SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(Mark One)
[X ] Annual report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 .
[ ] Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required)for the transition period from to .
Commission file number: 000-26927
WWA GROUP, INC.
(Name of Small Business Issuer In Its Charter)
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2465 West 12th Street, Suite 2 Tempe, Arizona 85281
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(480) 505-0070
(Issuers telephone number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
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Check whether the registrant: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and if no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB [ ].
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
The registrant's total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $16,312,971.
The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock, $0.001 par value (the only class of voting stock), held by non-affiliates was approximately $3,194,138 based on the average closing bid and asked prices for the common stock on March 31, 2006.
On March 31, 2006 the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value (the only class of voting stock), was 15,970,803.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. |
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Item 1. Description of Business | 3 | |||||
Item 2. Description of Property | 20 | |||||
Item 3. Legal Proceedings | 20 | |||||
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 20 | |||||
PART II. |
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Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 20 | |||||
Item 6. Managements's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation | 21 | |||||
Item 7. Financial Statements | 27 | |||||
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 28 | |||||
Item 8A. Controls and Procedures | 28 | |||||
Item 8B. Other Information | 29 | |||||
PART III. |
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Item 9. Directors and Executive Officer | 29 | |||||
Item 10. Executive Compensation | 32 | |||||
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 33 | |||||
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 34 | |||||
Item 13. Exhibits | 34 | |||||
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 34 | |||||
Signatures | 36 | |||||
Index to Exhibits | 37 | |||||
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESSCorporate History
As used herein the term WWA Group, we, our, and us refers to WWA Group, Inc., its subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context indicates otherwise. WWA Group, Inc., was incorporated in Nevada on November 26, 1996, as Conceptual Technologies, Inc. On April 9, 1998, Conceptual Technologies, Inc., changed its name to NovaMed, Inc., to reflect the acquisition of a medical device manufacturer and retailer. The medical device business was abandoned in October of 2000. On August 8, 2003, NovaMed, Inc. acquired World Wide Auctioneers Ltd., (WWA Dubai) an international equipment auction company based in the United Arab Emirates that holds unreserved auctions for the sale of construction, industrial and transportation equipment on a consignment basis. The name of NovaMed was subsequently changed to WWA Group, Inc., to reflect the acquisition and the new business focus. Since the owners of WWA Dubai obtained the majority of the outstanding shares of WWA Group through the acquisition, the acquisition is accounted for as a reverse merger or recapitalization of WWA Group and WWA Dubai is considered the acquirer for accounting purposes.
Our United States business office is located at 2465 West 12th Street, Suite 2 Tempe, Arizona, 85281, and its telephone number is (480) 505-0070. Our registered statutory office is located at the Corporation Trust Company of Nevada, 6100 Neil Road, Suite 500, Reno, Nevada, 89511. We maintain our principal place of business in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
WWA Group currently trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol WWAG.
Description of Business
We have been engaged in the auctioning of transportation and industrial equipment since our incorporation in August of 2000. We operate our largest auctions at our primary facility in Dubai where 33 large un-reserved equipment auctions and 5 smaller transport auctions have been held since March 2001. WWA Groups primary auctioned items include mobile and stationary earthmoving and construction equipment such as crawler tractors, excavators, wheel loaders, cranes, trucks and trailers, generators, compressors, agricultural tractors, and forklifts. Much of the equipment can be used in multiple industries and in diverse geographic locations. We also sell light vehicles and other related items such as boats and motorcycles.
All of our auctions are unreserved, meaning that there are no minimum or reserve prices; each and every item is sold to the highest bidder on the day of the auction. Consignors are prohibited by contract from bidding on their own consigned items at the auction or in any way artificially affecting the auction results. Further, WWA Group is an international equipment auction company that holds unreserved auctions almost entirely for the sale of consigned equipment. Virtually all other equipment auction companies trade heavily for their own accounts in their own auctions, meaning they auction a significant amount of equipment that they own. When an auction company becomes involved in buying and selling in its own auctions it can diminish the prospective returns available to consignors and bidders.
WWA Group focuses its business on selling for the consignor rather than competing with the owners and bidders. However, from time to time, we do purchase equipment and sell the equipment at our auctions or in private sales. Sales of equipment owned by us accounted for less than 3% of the total gross auction sales in 2004 and 2005.
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In this document we refer to gross auction sales. Gross auction sales are defined as the total gross proceeds to the seller from final bid prices paid on all equipment and other items sold at any WWA Group auction, or the total proceeds from prices paid for any items at our competitors auctions. Gross auction sales are not presented in our consolidated financial statements. Gross revenue as a percentage of gross auction sales is a measure of our operating performance and we believes that gross auction sales provide the most meaningful comparative measure of its relative operating performance between periods, and our sales activity relative to the overall market.
WWA Group has generated over $380 million of gross auction sales of vehicles and equipment from its Dubai facilities since formation. Equipment auctioned was comprised of more than 30,000 items from 2,300 consignors that were sold to over 4,500 bidders. WWA Group controlled a market share of over 65% of all industrial equipment auction sales concluded in Dubai in 2005, and the market is expected to grow. In 2005 we auctioned approximately $110 million worth of equipment in 5 large auctions in Dubai and 4 on line auctions, up from approximately $98 million in 2004.
Revenues from commissions and services earned in WWA Groups capacity as agent for consignors of equipment are comprised mainly of auction commissions in the form of flat selling fees or fixed or sliding percentages of the gross auction sale price of any consigned equipment. The majority of auction commissions are earned as a fixed rate of the gross selling price. Revenues from commissions and services also include any preparation, shipping, clearing, transport and handling charges and fees applicable to certain items of consigned equipment; incidental interest income; and buyers commission applicable on certain sales of items. All revenue is recognized when the auction sale is complete and we have determined that the auction proceeds are collectible. Revenues from commissions and services may be compared to Gross Auction Sales as a measure of relative operating performance between periods.
Revenues from the sales of equipment are defined as gross proceeds on sales of WWA Group owned or underwritten inventory sold at auction or in private sales. All costs of goods sold are accounted for under direct costs. On occasion, WWA Group guarantees a certain net level of proceeds to a consignor. Revenue on guaranteed consignments comes from a percentage of the proceeds in excess of the guaranteed amount. If actual auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, we can incur a net loss on the sale. Our exposure from these guarantee contracts can vary over each guarantee contract. Losses, if any, resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded in the period in which the relevant auction is held.
WWA Group guaranteed less than $200,000 of net proceeds to consignors for equipment sold in 2005 auctions, and sold approximately $2,800,000 worth of WWA Group owned equipment at its auctions in all of 2005. This equates to less than 3% of all equipment auctioned in 2005 at our Dubai facility. We also sold approximately $7,000,000 worth of owned equipment in private sales outside of our auctions, these cases arising from logistical cost problems associated with shipping some owned equipment to the Dubai auction site.
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Live on-line bidding is a significant component of WWA Groups ability to involve bidders in locations remote from any given physical auction site in participating in the auction process. We conduct live on-line bidding using our own proprietary interactive software system, marketed as WWA BidLive, designed to enhance the best features of existing auction technology that has been successfully utilized at many of the WWA Group auctions. We have not sold a significant percentage of equipment to on-line bidders participating in our Dubai auctions, primarily due to the lower than world average Internet purchasing penetrations rate in the Middle East. However, on-line registrations and bidding have been increasing, and on line bidding is notably active in Australian auctions managed by us. We expect the on-line bidding system to capture an increasing percentage of sales at future auctions.
In 2004 we developed our WWA On-Line auctions system for selling items at on-line only auctions to be held on a regular basis in the future. We auctioned over $13 million worth of equipment in four on-line auctions in 2005 from our Dubai facility. This new business opens up more opportunities for us to sell equipment between its physical auctions, and to sell equipment that has not yet arrived at a WWA Group facility. WWA Group has a proven seller and buyer base loyal enough to support continued on-line only auctions. The expected revenue from the on-line only sales should provide a more consistent revenue production stream for us.
WWA Group also manages unreserved auctions in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Guangzhou, China; and Perth and Brisbane, Australia, through operating joint ventures with local registered auction companies. We manage auctions and license our name, customer database, and auction system software and hardware to separately owned private companies in Australia, The Netherlands, and China. Pursuant to franchise management agreements with these entities, we are reimbursed for all hard costs incurred while assisting these entities with their auctions, and are entitled to fees based on gross auction revenue at each auction; however, to date WWA Group has not realized any fees based on gross auction revenue. We anticipate that in the future, we will begin to realize a fee on gross auction revenues. We also have a right of first refusal to acquire the majority of each entity with which we have a franchise agreement. None of these franchise entities is reliant on financial support from WWA Group, and WWA Group has no commitment or financial obligation to any of these entities.
We participate in auctions in Indonesia in cooperation with International Auction Multi-Machine (IAM), a separately owned and managed Indonesian-registered auction company, in which we are a minority (19%) shareholder. IAM is not reliant on financial support from WWA Group, and WWA Group has no commitment or financial obligation to IAM. We assist IAM with supervisory staff, advertising and operating systems on an informal basis, in order to protect and enhance the value of our investment in IAM. IAM is currently negotiating with underwriters and agents in Indonesia to facilitate an initial public offering of its stock on the Jakarta stock exchange in 2007.
WWA Group helped manage a total of 12 auctions in 2005 for its franchise partners. The 2005 total gross auction sales in China, Indonesia, The Netherlands and Australia were $44 million. WWA Group earned no fee income from these franchises in 2005, but expects to earn fees in 2006 from auctions to be held in Indonesia, The Netherlands and Australia based on current revenue levels at these entities. The Chinese venture was dissolved in early 2006 due to burdensome government regulations. WWA Group is considering other joint venture opportunities with foreign auction companies and intends to establish additional permanent sites of its own. We expect that existing franchises will mature, and new managed and permanent auction sites will come into operation in 2006 and 2007, expanding the world wide reach of our auction business, although there can be no assurance that the franchise partners will be successful or that we will receive fees from the franchise partners in the future.
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We are interested in expanding our operations through the future acquisition of other entities, and the companies we are currently in operating ventures with are primary candidates. While it is unlikely that we will pursue acquiring any of our franchises or partners in 2006, the opportunity to acquire companies familiar with our management, operations and culture remains attractive to all parties for future consideration.
We have a permanent auction site and corporate headquarters in Dubai and representation at each of our franchise locations: The Netherlands, Australia, and Indonesia. We also have representative offices in Singapore in addition to our business office in Tempe, Arizona.
Description of Industry
WWA Group operates in the auction segment of the global industrial equipment marketplace, selling virtually all types of earthmoving, construction, transport and marine equipment through unreserved public auctions. We chose to enter into the auction segment of the industry for several reasons, including:
o the sheer size and fragmented nature of the industry,
o the relatively small penetration of the auction model in the industry o the attractiveness of the auction method,
o the resilience of the auction model in both upward and downward trending economic cycles,
o the projected growth in construction spending in the Middle East and several other regions outside of North America, and
o | the dominance of the segment in certain regional markets by one company and the resulting stagnant segment growth in those markets. |
Market Size and Growth
Industry analyst Frank Manfredi and Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers (NYSE RBA) estimated in 1999 that there was approximately $1 trillion of used industrial equipment in circulation worldwide, and that around $100billion worth of that equipment changed ownership each year. Based on strong sales of new equipment in the last 6 years, it can be suggested that the amount of used equipment in circulation is now far greater than the 1999 estimate.
The strength of the global equipment market in 2005 far exceeded the expectations of industry analysts, who had called for a slowdown after record growth in 2003 and 2004. Traditional construction remained a strong driver of growth, but was supplemented by a largely unexpected surge in the mining and energy businesses, a result of the record high prices for oil and metals that prevailed throughout the year and are expected to continue for at least the next two years. High prices and a general excess of demand over supply in metals and energy markets led producers of these commodities to ramp up production with unprecedented speed, producing shortages of some types of heavy equipment. Commodity producers also invested heavily in supporting infrastructure such as roads, ports, railways, and refineries, creating additional demand for equipment.
Strong global demand for equipment was supplemented by accelerated demand within the United States, with reconstruction efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita providing an unexpected lift to United States equipment sales.
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Major equipment manufacturers have been operating at full capacity, and report strong demand despite high prices. Komatsu has reported a 20% increase in net sales for the nine month period ended December 31, 2005. Komatsus sales increased in all major markets with particular strong demand in Europe, North America and Latin America, with profits up 78% over the previous 9 months. Worldwide demand in 2005 was particularly strong, with the US Association of Equipment Manufacturers reporting that export sales for the first two quarters of 2005, the latest figures available as of this writing, were up 44 percent over the same period in 2004.
The strong market for new equipment that prevailed in 2005 was matched by demand for second-hand equipment. While no reliable statistics are available for this highly fragmented marketplace, dealers in second hand heavy equipment around the world reported strong demand and strong prices. Auction giant Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, which due to its global exposure makes a reasonable proxy for the overall equipment auction market, saw a 17 percent increase in gross auction sales over 2004.
Equipment analysts are confident that demand will accelerate in 2006. The authoritative Outlook Survey of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers projects that worldwide sales of new equipment in 2006 will be 9 percent above the already very strong 2005 figures, with the key earthmoving equipment category expanding 11.3 percent. Equipment giant Caterpillar expects global sales of new heavy equipment in 2006 to be up 10 percent over 2005.
Authoritative sources agree that for many lines of equipment, especially large items, supply in 2006 will be inadequate to meet demand. An Engineering News-Record headline announced in late 2005 that a Shortage of Big Machinery Continues Amid Explosive Buying Spree, with the article pointing out that larger machines will remain in short supply until 2007 and suggesting that contractors needing haul trucks, excavators and crushers may have to wait another year. Reed Construction Datas Building Team Construction Forecast concurs, predicting that supply conditions in the construction equipment market will become even tighter until at least mid 2006.
Penetration of Auction Segment Despite the huge size and sustainable growth of the used equipment market, only a fraction of that equipment is sold through auctions, the majority of the equipment being sold directly by the owner or through dealers and brokers. RBA is by far the largest equipment auction company in the world. RBAs gross auction sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 were a record $2.09 billion, with auction revenues at $212.6 million, with both figures showing a 17% increase over last year. RBA claims to sell more at auction than their 25 largest competitors combined. In North America, RBA and others estimate that 20% of all used equipment changing hands is traded at auction. Analysis of data available suggest that of the $80 to $100 billion of equipment changing hands outside of North America each year, only about 1% is at auction.
Analyst Bruce Simpson of William Blair & Company stated in 2004 that The size of the used equipment market and the relatively small penetration of the auction model suggest that the company (RBA) has years of open-ended growth in front of it. WWA Group believes this statement applies to the segment as a whole and all participants, especially outside of North America.
Attractiveness of the Auction Method The auction method is becoming more attractive to sellers due to the Internet and the general globalization of business communications. Buyers have more access to price and availability information, and thus the trading business is becoming more transparent there are no longer participants that have information advantages over others. This results in more sellers accepting the auction method as the preferred way to realize market value for their inventory in a timely and cost efficient manner than selling it themselves. WWA Group believes that this trend also will contribute to the growth of auction segment.
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The ability of auctioneers to sell a wide range of equipment and related assets, offering a more comprehensive choice to bidders, is attracting more buyers. Industrial equipment auctioneers are not restricted to selling lines of equipment provided by a particular manufacturer or manufactured for a particular industry, or to holding auctions in any particular geographic location.
Truly un-reserved auctions attract buyers who are willing to travel to an auction or bid on-line on items they believe they can buy for fair prices; an auction house that builds a reputation for fair practices to buyers and delivery of goods as represented, builds its return buyer base.
The transparency of the international used equipment market at auctions, due to the publicly attended nature of auctions and the quality of the information available to any location through the Internet, is attracting more buyers to auctions as they become more familiar with market prices.
New auction technologies, several of which have been introduced by WWA Group in its market, result in a more comfortable auction experience for buyers.
All of the above factors are attracting more buyers to auctions, and better quality end-user buyers. A proven record of large attendance of buyers at an auction house attracts larger consignments. Consignors are then able to generate bulk cash proceeds from the sale of their equipment quickly and efficiently at auction, at premium net proceeds.
WWA Group expects to grow its auction business based not only on the fact that the size of the industrial equipment market continues to grow, but also on managements belief that the popularity of buying and selling equipment through the auction process will increase.
Resilience of the Auction Model The industrial equipment auction business is relatively insulated from cyclical economic trends. Many of the factors that might prompt owners to sell equipment also creates an environment in which equipment buyers opt for high quality used equipment rather than more expensive new equipment. Auctioneers can therefore take advantage of economic downturns as well as upturns, whereas private dealers revenue and profit margins tend to be negatively influenced by regional market downturns. WWA Groups potential business volume and ability to grow are not directly influenced by economic cycles.
In recent years, we have been operating at a profit in a very active, high demand growth environment where it has been difficult to locate good quality equipment to auction. However, this environment also generates fleet re-alignments, mergers and acquisitions, lease returns, project completions, and even financial pressure from over-commitments. All of these conditions favor the auction model for disposal of inventory. In a period of economic uncertainty, other factors would result in an increase in supply of used equipment for sale at auction. Auctions are well known for their cash transactions, as opposed to private dealers that often rely on buyer financing for many of their sales transactions. Availability of buyer financing can be uncertain in cyclical developing markets.
Further, industrial equipment auctioneers are not restricted to selling lines of equipment provided by a particular manufacturer or manufactured for a particular industry, or to holding auctions in any particular geographic location.
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Regional Market Analysis
The heavy equipment business is ideally suited to rapid adjustment to emerging regional opportunities. Because of this ability, and due to accurate predictions of economic conditions, WWA Group now operates in regions showing growth rates well above worldwide averages, and is ideally positioned to serve the worlds fastest-growing markets.
The Middle East
Englands New Civil Engineer magazine has described the construction markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, collectively the GCC) as the largest and fastest growing single opportunity for the worlds project industry in 2006. This unprecedented regional construction boom is fueled by sustained high energy prices: oil and gas export receipts for the GCC rose 40%, to $291 billion, in 2005, and are expected to reach a record $330 billion in 2006. By the end of 2006, the aggregate GDP of the GCC nations will reach $600 billion, twice the average of about $300 billion achieved from 2000-2002.
GCC Oil Production and Oil Revenues: 2004-2006 ---------------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- Oil Production Oil Revenues (In MMBD) (In Nominal $billion) ---------------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------- 2004 2005 2004 2005 2006 ---------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------- ---------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------- Saudi 9.1 9.5 115.6 150.1 154.3 UAE 2.4 2.5 30.2 39.0 42.7 Kuwait 2.2 2.6 27.4 36.9 40.3 Bahrain 0.035 0.035 1.3 1.5 1.6 Qatar 0.07 0.08 13.5 17.0 17.2 Oman 0.65 0.70 5.0 6.0 6.1 ---------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------- ------------------- ----------------
Source: US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The prevailing environment of high energy prices is expected to prevail for a number of years, and many analysts believe that the $50-60 range may become the new standard oil price benchmark. Oil price booms in the past have been driven primarily by political instability in the Middle East. While this is a factor in todays boom, it is by no means the only factor. Surging energy demand from China and India has become a significant influence on energy markets, and even with OPEC production at full capacity, the supply/demand equation still favors sustained high prices. The large ongoing investments in new production will eventually raise current supply ceilings, but demand is increasing as fast or faster than supply, and virtually all forecasts suggest that high oil prices and correspondingly high income for the OPEC nations in general and the GCC in particular will break out of the boom/bust cycle and move to an extended period at the high end of historical price ranges.
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The beneficiaries of the oil price boom are investing the proceeds in new infrastructure, catching up from a decade of neglect during the oil glut of the 1990s. MEED Projects, the project-tracking venture of the authoritative Middle East Economic Digest, is currently tracking 1,400 projects in the GCC, Iran, and Iraq, with a combined value of $700 billion, and MEED publications claim that the database is adding about $4 billion in new projects every week. MEED estimates that regional project spending in the next decade will exceed $1 trillion. Since the threshold for inclusion in the MEED Projects database is $50 million, thousands of smaller but still significant projects are not included in this figure. Inclusion of these projects and extrapolation from current trends, particularly in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, suggests that the actual total maybe significantly higher.
The United Arab Emirates, despite their small size, lead the way in infrastructure development. MEED cites a total of $221 billion worth of projects now underway in the UAE, with $176 billion in construction and $22 billion in oil and gas development.
The Emirate of Dubai, boasting a 16 percent economic growth rate despite minimal oil reserves, leads the UAE in construction spending, with an estimated $40 billion worth of construction projects in various stages of completion and many more planned. Major projects now under construction in Dubai include:
o the $8 billion Burj Dubai, planned to be the world's tallest building;
o the $4.2 billion expansion of the Dubai International Airport;
o the $1.6 billion Dubai Festival City;
o the $1.4 billion Jumeirah Islands development;
o the $3.4 billion Dubai Light Rail System;
o the $5 billion Dubailand theme park;
o the $3.4 billion Dubai Mountain City;
o the $2.7 billion Dubai International Chess City;
o the $8.17 billion Jebel Ali Airport City; and
o the Palm Deira, a new 80km/sq city (larger than Manhattan) on a man-made island. Dredging and reclamation work is already underway, at a cost of $4.37 billion. The development is expected to include 8000 villas, hotels, clubs, shopping malls, and other luxury facilities.
The City of Dubai has budgeted $2 billion for roads and bridges, $300 million for drainage and irrigation projects, and US $700 million for other public infrastructure, with a recent announcement (March 3, 2006) indicating that an additional $6.8 billion will be ploughed into infrastructure between 2006 and 2008. Literally thousands of smaller private-sector projects are underway, focused on providing residential, office, commercial, and leisure space for the emirates population, which is surging at a rate of over 6% per year. The oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi has seen its income soar in the last two years, and is investing in a series of projects that nearly rivals those of Dubai. Abu Dhabis leading works in progress include: o the $7 billion Dolphin natural gas development project;
o the $9.5 billion Al Reem island development;
o the $6.7 billion Abu Dhabi Airport expansion;
o the $4 billion Fujairah oil refinery;
o the $2.2 billion Taweela port development;
o the $9.5 billion Emirates Pearl mixed-use development; and
o the Al-Raha Beach Development, a $14.5 billion new city for 120,000 people, envisioned as the new gateway to the emirate.10
Qatar, another GCC member in close proximity to Dubai, holds the worlds 3rd largest natural gas reserves, and currently exports 14 million metric tons per annum (mmta) of natural gas. This figure is expected to rise to 77 mmta by 2010, which would make Qatar the largest natural gas exporter in the world, supplying as much as one third of global gas consumption. Qatar now has the worlds third-highest per-capita income, and as gas exports rise, the country is expected to become the worlds wealthiest nation.
Qatar has embarked on a massive construction spree, with $57 billion in oil and gas projects and $23 billion in construction aiming to expand gas production and to invest in residential, commercial, and industrial real estate. Qatar was second only to China in the world in terms of consumption of project financing in 2005. Projects now underway include:
o a $3 billion aluminum smelter, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Norsk Hydro of Norway;
o the $4 billion Qatargas II project;
o a $6 billion gas-to-liquids plant being built by Royal Dutch Shell;
o the $8.16 billion Lusail residential/commercial real estate project;
o a $4.77 billion causeway linking Qatar and Bahrain;
o the $2.6 billion new Doha international airport;
o the $2.5 billion Pearl of the Gulf man-made island project; and
o the $14.5 billion Ras Laffan port and Gas processing facility;
The smaller emirates are also pouring funds into development. Sharjah has the $4.9 billion Nujroom Islands project and the $800 million Emirates Industrial City, Bahrain is spending $3 billion to develop an 11 million m/sq island city and pouring $1.3 billion into power and desalination plants. Even the tiny Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is building the $8.2 billion Al Salam City.
Leading oil producer Saudi Arabia, with $163 billion in oil revenues in 2005, is another leading construction market. Current Saudi infrastructure and public sector building programmes are valued at some $35 billion, with over $1 billion in hotel and office building projects under way in Riyadh alone. Saudi Arabia plans to build 600 new factories and hundreds of schools, along with projects aimed at doubling desalination capacity and increasing electrical generation and distribution. Some 600,000 new homes are to be built in the next four years with many more planned. Perhaps the most dramatic of the Saudi projects is the $26.6-billion-dollar King Abdullah Economic City, a state-of-the art residential and industrial complex.
Iran, another major regional oil producer, is also a major player in Dubais construction equipment market, with Iranian purchases accounting for a substantial percentage of sales at many auctions and second-hand equipment dealers. Iran does have major projects in progress, notably the two phases of the offshore South Pars gas field development, with each phase estimated at between $1.2 and $1.5 billion. Most Iranian projects, though, fall below the $500 million threshold for inclusion in MEEDs database. Since the Iranian government does not provide reliable statistics, it is difficult to quantify this market, but Iran has substantial infrastructure needs, and with oil revenues at sustained high levels, is likely to be a significant source of regional equipment demand. Our early decision to focus on Dubai and the Middle East, made before the current boom began, has left us in an ideal position to benefit from this sustained acceleration in regional business. In 2004 we outsold global auction giant Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers to become the leading player in the regional industrial auction market, a lead that was extended in 2005. We intend to open new auction sites in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the next 18 months. Each of these sites has the potential to yield auction turnovers, revenues, and earnings equal to those we are now gaining from our Dubai auctions.
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We also intend to apply our huge database and intimate knowledge of regional buyers, sellers, users, traders, prices, sources, trends and industry needs to our planned entry into the regional Project Supply business. Project Supply defined by WWA Group as the provision of needed supplies, including machinery and equipment, materials, labor, and expertise to the main contractors who control the most important projects in the GCC region is among the fastest-growing businesses in this booming region. We are negotiating agreements to acquire established companies that operate in this industry which will benefit from our industry knowledge. With an established base, a leading market position, and an extensive network of regional industry contacts, WWA Group management believes that our prospects for rapid growth over the next year are excellent.
Australia
Through our joint venture partner WWA Australia Pty. Ltd. we manage industrial auctions in Perth, Western Australia, and Brisbane, Queensland. We manage auctions and license our name, customer database, and auction system software and hardware to WWA Australia Pty. Ltd., a separately owned private company. Pursuant to a management agreement, we are reimbursed for all hard costs incurred while assisting with WWA Australia Pty. Ltd. with its auctions, and are entitled to fees based on gross auction sales at each auction. WWA Group and WWA Australia Pty. Ltd. have one common manager/director in order to protect our name, proprietary data and systems. WWA Group also has a right of first refusal to acquire WWA Australia Pty. Ltd. WWA Australia Pty. Ltd. is not reliant on financial support from WWA Group, and WWA Group has no commitment or financial obligation to WWA Australia Pty. Ltd.
Australia has another major beneficiary of the global commodities boom of 2005. Australia is the worlds leading exporter of coal, bauxite and iron ore and the fifth leading exporter of liquefied natural gas. Prices for all of these commodities remain at sustained historic highs, giving companies both the incentive and the cash to rapidly expand production and improve infrastructure.
Australia has also shown one of the highest economic growth rates in the industrialized world in recent years, leading government to make substantial investments in infrastructure development, particularly in highways and railway, and generating substantial increases in private sector construction spending. The US Commercial Service estimates that Total construction turnover in Australia for year ended June 30, 2005 was approximately US$66.5 billion, with US$68.1 billion forecast for 2005-06. The same source gives the following evaluation of commercial prospects in Australias construction industry:
Engineering construction prospects are good, with infrastructure activity set to record continued strong growth during the next few years, mainly reflecting high levels of transport investment led by a number of major public-private partnerships coming to the market. Growth in spending on engineering construction primarily roads, railways, bridges, harbors, electricity and water infrastructure, telecommunications, and heavy industry is predicted to outpace spending on the non-residential and residential sectors for the rest of the decade. Overall growth in engineering construction spending is forecast at 5.5 percent per annum to 2009, reaching 6.5 percent by 2012.... Investment in heavy equipment is likely to continue over the next few years to support strong growth in infrastructure construction activity, particularly major road and rail construction projects.
As in the Middle East, WWA Groups decision to move into the market before the current expansion in the heavy equipment market has left us in an excellent competitive position. WWA Group is well positioned to benefit from the sustained high-demand position of the Australian heavy equipment market.
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Europe
We established a solid foothold in the European market in 2005, holding three successful auctions at our Netherlands facilities. Global insight describes Europe as the worlds largest regional construction market: Western Europe holds 6 of the worlds top 10 domestic construction industries, and while the emerging economies of Eastern Europe have yet to achieve the size of their Western counterparts, their exceptional growth rates have generated considerable demand for equipment. The Freedonia Group, a prominent equipment industry analyst, has issued this prediction about the impact of growth in Eastern Europe on regional equipment markets: Eight East European countries the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia entered the European Union (EU) in May 2004, and in April 2005 Romania and Bulgaria signed accession treaties to join the EU in 2007. Based on the economic turnarounds experienced by other countries joining the EU, expected infrastructure and economic improvements should help to strongly increase construction equipment demand going forward.
European integration, coupled with the relative proximity of national markets and excellent road and rail nets, makes it possible to serve this enormous combined market from a single auction site. WWA Groups Amsterdam facility is an ideal entry point, and we view an expanded European operation as a significant potential revenue generator in 2005 and years to come.
Indonesia
We participate in auctions in Indonesia in cooperation with International Auction Multi-Machine (IAM), a separately owned and managed Indonesian-registered auction company, in which we are a minority (19%) shareholder. IAM is not reliant on financial support from WWA Group, and WWA Group has no commitment or financial obligation to IAM. We assist IAM with supervisory staff, advertising and operating systems on an informal basis, in order to protect and enhance the value of our investment in IAM.
The Indonesian economy moved into a remarkable recovery in 2005, driven by improved prices for coal and natural gas, a rapid rise in non-energy exports, a smooth political transition that renewed investor interest, largely dormant since the political and financial upheavals of the late 1990s. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reports that economic growth for 2005 reached a higher-than-expected 5.7 percent, and expects an increase to 5.9 percent in 2006. The ADB cites a dramatic increase in fixed investment, which increased by 13.6 percent in the first half of 2005, as a primary driver of growth. Growth in overall exports, at 27.5 percent, and in non-energy exports, at 23 percent, has been a major contributor to the economic revival.
Indonesia is the worlds largest exporter of high-value liquefied natural gas, supplying 21% of global capacity. With LNG prices at record highs, along with those of other energy sources, gas exports have substantially boosted export revenues, and Indonesia is making substantial investments most notably a US $2.2 billion project in the Tangguh field in Irian Jaya to increase gas production. Indonesia has also rapidly expanded coal production, and now rivals Australia as the worlds leading coal exporter. Indonesian coal production is expected to expand 6.1 percent, to 117 million tons. WWAG expects expansion of Indonesias gas and coal production to result is a significant boost for heavy equipment demand in 2006.
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Expansion of Indonesias energy production capacity is being matched by an unprecedented surge in infrastructure spending. Growing export revenues and increasing confidence in Indonesias political stability among foreign and local investors and foreign aid donors has generated the capital to drive this surge, and Business Week reports that Indonesia plans to spend $145 billion on infrastructure projects in the next 5 years. The first tranche of this program, 91 projects worth some $22.45 billion including two coal-fired power plants, an extension of Jakarta airport, and a $1.47 billion gas pipeline, were bid out in 2005 and are now in progress, with sectoral distribution as follows:
No Sector # of USD Value Projects (in Million) 1 Gas pipelines 6 2,888 2 Electricity (1) 12 5,897 3 Telecommunications 1 1,600 4 Railway 1 77 5 Seaport 4 1,485 6 Airport 5 709 7 Water (2) 24 386 8 Toll Road (3) 38 9,428 Total 91 22,469
(1) |
Includes a proposed LNG regasification terminal in West Java with an estimated value of USD 251 million |
This public sector infrastructure program is supported by strong construction demand from the private sector. Arjuna Mahendran, head of Asia/Pacific Research for Credit Suisse, cites Indonesia along with China and India as the markets most likely to profit from the current Asian real estate boom, and the investor interest generated by that perception is likely to drive significant increases in private investment in real estate. The combination of investments in energy production, public infrastructure spending, and private real estate investment has led Hong Kong career consultant Hobsons to predict 8.3 percent growth in Indonesias construction industry in 2006.
We believe that our early entry into the Indonesian market and our position as the only worldwide auctioneer operating in that market places us in an ideal position to exploit the expanding demand for equipment in this booming construction market.
Competition
The international used industrial equipment market is fragmented and very competitive. WWA Group competes for potential purchasers of industrial equipment with competitors such as equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers, and equipment rental companies. When sourcing equipment to sell at our auctions, we compete with other auction companies outside of Dubai, equipment dealers and brokers, and equipment owners who have traditionally disposed of equipment through private sales. Many of these competitive businesses are significantly larger than WWA Group with substantially greater resources and operating histories.
The Gulf Region used equipment auction market has two only significant participants, WWA Group and Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc. (RBA). RBA is a Canadian based company reporting over US$2 billion in gross auction sales from 90 locations in North America and 18 other countries. RBA is the worlds largest un-reserved equipment auctioneer, and holds a dominate position in certain geographic locations.
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WWA Group entered the Dubai market as a direct competitor to RBA in 2001, and auctioned approximately $25 million worth of equipment, as compared to RBA reports at the time of about $45 million being sold at its three Dubai auctions in 2001. In 2002 WWA Group auctioned approximately $49 million worth of equipment, as compared to RBA reports at the time of approximately $70 million in gross auction sales in Dubai. In 2003 WWA Group auctioned approximately $89 million of equipment, as compared to RBA reports at the time of approximately $105 million in gross auction sales in Dubai. In 2004, WWA Group auctioned $99 million worth of equipment, as compared to RBA reports of approximately $75 million for the year. In 2005, WWA Group auctioned over $110 million worth of equipment in Dubai, including on line sales from our Dubai facility. According to RBA figures approximately $57 million worth of equipment was sold from their Dubai facility in 2005. We have gradually increased our market share in Dubai by offering more attractive pricing and better service than RBA.
More importantly, the combined gross sales by equipment auctioneers in Dubai grew from US$33 million in 2000, prior to WWA Groups entry, to nearly US$200 million in 2005. This suggests that the equipment auction market share has substantial room to grow internationally with the advent of competition in certain underserved markets.
The entry of the Al Ain Municipality (part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 100 kilometers from WWA Groups Jebel Ali Site) into the equipment auction arena in 2004 is also an indicator of the growth potential of the auction business in a large market. The Municipality previously sold excess inventory in private sales, but turned to the auction method after researching WWA Group and RBA processes and virtually copying them. Five successful auctions have been held by the Municipality in 2004 and 2005, with estimated gross auctions sales of $20 million in 2005. These auctions do not accept consignments so they are not in direct competition with WWA Group. Rather than drawing buyers away from WWA Group auctions, these auctions in Al Ain have resulted in increased awareness of the auction model in the region, and have actually drawn additional equipment buyers to the U.A.E. from the region.
There are periodic small government auctions of construction equipment in other areas of the Gulf region, namely Saudi Arabia. There are also regular larger auctions held by Saudi Aramco and other large companies in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf region. However, these are generally reserved private auctions held by local operators targeting local buyers, and are not considered competitors to WWA Group.
WWA Group competes with other auction companies in other parts of the world for buyers due to Internet access to numerous on-line auctioneers of used equipment, mainly based in the U.S. and Japan. However, we believe there is no substitute for physical auctions when it comes to attracting and retaining buyers, and do not believe there is any significant competition from on-line auction companies or physical auction companies operating outside of our primary market.
We can offer no assurance that we will continue to be successful in competing with existing and emerging equipment auction businesses in the Gulf region. However, we believe that we have certain distinctive competitive advantages over all or many of our competitors that have enabled us to attract an increasing number of consignors and bidders to our auctions, and an increasing market share. We base this belief on our realization of significant growth in the relatively short term since becoming involved in the auction of industrial equipment.
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Key to our competitiveness is in our practice of being the only international equipment auction company that holds unreserved auctions almost entirely for the sale of consigned equipment. Virtually all other equipment auction companies trade heavily for their own accounts in their own auction. When an auction company becomes involved in buying and selling in its own auctions it can diminish the prospective returns available to consignors and bidders. We focus our business on selling for the consignor rather than competing with the bidders. We believe that our growing reputation for conducting auctions only for the participants is a primary competitive advantage.
WWA Groups primary competitor in Dubai reports that it underwrites (guarantees or purchases) approximately 25% of the equipment sold in its auctions around the world, as opposed to WWA Groups total underwriting at auctions in 2004 of approximately $2,600,000, or less than 3% of gross auction sales.
We rely upon certain other competitive advantages in our efforts to position ourselves as a leader in the auction business in the Gulf region. These advantages include our ability to offer very competitive buyer and seller commissions due to our smaller infrastructure size and maintaining our corporate headquarters at our primary auction facility.
WWA Group has also introduced new auction technologies to the industry, and management believes that WWA Group is the worlds first physical industrial equipment auction company to combine such technologies. These new features include:
o Fully enclosed air-conditioned bidding arena with glass viewing windows during summer season;
o Plasma TV screen presentation of items to be sold, with dual currency live asking price displays;
o Wireless electronic bidding buttons that bidders can use if they prefer to keep their buying strategy discreet from the other attending public bidders, with high bidder number appearing on the plasma TV screen; and
o Video auctions of late arriving imported equipment after each physical auction, and on-line only auctions for equipment arriving between physical auctions
All of these features are designed and used to make the buyers auction experiences better, and have been successful in attracting and retaining buyers.
Other internal operating technologies, including real-time price clerking, live audio and video recording of the auctions, and auctioneer data screens have added to WWA Groups operating efficiency and reduced errors. We have a less restrictive policy than our competitors regarding new technology and procedures, and our executive officers play a major role in operations, therefore allowing us to test and implement new ideas very quickly. Personnel can have a significant impact on the competitive nature of any business. WWA Group employs a dedicated staff of professionals with substantial expertise in marketing, assembling and conducting auctions on an international basis. The commitment of these individuals to excellence in conducting auctions in concert with hands on customer service give WWA Group a competitive advantage over less professional organizations within the auction business.
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While focusing on developing its stated competitive advantages, we are also in the process of increasing the number of locations at which we conduct auctions. WWA Group has conducted auctions to date in five countries and expects to increase the number of auction sites in the near term. Our participation in auctions with our joint venture partners in Australia, Indonesia, The Netherlands and China enables the collection of buyer and seller data, exposure to potential customers and consignors and the compilation of information related to other markets. The expansion of auction sites is another means by which WWA Group expects to transcend local market conditions by transporting the auction business to physical centers of industrial equipment activity. WWA Group believes that there are numerous locations in the world that are underserved by equipment and transport auction companies.
Government Regulation
Environment
WWA Groups operations are currently subject to the general corporate laws and regulations of the United States, and the laws of the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Dubai) relating to, among other things, the auction business, imports and exports of equipment, worker safety and the use, storage, discharge and disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Opening of other facilities in other locations may subject WWA Group to a variety of national, federal, provincial, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to, among other things, the auction business, imports and exports of equipment, worker safety and the use, storage, discharge and disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. The development or expansion of auction sites depends upon the receipt of required licenses, permits and other governmental authorizations. Further, WWA Group may be subject to various local zoning requirements with regard to the location of its auction sites, which may vary from location to location.
Under some of the laws regulating the use, storage, discharge and disposal of environmentally sensitive materials, an owner or lessee of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in, or emanating from, such property, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage. Laws of this nature often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or lessee knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances.
State Sponsors of Terrorism
The United States State Department and the U.S. Treasury Department of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has identified Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism, and forbids the sale of good by U.S. persons or companies to these countries or to agents of the governments of these countries.
WWA Group does not sell equipment into Iran, Sudan or Syria. Our written policy, as specified in WWA Groups Bidders Contract, is that we have no responsibility or duty to assist with the removal or transportation of any equipment purchased at any of our auctions. However, it is possible that some equipment sold at our auctions might subsequently be involved in sales to entities that could re-export to Iran. WWA Group has neither any knowledge of nor any means to control such subsequent resale.
WWA Group has never had any communications, discussions, or correspondence with OFAC or any other U.S. agencies regulating sales into countries that are identified by the U.S. State Department as state sponsors of terrorism. Our review of OFAC enforcement actions has not revealed any precedent for OFAC enforcement actions being brought against a business similar to that of WWA Groups.
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We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements that affect its business. Further, we believe that compliance with such laws, rules, regulations and requirements does not impose a material impediment on our ability to conduct business.
Employees
WWA Group currently has 35 full time employees. Our management expects to continue to use consultants, attorneys, and accountants as necessary, to complement services rendered by our employees.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our future operating results are highly uncertain. Before deciding to invest in us or to maintain or increase your investment, you should carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to the other information contained in this annual report. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be seriously harmed. In that event, the market price for our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Sales of equipment from our auctions may ultimately end up in Iran.
Due to the proximity of Iran to our auction site and statistics on regional spending on used construction equipment, there is reason to believe that some percentage of the equipment sold at our auctions ultimately ends up in Iran. Although we sell no equipment to Iran, Sudan or Syria, countries which the U.S. State Department and OFAC have identified as state sponsors of terrorism, it is possible that some equipment at our auctions is sold to entities that re-export to these countries, particularly to Iran. While we have neither any knowledge of nor any means to control such sales, the U.S. State Department or the OFAC could impose fines upon us or cause us to restrict certain of our sales in some manner based on this possibility. Any such action on the part of the U.S. State Department or the OFAC might reduce revenue at our auctions and thereby have a negative impact on shareholder value.
A Significant Percentage of Corporate Control Lies in the Hands of One Shareholder.
Asia4Sale.com, Inc. owns and controls voting power over approximately 46% of WWA Groups issued and outstanding stock. The concentration of such a large percentage of WWA Groups stock in the hands of one shareholder may have a disproportionate effect on the voting power of minority shareholders upon any and all matters presented to WWA Groups shareholders.
WWA Group Competes With a Much Larger and Better-Financed Corporation.
We compete with numerous auction companies throughout the world, but the Gulf Region is our primary market. The used equipment auction market in the Gulf Region has two only significant participants, us and Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc. (RBA). RBA, the worlds largest un-reserved equipment auctioneer, reports over $2 billion dollars in gross auction sales from 90 locations throughout in North America and in 18 other countries and holds a dominate position in certain geographic locations. While we have gradually increased our market share in Dubai, which share has surpassed that of RBA in Dubai since 2004, RBA is still much larger and much better-financed than us. Should RBA focus more closely on the Gulf Region market, and on Dubai in particular, it would be difficult for us to adequately compete with them based on their advantageous financial position.
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The market for our stock is limited and our stock price may be volatile.
The market for our common stock has been limited due to low trading volume and the small number of brokerage firms acting as market makers. Because of the limitations of our market and volatility of the market price of our stock, investors may face difficulties in selling shares at attractive prices when they want to. The average daily trading volume for our stock has varied significantly from week to week and from month to month, and the trading volume often varies widely from day to day.
We may incur significant expenses as a result of being quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, which may negatively impact our financial performance.
We may incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a result of being listed on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as related rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission), has required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. We expect that compliance with these laws, rules and regulations, including compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as discussed in the following risk factor, may substantially increase our expenses, including our legal and accounting costs, and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. As a result, there may be a substantial increase in legal, accounting and certain other expenses in the future, which would negatively impact our financial performance and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our internal controls over financial reporting may not be considered effective, which could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and in turn have an adverse effect on our stock price.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, beginning with our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2007, we may be required to furnish a report by our management on our internal controls over financial reporting. Such report will contain, among other matters, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of the year, including a statement as to whether or not our internal controls over financial reporting are effective. This assessment must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting identified by management. The report will also contain a statement that our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on managements assessment of internal controls. If we are unable to assert that our internal controls are effective as of December 31, 2007, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to attest that our managements report is fairly stated or they are unable to express an opinion on our managements evaluation or on the effectiveness of our internal controls, investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline.
Reports to Security Holders
WWA Groups annual report will contain audited financial statements. We are not required to deliver an annual report to security holders and will not automatically deliver a copy of the annual report to our security holders unless a request is made for such delivery. We file all of our required reports and other information with the Commission. The public may read and copy any materials that are filed by WWA Group with the Commission at the Commissions Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The statements and forms filed by us with the Commission have also been filed electronically and are available for viewing or copy on the Commission maintained Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission. The Internet address for this site can be found at http://www.sec.gov.
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We currently maintain our offices at 2465 West 12th Street, Suite 2 Tempe, Arizona 85281. The office space is comprised of 2,500 square feet for which WWA Group pays $1,600 on a monthly basis. The office lease is due to expire in June 2006. We also maintain a permanent auction site in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a 15 acre lot for which we pay $300,000 on a yearly basis. The site lease is due to expire on December 31, 2006. We have submitted a new 15-year lease agreement for a 27-acre property in the Jebel Ali Free Zone to the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, but final negotiations are still underway.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGSWWA Group is currently not a party to any legal proceedings.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERSNo matter was submitted to a vote of the security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERSWWA Groups common stock is traded on Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol WWAG. The table below sets forth the high and low prices for WWA Groups common stock for each quarter of 2005 and 2004. The quotations below reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions:
YEAR |
QUARTER ENDING |
HIGH |
LOW |
2004 |
December 31 |
$0.60 |
$0.31 |
September 30 |
$1.00 |
$0.47 | |
June 30 |
$1.10 |
$0.65 | |
March 31 |
$1.01 |
$0.71 | |
2003 |
December 31 |
$1.01 |
$0.85 |
September 30 |
$2.00 |
$0.65 | |
June 30 |
$1.40 |
$0.76 | |
March 31 |
$2.00 |
$1.00 |
Record Holders
As of March 31, 2006, there were approximately one thousand and ninety five (1,095) shareholders of record holding a total of 15,970,803 shares of common stock. The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of the common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
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Dividends
WWA Group has not declared any cash dividends since inception and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends is within the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on WWA Groups earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other relevant factors. There are no restrictions that currently limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock other than those generally imposed by applicable state law.
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISThis Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other parts of this report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as anticipates, expects, believes, plans, predicts, and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the subsections entitled Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition below and the subsection entitled Risk Factors above. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included in this report. All information presented herein is based on our fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
Discussion and Analysis
WWA Groups business strategy is to continue to grow its positive net cash flow from operations and to use this net cash flow to reduce payables and expand operations to new auction sites. WWA Group intends to focus on formalizing new joint venture relationships, management arrangements, new wholly owned facilities, and expanded auctions as the means by which to increase net cash flow. Our new auction site in Jebel Ali will be larger and capable of holding more equipment than our current site, eliminating the current restraint on growth. Nonetheless, our business development strategy is prone to significant risks and uncertainties certain of which can have an immediate impact on our efforts to increase positive net cash flow and deter future prospects for the expansion of its business.
Implementation of our growth model will include expanding our lower cost auction methods, such as on-line auctions and video auctions. We also plan to offer high margin buyer and seller services, such as transport and logistics. Our control over a large volume of equipment being moved around the world by our regular consignors provides vertical integration opportunities that could combine auction services with the ability to meet transportation needs.
Our financial condition and results of operations depends primarily upon the volume of industrial equipment auctioned, the prices we obtain at auction for such equipment, and the commission rates we can attract from the consignor. Industrial equipment prices historically have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future, and the commission rates in WWA Groups primary market are becoming more competitive. This price volatility and commission rate pressure can immediately affect our available cash flow which can in turn impact the availability of net cash flow for future capital expenditures. Our future success will depend on our ability to increase the size of our auctions and to optimize commissions and prices realized at auction. Should we be unable to increase gross auction sales and obtain competitive pricing at auction then we can expect a reduction in revenue which may in turn affect the profitability of our business.
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Results of Operations
During the period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, we have been engaged in the holding of un-reserved auctions for industrial equipment from our auction site located in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We expect that over the next twelve months we will continue to hold industrial equipment auctions at established sites and anticipates the opening of new auction locations. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, WWA Group realized a net profit from operations as a result of increased commission revenue and trading profit as compared to the prior year. WWA Group also incurred an increase in general and administrative expenses over the comparative periods.
Years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
Gross Revenue
Revenue for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 increased to $16,312,971 from $10,976,167 for the comparable period ended December 31, 2004, an increase of 49%. The increase in revenue was primarily the result of a substantial increase in the gross proceeds from sale of owned equipment at auction and from private sales, included in this revenue figure. Commission and service revenue was $6,412,940 in 2005 compared to $5,673,207 in 2004, an increase of 13%. In both 2004 and 2005, five major auctions were held. Additionally one night auction was held in 2005. In 2006, five major equipment auctions are scheduled and at least four smaller transport and or on-line auctions are planned. Three major auctions and one on-line auction are already committed to for the 1st half of 2006 alone. The February 2006 auction in Dubai generated over $18 million in gross auction revenue and reasonably good commission and service revenue as a percentage of gross auctions sales. This reflects continued growth in the marketplace, and puts us on track to increase gross auction revenue in 2006 over 2005. Revenue from the sale of equipment increased from $5,302,960 in 2004 to $9,900,031 in 2005.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased to $4,272,735 in 2005 from $3,718,451 in 2004, an increase of $554,284 or 15%.
Gross profit on revenues from commissions and services increased to $3,804,438 in 2005 from $3,423,567 in 2004. As a percentage of revenues from commissions and services, gross profit decreased to 59.3% in 2005 from 60.3% in 2004. This decrease is mainly the result of additional advertising costs associated with the size of the auctions held. While WWA Group expects direct costs to continue to rise with the number and size of auctions held in the future, we do not expect gross profit as a percentage of sales to decline in future periods.
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Gross profit on revenues from sales of equipment increased to $468,297 in 2005 from $294,884 in 2004. This increase is a direct result of the increase in gross proceeds from the sale of owned equipment at auctions and from private sales. As noted previously in this Form 10-KSB, we do not seek to be a significant seller in the auctions we conduct. We purchase equipment for sale in order to assist customers, in order to resolve certain shipping difficulties, and if we perceive the purchase to be a good value for the cost. WWA Group believes that the amount of revenues from sales of equipment will continue to increase as more and larger auctions are held. As a percentage of revenues from sales of equipment, the gross profit was 5.6% in 2004 as compared to 4.73% in 2005. The decline in gross profit percentage on sales of equipment is mainly due to a large transaction in which WWA Group purchased and sold a large group of equipment to assist two customers complete a sales transaction. The gross profit received on this transaction was small. The gross profit percentage may vary greatly from period to period depending on the equipment WWA Group determines to purchase. We will continue to seek to purchase equipment that we believe will sell for a high gross profit.
Net Income
Net income for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 increased to $1,128,283 from $774,363 for the comparable period ended December 31, 2004, an increase of 46%. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in interest income to $631,353 in 2005 from $303,600 in 2004, as well as an increase in income from operations. The significant increase in interest income is due to cash payments received for interest on the $3 million of notes receivable outstanding. The notes are secured by ownership in a container cargo ship. We are exploring additional equipment financing opportunities as a source of revenue. Our ability to provide equipment financing is dependent upon the availability of cash in excess of amounts needed to fund its auction operations.
WWA Group projects a larger increase in net income for 2006 based on more equipment auctions, higher percentage commission and service fees, and a substantial increase in interest income from equipment financing. Fees from franchises, and interest /profit sharing from short term advances made in 2005 are also expected to contribute significantly to other income in 2006. Additional transport auctions and expansion into higher margin on-line auctions and services should also contribute to higher profit margins. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving any of the additional sources of revenues or achieve higher profits in 2006.
Expenses
Operating expenses for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 increased 11.9% to $3,586,393 from $3,205,035 for the comparable period ended December 31, 2004. WWA Group anticipates that general and administrative expenses will remain relatively constant during 2006, although there can be no assurance that our general and administrative and other operating expense will not increase in future periods. Salaries and wages for the annual periods ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were $1,187,022 and $1,052,677, respectively. Selling expenses for the annual periods ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were $125,253 and $134,657, respectively. General and administrative expenses were $1,834,054 for 2005, a small increase from $1,725,594 in 2004. Major components of general and administrative expenses by year are:
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2005 2004 Professional fees $ 127,688 $ 122,354 Rent or lease expense $ 356,822 $ 320,641 Travel and entertainment $ 366,285 $ 463,675 Representation expense $ 209,213 $ 255,389 Insurance expense $ 86,357 $ 31,978 Bad debt expense $ 100,000 $ -
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the annual periods ended December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004 were $440,064 and $292,107, respectively. Management has worked to control administrative expense by maintaining constant staffing levels and facilities while increasing revenues. We intend to expand our physical facilities in late 2006 by building a new modern auction yard and offices. However we expect to keep employment at present levels.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The Jebel Ali Free Zone is an income tax free zone. Therefore, the profits of WWA Group are not taxable in Dubai. WWA Group has determined that undistributed earnings from Dubai will be reinvested in the business indefinitely and that such earnings will not be distributed to the U.S. parent. Therefore, in accordance with APB Opinion No. 23, Accounting for Income Taxes Special Areas, no income tax provision has been recorded for the undistributed earnings. If, in the future, WWA Group distributes such earnings to the U.S. parent, the earnings will be taxable at the applicable U.S. tax rates.
Impact of Inflation
WWA Group believes that inflation has had a negligible effect on operations over the past three years. We believe that we can offset inflationary increases in operating costs by increasing revenue and improving operating efficiencies.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flow provided by operating activities for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 was $1,278,731 as compared to $2,682,474 for the comparable period ended December 31, 2004. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities over the comparative period is primarily attributed to a decrease in accounts payable, and auction proceeds payable and an increase in inventory. WWA Group used $1,970,527 of cash to pay down these obligations and invested $560,875 in inventory. We were able to make these payments because of our increased net income and a reduction in accounts receivable of $2,240,136. Increased revenue and stable general and administrative expenses are expected to continue to generate increases in cash flow from operations in 2006. Cash flow used in investing activities for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 was $1,799,899 as compared to $2,708,584 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The investment activities in 2005 were comprised of property and equipment purchases, and a short term, high interest earning advance to a ship operator carrying our customers equipment. The note receivable of $3.0 million accrues interest at 1.8% per month, is due June 30, 2006, and is secured by the vessel and all of the ownership shares of the borrower company that owns the vessel.
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Net cash flow provided by financing was $4,425,573 for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to cash used of $344,379 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The cash provided in 2005 and 2004 came from bank lines of credit of $4,268,651 and $2,769,397, respectively. We also borrowed $264,529 in long-term debt in 2005. In 2004 we repaid $3,043,623 of short-term debt compared to a repayment of $20,000 in 2005.
We had a working capital surplus of $1,117,670 as of December 31, 2005 and funded our cash needs in 2005 with net profits and bank lines of credit. Anticipated cash flows from future revenues are expected to be sufficient to fund operations in 2006. However there can be no assurance that WWA Group will generate sufficient cash flows to fund operations. WWA Group had approximately, $4,365,000 in bank lines of credit facilities as of December 31, 2005 that were unused. Since any earnings, if realized, are anticipated to be reinvested in operations, cash dividends are not expected to be paid in the foreseeable future. Commitments for future capital expenditures were not material at year-end.
We have no defined benefit plan or contractual commitment with any of our officers or directors. WWA Group has no current plans for the purchase or sale of any plant or equipment, outside of normal items to be utilized by yard personnel, unless the holding period is determined to be less than 45 days. WWA Group has no current plans to make any significant changes in the number of employees, with the exception of the possible addition of one new officer.
Critical Accounting Policies
In Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 included in this Form 10-KSB, we discuss those accounting policies that are considered to be significant in determining the results of operations and our financial position. We believe that the accounting principles utilized by us conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, warranty obligations, product liability, revenue, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and other facts and circumstances that are believed to be reasonable, and the results form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. The actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. With respect to revenue recognition, we apply the following critical accounting policies in the preparation of its financial statements
Revenue Recognition
Auction Revenues earned in WWA Groups capacity as agent for consignors of equipment are comprised mainly of auction commissions in the form of flat selling fees or fixed or sliding percentages of the gross auction sale price of any consigned equipment. The majority of auction commissions are earned as a fixed rate of the gross selling price. Auction Revenues also include any preparation, shipping, clearing, transport and handling charges and fees applicable to certain items of consigned equipment; incidental interest income; buyers commission applicable on certain sales of items. All revenue is recognized when the auction sale is complete and we have determined that the auction proceeds are collectible.
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Trading revenues are defined as gross proceeds on sales of WWA Group owned or underwritten inventory sold at auction or privately. All costs of goods sold are accounted for under direct costs. Trading revenue can be earned and direct costs can be incurred when WWA Group guarantees a certain net level of proceeds to a consignor. This type of revenue includes a percentage of proceeds in excess of the guaranteed amount. If actual auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, WWA Group can incur a net loss on the sale. Therefore, sales of equipment on a guarantee contracts are to be treated the same as inventory for accounting purposes. Our exposure from these guarantee contracts can vary over each guarantee contract. Losses, if any, resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded in the period in which the relevant auction is held.
Forward Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition
The statements contained in sections titled Results of Operations and Description of Business, with the exception of historical facts, are forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current expectations and beliefs regarding our future results of operations, performance, and achievements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon assumptions and beliefs that may or may not materialize. These forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:
- our anticipated financial performance;
- the sufficiency of existing capital resources;
- our ability to fund cash requirements for future operations;
- uncertainties related to the growth of our business and the acceptance of our products and services;
- our ability to achieve and maintain an adequate customer base to generate sufficient revenues to maintain and expand operations;
- the volatility of the stock market and; - general economic conditions.
We wish to caution readers that our operating results are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed or anticipated, including the factors set forth in the section entitled Risk Factors included elsewhere in this report. We also wish to advise readers not to place any undue reliance on the forward looking statements contained in this report, which reflect our beliefs and expectations only as of the date of this report. We assume no obligation to update or revise these forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances or any changes in our beliefs or expectations, other that is required by law.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS, No. 154), Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, which replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 28". SFAS No. 154 provides guidance on accounting for and reporting changes in accounting principle and error corrections. SFAS No. 154 requires that changes in accounting principle be applied retrospectively to prior period financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. WWA Group does not expect SFAS No. 154 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
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In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153. This statement addresses the measurement of exchanges of non-monetary assets. The guidance in APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Non-monetary Transactions, is based on the principle that exchanges of non-monetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The guidance in that opinion; however, included certain exceptions to that principle. This statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for non-monetary asset exchanges incurred during fiscal years beginning after the date of this statement is issued. Management believes the adoption of this statement will have no impact on our financial statements.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Accounting for Stock Based Compensations. This statement supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related implementation guidance. This statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entitys equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. This statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. This statement does not change the accounting guidance for share based payment transactions with parties other than employees provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123. This statement does not address the accounting for employee share ownership plans, which are subject to AICPA Statement of Position 93-6, Employers Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Management believes the adoption of this statement will have no impact our financial statements.
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, Inventory Costs an amendment of ARB No.43, Chapter4". This statement amends the guidance in ARB No.43, Chapter4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Paragraph5 of ARB 43, Chapter4, previously stated that . . . under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require treatment as current period charges. . . . This statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of so abnormal. In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. This statement is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June15, 2005. Management believes the adoption of this statement had no material impact on WWA Group.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTSOur audited financial statements for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are attached hereto as F-1 through F-20.
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WWA GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 INDEX Page Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheets F-4 Consolidated Statements of Income F-5 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity F-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-7 Notes to Financial Statements F-8
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