of
offshore manufacturers as a cost-effective means to produce our
products. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, we sourced a
significant majority of our finished products from suppliers located outside
the
United States and we also continued to increase our purchase of fabrics outside
the United States. In addition, we have been increasing our
international sales of product primarily through our licensees and
distributors.
As
a
result of our increasing international operations, we face the possibility
of
greater losses from a number of risks inherent in doing business in
international markets and from a number of factors which are beyond our
control. Such factors that could harm our results of operations and
financial condition include, among other things:
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Political
instability or acts of terrorism, which disrupt trade with the countries
in which our contractors, suppliers or customers are
located;
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Local
business practices that do not conform to legal or ethical
guidelines;
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Adoption
of additional or revised quotas, restrictions or regulations relating
to
imports or exports;
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Additional
or increased customs duties, tariffs, taxes and other charges on
imports;
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Significant
fluctuations in the value of the dollar against foreign
currencies;
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Increased
difficulty in protecting our intellectual property rights in foreign
jurisdictions;
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Social,
legal or economic instability in the foreign markets in which we
do
business, which could influence our ability to sell our products
in these
international markets; and
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Restrictions
on the transfer of funds between the United States and foreign
jurisdictions.
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Risks
Related to Our Industry
Our
sales are heavily influenced by general economic cycles.
Apparel
is a cyclical industry that is heavily dependent upon the overall level of
consumer spending. Purchases of apparel and related goods tend to be
highly correlated with cycles in the disposable income of our
consumers. Our customers anticipate and respond to adverse changes in
economic conditions and uncertainty by reducing inventories and canceling
orders. As a result, any substantial deterioration in general
economic conditions, increases in interest rates, acts of war, terrorist or
political events that diminish consumer spending and confidence in any of the
regions in which we compete, could reduce our sales and adversely affect our
business and financial condition.
Our
business is highly competitive and depends on consumer spending
patterns.
The
apparel industry is highly competitive. We face a variety of
competitive challenges including:
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anticipating
and quickly responding to changing consumer
demands;
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developing
innovative, high-quality products in sizes and styles that appeal
to
consumers;
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competitively
pricing our products and achieving customer perception of value;
and
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the
need to provide strong and effective marketing
support.
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We
must successfully gauge fashion trends and changing consumer preferences to
succeed.
Our
success is largely dependent upon our ability to gauge the fashion tastes of
our
customers and to provide merchandise that satisfies retail and customer demand
in a timely manner. The apparel business fluctuates according to
changes in consumer preferences dictated in part by fashion and
season. To the extent we misjudge the market for our merchandise, our
sales may be adversely affected. Our ability to anticipate and
effectively respond to changing fashion trends depends in part on our ability
to
attract and retain key personnel in our design, merchandising and marketing
staff. Competition for these personnel is intense, and we cannot be
sure that we will be able to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified
personnel in future periods.
Our
business may be subject to seasonal trends resulting in fluctuations in our
quarterly results, which could cause uncertainty about our future performance
and harm our results of operations.
In
the
experience of our management, operating results in the high end fashion denim
industry have been subject to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly
basis. These trends are dependent on numerous factors,
including:
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the
markets in which we operate;
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economic
conditions; and
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numerous
other factors beyond our control.
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Other
Risks Related to our Stock
If
we
are not able to regain compliance with the continued listing requirements,
our
shares may be removed from listing on the NASDAQ Capital
Market.
On
November 12, 2007 we were advised by the NASDAQ Capital Market that we were
non-compliant with the minimum bid price listing requirement and we were
afforded an opportunity to submit a plan to the NASDAQ Capital
Market regarding the steps that we would take to regain
compliance. Failure to submit a plan that is acceptable to the NASDAQ
Capital Market or failure to make progress consistent with any accepted
plan or to regain compliance with the continued listing standards could
result in our common stock being delisted from the NASDAQ Capital
Market. In addition we have suffered recurring losses and may
fail to comply with other listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital
Market. We may not be able to regain compliance with these matters within
the time allowed by the NASDAQ Capital Market, and our shares of common
stock may be removed from listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Our
sale of securities in any equity or debt financing could result in dilution
to
our shareholders and have a material adverse effect on our
earnings.
Any
sale
of shares by us in future private placement or other offerings could result
in
dilution to our existing shareholders as a direct result of our issuance of
additional shares of our capital stock. In addition, our business
strategy may include expansion through internal growth, by acquiring
complementary businesses, by acquiring or licensing additional brands, or by
establishing strategic relationships with targeted customers and
suppliers. In order to do so, or to fund our other activities, we may
issue additional equity securities that could dilute our shareholders’ stock
ownership. We may also assume additional debt and incur impairment
losses related to goodwill and other tangible assets if we acquire another
company and this could negatively impact our results of operations.
Insiders
own a significant portion of our common stock, which could limit our
shareholders’ ability to influence the outcome of key
transactions.
As
of
November 13, 2007, our executive officers and directors owned approximately
79%
of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Paul Guez, our
Chairman, and his spouse Elizabeth Guez collectively owned approximately 72%
of
the outstanding shares of our common stock at November 13, 2007. We
also agreed to issue 1,000,000 Series A convertible preferred shares to Mr.
Guez
in satisfaction of $2,556,682 of advances to us by Mr. Guez. The
Series A preferred shares are convertible into 3,479,899 shares of common stock
and vote with our common stock on an as-converted basis on all matters presented
to our shareholders. Accordingly, our executive officers and key
personnel have the ability to affect the outcome of, or exert considerable
influence over, all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the
election and removal of directors and any change in control. This
concentration of ownership of our common stock could have the effect of delaying
or preventing a change of control of us or otherwise discouraging or preventing
a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us. This,
in turn, could have a negative effect on the market price of our common
stock. It could also prevent our shareholders from realizing a
premium over the market prices for their shares of common stock.
Our
stock price has been volatile.
Our
common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and there can be
substantial volatility in the market price of our common stock. The
market price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be,
subject to significant fluctuations due to a variety of factors, including
quarterly variations in operating results, operating results which vary from
the
expectations of securities analysts and investors, changes in financial
estimates, changes in market valuations of competitors, announcements by us
or
our competitors of a material nature, loss of one or more customers, additions
or departures of key personnel, future sales of common stock and stock market
price and volume fluctuations. In addition, general political and
economic conditions such as a recession, or interest rate or currency rate
fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common
stock.
In
addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that have affected the market price of our common
stock. Often, price fluctuations are unrelated to operating
performance of the specific companies whose stock is affected. In the
past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s stock,
securities class action litigation has occurred against the issuing
company. If we were subject to this type of litigation in the future,
we could incur substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention
and resources, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue
and earnings. Any adverse determination in this type of litigation
could also subject us to significant liabilities.
Absence
of dividends could reduce our attractiveness to investors.
Some
investors favor companies that pay dividends, particularly in general downturns
in the stock market. We have not declared or paid any cash dividends
on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any future
earnings for funding growth, and we do not currently anticipate paying cash
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Because we
may not pay dividends, your return on an investment in our common stock likely
depends on your selling such stock at a profit.
Our
Board is authorized to issue preferred stock, which may make it difficult for
any party to acquire us and adversely affect the price of our common
stock.
Under
our
articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the power to authorize
the
issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the
price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting
rights, of those shares without further vote or action by the
shareholders. Accordingly, our Board of Directors may issue preferred
stock with terms that could have preference over and adversely affect the rights
of holders of our common stock.
Subsequent
to September 30, 2007 we agreed to issue 1,000,000 Series A convertible
preferred shares valued at $2,556,682 to Mr. Guez in satisfaction of $2,556,682
of advances to the Company by Mr. Guez. The Series A preferred shares
are
convertible into 3,479,899 shares of our common stock based on a conversion
formula equal to the price per share ($2.556682) divided by the conversion
price
($0.7347) multiplied by the total number of Series A preferred shares
issued, and is subject to adjustment in accordance with the
provisions of the certificate of designation for the Series A preferred
shares. The
conversion price equals the average closing price of a share of the Company’s
common stock, as quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 20 trading days
immediately preceding November 13, 2007, the closing date of the
transaction. The Series A preferred shares accrue cumulative
dividends at the annual rate of 6% of the purchase price in preference to the
common stock. The purchase price for the Series A preferred shares is
$2.556682 per share. Upon the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company the Series A preferred shares are entitled to receive, prior to any
distribution to the holders of common stock, 100% of the purchase price plus
all
accrued but unpaid dividends.
The
Company currently is in negotiations with its majority stockholder to sell
to
the Company his interest in the trademarks Yanuk and Taverniti So
Jeans. Valuations of these trademarks are currently being
sought. If these negotiations are completed, additional common or
preferred stock would be issued, increasing the Company Stockholders’
equity.
The
issuance of any preferred stock may:
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make
it difficult for any party to acquire us, even though an acquisition
might
be beneficial to our stockholders;
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delay,
defer or prevent a change in control of our
company;
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discourage
bids for the common stock at a premium over the market price of our
common
stock;
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adversely
affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock;
and
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discourage
acquisition proposals or tender offers for our
shares.
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The
provisions allowing the issuance of preferred stock could limit the price that
investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common
stock.
ITEM
3.
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QUANTATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
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We
do not
have material exposure to losses from market-rate sensitive instruments and
have
not invested in derivative financial instruments.
As
of
September 30, 2007, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report
on
Form 10-Q, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of
our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September
30,
2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
During
the quarter ended September 30, 2007, there were no changes in the internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART
II
A
restated description of the risk factors associated with our business is
included under “Risk Factors” in
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”
contained in Item 2 of Part I of
this report. This description includes
any material changes to and supersedes the description of the risk factors associated
with our business previously disclosed in our 2006 Annual Report
on Form 10-KSB and is incorporated herein by reference.
See
attached Exhibit Index.
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
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BLUE
HOLDINGS, INC. |
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Date:
November 14, 2007
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By:
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/s/
Larry Jacobs |
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Larry
Jacobs
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Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
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Exhibit
Index
Exhibit
Number
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Description
of Exhibit
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Certification
of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act
Rules
13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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Certification
of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act
Rules
13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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Certification
of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
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Certification
of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
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