EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 814926
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 814926_10-K_2021_0000939802-21-000025.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Overview
Capstone Companies, Inc. (“Company” or “CAPC”) is a public holding company organized under the laws of the State of Florida. The Company is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer inspired products that simplify daily living through technology. Over the past decade, the Company’s various product lines have been distributed globally including consumer markets in Australia, Japan, Korea, North America, South America, and the United Kingdom. The primary operating subsidiary is Capstone Industries, Inc. (“CAPI”), a Florida corporation located at the principal executive offices of the Company. To oversee and manage business activities in the Pacific Rim, the Company established Capstone International Hong Kong, Ltd., or "CIHK", allowing it to expand the Company's product development, engineering, and factory resource capabilities. The Company has a history of exploiting technologies in areas of induction charging, power failure control, security and home LED lighting products and most recently has entered the electronics market with its introduction of Capstone’s Connected Surfaces Smart Mirrors - Internet connected and interactive mirror.
The Company's focus through 2017 has been in the integration of LEDs into most commonly used consumer lighting products in today's home. Over the last few years there has been significant LED price erosion, which has commoditized LED consumer products. The LED category has matured and is no longer the innovative “must have” consumer product as in previous years. The Connected Surfaces is the Company’s effort to establish a new product line.
Capstone’s success has been in its ability to identify emerging product categories where Capstone’s management experience can be fully leveraged. Over the past decade, the Company’s consistent low-cost manufacturing and operations have provided an advantage in delivering quality products at very competitive prices.
In late 2017, as management recognized that the LED category was maturing, it sought a business opportunity that would transition the Company’s revenue streams to emerging new product category. While we currently continue to supply LED products on a limited basis, our strategic plan to develop and launch new innovative product lines, like Connected Surfaces’ Smart Mirrors, is believed to be essential for sustaining or growing revenues.
Our expectation is that the new portfolio of Connected Surfaces appeals to a much larger audience than our traditional LED lighting product line. The new Connected Surfaces portfolio is designed to tap into consumer’s ever-expanding connected lifestyles prevalent today. The products have both touch screen and voice interfacing, internet access and an operating system capable of running downloadable applications. The average selling prices will be comparable to that of tablets and smartphones, expected retails to start at $699.00 per unit, with the goal to deliver consumer value to mainstream America. Whereas, during the day your smartphone/tablet keeps you connected, whether it is work or personal, now when entering your home, Capstone’s new Connected Surfaces products will enable users the same level of connectivity in a more relaxed manner that does not require being tethered to these devices.
The Company's financial initiatives are driven by its entry to new distribution channels and calls for an increased emphasis on an e-commerce business model. As a result of the pandemic, retail foot traffic has been diminished substantially and e-commerce platforms have advanced with consumers across all product lines. The Connected Surfaces category is intended to find its way to retail shelves after it has been established through its direct-to-consumer effort. The Company’s marketing strategy will shift its historic reliance on ‘Big Box’ retailers while delivering more profitable business. If Connected Surfaces is successful, the gross margins generated by the e-commerce model should be substantially greater than in the past and should provide strong cash flows. The Company will require additional funding to build its marketing effort, inventory levels and service levels once the initial marketing phase validates the Company’s strategic initiatives. The future growth will be directly impacted by the level of exposure, messaging and distribution capabilities. For the short-term, certain members of Company management (“Corporate Insiders and Directors”) have stated an intent to continue supporting the Company’s basic operational funding needs.
The Company has historically competed in highly competitive consumer market channels that can be affected by volatility from a number of general business and economic factors such as, consumer confidence, employment levels, credit availability, commodity costs and the recovery from the global pandemic. As stated earlier, the markets for LED home products have matured and growth within the category will continue to decline as markets are saturated. While we will continue to maintain supply for the short-term, our focus is directed to the expansion and advancement of the Company’s Connected Surfaces initiative.
By working diligently overseas with alternate manufacturers located outside China, particularly in Thailand, we anticipate minimal impact to our selling prices and related margins of profit that could otherwise be impacted by an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China. Political unrest in Thailand in late 2020 and early 2021 has not affected our OEM activities as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report.
COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial disruption to travel, business activities, and global supply chains, significant volatility in global financial markets, and resulted in a dramatic increase in unemployment, particularly in the U.S.
As the products we have shipped on our direct import business model typically requires 3 to 4 months lead time, our revenue in 2020 was significantly impacted by the uncertainty of reduced consumer foot traffic in the stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. This uncertainty caused retail buyers to delay or postpone promotional events. During recent months as consumer confidence has increased and the public has become more accustomed and feel safer about visiting stores, in store foot traffic has increased, particularly in the discount warehouse retailers (“Warehouse Clubs”) that we sell in. The promotional activities both domestically and internationally in the Warehouse Club channel have gradually increased as compared to previous quarters. Subject to the mass vaccination commenced in January 2021 ending or substantially curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe retail buying confidence will continue to improve and expect that promotional opportunities will begin to normalize for the 3rd and 4th quarters 2021.
One factor that may impact improvement in store foot traffic in 2021 is the emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus, which variants appear to be more contagious and, by virtue of being more highly contagious, may cause a spike in COVID-19 infections and a resulting imposition of renewed restrictions on store foot traffic in certain regions. Further, it has not been determined if the current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against all new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Full vaccination of a large percentage of the American population to develop ‘herd’ immunity prior to emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 virus that is not controlled by available vaccines is widely viewed by public health officials as critical to return to normality in activities - like pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels of store foot traffic. While the Company has commenced in March 2021 a new e-commerce initiative on its product website, that efforts has just commenced, and it is unclear as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report if our e-commerce initiative will compensate for loss of extensive store foot traffic.
During the year, the Company has experienced some limitations in employee resources resulting from travel restrictions and “stay at home” orders. Despite these restrictions, the Company continues to efficiently manage the overseas supply chain requirements of our customers.
Since early 2020, the Company has been building its infrastructure to transition into the online retail business by developing an e-commerce website. E-commerce increasingly is the means by which consumer purchase products, and it has experienced substantial increases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company saw a change in consumer buying trend before the COVID-19 pandemic impact and has been investing in developing a social media presence over the last year and is now ready to officially launch shipping product by its online Smart Mirror business in April 2021. Prior to 2021, the Company relied on brick and mortar retail for sale of its products to consumers and sought to piggyback off retailers’ e-commerce websites as well as dedicated online retailers like Amazon.
We believe the COVID-19 virus will continue to impact retail store markets through the first half of 2021, perhaps longer if mass vaccination does not reduce the national economic impact on and severity of COVID-19 pandemic by the summer of 2021, but as we focus our channel strategy toward e-commerce, disruption to our business in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail store market should be moderated if our e-commerce efforts create sufficient revenues. Consumer confidence should rise commensurately with increased job opportunities and income recovery upon a decrease of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent to which COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact the Company’s results will depend primarily on future developments, including the severity and duration of the crisis, the speed and effectiveness of the national vaccine inoculation program, potential mutations of COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of future actions that will be taken to contain COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact. These future developments are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, especially if mutations of the COVID-19 virus become widespread and prove resistant to vaccines.
We continue to make investments to ensure that we provide quality, useful products. Additionally, the Company continues to enhance its customer service support. In 2020 and 2019, the Company substantially expanded its investment and commitment to social media marketing. With the growing importance of on-line commerce and social media to consumers, this marketing will play a vital role in expanding our lifestyle brands and will also serve to establish credibility with the Company’s growing consumer base. The effort will focus on creating a more extensive and aggressive social media presence through use of third-party social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Continued analytics will govern and refine our investments in these social media campaigns.
As the Company focuses on e-commerce as an important distribution channel for its new product line, it faces intense competition from established, competing e-commerce websites as well as the daunting challenge of attracting consumer attention through social media and online marketing. Consumers have many options in e-commerce. The Company is not using online sponsors or promoters, known as ‘influencers,’ but rather is relying on a traditional promotion on social media websites like Facebook. There has not been sufficient operating experience with the Company e-commerce effort to opine on its effectiveness.
The Company oversees and controls the manufacturing of its products, which are currently made in China and Thailand by OEM contract manufacturers, through three wholly owned operating subsidiaries: CAPI, CIHK and CLTL. To support the current e-commerce model that will drive our business in 2021, we will be putting inventories into warehouse facilities stateside for direct-to-consumer fulfillment. When introducing the Connected Surfaces program to Big Box retailers in the back half of 2021, the Company will resume its direct import model. At that time, the Company's products will be built to order for specific promotional periods and does not require replenishment domestically. While the Company is stressing establishing an e-commerce presence, sales of products through brick and mortar retail stores of retailers will remain part of distribution of product and sale to consumers. The effectiveness of the national vaccination program to allow a return to pre-COVID-19 pandemic economy and revival of consumer store front traffic will be key to our brick and mortar retail efforts for the Connected Surface products.
CIHK continually evaluates its contract manufacturers' ability to meet the Company's growing needs. Additionally, all manufacturers must meet rigorous compliance, security and equipment evaluation audits to ensure competitive pricing for the highest quality products. Capstone’s business practices have allowed development of excellent relationships with its OEM contract manufacturers and has resulted in commercially favorable payment terms, which over the years has greatly contributed to the Company's growth.
To date all of the Company's retail sales are made on an order-by-order basis, rather than through long-term sales contracts. As such, the nature of the Company's business did not provide visibility of material forward-looking information from its customers and suppliers beyond a few months.
With the launch of the Connected Surfaces online business and to ensure adequate inventory supply for the new product category in order to support immediate e-commerce shipments, the Company will be forecasting its initial inventory needs and adjust accordingly as sales volumes are established.
LED Business and Transition to Connected Surfaces. Capstone was an early innovator in the introduction of low-cost LED lighting products that have distinctive features creating strong consumer appeal. The Company's product lines consisted of decorative lighting, outdoor fixtures, lighting with built-in power failure technology and safety and security. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, the Company has been primarily engaged in the business of developing, marketing, and selling home LED products (“Lighting Products”) through national and regional retailers in North America and in certain overseas markets. The Company’s lighting products are targeted for applications such as home indoor and outdoor lighting and have different functionalities to meet consumer’s needs.
The Company has now developed and is marketing a smart mirror which is the first introduction within the Capstone Connected Surfaces program. The initial launch was at the Consumer Electronics Show in early 2020 but its release to the retail market has been delayed due to product development delays at our suppliers, resulting from the impact of COVID-19. The Company is planning production immediately following the varying certification processes and testing required for North American products, which are currently underway. These are not unfamiliar steps to management, as all our products are subject to most of the same approval processes; however, we do not control the speed at which the testing companies advance. There is a backlog at the testing laboratories as so many companies were dormant for the past 12 months but are now resuming normal business activities. As of the filing of this Form 10-K report, we are planning production to commence in April. As necessary, we will air-freight initial inventories to the U.S.so that we may activate our Amazon program, which requires that inventory be available for immediate delivery in their facilities. Depending on availability of containers, which are now facing shortages in the region, we may have to compromise our margins on the early shipments and ship more product by air than planned. Our primary goal is to deliver mirrors to our customers that have been patiently waiting for the mirrors to be available.
The development of the smart interactive mirror or “Smart Mirrors” is part of the Company’s strategic effort to find new product lines to replace or supplement existing products that are nearing or at the end of their product life cycle.
In 2020, the Company's operations consist of one reportable segment for financial reporting purposes: Lighting Products. Connected Surfaces products were recently introduced, and segment results will be reported in future interim reporting for 2021.
Our Growth Strategy
The Company's focus in recent years has been in the integration of LEDs into most commonly used lighting products for today's home. The LED lighting market is now mainstream and opportunities for growth have been minimized. Further impacting the category were the tariff penalties resulting from the trade dispute between U.S. and China making products less competitive.
The Company’s looking forward strategy requires continued expansion of its product development and engineering, manufacturing base marketing and distribution of a broadened portfolio of consumer electronic products. The Company will pursue new revenue opportunities through the introduction and expansion of its “Connected Surfaces” portfolio into alternate distribution channels including e-commerce and others that the Company has not previously focused on. The Company also intends to leverage its existing valuable customer base and strong relationships to achieve organic growth initiatives within this new category.
Capstone’s success has been in its ability to identify emerging product categories where Capstone’s management experience can be fully leveraged. We demonstrated this when the Company entered the LED lighting category. Our branding and product strategies delivered the Company to a well-respected market position. The Company’s low-cost manufacturing and operations have provided an advantage in delivering great products affordably.
Our expectation is that the new portfolio advancing in 2021 appeals to a much larger audience than our traditional LED lighting product line. The new Connected Surfaces portfolio is designed to tap into consumer’s ever-expanding connected lifestyles prevalent today. The products have both touch screen and voice interfacing, internet access and an operating system capable of running downloadable applications. The average selling prices will be comparable to that of tablets and smartphones, expected retails to start at $699.00, with the goal to deliver exceptional consumer value to mainstream America. Whereas, during the day your smartphone/tablet keeps you connected, whether it is work or personal, now when entering your home, Capstone’s new Connected Surfaces products will enable users the same level of connectivity in a more relaxed manner that does not require being tethered to these devices.
The Company competes in competitive consumer market channels that can be affected by volatility from a number of general business and economic factors such as, consumer confidence, employment levels, credit availability and commodity costs. Demand for the Company’s products is highly dependent on economic drivers such as consumer spending and discretionary income.
By working diligently overseas with alternate manufacturers located in Thailand, we anticipate minimal impact to our selling prices and related margins of profit that could otherwise be impacted by ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China. Although the overseas factories are fully functioning at this time, a resurgence of the global COVID-19 pandemic could impact the overseas factories again and could delay shipments of products from Thailand and China, which produces all of our products. The Company’s new factory in Thailand has produced and shipped orders in 2020. This facility will provide the Company with more flexibility in determining which location should produce goods for future orders. With the United States now being impacted by the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic we believe the impact of the virus in the U.S. will continue until the mid-half of 2021, but this disruption has not impacted our long-term strategy and initiatives as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report.
During 2020, the Company has expanded its investment and commitment in Social Media marketing. With our Company’s plan to shift its focus to on-line commerce in the first half of 2021, its Social Media presence will be key to the Company’s growth initiatives. The analytics derived from testing various messaging on social media platforms (i.e., Facebook Ads, Google Ads) has validated consumer interest in the Smart Mirror program.
Organic Growth Strategy
The Company intends to pursue various initiatives to execute its organic growth strategy, which is designed to enhance its market presence, expand its customer base and maintain its recognition as an industry leader in new product development. Key elements of our organic growth strategy include:
Connected Surfaces. Historically LED lighting products have been our core business. The Capstone Lighting and Hoover® Home LED brands combined, have sold millions of LED lighting products over the recent years and consequently the Company holds a well-respected position in the retail lighting category. While consistently launching successful lighting programs, the Company has determined that it needs to diversify and expand its core focus in order to continue to meet revenue growth initiatives. The Company has refocused its development and marketing initiatives and is determined to build on its success with a broader product portfolio beyond lighting products only. The new category “Connected Surfaces” was officially launched in January 2020 at CES. The Company intends to expand the new line of “Connected Products” for the next several years. The Company’s product roadmap outlines plans for product introductions through 2022 and this will continue to expand as consumer product acceptance validates its innovations. The Company believes this program will leverage existing relationships with its current retail partners, deliver on its e-commerce initiatives and collectively contribute organic growth for the Company.
The Company acknowledges that smart homes will become more mainstream over the next several years and will present significant growth opportunities for the Company and its Connected Surfaces portfolio.
While our focus of Connected Surface products is the smart home market, smart mirrors are being employed by retailers like Ralph Lauren and Neiman Marcus to allow customers to compare outfits on fitting room smart mirrors. Further, single application smart mirrors are emerging in the fitness industry for interactive workouts at home as a result of the global pandemic.
The automobile segment leads the Smart Mirror industry as technology has imbedded into automobile mirrors. As of the date of this Form 10-K Annual Report, the Company’s Connected Surfaces products target the smart home segment.
Perceived or Essential Strengths
Capstone believes that the following competitive strengths serve to support its business strategies.
In North America, the Company has been recognized for more than a decade as an innovator and highly efficient, low-cost manufacturer in several product niches. Capstone believes that its insight into the needs of retail programming and its proven execution track record with noted retailers globally positions it well for future growth.
Capstone's core executive team has been working together for over three decades and has successfully built and managed other consumer product companies.
Operating Management's experience in hardline product manufacturing has prepared the Company for successful entries into various consumer product markets.
Capstone's branding strategy was focused on establishing multiple trusted brands through licensing allowing for a broader reach into various channels. Capstone Lighting® (2008), Hoover® Home LED (2015) and Duracell® (2017) have contributed to expanding the Company's retail position. Moreover, the knowledge of negotiating and managing such programs may prove beneficial for the Connected Surfaces portfolio.
Product Quality: Through a combination of sourcing quality components, stringent manufacturing quality control and conducting rigorous third-party testing, product experiences by consumers are of the highest ranking. To deliver cost-competitive products without compromising quality standards, we leverage purchasing volume and capitalize on strategic vendor relationships.
Perceived Weaknesses
Capstone believes that its competitive weaknesses are:
It does not possess the business, marketing, and financial resources of larger competitors or the brand recognition or international markets of some of the larger competitors.
The Company’s current products lines are focused on consumer LED lighting and long-term revenue prospects of the recent diversification into Connected Surfaces products is uncertain as of the date of this Form 10-K report. As a mature product line, LED business is a declining business line and revenue source.
The Company does not have the large internal research and development capability of its larger competitors.
Capstone operates with a limited number of employees whose functions are dedicated to executive management, sales and marketing or administrative support. The limited number of employees may hinder or delay the ability of the Company to identify or respond to consumer preferences or new technology developments in a product line. Hiring may be required with any growth and qualified personnel may not be readily available. We cannot match the compensation packages to prospective employees that many larger competitors may offer.
The Company relies on OEM's located in Thailand and China, which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent of the continuing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain as of the date of this Form 10-K report.
Capstone’s international purchases can become more expensive if the U.S. Dollar weakens against the foreign currencies.
Should the increased U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese manufactured goods remain it may negatively impact demand and/or increase the cost for our products at retail.
While we have established new production capacity in Thailand, there is no final resolution of the U.S. / China trade dispute from which specific components are sourced. Developing a new, efficient OEM relationship in a new country takes time and effort to reach acceptable production efficiencies. We have only a short operational experience with Thai OEM’s and cannot predict long term effectiveness of the relationship.
If the COVID-19 pandemic were to continue, it could have a detrimental impact on our ability to maintain operations by depressing consumer purchase of our products - whether online or in retail stores. Withstanding continued losses could cause the Company to consider significant corporate transaction, including, without limitation, a possible merger and acquisition transaction or reorganization to protect the core operations from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many companies, the Company conducts periodic strategic reviews where the feasibility of significant corporate transactions are considered, including mergers, asset purchases or sales and diversification or change in business lines. The Company lacks the financial resources of larger companies to withstand adverse, significant and sustained changes in business and financial condition. This vulnerability necessitates an ongoing consideration of alternatives to current operations.
Products and Customers
While the Company is expanding its product portfolio through the introduction of the Capstone Connected Surfaces program, it still maintains a select number of LED lighting products under the "Capstone Lighting®” brand at both Costco and Sam’s Wholesale Clubs and available through Amazon.
The product lines available as of the date of this 10-K report are as follows:
Connected Surfaces - Smart Mirrors
Standard Rectangular
Wardrobe/Fitness Mirror
LED Puck Lights
LED Undercabinet Light Bars
LED Motion Sensor Lights
Eco-i-Lites
Wireless Remote-Control Outlets
Wireless Remote-Controlled LED Accent Lights
The plan to expand the Company’s product portfolio through Connected Surfaces involves the inherent risk of increased operating and marketing costs without a corresponding increase in operational revenues and profits. While the Company makes significant investments into the Connected Surfaces portfolio, it is reasonable to expect to post losses while building the market for a new category of products which were formally launched at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show but faced delays to the market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expense categories including molds, prototyping, engineering, advertising, public relations, tradeshows and social media platforms will continue to be incurred for six to nine months before shipments and related revenues occur.
Over the past ten years, the Company has established product distribution relationships with numerous leading international, national and regional retailers, including but not limited to: Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club-Walmart, the Container Store and Firefly Buys. These distribution channels may sell the Company's products through the internet as well as through retail storefronts and catalogs/mail order. The Company believes it has developed the scale, manufacturing efficiencies, and design expertise that serves as the foundation for aggressive pursuit of niche product opportunities in our largest consumer domestic and international markets. While Capstone has traditionally generated the majority of its sales in the U.S. market, urbanization, rising family incomes and increased living standards abroad have spurred a perceived demand for small consumer appliances internationally. To capture this market opportunity, the Company has continued its international sales by leveraging relationships with our existing global retailers and by strengthening our international product offerings. CIHK assists the Company in placing more products into foreign market channels as well. The Company sold Capstone brand products to markets outside the U.S., including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. International sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $704 thousand or 25% of net revenue as compared to $1.2 million or 10% in fiscal 2019. The Company's performance depends on a number of assumptions and factors. Critical to growth are the economic conditions in the markets that we serve, as well as success in the Company's initiatives to distinguish its brands from competitors by design, quality, and scope of functions and new technology or features. Efforts to expand into new international markets may be adversely impacted in the near term by COVID-19 pandemic.
The Company's products are subject to general economic conditions that impact discretionary consumer spending on non-essential items. Such continued progress depends on a number of assumptions and factors, including ones mentioned in "Risk Factors" below. Critical to growth are economic conditions in the markets that foster greater consumer spending as well as success in the Company's initiatives to distinguish its brands from competitors by design, quality, and scope of functions and new technology or features. The Company's ability to fund the pursuit of our goals remains a constant, significant factor.
The Company believes that it will provide retailers with a broader and more diversified portfolio of consumer products across product categories, which should add diversity to the Company's revenues and cash flows sources. Within the selection of products offered, Capstone seeks to service the needs of a wide range of consumers by providing products to satisfy their different interests, preferences and budgets. The Company believes in its ability to serve retailers with an array of branded products and quickly introduce new products to continue to allow Capstone to further penetrate its existing customer bases, while also attracting new customers. The Company's primary, perceived challenge is creating sustained consumer demand for its products in a growing number of markets and attaining sustained profitability, which challenge is complicated by the cost of new product development and costs of penetrating new markets. An extensive product line, especially new product line, increases the investment in product development and, as such, increases operating overhead.
With the Company's “Connected Surfaces” category, Capstone has developed a comprehensive product offering. Within the selection of products offered, Capstone seeks to service the needs of a wide range of consumers by providing products to satisfy their different interests, preferences and budgets. The Company believes in its ability to sell direct to consumers with an array of innovative connected products and quickly introduce additional products to continue to allow Capstone to further penetrate this developing market.
Tariffs. The previous U.S. administration implemented certain tariffs that directly affected the Company's competitiveness. While all companies in certain industries are affected equally, the appeal for these products to consumers was negatively impacted when retail prices increased due to higher duty rates. The Company has seen promotional schedules cut back and retailers have requested pricing adjustments that would not be known to them in advance to products being shipped. Capstone's business model insulates the Company from paying duties as its retail partners are the importers of record. The obvious unknown is the final impact of tariffs to the landed costs. Accordingly, retailers have demonstrated caution in their promotional planning schedules and will continue to do so until the administration has clarified its position enabling importers to calculate estimated landed costs.
Tariffs and trade restrictions imposed by the previous U.S. administration provoked trade and tariff retaliation by other countries. A "trade dispute" of this nature or other governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, customers, suppliers and/or the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, to adversely impact our businesses. As of the date of this Report, the new U.S. administration is currently reviewing its future position on this issue and there has not been a resolution of the Chinese-American trade dispute.
Sales and Marketing
Our products are sold nationally and internationally through a direct sales force. The sales force markets the Company's products through numerous retail locations worldwide, including larger retail warehouse clubs, hardware centers and e-commerce websites. Our business model has been designed to support “direct import sales” made directly to the retail customer. However, we also offer “domestic sales” programs which will be expanded in the future as a result of the Capstone Connected program becomes available.
Direct Import Sales. We currently ship finished products directly to our retail customer from Thailand and China. The sales transaction and title of goods are completed by delivering products to the customers overseas shipping point. The customer takes title of the goods at that point and is responsible for inbound ocean freight and import duties. Direct import sales are made in larger quantities (generally container sized lots) to customers worldwide.
Domestic Sales. The strategy of selling products from a U.S. domestic warehouse enables the Company to provide timely delivery and serve as a domestic supplier of imported goods. With this model the Company imports goods from overseas and is responsible for all related costs including ocean freight, insurance, customs clearance, duties, storage and distribution charges related to such products and therefore such sales command higher sales prices than direct sales. Domestic orders are for a much smaller size and could be as low as a single unit directly to the end consumer if ordered through an online website. To support an effective e-commerce business model, we will be required to warehouse adequate inventory levels enabling the Company to ship orders directly to the end consumer expediently.
We continue to make investments to expand our sales, marketing, technical applications support and distribution capabilities to sell our product portfolio. We also continue to make investments to promote and build market awareness of the products and brands we offer. Our sales within the U.S. are primarily made by our in-house sales team and our independent sales agencies. Our independent sales agencies are paid a commission based upon sales made in their respective territories. Our sales agencies are recruited, trained and monitored by us directly. We will utilize an agency as needed to help us provide service to our retail customers as required. The sales agency agreements are generally one (1) year agreements, which automatically renew on an annual basis, unless terminated by either party on 30 days’ prior notice. Our international sales to divisions of U.S. based retailers are made by our in-house sales team. Other international sales are made by our Hong-Kong based CIHK office staff.
The Company actively promotes its products to retailers and distributors at North American trade shows, such as the Consumer Electronics Show (“CES”) or the International Hardware Show, but also relies on the retail sales channels to advertise its products directly to the end user consumers through various promotional activities.
In the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had two customers who comprised approximately 89% of net revenue and two customers who comprised 98% of net revenues in 2019. Although we have long established relationships with our customers, we do not have contractual arrangements to purchase a fixed quantity of product annually. A decrease of business or a loss of any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
For sales growth in the retail market to continue, the Company is focused on expanding the product portfolio currently offered into new innovative electronic categories that will also allow the Company to expand into different retail departments and channels of distribution.
The Company has been focused on establishing an on-line e-commerce presence to support the introduction of the “Connected Surfaces” program and deliver direct to consumer.
During 2020, we have utilized social media platforms and online advertising campaigns to further grow the Company’s online presence. In addition to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn, Capstone has launched a You Tube channel to host Smart Mirror videos and established a Twitter account. The Company has a Social Media presence on the following Social Media platforms:
FACEBOOK1: https://www.facebook.com/capstoneindustries and https://www.facebook.com/capstoneconnected
INSTAGRAM2: https://www.instagram.com/capstoneconnected
PINTEREST3: https://www.pinterest.com/capstoneconnected/
LINKEDIN4: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6251882
TWITTER5https://twitter.com/capc capstone
YOUTUBE6 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMX5W8PV0Q59qoAdMxKcAig
1 Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
2 Instagram is a registered trademark of Instagram.
3 Pinterest is a registered trademark of Pinterest.
4 LinkedIn is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation.
5 Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter Corporation.
6YouTube is a registered trademark of YouTube Corporation.
Competitive Conditions
The Company operates in a highly competitive environment, both in the United States and internationally. The Company competes with large multinationals with global operations as well as numerous other smaller, specialized competitors who generally focus on narrower markets, products, or particular categories.
Competition is influenced by technological innovation, brand perceptions, product quality, value perception, customer service and price. Over the past several years while the Company's focus has been on LED lighting, principal competitors include Energizer, Feit Electric and Jasco (GE). The Company believes private-label sales by large retailers has some impact on the market in some parts of the world as many national retailers such as Costco, Home Depot, Target and Sam’s/Wal-Mart offer lighting as part of their private branded product lines. Many of the Company's competitors have greater resources and capabilities, including greater brand recognition, research and development budgets and broader geographical market reach. Competitors with greater resources could undermine Capstone's expansion efforts by marketing campaigns targeting its expansion efforts or price competition.
Other competitive factors include rapid technological changes, product availability, credit availability, speed of delivery, ability to tailor solutions to customer needs, quality and depth of product lines and training, as well as service and support provided by the distributor to the customer.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decrease in consumer reliance on traditional brick-and-mortar retailing and heightened the importance of e-commerce and online marketing and sales. We have just started our Social Media marketing. Many competitors have more established, widespread and effective e-commerce and Social Media campaigns than we do. We may not be able to effectively compete in e-commerce and Social Media marketing and sales. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted marketing and sales of many products and the long-term impact of the pandemic remains uncertain as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report.
With trends and technology continually evolving, Capstone will continue to invest and develop new products that are competitively priced with consumer centric features and benefits easily articulated to influence point of sale decision making. Success in the markets we serve depends upon product innovation, pricing, retailer support, responsiveness, and cost management. The Company continues to invest in developing the technologies and design critical to competing in our markets. Our ability to invest is limited by operational cash flow and funding from third parties, including members of management and the Board of Directors, and by ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance.
Subject to adequate and affordable funding, absence of unexpected competition or technological developments in connected surface devices, and a curbing of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company believes that it is equipped to compete effectively with its competition in all of these areas due to its proven track record in delivering innovation to the market and cost-effective and timely manner.
Research, Product Development, and Manufacturing Activities
The Company's research and development department based in Hong Kong designs and engineers many of the Company's products, with collaboration from its third-party manufacturing partners and software developers. The Company outsources the manufacture and assembly of our products to a number of contract manufacturers overseas. Our research and development focus includes efforts to:
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develop product with increasing technology and functionality with enhanced quality and performance, and at a very competitive cost.
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solidify new manufacturing relationships with contract manufacturers in Thailand.
CIHK establishes strict engineering specifications and product testing protocols with the Company's contract manufacturers and ensure that their factories adhere to all Regional Labor and Social Compliance Laws. These contract manufacturers purchase components that we specify and provide the necessary facilities and labor to manufacture our products. We leverage the strength of the contract manufacturers and allocate the manufacturing of specific products to the contract manufacturer best suited to the task. Quality control and product testing is conducted at the contract manufacturers facility and at 3rd party testing laboratories overseas.
Capstone's research and development team enforces its proprietary manufacturing expertise by maintaining control over all outsourced production and critical production molds. To ensure the quality and consistency of the Company's products manufactured overseas, Capstone uses globally recognized certified testing laboratories such as United Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL) to ensure all products are designed and tested to adhere to each country's individual regulatory standards. The Company also uses quality control inspectors who examine and test products to Capstone's specification(s) before shipments are released. CIHK office capabilities include product development, project management, sourcing management, supply chain logistics, factory compliance auditing, and quality enforcement for all supplier factories located in Hong Kong, China and Thailand.
To successfully implement Capstone's business strategy, the Company must continually improve its current products and develop new product segments with innovative imbedded technologies to meet consumer's growing expectations. The Connected Surfaces product development is our current effort to achieve those expectations.
Capstone will continue to invest in more technical and innovative product categories. These costs are expensed when incurred and are included in the operating expenses.
Raw Materials
The principal raw materials currently used by Capstone are sourced in Thailand and China, as the Company orders product exclusively through contract manufacturers in the region. These contract manufacturers purchase components based on the Company's specifications and provide the necessary facilities and labor to manufacture the Company's products. Capstone allocates the production of specific products to the contract manufacturer the Company believes is more experienced to produce the specific product and whose facility is located in the country that most benefits from the U.S. Tariff regulations. To ensure the consistent quality of Capstone's products, quality control procedures have been incorporated at each stage of the manufacturing process, ranging from the inspection of raw materials through production and delivery to the customer. These procedures are additional to the manufacturers' internal quality control procedures and performed by Quality Assurance personnel.
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Raw Materials - Components and supplies are subject to sample inspections upon arrival at the contract manufacturer, to ensure the correct specified components are being used in production.
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Work in Process - Our quality control team conducts quality control tests at different points during the product stages of our manufacturing process to ensure that quality integrity is maintained.
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Finished Goods - Our team performs tests on finished and packaged products to assess product safety, integrity and package compliance.
Raw materials used in manufacturing include plastic resin, copper, led bulbs, batteries, and corrugated paper. Prices of materials have remained competitive in the last year. CAPC believes that adequate supplies of raw materials required for its operations are available at the present time. CAPC, cannot predict the future availability or prices of such materials. These raw materials are generally available from a number of different sources, and the prices of those raw materials are susceptible to currency fluctuations and price fluctuations due to transportation, government regulations, price controls, economic climate, or other unforeseen circumstances. In the past, CAPC has not experienced any significant interruption in availability of raw materials. We believe we have extensive experience in manufacturing and have taken positions to assure supply and to protect margins on anticipated sales volume. CIHK is responsible for developing and sourcing finished products from Asia in order to grow and diversify our product portfolio. Quality testing for these products is performed both by CIHK and by our globally recognized third party quality testing laboratories.
Section 1502 of Title XV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires SEC-reporting companies to disclose annually whether any conflict minerals are necessary to the functionality or production of a product. Based on our inquiries to our manufacturers, we do not believe as of the date of such inquiries that any conflict minerals are used in making our products.
Distribution and Fulfillment
Since January 2015, the Company has transferred its U.S. domestic warehousing and distribution needs to a third-party warehousing facility situated in Anaheim, California. The warehouse operator provides full inventory storage, packaging and logistics services including direct to store and direct to consumer shipping capabilities that electronically interface to our existing operations software. The warehouse operator provides full ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Inventory Control and Warehouse Management Systems. These fulfillment services can be expanded to the east coast in Charleston, South Carolina, if the Company needed to establish an east coast distribution point. This relationship, if required, will allow us to fully expand our U.S. distribution capabilities and services.
As the Company transitions into the e-commerce and direct to consumer marketplace, the Company has developed a new website with full shopping cart capabilities. To complete this project the Company has negotiated contracts for secured credit card processing capability, state sales tax compliance services and order fulfillment and logistics services, at a very competitive rate. The Company is also planning to warehouse and supply its Smart Mirror program through Amazon fulfilment.
Royalties
We have, from time to time, entered into agreements whereby we have agreed to pay royalties for the use of nationally recognized licensed brands on Company product offerings. Royalty expense incurred under such agreements is expensed at the time of shipment.
In 2019 the Company’s marketing objective was to transition existing licensed lighting product lines into the Capstone Lighting brand, which was successfully achieved.
On February 3, 2020, the remaining Royalty license expired as the Company did not achieve the stated net sales volumes for the renewal period.
Seasonality
In general, sales for household products and electronics are seasonally influenced. Certain gift products cause consumers to increase purchases during key holiday winter season of the fourth quarter, which requires increases in retailer inventories during the third quarter. In addition, natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes can create conditions that drive increased needs for portable power and power failure light sales. Climate change may increase the number and severity of hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding. Historically, the lighting products had lower sales during the first quarter due to the Chinese New Year holiday as factories are closed and shipments are halted during this period. Our transition to Thailand manufacturers may reduce the impact of Chinese New Year holiday.
We do not have sufficient operational experience with Connected Surfaces to predict the seasonality of connected surfaces.
Intellectual Property
CAPC subsidiary, CAPI, has filed a number of U.S. trademarks and patents over the past decade. These include the following trademarks: Exclusive license and sub-license to Power Failure Technology; Capstone Power Control, Timely Reader, Pathway Lights, and 10 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, 5 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, 3 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, 3 LED Slim Line Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, LED Induction Charged Headlight. We also have a number of patents pending; Puck Light (cookie), Puck Light Base, Multi-Color Puck Lights, LED Dual Mode Solar Light, Integrated Light Bulb (Coach Light), LED Gooseneck Lantern, Spotlights, Security Motion Activated Lights, Under Cabinet Lighting and Bathroom Vanity Light. CAPC periodically prepares patent and trademark applications for filing in the United States and China. CAPC will also pursue foreign patent protection in foreign countries if deemed necessary to protect a patent and to the extent that we have the available cash to do so. CAPC's ability to compete effectively in the Home Lighting categories depends in part, on its ability to maintain the proprietary nature of its technology and manufacturing processes through a combination of patent and trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements, licensing, and cross-licensing agreements. CAPC owns a number of patents, trademarks, trademark and patent applications and other technology which CAPC believes are significant to its business. These intellectual property rights relate primarily to lighting device improvements and manufacturing processes.
While the Company may license third party technologies for its products, or may rely on other companies, especially OEM’s, for design, engineering and testing, the Company believes that its oversight of design and function of its products and its marketing capabilities are significant factors in the ability of the Company to sell its products.
Value of Patents
The actual protection afforded by a patent, which can vary from country to country, depends upon the type of patent, the scope of its coverage and the availability of legal remedies in the country. Issued patents or patents based on pending patent applications or any future patent applications may not exclude competitors or may not provide a competitive advantage to us. In addition, patents issued or licensed to us may not be held valid if subsequently challenged and others may claim rights in or ownership of such patents. The validity and breadth of claims in technology patents involve complex legal and factual questions and, therefore, the extent of their enforceability and protection is highly uncertain.
Reverse engineering, unauthorized copying or other misappropriation of our technologies could enable third parties to benefit from our technologies without paying us. We cannot assure shareholders that our competitors have not developed or will not develop similar products, will not duplicate our products, or will not design around any patents issued to or licensed by us. We will assess any loss of these rights and determine whether to litigate to protect our intellectual property rights on a case by case basis.
We rely on trademark, trade secret, patent, and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights. We cannot be sure that these intellectual property rights will be effectively utilized or, if necessary, successfully asserted. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain and perfect our own intellectual property rights, or, where appropriate, license intellectual property rights from others to support new product introductions. There can be no assurance that we can acquire licenses under patents belonging to others for technology potentially useful or necessary to us and there can be no assurance that such licenses will be available to us, if at all, on terms acceptable to us. Moreover, there can be no assurance that any patent issued to or licensed by us will not be infringed or circumvented by others or will not be successfully challenged by others in lawsuits. We do not have a reserve for litigation costs associated with intellectual property matters. The cost of litigating intellectual property rights claims may be beyond our financial ability to fund.
As is customary in the retail industry, many of our customer agreements requires us to indemnify our customers for third-party intellectual property infringement claims. Such claims could harm our relationships with customers and might deter future customers from doing business with us. With respect to any intellectual property rights claims against us or our customers, we may be required to cease manufacture of the infringing product, pay damages and expend significant Company resources to defend against the claim and or seek a license.
Information Technology
The efficient operation of our business is dependent on our information technology systems. We rely on those systems to manage our daily operations, communicate with our customers and maintain our financial and accounting records. In the normal course of business, we receive information regarding customers, associates, and vendors. Since we do not collect significant amounts of valuable personal data or sensitive business data from others, our internal computer systems are under a light to moderate level of risk from hackers or other individuals with malicious intent to gain unauthorized access to our computer systems. Cyberattacks are growing in number and sophistication and are an ongoing threat to business computer systems, which are used to operate the business on a day to day basis. Our computer systems could be vulnerable to security breaches, computer viruses, or other events. The failure of our information technology systems, our inability to successfully maintain our information or any compromise of the integrity or security of the data we generate from our systems or an event resulting in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or degradation of services provided by critical business systems, whether by us directly or our third-party service providers, could adversely affect our business operations, sales, reputation with current and potential customers, associates or vendors, results of operations, product development and make us unable or limit our ability to respond to customers' demands.
As shown by hacking of major commercial and government computer systems and networks, no system that is connected is completely safe from hacking or malware. We have incorporated into our data network various on and off site data backup processes which should allow us to mitigate any data loss events, however our information technology systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from:
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hurricanes, fire, flood and other natural disasters
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power outage
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internet, telecommunications or data network failure.
Environmental Regulations
We believe that the Company is in compliance with environmental protection regulations and will not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.
Employees
Response to COVID-19
The Company’s top priority has been to take appropriate actions to protect the health and safety of our employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have adjusted standard operating procedures within our business operations to ensure the continued safety of our employees and we continually monitor evolving health guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance and protection of our employees. These procedures include expanded and more frequent cleaning within facilities, implementation of appropriate social distancing programs, requiring use of certain personal protective equipment, screening protocols and work from home programs.
The Company will continue to evolve these programs to protect the health and safety of our employees.
As of December 31, 2020, we employed 8 employees in our U.S. office and 3 employees in our Hong Kong operation. We consider our relations with our employees to be good. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have no part-time workers. We believe that our staff is adequate to handle the current operations, but we recognize that the new product line and social media marketing will probably require additional personnel - either employees or contractors in 2021-2022. Our ability to hire additional personnel is subject to adequate revenue flow and funding.
The following table sets forth the number of employees by function:
Employee Function
Number of Employees
Executive
Sales/Customer Service/Distribution
Research & Development/Technology/Product Development
Administrative
TOTAL
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 431 Fairway Drive, Suite #200, Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA 33441. Our telephone number is (954)570-8889 and our website is at URL: www.capstonecompaniesinc.com. Our U.S. subsidiaries operate out of our principal executive offices. The Company believes that its current facilities are adequate for conduct of its business.
We file our financial information and other materials required under the Exchange Act electronically with the SEC. These materials can be accessed electronically via the Internet at www.sec.gov. Such materials and other information about the Company are also available through our corporate website : https://www.capstonecompanies.com.
Government Regulation
Our operations are subject to regulation by federal and state securities authorities as well as various federal, state, foreign and local laws and regulations governing a consumer products company and a for-profit business. We are not subject to any U.S. federal, state or local regulation that poses, in our opinion, any special or unusual burden or obstacle to conducting our business and financial affairs. Our main concern, although greatly diminished in terms of government regulation is the changing regulatory environment in China and its impact on our ability to access our LED lighting product manufacturing sources and obtain our specific consumer products. While the general trend in China has to be conducive to trade and commerce, China is a still a single-party nation-state in which the central government has the power to dramatically and immediately change its trade and commercial policies and laws. Political or military conflict between the United States and China, who are rivals for power and influence in Asia and to an increasing extent all along the Pacific Rim as well as being diametrically opposed to one another over the status of Taiwan, could provoke a change in Chinese trade or commercial law that makes it more difficult or expensive for us to obtain consumer products. Such a development would have a serious impact on our ability to compete in the United States in the niche LED consumer product market.
CIHK is subject to the laws of Hong Kong SAR, which is a part of and subject to governance by China. In light of the specific operational role of CIHK in our company, we do not believe that such regulation poses a significant risk factor in terms of the business and financial condition of the Company.
Working Capital Requirements and Financing
In order to successfully launch the online Smart Mirror business, the Company will be required to maintain sufficient on hand available inventory levels, to allow for immediate fulfilment of an online order. This will require additional investment in on hand domestic inventory and require an efficient logistics system that will provide for inventory staged throughout the supply chain to provide for efficient inventory replenishment to support forecasted sales. The Company, as needed, will strategically increase its inventory levels held at its designated fulfilment centers. Combined with investment in new product expansion, new product molds, product testing and outside certifications, package design work, and further expansion of its capabilities in Thailand, the Company may require additional working capital to fund these strategic projects.
On July 31, 2020, the Company terminated its factoring agreement with Sterling National Bank. The Company has been in discussions with alternate funding sources that offer extensive programs that are more in line with the Company’s future business model, particularly a facility that provides funding options that are suitable for the e-commerce business that the Company is transitioning into. The borrowing costs associated with such financing are dependent upon market conditions and our credit rating. We cannot assure that we will be able to negotiate competitive rates, which could increase our cost of borrowing in the future.
On January 4, 2021, the Company entered a $750,000 working capital loan agreement with Directors, Stewart Wallach and Jeffrey Postal. The term of the loan started January 4, 2021 and ends June 30, 2021 (“Initial Period’). The Company may extend the Initial Period for an additional six consecutive months, ending December 31, 2021, under the same terms and conditions as the Initial Period, by providing written notice of the election to extend to the lenders prior to the expiration of the Initial Period. The Company may borrow and reborrow under the agreement up to $750,000 and prepay wholly or partially the unpaid principal amount at any time and do so without pre-pay penalty or charge. The unpaid principal amount and all accrued interest is due and payable in full at the end of the Initial Period or expiration of the extended date, being December 31, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in a single lump sum balloon payment.
The Company's ability to maintain sufficient working capital is highly dependent upon achieving expected operating results. Failure to achieve expected operating results could have a material adverse effect on the Company's working capital, ability to obtain financing, and its operations in the future. However, achieving expected results as accomplished in 2017 and 2016, increased working capital and provided the Company with liquidity to transition into a new innovative category without creating debt.
In addition, we intend to seek alternative sources of liquidity, including but not limited to accessing the capital markets, or other alternative financing measures. However, instability in, or tightening of the capital markets, could adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets on terms acceptable to us. An economic recession or a slow recovery could adversely affect our business and liquidity. The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business and financial performance may also affect the Company’s ability to obtain funding.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $0 debt outstanding.
The Company's liquidity and cash requirements are discussed more fully in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, below.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Described below and throughout this Form 10-K report are certain risks that the Company’s management believes are applicable to the Company’s business and the industries in which it operates. If any of the described events occur, the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, or access to the capital markets could be materially adversely affected. When stated below that a risk may have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, it means that such risk may have one or more of these effects. There may be additional risks that are not presently material or known. There are also risks within the economy, the industry, and the capital markets that could materially adversely affect the company, including those associated with an economic recession, inflation, a global economic slowdown, political instability, government regulation (including tax regulation), employee attraction and retention, and customers’ inability or refusal to pay for the products and services provided by the company. There are also risks associated with the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters (such as tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods). These factors affect businesses generally, including the Company, its customers and suppliers and, as a result, are not discussed in detail below, but are applicable to the Company. As a "penny stock" without primary market maker support, any investment in our Common Stock is highly risky and should only be considered by investors who can afford to lose their entire investment and do not require immediate liquidity. These risk factors are not the only risks that we or our subsidiaries may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not currently believed to be important also may adversely affect our business.
Business and Operational Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to reduce its spread has, and may continue to, adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and may hamper our ability to fund our operations without obtaining adequate, affordable funding, which funding may not be available as needed.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe and continues to impact worldwide economic activity, including Southern Florida where the Company offices are located and in China and Thailand where the Company has its products made. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented our employees, suppliers, logistics services and other partners from conducting business activities at full capacity for a period of time, due to the community spread of the disease or due to shutdowns that were requested or mandated by governmental authorities or businesses. While it is not possible at this time to estimate the full impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our business, the continued spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by the governments and businesses in affected areas and in which we operate have disrupted and may continue to disrupt our product development, manufacturing supply chain, the retail marketplace and overall consumer buying confidence. For example, despite the phased reopening of the economy in many U.S. states, the resurgence of COVID-19 has paused many phased re-openings. Due to social distancing and other mandates implemented by federal, state and local governments, many individuals are working remotely and staying at home resulting in retail stores remaining closed and demand for consumer goods remaining uncertain. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to remain a serious health threat, the retail marketplace may have continued declines, which has reduced and may continue to reduce revenue and, as a result, could continue to adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. The overall negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy has also impacted, and may continue to impact, the number of potential retail customers for our products. The COVID-19 outbreak and government and business mitigation measures have also had an adverse impact on global economic conditions, which has had and could continue to have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition and could impact our ability to access the capital markets on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In addition, we have taken and may further take temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 to our employees, including closing the corporate office, temporarily requiring employees to work remotely, suspending all non-essential travel for our employees, which could negatively affect our business. The further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to limit and combat the spread will impact our ability to carry out our business as normal, and may materially adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak impacts our results will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the actions to contain its impact.
The adverse financial results from the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance coupled with our transition in new product focus on Connected Surfaces products places a significant financial strain on our Company. While we have secured a $750,000 thousand working capital facility with a term up to one year, and we anticipate available funding will sustain operations in the short term, however, to sustain future operations and revenue growth we will also need either adequate and affordable additional funding or adequate cash flow from sales of products in fiscal year 2021. As part of our periodic strategic planning, we are evaluating a range of possible significant corporate transactions to counter any ongoing or more severe adverse impact by the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. The Company has not committed to any specific significant corporate transaction but is evaluating various options in case the Company’s cash flow from sale of products does not revive or the Company does not obtain affordable, adequate funding for long-term working capital. The success or failure of our new Connected Surfaces product line will have a significant impact on any pursuit of a significant corporate transactions as a change in strategic plan. Even if we pursue a significant corporate transaction, there is no assurance that a significant corporate transaction will improve or stabilize business and financial condition or future prospects.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company used cash in operations of approximately $1.9 million and generated net operating losses of $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has working capital of approximately $1.4 million and an accumulated deficit of $4.5 million. The Company’s cash balance dropped by approximately $1.9 million from $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019 to $1.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Although we have cash on hand, and availability under the $750,000 working capital line of credit, the Company does not have sufficient cash on hand to finance its plan of operations for the next 12 months from the filing of this report and will need to seek additional capital through debt and/or equity financing. These factors combined raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by governments, or that we determine are in the best interest of our employees, customers, partners, suppliers and shareholders. The extent of the adverse impact of the pandemic on the global economy and markets will depend, in part, on the length and severity of the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus and, in part, on the size and effectiveness of the compensating measures taken by governments. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect the U.S. economy, and/or adversely affects our business, operations or financial performance, it may also have the effect of increasing the likelihood and/or magnitude of other risks described herein, including those risks related to market, credit, geopolitical and business operations and cyber, or risks described in our other filings with the SEC. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may also affect our business, operations or financial performance in a manner that is not presently known to us.
If we encounter problems with our logistics provider, our ability to deliver our products to the online market could be adversely affected.
In the U.S. we rely on a third-party logistics provider for our product distribution services. The current COVID-19 pandemic or its future recurrence may impede our ability to ship from the distribution facility at full capacity. Significant disruptions or delays could lead to loss of customers or an erosion of our brand image. In addition, our distribution capacity is dependent on the timely performance of services by a third party. This will include the shipping of orders to our online customers. If our distribution provider encounter such problems, our future results of operations, as well as our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies could be materially adversely affected.
Our operating results are substantially dependent on the acceptance of new products.
The Connected Surfaces product line is our effort to establish a viable product line to replace the matured LED product line and the success of the Connected Surfaces product line is critical to our continued operation as a consumer product company. Our future success depends on our ability to deliver innovative, higher performing and lower cost solutions for existing and new markets and for customers to accept those solutions. As a small company, innovation is critical to our ability to compete with larger competitors. We must introduce new products in a timely and cost-effective manner, and we must secure production orders for those products from our customers. The development of new products is a highly complex process, and we have in some instances experienced delays in completing the development and introduction of new products. Our research and development efforts are aimed at solving increasingly complex problems, and we do not expect that all our projects will be successful. The successful development, introduction and acceptance of new products depend on a number of factors, including the following:
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achievement of technology solutions required to make commercially viable products.
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the accuracy of our predictions for market requirements.
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our ability to predict, influence and / or reach evolving consumer and technical standards.
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our timely completion of product designs and development.
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our ability to effectively transfer increasingly complex products and technology from development to manufacturing; and
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market acceptance of our new product by retailers and consumers.
If any of these or other similar factors becomes problematic, we may not be able to deliver and introduce new products in a timely or cost-effective manner and be unable to effectively compete in the product market segment.
Our operations depend on a small number of personnel and the loss of key personnel or the inability to replace or add key personnel could have a significant impact on our ability to grow or sustain operations.
We operate the executive operations with a relatively small number of personnel. Company has not developed personnel to readily replace key personnel. The loss of key personnel, being Stewart Wallach, Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and James McClinton, Company’s Chief Financial Officer, would severely harm the business. Our success also depends on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we may not be able to successfully recruit, assimilate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. The inability to attract and retain such highly skilled personnel could harm our ability to obtain new customers and develop new products and could adversely affect our business and operating results. We do not have key man life insurance.
Our personnel are focused on executive management or marketing. Our marketing is supplemented by contractor sales agencies and we have a relatively small research and development capability in CIHK. We rely on CIHK and OEM’s for certain technical development and design and we have no current plans to develop an in-house technical development staff. The loss of an OEM would disrupt our business operations if we could not find a suitable replacement in short order. Company evaluates potential OEM’s from time to time to identify possible alternative production and technical development resources. If our operations grow, we may have to increase the number of our personnel in the future to handle any growth or expansion of product lines or product categories. Our ability to find and retain qualified personnel when needed by our growth or existing operations will be an important factor in determining our success in coping with any growth or efficiently handling existing operational burdens.
During a downturn in the economy, consumer purchases of discretionary items are affected, which could materially harm our sales, profitability and financial condition and our prospects for growth.
Many of our products may be considered discretionary items for consumers. Factors affecting the level of consumer spending for such discretionary items include general economic conditions, unemployment, the availability of consumer credit and consumer confidence in future economic conditions. Uncertainty in U.S. economic conditions continues, particularly considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and trends in consumer discretionary spending remain unpredictable. While the impact on the global economy remains uncertain, the United States and other countries have experienced a significant increase in unemployment and financial markets remain uncertain. The uncertainty has been enhanced by the slow process of the U.S. Congress to pass additional rounds of financial assistance for unemployed workers and businesses to counter the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, consumer purchases of discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods when disposable income is lower or during other periods of economic instability or uncertainty, which may lead to declines in sales and slow our long-term growth expectations. Any near or long-term downturn in the U.S. market in which we sell most of our products, or other key markets, may materially harm our sales, profitability and financial condition and our prospects for growth.
We derive a substantial portion of our sales from large wholesale customers, many of which have experienced significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the financial condition of our customers declines, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted. We face increased risk of order reduction or cancellation or delay of promotional opportunities when dealing with customers struggling with economic uncertainty. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including preventative or protective actions by government authorities and businesses have taken to contain the spread of COVID-19, many of our wholesale customers in the United States have had to implement six foot social distancing policies, mandatory reduced foot traffic and compulsory wearing of face masks while in the store and have experienced reduced consumer traffic and purchasing, which has resulted in lower sales and cancellations or delays of orders of our products. The financial impact of continued store disruptions on many of our retail customers has been significant and the long-term impact remains uncertain as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report. In addition, during weak economic conditions, customers may be more cautious with orders or may slow investments necessary to maintain a high quality in-store experience for consumers, which may result in lower sales of our products. A slowing economy in our key markets or a continued decline in consumer purchases of discretionary goods generally could have an adverse effect on the future planned promotional activities of our customers.
We face significant challenges in achieving and sustaining revenue growth.
Our potential for growth in revenues and attaining profitability depends significantly on the adoption of our products within the markets we serve and our ability to affect this rate of adoption. The introduction of the Connected Surfaces product line is our effort to introduce an innovative product aimed at achieving sustainable growth and potential profitability. In order to manage our growth and business strategy effectively relative to the uncertain pace of adoption, we must continue to:
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expand the capability of information systems to support a more complex business.
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to secure and expand sufficient third-party manufacturing resources, to meet customer demands for price, function and design.
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manage an increasingly complex supply chain that can supply an increasing number of raw materials and components with the required specifications and quality, and deliver on time to our third-party manufacturing facilities, or our logistics operations.
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expand research and development, sales and marketing, technical support, distribution capabilities and administrative functions.
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manage organization complexity and communication.
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expand the skills and capabilities of our current management team.
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add experienced senior level managers and executives when and as needed.
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attract and retain qualified employees; and
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adequately maintain and adjust, if needed, the operational and financial controls that support our business.
We are also increasingly dependent on information technology to enable us to improve the effectiveness of our operations and to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. While we intend to focus on managing our costs and expenses, over the long term we expect to invest to support our growth and may have additional unexpected costs. Such investments take time to become fully operational, and we may not be able to expand quickly enough to exploit targeted market opportunities. In connection with our efforts to cost-effectively manage our growth, we rely on contract manufacturers for production capacity. If our contract OEM manufacturers, original design manufacturers (“ODMs”) or other service providers do not perform effectively, we may not be able to achieve the expected cost and may incur additional costs to fulfill customer demand. Our operations may also be negatively impacted if any of these contract manufacturers, ODMs or other service providers do not have the financial capability to meet our growing needs. There are also inherent execution risks in starting up a new contract manufacturer factory or expanding production capacity of our existing contract OEM manufacturers or ODMs, or moving production to different contract manufacturers or ODMs, that could increase costs and reduce our operating results.
If we are unable to effectively develop, manage and expand our sales channels for our products, our operating results may suffer.
Our launch of an e-commerce website and social media promotions of products are a new approach to marketing for our company and we lack sufficient operational history to judge the effectiveness of the effort. E-commerce and social medica promotion may be critical to the success of the new Connected Surfaces products. The success of the Connected Surfaces products is critical to stabilizing and improving the business and financial condition as well as prospects of the Company. We do not have an extensive staff devoted to e-commerce and social media promotions and we have not retained outside firms to assist on a regular basis in this effort. We may have to devote more resources to e-commerce and social media promotion in terms of staff, outside assistance or both and those expenditures will tax our financial resources. The Company is seeking funding to support the promotion of the Connected Surfaces products to supplement the $750,000 working capital credit line provided by two Company directors in January 2021. Attaining affordable funding of the marketing effort may be critical to success of the marketing and promotion of the Connected Surfaces products.
As we grow our business and expand into business channels that are different from those in which we have historically operated, those retailers may alter their promotional pricing or inventory strategies, which could impact our targeted sales of these products. If we are unable to effectively penetrate these channels or develop alternate channels to ensure our products are reaching the intended customer base, our financial results may be adversely impacted. In addition, if we successfully penetrate or develop these channels, we cannot guarantee that customers will accept our products.
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and have evolving technical or consumer requirements.
The markets for our products are highly competitive. The smart or interactive mirror market is an emerging market and attracting new competitors - many of those competitors have significantly greater business, personnel, technical and financial resources than us and have greater access to distribution channels on a domestic and international basis. They also have or have the ability to establish brand recognition and reputation with consumers in domestic and international markets on a scale that we cannot match. Although the Company is seeking an apparently accessible niche market in smart mirrors, the sub $1,000 residential market, the Company may be unable to overcome larger competitors in this niche market or gain a profitable niche in this market. Since the Company relies on OEM’s for technical development, the Company may also be unable to compete with new technologies and functions in the smart mirror market or be able to affordably license new technologies or functions that are demanded by consumers.
In the consumer lighting market, which is a maturing market for us, we compete with companies that manufacture and sell traditional lighting products and we compete with companies that make smart mirrors for residential use, we compete with companies that have greater market share, name recognition and technical resources than we do. Competitors continue to offer new products with aggressive pricing. Aggressive pricing actions by our competitors in our businesses could reduce margins if we are not able to reduce costs at an equal or greater rate than the sales price decline.
With the increased demand for consumer smart products, including the connected surfaces that is the focus of our business, we will continue to face increased competition in the future across our businesses. If the investment in capacity exceeds the growth in demand the electronic consumer market is likely to become more competitive with additional pricing pressures. With the emerging and evolving smart mirror market, we face growing competition and rapidly changing product technology and functionalities.
As competition increases in smart products, including connected surfaces, we need to continue to develop new products that meet or exceed the needs of our customers. Therefore, our ability to continually produce smart, efficient and lower cost lighting products that meet the evolving needs of our customers will be critical to our success. Adequate, affordable and available funding is key to our ability to compete in LED lighting and smart mirror markets. Competitors may also try to align with some of our strategic customers. This could lead to lower prices for our products, reduced demand for our products and a corresponding reduction in our ability to recover development, engineering and manufacturing costs. Any of these developments could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
As is true in any consumer product industry, the ability of a company to respond to changing consumer tastes and purchasing habits is key to success in consumer products. Introduction of new products brings the risk of increased development, production and marketing costs as well as that investment failing to produce revenues or profits that justify the investment in new products.
If our products fail to perform or fail to meet customer requirements or expectations, we could incur significant additional costs, including costs associated with the recall of those items.
The manufacture of our products involves complex processes. Our customers specify quality, performance and reliability standards that we must meet. If our products do not meet these standards, we may be required to replace or rework the products. In some cases, our products may contain undetected defects that only become evident after shipment and used by consumers. Even if our products meet standard specifications, our customers may attempt to use our products in applications for which they were not designed resulting in product failures and creating customer satisfaction issues. For a small company, identifying and meeting consumer demand and product quality standards are critical to our business and financial performance.
If failures or defects occur, they could result in significant losses or product recalls due to:
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costs associated with the removal, collection and destruction of the product.
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payments made to replace product.
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costs associated with repairing the product.
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the write-down or destruction of existing inventory.
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insurance recoveries that fail to cover the full costs associated with product recalls.
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lost sales due to the unavailability of product for a period.
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delays, cancellations or rescheduling of order for our products; or
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increased product returns.
A significant product recall could also result in adverse publicity, damage to our reputation and a loss of customer or consumer confidence in our products and could substantially undermine or delay any success in the critical Connected Surfaces product launch. Further, while we believe that product liability for consumer electronic products is not significant or widespread, we could face product liability lawsuits or regulatory proceedings by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and could suffer losses from a significant product liability judgment or adverse CPSC finding against us if the use of our products at issue is determined to have caused injury or contained a substantial product hazard to the public. We provide warranty periods of 1 year on our products. Although we believe our warranty reserves are appropriate, we are making projections about the future reliability of new products and technologies, and we may experience increased variability in warranty claims. Increased warranty claims could result in significant losses due to a rise in warranty expense and costs associated with customer support.
We rely on several key OEM’s/manufacturers to supply our products.
We depend on several key OEM’s and their suppliers. Although alternative manufacturers with similar manufacturing capabilities are available, qualification and certification of many of these alternative manufacturers could take up to six months or longer to finalize. While we have developed production capabilities through OEM in Thailand, we also remain dependent on Chinese OEM’s.
Additionally, the inability of our suppliers to access capital efficiently could cause disruptions in their businesses, thereby negatively impacting ours. This risk may increase if an economic downturn negatively affects our OEM’s or their suppliers. Any delay in product delivery or other interruption or variation in supply from these suppliers could prevent us from meeting customer order requirements. If we were to lose a key supplier, if our key suppliers were unable to support our demand for any reason or if we were unable to identify and qualify alternative suppliers, our manufacturing operations could be interrupted or hampered significantly.
We rely on arrangements with independent shipping companies for the delivery of our products from vendors and to customers both in the United States and abroad. The failure or inability of these shipping companies to deliver products or the unavailability of shipping or port services, even temporarily, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may also be adversely affected by an increase in freight surcharges due to rising fuel costs and added security.
We rely on third-party suppliers and manufacturers to provide raw materials for and to produce our products, and we have limited control over these suppliers and manufacturers and may not be able to obtain quality products on a timely basis or in sufficient quantity.
Some of the components used in our products may be technically advanced products developed by third parties and may be available, in the short-term, from a very limited number of sources. All of our products are manufactured by unaffiliated manufacturers. We have long -term relationships but no long-term contracts with our suppliers or manufacturing sources, and we compete with other companies for components, raw materials, production and capacity.
We may experience a significant disruption in the supply of components or raw materials from current sources or, in the event of a disruption, we may be unable to locate alternative materials suppliers of comparable quality at an acceptable price, or at all. In addition, our unaffiliated manufacturers may not be able to fill our orders in a timely manner. If we experience significant increased demand, or we lose or need to replace an existing manufacturer or supplier because of adverse economic conditions or other reasons, additional supplies of components or raw materials or additional manufacturing capacity may not be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or suppliers or manufacturers may not be able to allocate sufficient capacity to us to meet our requirements. In addition, even if we can expand existing or find new manufacturing or raw material sources, we may encounter delays in production and added costs because of the time it takes to train our suppliers and manufacturers on our methods, products and quality control standards. Any delays, interruption or increased costs in the supply of raw materials or manufacture of our products could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet retail customer and consumer demand for our products and result in lower net revenues and net income both in the short and long-term. These risks have materially increased and may persist with the significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We may in the future receive, shipments of product that fail to conform to our quality control standards. In that event, unless we can obtain replacement products in a timely manner, we risk the loss of net revenues resulting from the inability to sell those products and related increased administrative and shipping costs.
Delays in Testing or Shipping could adversely affect results from our Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror by delaying shipment of product and marketing roll-out of the product.
Like many consumer products, the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirrors undergo independent laboratory testing to verify safety. COVID-19 pandemic caused a backlog of product testing at U.S. national testing laboratories in 2020 and the backlog delayed marketing roll out of consumer products, including the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirrors. We anticipate production of the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror in April 2021. Further, the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirrors are manufactured in Asia and shortages of shipping containers for ocean shipment may require us to use more expensive air freight to meet product availability requirements for sale of Connected Surfaces Smart Mirrors through Amazon, which is one of our distribution channels. The use of air freight for shipment of product is more expensive than ocean vessel rates and the initial inventory shipments for Amazon fulfillment that is shipped by air freight would experience lower profit margins.
We depend on a limited number of retail customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, and the loss of, or a significant reduction in purchases by, one or more of these customers could adversely affect our operating results.
We receive a significant amount of our revenue from a limited number of customers. Most of our customer orders are made on a purchase order basis, which does not require any long-term customer commitments. Therefore, these customers may alter their purchasing behavior with little or no notice to us for various reasons, including developing their own product solutions; choosing to purchase from our competitors or incorrectly forecasting end market demand for their products. Retail customers may alter their promotional pricing; increase promotion of competitors' products over our products; or reduce their inventory levels; all of which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. If our customers alter their purchasing behavior, if our customers' purchasing behavior does not match our expectations or if we encounter any problems collecting amounts due from them, our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Our results of operations could be materially harmed if we are unable to accurately forecast demand for our products.
To ensure adequate inventory supply for the new product categories and to support e-commerce, we must forecast inventory needs and place orders with our manufacturers before firm orders are placed by our customers. If we fail to accurately forecast customer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels or a shortage of product to deliver to our online customers.
Factors that could affect our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products include:
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an increase or decrease in consumer demand for our products.
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our failure to accurately forecast consumer acceptance for our new products.
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product introductions by competitors.
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unanticipated changes in general market conditions or other factors, which may result in cancellations of advance orders or a reduction or increase in the rate of reorders or at-once orders placed by retailers.
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weakening of economic conditions or consumer confidence in future economic conditions, which could reduce demand for discretionary items, such as our products; and
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terrorism or acts of war, or the threat thereof, political or labor instability or unrest or public health concerns and disease epidemics, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, which could adversely affect consumer confidence and spending or interrupt production and distribution of product and raw materials.
Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may result in inventory write-downs or write-offs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices or in less preferred distribution channels, which could have an adverse effect on gross margin. In addition, if we underestimate the demand for our products, our manufacturers may not be able to produce products to meet our customer requirements, and this could result in delays in the shipment of our products and our ability to recognize revenue, lost sales, as well as damage to our reputation and retailer and distributor relationships. These risks have materially increased and may persist with the market disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any profitability may decline, or our growth may be negatively impacted because of increasing pressure on pricing.
The consumer electronics industry is subject to significant pricing pressure caused by many factors, including technological advancements, intense competition, consolidation in the retail industry, pressure from retailers to reduce the costs of products and changes in consumer demand. These factors may cause us to reduce our prices to retailers and consumers or engage in more promotional activity than we anticipate, which could negatively impact our margins and cause our profitability to decline if we are unable to offset price reductions with comparable reductions in our operating costs. For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the
retail industry, including retail store closures and decreased consumer traffic and purchasing, many of our competitors have engaged in, and may continue to engage in, additional promotional activities focused on e-commerce sales. As traditional brick-and-mortar stores begin to reopen post-pandemic, we may see further discounting across our industry as businesses manage excess inventory levels. In addition, our ability to achieve short-term growth targets may be negatively impacted if we are unwilling to engage in promotional activity on a scale similar to that of our competitors and we are unable to simultaneously offset declining promotional activity with increased sales at premium price points. This could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Fluctuations in the cost of products could negatively affect our operating results.
The components used by our suppliers and manufacturers are made of raw materials that may be subject to significant price fluctuations or shortages that could materially adversely affect our cost of goods sold. In addition, certain of our manufacturers are subject to government regulations related to wage rates, and therefore the labor costs to produce our products may fluctuate. The cost of transporting our products for distribution and sale is also subject to fluctuation. Because our products are manufactured abroad, our products must be transported by third parties over large geographical distances, increased demand for freight services at a time of reduced ocean freight capacity, can significantly increase costs. Manufacturing delays or unexpected transportation delays, such as those caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic, can also cause us to rely more heavily on airfreight to achieve timely delivery to our customers, which significantly increases freight costs. Any of these fluctuations may increase our cost of products and have an adverse effect on our profit margins, results of operations and financial condition.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
Our business may be impaired by claims that we infringe the intellectual property rights of others.
Litigation between competitors over intellectual property rights can be a common business practice in an industry as a means to protect or gain market share. Litigation to determine the validity of patents or claims by third parties of infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights could result in significant legal expense and divert the efforts of our technical personnel and management, even if the litigation results in a determination favorable to us. In the event of an adverse result in such litigation, we could be required to:
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pay substantial damages.
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indemnify our customers.
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stop the manufacture, use and sale of products found to be infringing.
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discontinue the use of processes found to be infringing.
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expend significant resources to develop non-infringing products or processes; or
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obtain a license to use third party technology.
The risk of infringement claims may be greater in emerging products and technologies like smart mirrors.
There can be no assurance that third parties will not attempt to assert infringement claims against us, or our customers, with respect to our products. We have also promised certain customers that we will indemnify them in the event they are sued by our competitors for infringement claims directed to the products we supply. Under these indemnification obligations, we may be responsible for future payments to resolve infringement claims against them. We do not maintain a reserve for intellectual property rights litigation liabilities.
Additionally, if an infringement claim against the company or its customers is successful, the company may be required to pay damages or seek royalty or license arrangements, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. The payment of any such damages or royalties may significantly increase the company’s operating expenses and materially harm the company’s operating results and financial condition. Further, royalty or license arrangements may not be available at all, which would then require the company to stop selling certain products or using certain technologies, which could negatively affect the company’s ability to compete effectively.
Our operations in foreign countries expose us to certain risks inherent in doing business internationally, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We have revenue, operations and contract manufacturing arrangement in overseas that expose us to certain risks. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect our revenue, expenses and results of operations as well as the value of our assets and liabilities as reflected in our financial statements. We are also subject to other types of risks, including the following:
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protection of intellectual property and trade secrets.
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tariffs, customs, trade sanctions, trade embargoes and other barriers to importing/exporting materials and products in a cost effective and timely manner, or changes in applicable tariffs or custom rules.
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rising labor costs or labor unrest.
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difficulties in staffing and managing international operations.
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the burden of complying with foreign and international laws.
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adverse tax consequences.
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the risk that because our brand names may not be locally recognized, we must spend significant amounts of time and money to build brand recognition without certainty that we will be successful; and
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political conflict or trade wars affecting our efforts to conduct business abroad.
Changes in regulatory, geopolitical, social, economic, or monetary policies and other factors may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future or may require us to significantly modify our current business practices. Abrupt political change, terrorist activity and armed conflict pose a risk of general economic disruption in affected countries, which could also result in an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our financial results and ability to grow our business may be negatively impacted by economic, regulatory and political risks beyond our control.
All of our manufacturers are located outside of the United States and in 2020 25% of net revenue was generated by sales in our international business. As a result, we are subject to risks associated with doing business abroad, including:
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political or labor unrest, terrorism, public health crises, disease epidemics and economic instability resulting in the disruption of trade from foreign countries in which our products are manufactured.
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currency exchange fluctuations or requirements to transact in specific currencies.
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the imposition of new laws and regulations or government-imposed protective or preventative measures, including those relating to labor conditions, quality and safety standards and disease epidemics or other public health concerns, as well as rules and regulations regarding climate change.
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actions of foreign or U.S. governmental authorities impacting trade and foreign investment, particularly during periods of heightened tension between U.S. and foreign governments, including the imposition of new import limitations, duties, anti-dumping penalties, trade restrictions or restrictions on the transfer of funds.
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reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.
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disruptions or delays in shipments.
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changes in local economic conditions in countries where our customers, manufacturers and suppliers are located.
These risks could negatively affect the ability of our manufacturers to produce or deliver our products or procure materials and increase our cost of doing business generally, any of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. If one or more of these factors, make it undesirable or impractical for us to conduct business in a particular country our business could be adversely affected.
Financial Risk Factors
Our inadequate or expensive funding and financing alternatives.
Our current short-term debt level as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0 for both years. Our current funding availability consists of cash on hand, outstanding accounts receivable, federal tax refunds and as of January 4, 2021, a $750,000 working capital line with a term up to 1 year from two Directors. If we have a shortfall in revenues without a corresponding reduction to expenses, operating cashflow may suffer. If we are not able to access debt or equity capital markets or sources at competitive rates or terms and conditions, our ability to implement our business plan and strategy will be negatively affected. Limited access to sufficient bank financing, could force us to seek expensive financing or funding, or forms of financing that require issuance of our securities (such as equity credit lines or PIPE financing). Such financing would dilute the position of existing shareholders and put negative pressure on the market price of our Common Stock.
Other adverse consequences could include:
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a significant portion of our cash from operations could be dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on future debt, which could reduce the funds available for operations;
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the level of our future debt could leave us vulnerable in a period of significant economic downturn; and
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We may not be financially able to withstand significant and sustained competitive pressures.
We anticipate the need to raise additional capital required to manage and grow our business, especially in terms of promoting and producing Connected Surfaces products, and we may not be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Managing and growing our business will require significant cash outlays, capital expenditures and commitments. We have utilized cash on hand and cash generated from operation and accessed our credit facility as needed as sources of liquidity. However, during the year ended December 31, 2020 the cash generated from operations was negatively impacted due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $1.2 million of cash, and approximately $861 thousand of refundable income tax. We have also taken a number of actions short-term and long-term to preserve existing capital, including reducing capital expenditures, reducing discretionary expenditures, executive management salary reductions expense reductions related to the CIHK operations in Hong Kong and reductions in travel, hotel and show expenses. The credit facility with Sterling National Bank was not renewed and terminated on July 31, 2020. The Company has been in discussions with alternate funding sources that provides additional sourcing options for the e-commerce business channel that the Company is transitioning into. However, in the event that we are unable to negotiate a new credit facility or if cash on hand and cash generated from operations are not sufficient to meet our cash requirements, we will need to seek additional capital, potentially through debt or equity financing, to fund our operations and future growth. Our ability to access the credit and capital markets in the future as a source of liquidity, and the borrowing costs associated with such financing, are dependent upon market conditions and our credit rating and outlook. With our reported losses in recent years, we cannot assure that we will be able to negotiate competitive rates, which could increase our cost of borrowing in the future. In addition, equity financing may be on terms that are dilutive or potentially dilutive to our stockholders, and the prices at which new investors would be willing to purchase our securities may be lower than the current price per share of our common stock. The holders of new securities may also have rights, preferences or privileges which are senior to those of existing holders of common stock. If new sources of financing are required, but are insufficient or unavailable, we will be required to modify our growth and operating plans based on available funding, if any, which would harm our ability to grow or sustain our business.
We are seeking funding for inventory purchases and marketing of the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror, which funding is critical to the launch of this new product line.
While we have approximately cash on hand of $ 1.2 million as of December 31, 2021, those funds will be utilized for basic operating expenses in the United States and overseas, continued product development of the Connected Surfaces portfolio, Social Media marketing and payment of marketing accruals to existing retail customers. We are seeking equity or debt funding for inventory purchases and marketing of our new Connected Surfaces in order to preserve cash on hand for operating expenses. Due to the decline in revenues from our traditional LED Lighting product line, we need to raise the funding for inventory and marketing of the Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror product line to fully fund the projected financial needs for the initial phase of the product launch, which initial phase is deemed critical to the prospects of the product launch. The Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror product line is deemed critical to replacement of the existing LED lighting product line as the Company's operating revenue source.
Our past growth may not be indicative of our future growth, and our revenue growth rate may decline in the future.
Since we are transitioning our product focus to Connected Surfaces products and considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our LED product sales through brick and mortar retailers, past financial performance is not indicative of any future growth or future financial performance. We will have to establish our Connected Surfaces product line in the face of extensive competition.
Currency fluctuations may significantly increase our expenses and affect the results of operations, especially where the currency is subject to intense political and other outside pressure.
All our sales in 2020 were transacted in U.S. dollars. The weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies can negatively impact our operating profits, through higher unit costs. However, as the Company volumes increase, the leveraged buying power has enabled the Company to minimize the impact on costs. The last economic crisis revealed that exchange rates can be highly volatile. Changes in currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which we and our competitors sell products in the same market. There can be no assurance that the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates will be stable in the future or that fluctuations in such rates will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting in the future, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations. If our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, it may adversely affect investor confidence in us and the price of our common stock.
As a public company we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and provide a management report on our internal control over financial reporting. If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or if we are unable to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, then, we may be late with the filing of our periodic reports, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected.
Risk Factors for our Common Stock
Penny Stock and Volatile Market Price.
After the announcement of the $750,000 working capital credit line by two Company directors and announcement of the new Connected Surfaces Smart Mirror product launch, the market price of our common stock rose significantly in first fiscal quarter of 2021. The Company is not promoting its common stock and has not retained any third party to promote the common stock. The Company has no intention of conducting any stock promotional activities in the foreseeable future as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K report. As a matter of policy, the Company never recommends any investment in its common stock to public investors.
Due to the factors described below, the Company common stock is subject to possible volatile trading, including rapid increases and decreases in market price due to trading in the open market. The Company common stock lacks the primary market makers and institutional investors who can protect the market price from volatility in trading and market price. Further, the Company does not have any research analyst issuing recommendations (with exception of an unsolicited March 2021 rating by Smart Score). The common stock is also a “penny stock” under SEC rules and suffers the limitations and burdens in trading of penny stocks. This lack of market support and penny stock status means that trading, especially by day traders, can cause a rapid increase or decrease in market price of the common stock and makes any investment in the common stock extremely risky and unsuitable for investors who cannot withstand the loss of their entire investment and requires liquidity in the investment.
No Dividends.
We have not paid, and we do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, to finance our current and proposed business activities. We may also incur indebtedness in the future that may further prohibit or effectively restrict the payment of cash dividends on our Common Stock.
Our common stock is “penny stock” under SEC rules and we are a former shell company for resale purposes under rule 144 - which makes our stock difficult to sell or trade.
Our common stock is currently traded on the OTCQB (Symbol: CAPC) and is subject to the "penny stock rules" adopted pursuant to Section 15(g) of the Exchange Act. The penny stock rules apply to OTC-quoted companies whose common stock trades at less than $5.00 per share and such rules require, among other things, that brokers who trade "penny stock" to persons other than "established customers" complete certain documentation, make suitability inquiries of investors and provide investors with certain information concerning trading in the security, including a risk disclosure document and quote information under certain circumstances. Penny stocks sold in violation of the applicable rules may entitle the buyer of the stock to rescind the sale and receive a full refund from the broker. Many brokers have decided not to accept for deposit or trade "penny stock" stocks because of the burdensome administrative requirements of the penny stock rules and perceived greater liability exposure from handling penny stocks, and as a result, the number of broker-dealers willing to act as market makers in such securities is limited. In the event that we remain subject to the "penny stock rules" for any significant period, there may develop an adverse impact on the market, if any, for our securities. Because our common stock is subject to the "penny stock rules," investors will find it more difficult to dispose of our common stock. As a “penny stock” company, brokerage firms cannot recommend our Common Stock to investors or accept orders for our Common Stock without completing special paperwork.
In March 2021, our common stock was approved for DWAC/Fast electronic transfer, which will enhance trading of our common stock, but will not eliminate the issues imposed by the lack of market support for the common stock or the “penny stock” status of our common stock and, as such, will not lessen the volatility in trading and market price of our common stock.
We are also a former shell company under current SEC rules and interpretations thereof. As such, our stock transfer agent requires a legal opinion as well as other paperwork to lift restrictive legends from stock certificates for non-affiliated as well as affiliated shareholders. Further, our stock transfer agent will not permanently remove restrictive legends on stock certificates held by affiliated shareholders. This status may make our common stock even more unappealing to investors and potential purchasers and more difficult to sell or trade. “Affiliated shareholders” are generally Company officers, directors and holders of more than 10% of the issued shares of the common stock.
Our controlling stockholders may take actions that conflict with your interests.
Certain of our officers and directors beneficially own approximately 40% of our outstanding common stock as of the date hereof. Assuming support from public shareholders with a sufficient voting power, then our officers and directors will be able to exercise control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions, and they will have significant control over our management and policies. The directors elected by these stockholders will be able to influence decisions affecting our capital structure significantly. This control may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in management or limiting the ability of our other stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interest. For example, our controlling stockholders will be able to control the sale or other disposition of our operating businesses and subsidiaries to another entity.
General Risk Factors
Consumer shopping preferences and shifts in distribution channels continue to evolve and could negatively impact our results of operations or our future growth.
Consumer preferences regarding the shopping experience continue to rapidly evolve. We sell our products through a variety of channels, including through wholesale customers and we are launching our own direct to consumer business consisting of our brand and e-commerce platform. If we or our wholesale customers do not provide consumers with an attractive in-store experience, our brand image and results of operations could be negatively impacted. In addition, as part of our strategy to grow our e-commerce revenue, we are investing significantly in enhancing our platform capabilities and implementing systems to drive higher engagement with our consumers. If we do not successfully execute this strategy or continue to provide an engaging and user-friendly digital commerce platform that attracts consumers, our brand image and results of operations could be negatively impacted as well as our opportunities for future growth. In addition, we cannot predict whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact consumer preferences regarding the shopping experience in the long-term and how quickly and effectively we will adapt to those preferences. We have commenced our Social Media/e-commerce marketing initiative in response to current trends in consumer purchasing habits and in case the traditional brick-and-mortar retail continues to suffer and decline under the assault from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a growing trend towards e-commerce shopping by consumers that pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Company’s operations could be disrupted by natural or human causes beyond its control.
The Company’s operations are subject to disruption from natural or human causes beyond its control, including physical risks from hurricanes, severe storms, floods and other forms of severe weather, accidents, fires, earthquakes, terrorist acts and epidemic or pandemic diseases such as the COVID-19, any of which could result in suspension of operations or harm to people or the environment. While all of the Company’s corporate operations are located in the United States, the Company participates in a Chinese and Thailand product supply chain, and if a disease spreads sufficiently to cause a pandemic (or to cause the fear of a pandemic to rise) or governments regulate or restrict the flow of labor or products or impede the travel of Company personnel, the Company’s ability to conduct normal business operations could be impacted which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and liquidity. Most of the Company products are sourced and made in China and Thailand and an increased or prolonged disruption of either economy by COVID-19 could substantially and adversely impact the Company’s production of products. Currently, the Company’s Chinese and Thailand suppliers have reopened and building to full production capabilities.
We may not successfully execute our long-term strategies, which may negatively impact our results of operations.
Our ability to execute on our long-term strategies depends, in part, on successfully executing on strategic growth initiatives in key areas, such as our new Connected Surfaces category, LED lighting and our new online direct to consumer sales channel. Our growth in these areas depends on our ability to continue to successfully market these new products to existing customers, grow our e-commerce and mobile application offerings in the U.S. market and continue to successfully increase our product offerings in the Connected Surfaces category. Our ability to invest in these growth initiatives on the timeline and at the scale we expect will be negatively impacted if we continue to experience significant market disruption due to COVID-19 or other significant events, particularly in the U.S. market and in declining sales. In addition, our long-term strategy depends on our ability to successfully drive expansion of our gross margins, manage our cost structure and drive return on our investments. If we cannot effectively execute our long-term growth strategies while managing costs effectively, our business could be negatively impacted, and we may not achieve our expected results of operations.
If we fail to adequately protect intellectual property rights, competitors may manufacture and market similar products, which could adversely affect our market share and results of operations.
We rely on trademark, trade secret, patent and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights. Our trademarks are of material importance to our business and are among our most important assets. In 2020, substantially all of our total revenues were from products bearing proprietary trademarks and brand names. Accordingly, our future success may depend, in part, upon the goodwill associated with our trademarks and brand names. We own a number of patents; patent applications and other technology which we believe are significant to our business.
Our products are made in China and Thailand. We face risks that our proprietary information may not be afforded the same protection in China as it is in countries with well-developed intellectual property laws, and local laws may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights in China, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position. We cannot be sure that these intellectual property rights will be maximized or that they can be successfully asserted. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain and perfect, or maintain our own intellectual property rights or, where appropriate, license intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions. We cannot be certain that these rights, if obtained, will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged in the future, and we could incur significant costs in connection with legal actions to defend our intellectual property rights.
Even if such rights are obtained in the United States, the laws of some of the other countries in which our products are or may be sold do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If other parties infringe our intellectual property rights, they may dilute the value of our brands in the marketplace, which could diminish the value that consumers associate with our brands and harm our sales. The failure to perfect or successfully assert our intellectual property rights could make us less competitive and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
There may be emerging, or new technologies patented by others. These new technologies may be critical to competing in a product niche, especially one like the emerging smart mirrors in smart home industry. We may be unable to license or affordably license new technologies owned by others and critical to competing in the product niche.
Our results of operations and financial condition could be seriously impacted by security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents.
Failure to effectively prevent, detect and recover from security breaches, including attacks on information technology and infrastructure by hackers; viruses; breaches due to employee error or actions; or other disruptions could result in misuse of our assets, business disruptions, loss of property, and confidential business information. Such attacks could result in unauthorized parties gaining access to at least certain confidential business information. However, to date, we have not experienced any financial impact, changes in the competitive environment or business operations that we attribute to such attacks. Although management does not believe that we have experienced any security breaches or cybersecurity incidents, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer such attacks in the future. We actively manage the risks within our control that could lead to business disruptions and security breaches and have expended significant resources to enhance our control environment, processes, practices and other protective measures. Despite these efforts, as these threats continue to evolve, particularly around cybersecurity, such events could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We expect our results of operations to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis.
Company’s revenue and results of operations could vary significantly from period to period and may fail to match expectations because of a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control. As a result of the potential variations in our revenue and results of operations, period-to-period comparisons may not be meaningful and the results of any one period should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. In addition, our results of operations may not meet the expectations of investors or public market analysts who follow us, which may adversely affect our stock price. Since the Connected Surfaces products are a new product line, we lack the operational experience to determine if Connected Surface products have seasonal sales cycles.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved SEC Staff Letters.
None for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
The Company has operating lease agreements for offices in Deerfield Beach, Florida and in Hong Kong SAR, expiring at varying dates. Neither the Company nor its operating subsidiaries own any real properties or facilities. CAPC and Capstone share principal executive offices and operating facilities. The Company’s principal executive offices is located at 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441.
Effective November 1, 2019, the Company entered into a new prime operating lease with the landlord “431 Fairway Associates, LLC” ending June 30, 2023, for the Company’s executive offices located on the second floor of 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441 with an annualized base rent of $70,104 and with a base rental adjustment of 3% commencing July 1, 2020 and on July 1st of each subsequent year during the term. Under the lease agreement, Capstone is also responsible for a portion of common area maintenance charges in the leased premises which has been estimated at $12.00 per square foot on an annualized basis of which the premises is approximately 4,694 square feet.
Capstone International Hong Kong Ltd, (CIHK), entered into a lease agreement for office space at 303 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The original agreement which was effective from February 17, 2014 has been extended various times. On August 17, 2019, the lease was further extended with a base monthly rate of $5,100 for six months until February 16, 2020. The Company decided not to renew and allowed this lease to expire.
CIHK entered into a six (6) month rental agreement effective from December 1, 2016 for a showroom and storage space at 3F, Wing Kin Industrial Building, 4-6 Wing Kin Road, Kwai Chung, NT, Hong Kong. This agreement has been extended various times. The lease with a base monthly rent of $1,290 expired August 16, 2019 and was further renewed for (6) months expiring on February 16, 2020. Effective February 17, 2020, the Company entered into a new six month lease expiring on September 30, 2020, with a base rate of $1,285 per month. To further reduce costs, effective September 30, 2020 the Company
reduced its space requirements and entered a three-month lease expiring on December 31, 2020, with a base rate of $516 per month. The Company decided not to renew and allowed this lease to expire.
The rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $165,706 and $100,616 , respectively. The rent increase in the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the previous year, resulted mainly from the expiry of a $8,383 monthly rent incentive that ended January 31, 2020. At the commencement date of the new office lease, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability under ASU 2016-02, Topic 842.
We believe that the facilities are well maintained, in compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and adequately covered by insurance. We also believe these leased facilities are not unique and could be replaced, if necessary, at the end of the term of the existing leases.
The Company has two short storage rentals with durations of less than twelve months.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings and, to the best our knowledge, no such action by or against us has been threatened. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur in such routine lawsuits, we believe that the final disposition of such routine lawsuits will not have material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other Legal Matters
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors, officers or owner of record of more than five percent (5%) of the securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us in reference to pending litigation.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures (Not Applicable).
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
The Company's Common Stock is quoted on The OTC Markets Group, Inc.'s QB Venture Market Tier under the trading symbol "CAPC”.
As of March 1, 2021 there were approximately 1,820 holders of record (excluding OBO/Street Name accounts) of our Common Stock and estimated 46,296,364 outstanding
shares of the Common Stock.
Dividend Policy
We have not declared or paid any cash or other dividends on shares of our Common Stock in the last six years, and we presently have no intention of paying any cash dividends on shares of our Common Stock. We do not currently anticipate, based on existing financial performance, to be declaring or paying dividends on any series of our preferred stock in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, to finance the expansion and development of our business. The future payment of dividends on shares of our Common Stock are at the sole discretion of our board of directors.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no unregistered securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2020. On August 6, 2020, Company granted: stock options to Mr. Guzy and Mr. Postal, who are directors of the Company, each received 100,000 stock option grants for participating in the Audit and Nomination and Compensation Committees for the year 2020-2021: and a stock option to Aimee Brown, Secretary of the Company, for 10,000 stock option grants. The stock options were issued under an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D under that act.
On January 4, 2021, the Company entered a Loan Agreement with Directors Stewart Wallach and Jeff Postal as joint lenders (the “Lenders”) whereby Lenders will make a maximum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($750,000) (principal) available as a credit line to the Company for working capital purposes.
The term of the loan starts January 4, 2021 and ends June 30, 2021 (“Initial Period’). The Company may extend the Initial Period for an additional six consecutive months, ending December 31, 2021, under the same terms and conditions of the Initial Period.
In consideration for the Lenders providing the loan under this Agreement for the Initial Period and agreeing to a below market rate of interest, and as payment of a finance fee for the loan on an unsecured basis, the Company issued to the Lenders the following securities 7,500 shares of the Company’s Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred Shares”) issued to each Lender. The Preferred Shares shall have the appropriate restrictive legends. Each Preferred Share converts into 66.66 shares of Common Stock at option of Lender.
If the Company elects to extend the Initial Period for a further 6 consecutive months, the Company must issue to the Lenders, 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issued to each Lender. The Company will cause a stock certificate to be issued to each Lender with the appropriate restrictive legends.
Adoption of Stock Repurchase Plan
On December 19, 2018, Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 Purchase Plan with Wilson Davis & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer, (the "Purchase Plan"), which Purchase Plan is made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to shares of common stock of the Company. As previously reported, the use of a Rule 10b5-1 purchase plan was authorized by the Company's Board of Directors on August 29, 2018. Under the Purchase Plan, Wilson Davis & Co., Inc., a registered broker dealer, will make periodic purchases of up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares at prevailing market prices, subject to the terms of the Purchase Plan. This description of the Purchase Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Purchase Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on December 24, 2018 and as dated December 18, 2018.
On May 31, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a further extension of the Company’s stock repurchase plan through August 31, 2020. The Board of Directors also approved that the maximum amount of aggregate funding available for possible stock repurchases under the stock repurchase program remained at $1,000,000 during the renewal period.
On September 23, 2019 the Company signed a revised stock Purchase Plan to reflect an extension of the plan to repurchase up to an aggregate of 750,000 shares at prevailing market prices, subject to the terms of the Purchase Plan.
On March 30, 2020, Wilson Davis & CO., Inc., advised the Company that 750,000 of the Company’s Common Stock had been repurchased to complete the authorized Purchase Plan.
On June 10, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a further extension of the Company’s stock repurchase plan through August 31, 2021. Since the Board of Director approval there have been no further repurchase of the Company’s Common Stock during 2020 and further Stock repurchases have been placed on hold in order to conserve cash during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of December 31, 2020, a total of 750,000 of the Company’s Common Stock has been repurchased to date, at a total cost of $107,740.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, 283,383 and 466,617 Common shares were repurchased at a cost of $36,333 in 2020 and $71,407 in 2019.
The following summarizes any purchases of the Common Stock under the stock purchase program in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 :
Fiscal Period
Number of Shares Repurchased
Aggregate Purchase Price
FY 2020
283,383
$
36,333
FY 2019
466,617
71,407
Total
750,000
$
107,740

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. (Not Applicable)

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Item 7, "Management's 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 provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "future," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and Company’s 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 this Report under the heading "Risk Factors," which are incorporated herein by reference. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Report. All information presented herein is based on CAPC's fiscal year 2020 results. Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years or quarters refer to the CAPC's fiscal years ended in December and the associated quarters of those fiscal years. Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
Executive Summary
In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged and spread worldwide. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, resulting in federal, state and local governments and private entities mandating various restrictions, including the closure of non-essential businesses, travel restrictions, restrictions on public gatherings, stay-at-home orders and advisories and quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the virus. After closely monitoring and taking into consideration the guidance from federal, state and local governments, in March 2020, we temporarily closed our corporate offices in the U.S until May 2020, when the Corporate office was reopened daily but with staff working on a rotating schedule.
COVID-19 has caused substantial disruption to travel, business activities, and global supply chains, significant volatility in global financial markets, and has resulted in a dramatic increase in unemployment, particularly in the U.S. The extent to which COVID-19 will continue to impact the company’s results will depend primarily on future developments, including the severity and duration of the crisis, the speed and effectiveness of the national vaccine inoculation programs, potential mutations of COVID-19, and the impact of actions taken and that will be taken to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact. These future developments are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
This pandemic has had and may continue to have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flow. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took precautionary measures to maintain adequate liquidity by suspending share repurchases, temporarily deferring salaries of our executives by 50%, significantly scaling back on non-essential operating expenses, and downsizing our Hong Kong operation, as we transferred manufacturing to Thailand. Our goal was to preserve cash but to continue to invest where needed to support the relaunch of the Connected Surfaces program.
The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in an unprecedented decline in our revenue and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020, including goodwill impairment charges in the period.
Total net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased 77.7% to approximately $2.8 million as compared to $12.4 million in the same period of last year. The net loss was approximately $2.4 million for the year 2020 compared to a net loss of $892 thousand in 2019. The Company had an estimated net tax benefit in 2020 of $612 thousand due to the tax benefit from the CARES Act which was enacted into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act eliminated the taxable income limit for certain net operating losses (“NOLs”) and allow businesses to carry back NOLs arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years. The Company was able to carryback the NOL to 2017 tax years and generate an estimated refund of previously paid income taxes at an approximate 34% federal tax rate.
The following discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, including a brief overview of our business and products, key factors that impacted our performance and a summary of operating results.
Overview
Capstone Companies, Inc. (“Company” or “CAPC”) is a public holding company organized under the laws of the State of Florida. The Company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer inspired products that simplify daily living through technology. Over the past decade, the Company’s various product lines have been distributed globally including consumer markets in Australia, Japan, Korea, North America, South America, and the United Kingdom. The primary operating subsidiary is Capstone Industries, Inc. (“CAPI”), a Florida corporation located at the principal executive offices of the Company. To oversee and manage business activities in the Pacific Rim, the Company established Capstone International Hong Kong, Ltd., or "CIHK", allowing it to expand the Company's product development, engineering, and factory resource capabilities. The Company has a history of exploiting technologies in areas of induction charging, power failure control, security and home LED lighting products and most recently has entered the electronics market with its introduction of Capstone’s Connected Surfaces.
The Company's focus through 2017 has been in the integration of LEDs into most commonly used consumer lighting products in today's home. Over the last few years there has been significant LED price erosion, which has commoditized LED consumer products. The LED category has matured and is no longer the innovative “must have” consumer product as in previous years.
Capstone’s success has been in its ability to identify emerging product categories where Capstone’s management experience can be fully leveraged. Over the past decade, the Company’s consistent low-cost manufacturing and operations have provided an advantage in delivering quality products at very competitive prices.
In late 2017, as management recognized that the LED category was maturing, it sought a business opportunity that would transition the Company’s revenue streams to an emerging category. While we currently continue to supply LED products on a limited basis, our strategic plan to develop and launch new innovative product lines, like Smart Mirrors, is believed to be essential for sustaining or growing revenues.
Our expectation is that the new Connected Surfaces portfolio advancing in 2021 appeals to a much larger audience than our traditional LED lighting product line. The new portfolio is designed to tap into consumer’s ever-expanding connected lifestyles prevalent today. The products have both touch screen and voice interfacing, internet access and an operating system capable of running downloadable applications. The average selling prices will be comparable to that of tablets and smartphones, expected retails to start at $699.00 per unit, with the goal to deliver consumer value to mainstream America. Whereas, during the day your smartphone/tablet keeps you connected, whether it is work or personal, now when entering your home, Capstone’s new Connected Surfaces products will enable users the same level of connectivity in a more relaxed manner that does not require being tethered to these devices.
The company's financial initiatives are driven by its entry to new distribution channels and calls for an increased emphasis on an e-commerce business model. As a result of the pandemic, retail foot traffic has been diminished substantially and e-commerce platforms have advanced with consumers across all product lines. The Connected Surfaces category should find its way to retail shelves after it has been established through its direct-to-consumer effort. The Company’s marketing strategy will shift its historic reliance on Big Box while delivering more profitable business. The gross margins generated by the e-commerce model will be substantially greater than in the past and should provide strong cash flows. The Company will require additional funding to build its marketing effort, inventory levels and service levels once the initial marketing phase validates the Company’s strategic initiatives. The future growth will be directly impacted by the level of exposure, messaging and distribution capabilities. For the short term, Corporate Insiders and Directors have pledged to continue supporting the Company’s needs.
By working diligently overseas with alternate manufacturers located outside China, particularly in Thailand, we anticipate minimal impact to our selling prices and related margins of profit that could otherwise be impacted by an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China.
On March 10, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus to be a pandemic. COVID-19 caused substantial disruption to travel, business activities, and global supply chains, significant volatility in global financial markets, and resulted in a dramatic increase in unemployment, particularly in the U.S.
As the products we have shipped on our direct import business model typically requires 3 to 4 months lead time, our revenue in 2020 was significantly impacted by the uncertainty of reduced consumer foot traffic in the stores during the pandemic. This uncertainty caused retail buyers to delay or postpone promotional events. During recent months as consumer confidence has increased and the public has become more accustomed and feel safer about visiting stores, in store foot traffic has increased, particularly in the Warehouse Clubs that we sell in. The promotional activities both domestically and internationally in the Club channel have gradually increased as compared to previous quarters. We believe retail buying confidence will continue to improve and expect that promotional opportunities will begin to normalize for the 3rd and 4th quarters 2021.
Since early 2020, the Company has been building its infrastructure to transition into the online retail business which nationally has experienced substantial increases during the pandemic. The Company saw a change in consumer buying trend long before the pandemic impact and has been investing in developing a social media presence over the last year and is now ready to officially launch shipping product by its online Smart Mirror business in April 2021.
We believe the COVID-19 virus will continue to impact retail markets through the first half of 2021 but as we focus our channel strategy toward e-commerce, disruption to our business in 2021 should be moderate. Consumer confidence will rise commensurately with increased job opportunities and income recovery. The extent to which COVID-19 will continue to impact the company’s results will depend primarily on future developments, including the severity and duration of the crisis, the speed and effectiveness of the national vaccine inoculation program, potential mutations of COVID-19, and the impact of future actions that will be taken to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact. These future developments are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
We continue to make investments to ensure that we provide quality, useful products. Additionally, the Company continues to enhance its customer service support. In 2020 and 2019, the Company substantially expanded its investment and commitment to social media marketing. With the growing importance of on-line commerce and social media to consumers, this marketing will play a vital role in expanding our lifestyle brands and will also serve to establish credibility with the Company’s growing consumer base. The effort will focus on creating a more extensive and aggressive social media presence through use of third-party social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Continued analytics will govern and refine our investments in these social media campaigns.
The Company oversees and controls the manufacturing of its products, which are currently made in China and Thailand by OEM contract manufacturers, through three wholly owned operating subsidiaries: CAPI, CIHK and CLTL. To support the current e-commerce model that will drive our business in 2021, we will be putting inventories into warehouse facilities stateside for direct-to-consumer fulfillment. When introducing the Connected Surfaces program to Big Box retailers in the back half of 2021, the Company will resume its direct import model. At that time, the Company's products will be built to order for specific promotional periods and does not require replenishment domestically.
CIHK continually evaluates its contract manufacturers' ability to meet the Company's growing needs. Additionally, all manufacturers must meet rigorous compliance, security and equipment evaluation audits to ensure competitive pricing for the highest quality products. Capstone’s business practices have allowed development of excellent relationships with its OEM contract manufacturers and has resulted in commercially favorable payment terms, which over the years has greatly contributed to the Company's growth.
To date all of the company's retail sales are made on an order-by-order basis, rather than through long-term sales contracts. As such, the nature of the company's business did not provide visibility of material forward-looking information from its customers and suppliers beyond a few months.
With the launch of the Connected Surfaces online business and to ensure adequate inventory supply for the new product category in order to support immediate e-commerce shipments, the Company will be forecasting its inventory needs as the volume of sales are established.
Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance
There are a number of industry factors that affect our financial performance which include, among others:
•
Overall Demand for Products and Applications. Our potential for growth depends on the successful introduction and consumer acceptance of the Connected Surfaces portfolio. The Company's products are characterized as non-essential and economic conditions, especially consumer uncertainty or worries over economic conditions and growth, affect consumer demand. Uncertainty over global economic conditions that may affect the U.S. economy is not conducive to consumer purchases of our category of consumer products. These uncertainties make demand difficult to forecast for us and our customers.
•
Strong and Constantly Evolving Competitive Environment. While we have demonstrated our abilities to compete successfully in the retail channels since our inception, competition in the marketplace we serve is strong. Many companies have made significant investments in product development, production equipment and product marketing. Product pricing pressures exist as market participants often initiate pricing strategies to gain or protect market share. To remain competitive, market participants must continuously increase product performance or functionality, reduce costs and develop improved ways to support their customers. To address these competitive measures, we invest in research and development activities to support new product development, sustain low product costs and deliver higher levels of performance and product functionality to differentiate our products in the market.
•
Profit Margins. The Company’s product planning strategies are driven by the need to deliver sustainable profit margins. This, in conjunction with close management of related marketing costs, are required to sustain or grow the Company’s market presence.
•
Technological Innovation and Advancement. Innovation and advancements in consumer electronic categories continue to create expanded channel opportunities. The smart home category was approximately $84.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $139.8 billion by 2023, a CAGR of 18.2% since 2018. Household penetration of smart homes is expected to grow to 19.5% by 2022. Smart phone users in the United States exceeds 269 million and is projected to be 290 million by 2024. Through the Company’s continual research and development activities, differentiation of its smart home products and their related value to the consumer, a consistent market share expansion is anticipated.
•
Affordable Funding. The Company needs to secure affordable funding resources to support ongoing product development and new market penetration.
Intellectual Property Issues. Market participants rely on patented and non-patented proprietary information relating to product development and other core competencies of their business. Protection of intellectual property is important. Therefore, steps such as patent applications, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, as well as other security measures are generally taken. The Company has not created a litigation reserve for intellectual property rights litigation. As a business judgment, the Company does not patent or copyright or trademark all intellectual property due to a combination of factors, including, in part, the cost of registration and maintenance of registration, odds and cost of successful defense of the registration and commercial value of the intellectual property rights. To enforce or protect intellectual property rights, litigation or threatened litigation is common. The Company has not sued any third parties over intellectual property rights.
Results of operations.
Net Revenues
Revenue is derived from sales of our residential lighting products. These products are directed towards consumer home LED lighting for both indoor and outdoor applications. Revenue is subject to both quarterly and annual fluctuations and is impacted by the timing of individually large orders as well as delays or sometimes advancements to the timing of shipments or deliveries. We recognize revenue upon shipment of the order to the customer when all performance obligations have been completed and title has transferred to the customer and in accordance with the respective sale’s contractual arrangements. Each contract on acceptance will have a fixed unit price. Most of our sales are to the U.S. market which in 2020 represented 75% of revenues and we expect that region to continue to be the major source of revenue for the Company. We also derived 25% of our revenue from overseas sales. Net revenue also includes the cost of instant rebate coupons, and product support allowances provided to retailers to promote certain products. All of our revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars.
Cost of Goods Sold
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of purchased products from contract manufacturers and when applicable associated duties and inbound freight. In addition, our cost of goods sold also include reserves for potential warranty claims and freight allowances. We source our manufactured products based on customer orders.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit has and will continue to be affected by a variety of factors, including average sales price for our products, product mix, promotional allowances, our ability to reduce product cost fluctuations in the cost of our purchased components. See “Risk Factors” above in Item 1A.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses include sales and marketing expenses, consisting of social media advertising, sales representatives’ commissions, advertising, show expense and costs related to employee's compensation. In addition, operating expense includes charges relating to product development, office and warehousing, accounting, legal, insurance and stock-based compensation.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND OUTLOOK
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(In Thousands)
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Dollars
% of Revenue
Dollars
% of Revenue
Revenue, Net
$
2,770
100.0
%
$
12,404
100.0
%
Cost of sales
2,266
81.8
%
9,972
80.4
%
Gross Profit
18.2
%
2,432
19.6
%
Operating Expenses:
Sales and marketing
10.8
%
3.1
%
Compensation
1,516
54.7
%
1,554
12.5
%
Professional fees
15.3
%
3.5
%
Product development
9.0
%
2.8
%
Other general and administrative
17.2
%
5.2
%
Goodwill impairment charge
22.5
%
-
-
%
Total Operating Expenses
3,590
129.6
%
3,365
27.1
%
Operating Loss
(3,086
)
(111.4
)%
(933
)
(7.5
)%
Other Income (Expenses)
Miscellaneous Income (Expense), net
3.2
%
0.2
%
Interest expense
-
-
%
(3
)
-
%
Total Other Income (Expense)
3.2
%
0.2
%
Loss Before Tax Benefit
(2,996
)
(108.2
)%
(907
)
(7.3
)%
Benefit for Income Tax
(612
)
(22.1
)%
(15
)
(.1
)%
Net Loss
$
(2,384
)
(86.1
)%
$
(892
)
(7.2
)%
Net Revenues
Our business operations and financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2020 was adversely impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the U.S. and global economy. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net revenues were approximately $2.8 million, a decrease of approximately $9.6 million or 77.7% from $12.4 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease in 2020 net revenue was driven by the uncertainty felt by retailers, as to the short and long-term impact on the U.S. retail market of COVID-19 resulting from the reduction of consumer foot traffic in brick and mortar stores. This uncertainty resulted in the postponement of many promotional opportunities during the year.
The Company selectively supports retailer’s initiatives to maximize sales of the Company’s products on the retail floor or to assist in developing consumer product awareness, by providing marketing fund allowances to the customer. Sales reductions for anticipated discounts, allowances and other deductions are recognized during the period the related revenue is recorded. The reduction of accrued allowances is included in net revenues and amounted to $341.2 thousand and $1.18 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, international sales were approximately $704 thousand or 25% of revenue and $1.2 million or 10 % of revenue, respectively.
The following table disaggregates net revenue by major source:
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2020
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2019
Capstone Brand
% of Revenue
Capstone Brand
% of Revenue
Lighting Products- U.S.
$
2,066,519
%
$
11,218,714
%
Lighting Products-International
703,839
%
1,185,731
%
Total Revenue
$
2,770,358
%
$
12,404,445
%
Gross Profit and Cost of Sales
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2020, was approximately $504 thousand, or 18.2 % of net revenues, as compared to $2.4 million or 19.6% of net revenues, for fiscal 2019. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, cost of sales were approximately $2.3 million and $10.0 million, respectively, a decrease of $7.7 million or 77% from the previous year. This reduction was the direct result of the reduced revenue in the year. Costs represented 81.8% and 80.4% of net revenues for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Overall product costs overseas remained stable during the year.
Operating Expenses
Sales and Marketing Expenses
In fiscal 2020 and 2019, sales and marketing expenses were approximately $300 thousand and $379 thousand respectively, a decrease of $79 thousand or 20.8%. As a percent to revenue 2020 expenses were 10.9% as compared to 3.1% in 2019. Social Media expense in 2020 was $30.3 thousand, an increase of $13.8 thousand or 83.6% from $16.5 thousand in 2019, as we further developed our Social Media marketing presence in preparation for the launch of the Smart Mirror program. Advertising and promotional expenses were $34.7 thousand in 2020 as compared to $85.6 thousand in 2019, a reduction of $50.9 thousand or 59.5% due to the reduced retail promotional activities during 2020.
Compensation Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 compensation expenses were approximately $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, a reduction of $39 thousand or 2.5%. As a percent of net revenues 2020 expenses were 54.7% as compared to 12.5% in 2019. With the reduced revenue and the transition of production into Thailand, the Company eliminated 4 positions in the Hong Kong office during 2020.
Professional Fees
For fiscal 2020, professional fees were approximately $423 thousand compared to $435 thousand in 2019, a decrease of $12.2 thousand or 2.8%. As a percent of net revenue 2020 expenses were 15.3% as compared to 3.5% in 2019. In 2020, consulting fees were approximately $165 thousand the same amount as incurred in 2019. Accounting, legal and other expenses were $257 thousand, a decrease of $12 thousand from $270 thousand in the prior year.
Product Development Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, product development expenses were approximately $250 and $349 thousand, respectively, a decrease of $98.9 thousand or 28.4%. In 2020, the Company invested $182 thousand in the Smart Mirror development compared to $207 thousand in 2019, a reduction of $25 thousand or 7.4%. With the reduced revenue, quality control expenses in 2020 were $44 thousand compared to $98 thousand in 2019, a reduction of $54 thousand or 55.1%. Other expenses such as prototype charges and courier charges were also reduced by $20 thousand from $44 thousand in 2019 to $24 thousand in 2020. As a percent of revenue, 2020 expenses were 9.0% as compared to 2.8% in 2019. We have continued to invest in new product design, software development, product prototyping and testing and related to the Smart Mirror project.
Other General and Administrative Expenses
For fiscal 2020 and 2019, other general and administration expenses were approximately $477 thousand and $648 thousand, respectively, a decrease of $171 thousand or 26.3%. As a percent to revenue 2020 expenses were 17.2% as compared to 5.2% in 2019. In 2020 the Company’s rent expense was $166 thousand compared to $99 thousand in 2019, an increase of $67 thousand or 67.6%. The Directors insurance also increased in 2020 from $57 thousand in 2019 up to $71 thousand a $14 thousand or 24.6% increase. Despite these increases, as part of an expense mitigation plan in response to the impact of COVID19, the Company reduced discretionary expenses which included auto, office and computer supplies, courier services, travel and hotel expenses, telephone and bank charges, which resulted in a net expense reduction of $171 thousand or 26.3% as compared to the same period in 2019. These discretionary expenses are included in the other general and administrative expenses.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
As a result of the economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during the year ended December 31, 2020, management determined sufficient indicators existed to trigger the performance of interim goodwill impairment analyses for each reporting quarter. The total impairment charge for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $624 thousand and $0, respectively. This charge equated to 22.5% of net revenue in 2020.
Total Operating Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total operating expenses were $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively. This represents a $223 thousand or 6.6% increase over fiscal 2019. The $624 thousand impairment charge was the main reason for the expense increase. If we eliminate the effect of the impairment charge, total operating expenses in fiscal year 2020 would have been $3.0 million, a reduction of approximately $400 thousand or 11.8% from 2019 expense level.
Operating Loss
For the year ended December 31, 2020 the operating loss was approximately $3.1 million as compared to $933 thousand loss in 2019, a loss increase of $2.2 million over 2019.
Other Income (Expense)
For fiscal 2020 other income was approximately $90 thousand compared to a $26 thousand in 2019. The other income resulted from the forgiveness of the $90 thousand loan received as part of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The Company through a combination of efficient cash flow management, favorable payment terms with our overseas suppliers and a strong cash position was able to eliminate the need for increased borrowing or purchase order funding which resulted in $0 interest expense in 2020 and $3.2 thousand expense in 2019.
Benefit for Income Tax
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 the net benefit for income tax was estimated at $612 thousand compared to $15 thousand in the same period 2019. The benefit is a result of the CARES Act which eliminated the taxable income limit for certain net operating losses (“NOLs”) and allow businesses to carry back NOLs arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years. The Company was able to carryback the 2018 and the 2019 NOLs to 2017 tax year and generate an estimated refund of previously paid income taxes at an approximate 34% federal tax rate.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded approximately $612 thousand of net benefit for income tax after deferred tax liabilities and has an income tax refundable of $861 thousand.
The effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, was 20.43%, and 1.60% and the statutory tax rate was 24.46% in 2020 and 24.40% in 2019.
Net Loss
For fiscal 2020 and 2019 net loss was approximately $2.4 million and $892 thousand, a net loss increase of approximately $1.5 million over the previous year.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS OUTLOOK
In 2020, the impact of COVID-19 resulted in an unprecedented decline in our revenue and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020, which also resulted in a goodwill impairment charges in the period, however even under these difficult circumstances we have been able to move the Company closer to our long-term objectives.
Our expectation is that the new portfolio advancing in 2021 appeals to a much larger audience than our traditional LED lighting product line. Management believes that the execution of the Company’s strategy and development of the Connected Surfaces category will provide attractive opportunities for profitable growth over the long-term
The company's financial initiatives are driven by its entry to new distribution channels and calls for an increased emphasis on an e-commerce business model. Online platforms have advanced with consumers across all product lines. The Connected Surfaces category should find its way to retail shelves after it has been established through its direct-to-consumer effort. The Company’s marketing strategy will shift its historic reliance on Big Box while delivering more profitable business. The gross margins generated by the e-commerce model will be substantially greater than in the past and should provide strong cash flows. The Company will require additional funding to build its marketing effort, inventory levels and service levels once the initial marketing phase validates the Company’s strategic initiatives. The future growth will be directly impacted by the level of exposure, messaging and distribution capabilities.
By working diligently overseas with alternate manufacturers located outside China, particularly in Thailand, we anticipate minimal impact to our selling prices and related margins of profit that could otherwise be impacted by an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China.
As the products we have shipped on our direct import business model typically requires 3 to 4 months lead time, our revenue in 2020 was significantly impacted by the uncertainty of reduced consumer foot traffic in the stores during the pandemic. This uncertainty caused retail buyers to delay or postpone promotional events. During recent months as consumer confidence has increased and the public has become more accustomed and feel safer about visiting stores, in store foot traffic has increased, particularly in the Warehouse Clubs that we sell in. The promotional activities both domestically and internationally in the Club channel have gradually increased as compared to previous quarters. We believe retail buying confidence will continue to improve and expect that promotional opportunities will begin to normalize for the 3rd and 4th quarters 2021.
With the impact of COVID-19 Management was even more focused on the following priorities:
•
to protect the safety and wellbeing of the Capstone team.
•
to expedite the transition of the Company’s marketing presence from brick and mortar retail to online retail.
•
to expand the Company’s social media platforms and online visibility.
•
to revamp the Company’s website to support online business.
•
to build the logistics and fulfilment structure to support online orders.
•
to transfer Smart Mirror production capability to Thailand from China.
•
to design, enhance and build the Smart Mirror product portfolio.
During 2020 we have been able to complete the above priorities and are now preparing for the launch of the Smart Mirror program in 2021.
Contractual Obligations
The following table represents contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020.
Payments Due by Period
Total
After 2024
(In thousands)
Purchase Obligations
$
825,690
$
825,690
$
-
$
-
$
-
Short-Term Debt
-
-
-
-
-
Long-Term Debt
-
-
-
-
-
Operating and Short Term Leases
170,997
63,307
70,157
37,533
-
Total Contractual Obligations
$
996,687
$
888,997
$
70,157
$
37,533
$
-
Notes to Contractual Obligations Table
Purchase Obligations - Purchase obligations are comprised of the Company's liability for goods and services in the normal course of business.
Short Term Debt - None.
Long Term Debt - None.
Operating Leases - Operating lease obligations are related to facility leases for our operations in the U.S. and in Hong Kong.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected U.S. consumer shopping patterns and caused the health of the U.S. economy to deteriorate. We cannot foresee when the COVID-19 pandemic will be effectively contained, nor can we predict the severity and duration of its impact on our business and our financial results. If the variants of COVID-19 are not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations, financial condition, and liquidity may be materially and adversely affected because of prolonged disruptions in consumer spending.
Operational cashflow is significantly influenced by the timing and launch of new products as well as favorable payment terms negotiated with overseas suppliers. With our Hong Kong and Thailand operational presence, we have built an operational structure that, through relationships with factory-suppliers both in Thailand and China combined with our expertise, that under normal operating circumstances, can develop and release quality, innovative products to the marketplace substantially quicker than in previous years.
Our ability to generate cash from operations has been one of our fundamental strengths and has provided us with flexibility in meeting our operating, financing and investing needs in the past.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company used cash in operations of approximately $1.9 million and generated net operating losses of $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has working capital of approximately $1.4 million and an accumulated deficit of $4.5 million. The Company’s cash balance dropped by approximately $1.9 million from $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019 to $1.2 million as of December 31, 2020. With the reduced revenues in 2020 and to conserve cash, the Company initiated an expense mitigation plan that reduced discretionary spending including travel, lodging and trade show expenses, deferred executive management compensation, and significantly reduced the cost of the Hong Kong operation.
The Company has a recent history of losses and negative cash from operations. The uncertainty and the continuing negative impact that this COVID-19 disruption could negatively impact the demand for our products or delay future planned promotional opportunities. However, with a successful launch of the Smart Mirror portfolio using the online retail platform, the Company will also require an inventory credit facility to support increased U.S. domestic inventory to facilitate revenue growth in the online business.
On July 31, 2020, the Company terminated its factoring agreement with Sterling National Bank. The Company has had discussions with alternate funding sources that offer extensive programs that are more in line with the Company’s future business model, particularly a facility that provides funding options that are suitable for the e-commerce business that the Company is transitioning into. The borrowing costs associated with such financing are dependent upon market conditions and our credit rating. We have not finalized any institutional funding as of the date of this Form 10-K report, and we cannot assure that we will be able to negotiate competitive rates, which could increase our cost of borrowing in the future.
On January 4, 2021, the Company entered a $750,000 working capital loan agreement with Directors, Stewart Wallach and Jeffrey Postal. The term of the loan started January 4, 2021 and ends June 30, 2021 (“Initial Period’). The Company may extend the Initial Period for an additional six consecutive months, ending December 31, 2021, under the same terms and conditions of the Initial Period. The Company may borrow under the agreement up to $750,000 and prepay wholly or partially the unpaid principal amount at any time.
The Company has an income tax refundable as of December 31, 2020 of approximately $861 thousand of which approximately $576 thousand was refunded on February 3, 2021.
The Company for both years ending as of December 31, 2020, and 2019 has remained debt free.
In addition, we may seek alternative sources of liquidity, including but not limited to accessing the capital markets, or the Company may be able to raise the required additional capital through debt and or equity financing. However, instability in, or tightening of the capital markets, could adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets on terms acceptable to us. The Company can make no assurances that it will be able to raise the required capital, on acceptable terms or at all. Management believes that with the cash on hand, and our availability under the $750,000 working capital line of credit, the operational funding will be adequate to meet the Company’s cash needs for daily operations for the short-term period, however the Company does not have sufficient cash on hand to finance its plan of operations for the next 12 months from the filing of this report and will need to seek additional capital through debt and/or equity financing. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
However, additional capital or increased cash from operations will be required to fund increased revenue levels.
Summary of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating Activities
$
(1,858
)
$
(586
)
Investing Activities
(13
)
(34
)
Financing Activities
(36
)
(71
)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(1,907
)
$
(691
)
As of December 31, 2020 the Company’s working capital was approximately $1.4 million of which $1.2 million was cash. Current liabilities were $889 thousand and include:
•
Accounts payable of approximately $246 thousand for amounts due vendors and service providers.
•
Accrued expenses of approximately $523 thousand for marketing allowances, wages, and customer deposits.
•
Warranty provision for estimated defective returns in the amount of approximately $56 thousand.
Cash Flows provided by (used in) Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.86 million in 2020 compared with approximately $586 thousand in 2019. The cash used in operating activities in 2020 included the negative cash impact of the net loss, which was approximately $2.38 million, an income tax refundable increase of $641 thousand, which was partially offset by the goodwill impairment charge of approximately $624 thousand, $260 thousand increase in deferred tax liabilities $174 thousand increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and a $106 thousand from several other accounts.
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities in 2020 was approximately $13 thousand compared to $34 thousand in 2019. The Company continued to invest in new product molds and tooling. With the further product expansion into Smart Home lighting and Smart Mirror categories, the Company's future capital requirements will increase to fund future mold and tooling as the Company expands the Connected Surfaces portfolio.
Cash Flows used in Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was approximately $36 thousand and $71, respectively. The Company repurchased 283,383 of common shares during the year at a cost of $36 thousand.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had zero debt outstanding.
The Company has negotiated beneficial payment terms with our main overseas manufacturers including the new supplier in Thailand, which has resulted in reduced funding requirements to produce newly launched products.
Exchange Rates
We sell all of our products in U.S. dollars and pay for all of our manufacturing costs in U.S. dollars. Our factories are located in mainland China and Thailand. During 2020 the average exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and Chinese Yuan have been relatively stable approximately RMB 6.90 to U.S. $1.00.
The average exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and Thai Baht has been relatively stable at approximately Baht 31.25 to U.S. $1.00.
Operating expenses of the Hong Kong office are paid in either Hong Kong dollars or U.S. dollars. The exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar to the U.S. dollar has been very stable at approximately HK $7.80 to U.S. $1.00 since 1983 and, accordingly, has not represented a currency exchange risk to the U.S. dollar. While exchange rates have been stable for several years, we cannot assure you that the exchange rate between the United States, Hong Kong, Chinese and Thailand currencies will continue to be stable and exchange rate fluctuations may have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
DIVIDENDS
We have not declared or paid any cash or other dividends on shares of our Common Stock in the last seven years and we presently have no intention of paying any cash dividends on shares of our Common Stock.
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
See Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 15 of this Report.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 15 of this Report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding matters that are inherently uncertain and that ultimately affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expense, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition; inventory valuation; depreciation; amortization and the recovery of long-lived assets; including goodwill and intangible assets; shared base-based payment expense; product warranty; and other reserves and assumptions based on management's experience and understanding of current facts and circumstances, historical experience and other relevant factors. These estimates may differ from actual results. Certain of our accounting policies are considered critical as they are both important to reflect our financial position and results of operations and require significant or complex judgement on the part of management. The following is a summary of certain accounting policies considered critical by management.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue from developing, marketing and selling consumer lighting products through national and regional retailers. The Company's products are targeted for applications such as home indoor and outdoor lighting and will have different functionalities. Capstone currently operates in the consumer lighting products category in the Unites States and in specific overseas markets. These products may be offered either under the Capstone brand or a private brand.
A sales contract occurs when the customer-retailer submits a purchase order to buy a specific product, a specific quantity, at an agreed-fixed price, within a ship window, from a specific location and on agreed payment terms. The selling price in all of our customers' orders has been previously negotiated and agreed to including any applicable discount prior to receiving the customer's purchase order. The stated unit price in the customer's order has already been determined and is fixed at the time of invoicing.
The Company recognizes product revenue when the Company's performance obligations as per the terms in the customers purchase order have been fully satisfied, specifically, when the specified product and quantity ordered has been manufactured and shipped pursuant to the customers requested ship window, when the sales price as detailed in the purchase order is fixed, when the product title and risk of loss for that order has passed to the customer, and collection of the invoice is reasonably assured. This means that the product ordered and to be shipped has gone through quality assurance inspection, customs and commercial documentation preparation, the goods delivered, title transferred to the customer and confirmed by a signed cargo receipt or bill of lading. Only at the time of shipment when all performance obligations have been satisfied will the judgement be made to invoice the customer and complete the sales contract.
The Company may enter into a licensing agreement with globally recognized companies, that allows the Company to market products under a licensed brand to retailers for a designated period of time, and whereby the Company will pay a royalty fee, typically a percentage of licensed product revenue to the licensor in order to market the licensed product.
The Company may also enter into a private label agreement, whereby the Company produces and ships product to a customer that has been packaged and will be marketed under the customers own private label.
The Company expenses license royalty fees and sales commissions when incurred and these expenses are recognized during the period the related sale is recorded. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.
We provide our customers with limited rights of return for non-conforming product warranty claims. As a policy, the Company does not accept product returns from retail customers, however occasionally as part of a customers in store test for new product, we may receive back residual inventory.
Customer orders received are not long-term orders and are typically shipped within six months of the order receipt, but certainly within a one-year period.
Our payment terms may vary by the type of customer, the customer's credit standing, the location where the product will be picked up from and for international customers, which country their corporate office is located. The term between invoicing date and when payment is due may vary between 30 days and 90 days depending on the customer type. In order to ensure there are no payment issues, overseas customers or new customers may be required to provide a deposit or full payment before the order is delivered to the customer.
The Company selectively supports retailer's initiatives to maximize sales of the Company's products on the retail floor or to assist in developing consumer awareness of new products launches, by providing marketing fund allowances to the customer. The Company recognizes these incentives at the time they are offered to the customers and records a credit to their account with an offsetting charge as either a reduction to revenue, increase to cost of sales, or marketing expenses depending on the type of sales incentives.
Sales reductions for anticipated discounts, promotional and marketing allowances, defective warranty claims, and other deductions are recognized during the period the related revenue is recorded. The Company may be subject to chargebacks from customers for negotiated promotional allowances, that are deducted from open invoices and reduce collectability of open invoices. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had processed approximately $341.2 thousand and $1.18 million, respectively for such allowances.
Accounts Receivable
For product revenue, the Company invoices its customers at the time of shipment for the sales value of the product shipped. Accounts receivable are recognized at the amount expected to be collected and are not subject to any interest or finance charges. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to any of its customers. Previously in the factoring agreement with Sterling National Bank, accounts receivable served as collateral when the Company borrowed against the credit facility. As of December 31, 2020, with the termination of the factoring agreement, the accounts receivables are fully unencumbered.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In cases where the Company becomes aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer's ability to meet its financial obligations subsequent to the original sale, the Company will recognize an allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due and consideration of other factors such as industry conditions, the current business environment and the Company's historical payment experience. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for bad debts charged to earnings. This evaluation is inherently subjective and requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.
As of both Decembers 31, 2020 and 2019, management determined that the accounts receivable is fully collectible. As such, management has not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts.
The following table summarizes the components of Accounts Receivable, net:
December 31,
December 31,
Trade Accounts Receivables at period end
$
197,166
$
276,551
Reserve for estimated marketing allowances, cash discounts and other incentives
(77,102
)
(263,092
)
Total Accounts Receivable, net
$
120,064
$
13,459
Goodwill
On September 13, 2006, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Capstone”). Capstone was incorporated in Florida on May 15, 1996 and is engaged primarily in the business of wholesaling technology inspired consumer products to distributors and retailers in the United States.
Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Capstone’s Common Stock, and recorded goodwill of $1,936,020.
Goodwill acquired in business combinations is initially computed as the amount paid by the acquiring company in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which requires an entity to perform a one-step quantitative impairment test, whereby a goodwill impairment loss will be measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to that reporting unit). ASU 2017-04 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill is tested for impairment on December 31 of each year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company estimates the fair value of its single reporting unit relative to the Company's market capitalization.
As a result of the economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during the year ended December 31, 2020, management determined sufficient indicators existed to trigger the performance of interim goodwill impairment analyses for each reporting quarter. The total impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $623.5 thousand.
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill asset which is included in the total assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets:
December 31,
December 31,
Balance at the beginning of the period
$
1,936,020
$
1,936,020
Impairment charges - net
(623,538
)
-
Balance at December 31, 2020
$
1,312,482
$
1,936,020
With the continuing economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the capital markets may have a downturn and adversely affect the Company’s stock price which will require the Company to test its goodwill for impairment in future reporting periods. The Company’s stock is deemed a “penny stock” under Commission rules.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities contained in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include accruals for estimated amounts of credits to be issued in future years based on potential product warranties, compensation, benefits, marketing allowances and other liabilities.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions and certain other jurisdictions. The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 740 Income Taxes. ASC 740 requires recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future income tax consequences, based on enacted tax laws, of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company and its U.S. subsidiaries file consolidated income tax returns.
Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the relaxed tax laws and regulations and require significant judgement to apply. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations by tax authorities generally for a period of 3 years from the later of each return due date or date filed.
If the Company were to subsequently record an unrecognized tax benefit, associated penalties and tax related interest expense would be recorded as a component of income tax expense.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $1,044,000 and $3,500,000, respectively. The federal net operating loss is available to the Company indefinitely and available to offset up to 80% of future taxable income each year. The net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $260,000 and $0, respectively, and is reflected in long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted into law. The CARES Act is a tax and spending package intended to provide economic relief to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes several significant income and other business tax provisions that, among other things, would eliminate the taxable income limit for certain net operating losses (“NOLs”) and allow businesses to carry back NOLs arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years. The Company was able to carryback the 2018 and the 2019 NOLs to 2017 tax year and generate an estimated refund of previously paid income taxes at an approximate 34% federal tax rate. This resulted in a net benefit of $575,645 which was recorded in the first quarter 2020.
The Company expects to carryback a portion of its 2020 NOL, for which it recorded a further net benefit of $286,433. In the third quarter 2020, the Company recorded a $21,222 net tax benefit for deferred tax liability adjustment related to goodwill impairment. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded $861,318 in net tax benefits.
The Company received approximately $576 thousand of the income tax refundable and $10.3 thousand of interest on February 3, 2021.
The effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was 20.43% and 1.60% and the statutory tax rate was 24.46% in 2020 and 24.40% in 2019.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
Deferred tax assets are to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred assets will not be realized. The Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon its ability to realize the deferred tax assets. Management has considered the Company's history of cumulative net losses incurred and has concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established against the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Since indefinite-lived assets cannot be used as a source of taxable income to support the realization of deferred tax asset, a valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax assets, and a net deferred tax liability or naked credit of approximately $260,000 is presented on the company’s balance sheet. The Company's valuation allowance increased by approximately $345,397.
The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. While the Company believes that it has appropriate support for the positions taken on its tax returns, the Company regularly assesses the potential outcome of examinations by tax authorities in determining the adequacy of its provision for income taxes.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. (Not Applicable)

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements and financial statement schedules of CAPC as well as supplementary data are listed in Item 15 below and are included after the signature page to this Report.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information that would be required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Company’s management, including to Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, Company’s management, including Stewart Wallach, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and James McClinton, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer determined that, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act)
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Company management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, Company’s Chief Executive Officer (as principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (as principal accounting officer) , and effected by Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
•
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company.
•
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
•
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Company management assessed the effectiveness of Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in the report entitled “Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, Company management concluded that Company internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Because the Company is a smaller reporting company, this annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Chairman of our Audit Committee has reviewed the internal control reports in detail and has spoken to the external auditors in depth about the audit, the internal controls and the auditors' findings. The Chairman has had detailed discussions with the auditors about these matters, prior to, during, and on completion of the audit.
The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer attached as Exhibits 31 and 32 and to this Report include information concerning our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Such certifications should be read in conjunction with the information incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, for a more complete understanding of the matters covered by such certifications.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
None
Part III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The incumbent and current members of the Board of Directors are:
1.
Stewart Wallach. Mr. Wallach has been a Director since April 2007.
2.
Gerry McClinton. Mr. McClinton has been a Director since February 2008.
3.
Jeffrey Postal. Mr. Postal has been a Director since January 2004.
4.
Jeffrey Guzy. Mr. Guzy was appointed as a Director on May 3, 2007. Mr. Guzy is deemed an "Independent Director."
5.
Larry Sloven. Mr. Sloven was appointed as a Director on May 3, 2007.
Each Director’s term is for one year. Company Directors have typically been elected in the past by written consent of stockholders holding more than 50% of the then current voting power. The Company uses the written consent because a small number of shareholders have sufficient voting power to decide the election of Directors and approval or denial of any other corporate resolution and the cost of conducting an annual stockholders' meeting is significant for a small reporting company. The Company conducts regular stockholder-investor conference calls to allow stockholders to interact with Company senior management and to ask questions of that management.
Further, stockholders may make inquiries in writing by sending their inquiries to Aimee Gaudet, Secretary, Capstone Companies, Inc., 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441. The information required in Part III of this Report is set forth in the information statement filed for the written consent approval of nominee slates of Directors and the requirements for stockholders to submit proposed resolutions and Director nominees is set forth in this Report.
POLICY REGARDING BOARD ATTENDANCE
Company Directors are expected to attend all annual and special board meetings per Company policy. An attendance rate of less than 75% over any 12-month period is grounds for removal from the Board of Directors. In fiscal year 2020, all Directors attended the (5) five board meetings.
ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management in order to assure that such officers are competent and ethical in running the Company on a day-to-day basis and to assure that the long-term interests of the stockholders are being served by such management. The Directors must take a pro-active focus and approach to their obligation in order to set and enforce standards to ensure that the Company is committed to business success through maintenance of the highest standards of responsibility and ethics. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics, which is posted on http://capstonecompaniesinc.com. The contents of the Company Website are not incorporated herein by reference and that Website provided in this Report is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58) (A) of the Exchange Act. It is primarily responsible for overseeing the services performed by the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, evaluating the Company's accounting policies and its system of internal controls and reviewing significant financial transactions. The members of the Audit Committee in fiscal year 2020 were Jeffrey Guzy and Jeffrey Postal. The Company believes that Mr. Guzy is an Independent Director under SEC and NASDAQ applicable standards. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Guzy qualifies as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" as defined under applicable SEC rules and also meets the additional criteria for independence of Audit Committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee is responsible for providing oversight to Company's accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of the Company's financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors the Company's external audit process, including auditor independence matters, the scope and fees related to audits, and the extent to which the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm may be retained to perform non-audit services. The Audit Committee also reviews the results of the external audit with regard to the adequacy and appropriateness of our financial, accounting and internal controls over financial reporting. It also generally oversees the Company's internal compliance programs. The function of the Audit Committee is not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of the management and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, nor can the Audit Committee certify that the independent registered public accounting firm is "independent" under applicable rules. The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors. Under its Charter, the Audit Committee has authority to retain outside legal, accounting or other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and to require the Company to pay for such expenditures.
The Audit Committee provides counsel, advice and direction to management and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on matters for which it is responsible, based on the information it receives from management and the independent registered public accounting firm and the experience of its members in business, financial and accounting matters.
The Company's management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of its financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations.
In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:
1)
Company's management has represented to the Audit Committee that the 2020 audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for year 2020 with Company's management and the independent registered public accounting firm.
2)
The Audit Committee has received written disclosures and a letter from the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, D. Brooks & Associates, required by the PCAOB and has discussed with D. Brooks & Associates, their independence.
3)
Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the board, and the board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Commission on March 31, 2021.
The foregoing report is provided by the undersigned Chairman of the Audit Committee.
/s/Jeffrey Guzy
Jeffrey Guzy, Chairman of Audit Committee
COMPENSATION AND NOMINATION COMMITTEE (“Compensation and Nomination Committee”)
Company's Compensation and Nomination Committee is currently composed of two members (both Company directors): Mr. Jeffrey Guzy and Mr. Jeffrey Postal. Only Mr. Guzy, who serves as Chairman of the Compensation and Nomination Committee, is “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
Company's Compensation and Nomination Committee assists the Company Board of Directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to the executive officers. The chief executive officer and chief financial officer may not be present at any Compensation and Nomination Committee meeting during which the executive's compensation is discussed and deliberated.
The Compensation and Nomination Committee is responsible for, among other customary duties, the following:
•
Reviewing, overseeing and approving the compensation of Company's executive officers; and
•
Periodically reviewing and making recommendations to the Company Board of Directors about incentive compensation, stock or equity compensation plans, annual bonus programs and grants, any employee pension or welfare benefit plans and any similar forms of benefit plans; and
•
Periodically reviewing and approving corporate performance and corporate performance goals that are applicable to compensation of Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluating the performance of those executives in light of corporate performance and corporate performance goals; and determining the compensation for the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has a code of ethics that applies to all of the Company's employees, including its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer, and its Board. A copy of this code is available on http://www.capstonecompaniesinc.com. The Company intends to disclose any changes in or waivers from its code of ethics by posting such information on its website or by filing a Form 8-K Report.
DIRECTOR MEETINGS IN FISCAL YEAR 2020
The Board of Directors had (5) five official meetings in year 2020. During 2020, all of the Directors attended 75% or more of the Board meeting, which were held during the period of time that such person served on the Board or such committee.
Board Leadership Structure and Board's Role in Risk Oversight
The Company's Board of Directors endorses the view that one of its primary functions is to protect stockholders' interests by providing independent oversight of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (who also holds the Chief Financial Officer position). The Chief Financial Officer is allowed and encouraged to address the Board of Directors on any issues affecting the Company or its stockholders. The Company also allows outside counsel to participate in some of the board meetings in order to provide legal counsel and an outside perspective on corporate governance and risk issues.
Board Structure. The Company believes that the Chief Executive Officer or "CEO" should also serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in order to have the person most knowledgeable about the Company heading the Board of Directors.
The CEO is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and the day to day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Chairman of the Board of Directors provides guidance to senior management and sets the agenda for Board of Directors meetings and presides over meetings of the full Board of Directors.
Our CEO serves on our Board of Directors, which we believe helps the CEO serve as a bridge between management and the Board of Directors, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose. We believe that the CEO's presence on the Board of Directors enhances his ability to provide insight and direction on important strategic initiatives to both management and the independent directors and, at the same time, ensures that the appropriate level of independent oversight is applied to all decisions by the Board of Directors.
The Chairman of the Board has no greater nor lesser vote on matters considered by the Board than any other director, and neither the Chairman nor any other director votes on any related party transaction. All directors of the Company, including the Chairman, are bound by fiduciary obligations, imposed by law, to serve the best interests of the stockholders. Accordingly, separating the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer would not serve to enhance or diminish the fiduciary duties of any director of the Company.
Board of Director - 2020 Compensation Table
Name (1)
Audit Committee
Nomination and Compensation Committees
Total Awards
Stewart Wallach (2)
-
-
-
Gerry McClinton (2)
-
-
-
Jeff Guzy (3), (4),(5)(6)
$
6,682
6,683
13,365
Jeff Postal (3), (4),(5)(6)
$
6,682
6,683
13,365
Larry Sloven (2)
-
-
-
(1)
The individuals listed were appointed to the Board of Directors for 2019-2020.
(2)
Mr. Wallach, Mr. McClinton and Mr. Sloven as Company Employees did not receive compensation for participating as a Director on the Board.
(3)
On August 6, 2017, Mr. Guzy and Mr. Postal each received 100,000 stock option grants for participating in the Audit and Nomination and Compensation Committees for the year 2017-2018. The market value using the Binomial Lattice pricing model for each grant was $55,000. As the grant period covered 2017-2018, the cost impact in 2017 was $22,212 for each grant.
(4)
On August 6, 2018, Mr. Guzy and Mr. Postal each received 100,000 stock option grants for participating in the Audit and Nomination and Compensation Committees for the year 2018-2019. The market value using the Binomial Lattice pricing model for each grant was $21,000. As the grant period covered 2018-2019 the cost impact in 2018 was $8,481 for each grant.
(5)
On August 6, 2019, Mr. Guzy and Mr. Postal each received 100,000 stock option grants for participating in the Audit and Nomination and Compensation Committees for the year 2019-2020. The market value using the Binomial Lattice pricing model for each grant was $17,000. As the grant period covered 2019-2020 the cost impact in 2019 was $6,865 for each grant.
(6)
On August 6, 2020, Mr. Guzy and Mr. Postal each received 100,000 stock option grants for participating in the Audit and Nomination and Compensation Committees for the year 2020-2021. The market value using the Binomial Lattice pricing model for each grant was $8,000. As the grant period covered 2020-2021 the cost impact in 2020 was $3,231 for each grant.
On May 31, 2019, the Company approved that effective on June 1, 2019, each independent director, namely Jeffrey Guzy and Jeffrey Postal, would each receive $750 per calendar month, as a Form 1099 compensation, for their continued services as directors of the Company. This compensation would be additional to the stock option grants awarded for their participation on the Audit Committee and Compensation and Nominating Committee.
On May 31, 2019, the Company also approved that the independent directors would be offered effective from June 1, 2019, the opportunity to participate as a non-employee in the Company’s Health Benefit Plan, subject to compliance with all plan participation requirements and on acceptance into the plan the director will be responsible to pay 100% of their plan’s participation cost.
On June 10, 2020, the Company approved that effective on August 1, 2020 until August 1, 2021, each independent director, namely Jeffrey Guzy and Jeffrey Postal, would each receive $750 per calendar month, as a Form 1099 compensation, for their continued services as directors of the Company. This compensation would be additional to the stock option grants awarded for their participation on the Audit Committee and Compensation and Nominating Committee. For both years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 both directors each received $5,250 each as Form 1099 compensation.
Independent Directors. The Board of the Company is currently comprised of five directors, one of whom is an independent director under the listing standards of quotation systems like The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Company has sought unsuccessfully to recruit qualified independent directors. Although we have D&O insurance, we believe that past losses and low public stock market price discourages qualified candidates from serving as independent directors. This is a problem commonly faced by micro-cap, "penny stock" companies like our Company.
Our senior officers are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, the Chairman of the Board and other non-officer directors met quarterly on average with management to discuss strategy and the risks facing the Company. Senior management, each member being also a director, attends the Board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board on risk management and any other matters. The Chairman of the Board and members of the Board work together to provide strong, independent oversight of the Company's management and affairs through its standing committees and, when necessary, special meetings of directors. Since most of the directors live in the same area, informal meetings between directors and officers also occur to discuss business risk and appropriate responses.
Director - Minimum Qualifications. The Compensation and Nominating Committee has adopted a set of criteria that it considers when it selects individuals not currently on the Board of Directors to be nominated for election to the Board of Directors. A candidate must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Company's Bylaws. A candidate must also meet any qualification requirements set forth in any Board or committee governing documents. If the candidate is deemed eligible for election to the Board of Directors, the Compensation and Nominating Committee will then evaluate the prospective nominee to determine if he or she possesses the following qualifications, qualities or skills:
•
contributions to the range of talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the Board.
•
financial, regulatory and business experience, knowledge of the operations of public companies and ability to read and understand financial statements.
•
familiarity with the Company's market.
•
personal and professional integrity, honesty and reputation.
•
the ability to represent the best interests of the shareholders of the Company and the best interests of the institution.
•
the ability to devote sufficient time and energy to the performance of his or her duties; and
•
independence under applicable Commission and listing definitions.
The Compensation and Nominating Committee will also consider any other factors it deems relevant. With respect to nominating an existing director for re-election to the Board of Directors, the Compensation and Nominating Committee will consider and review an existing director's Board and committee attendance and performance; length of Board service; experience, skills and contributions that the existing director brings to the Board; and independence.
Director Nomination Process. The process that the Compensation and Nominating Committee follows when it identifies and evaluates individuals to be nominated for election to the Board of Directors is as follows:
For purposes of identifying nominees for the Board of Directors, the Compensation and Nominating Committee relies on personal contacts of the committee members and other members of the Board of Directors and will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the policy and procedures set forth above. The Compensation and Nominating Committee has not used an independent search firm to identify nominees.
In evaluating potential nominees, the Compensation and Nominating Committee determines whether the candidate is eligible and qualified for service on the Board of Directors by evaluating the candidate under the selection criteria, which are discussed in more detail below. If such individual fulfills these criteria, the Compensation and Nominating Committee will conduct a check of the individual's background and interview the candidate to further assess the qualities of the prospective nominee and the contributions he or she would make to the Board of Directors.
Consideration of Recommendation by Stockholders. It is the policy of the Compensation and Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to consider director candidates recommended by stockholders who appear to be qualified to serve on the Company's Board of Directors. The Compensation and Nominating Committee may choose not to consider an unsolicited recommendation if no vacancy exists on the Board of Directors and the Compensation and Nomination Committee does not perceive a need to increase the size of the Board of Directors. To avoid the unnecessary use of the Compensation and Nominating Committee's resources, the Compensation and Nomination Committee will consider only those director candidates recommended in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
Stockholder Proposal Procedures. To
submit a recommendation of a director candidate to the Compensation and Nomination Committee, a stockholder should submit the following information in writing, addressed to the Chairperson of the Compensation and Nomination Committee, care of the Corporate Secretary, at the main office of the Company:
1.
The name of the person recommended as a director candidate.
2.
All information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3.
The written consent of the person being recommended as a director candidate to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected.
4.
The name and address of the stockholder making the recommendation, as they appear on the Company's books; provided, however, that if the stockholder is not a registered holder of the Company's common stock, the stockholder should submit his or her name and address along with a current written statement from the record holder of the shares that reflects ownership of the Company's common stock; and
5.
A statement disclosing whether such stockholder is acting with or on behalf of any other person and, if applicable, the identity of such person.
In order for a director candidate to be considered for nomination at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders, when and if one is held, or to be considered prior to a written consent vote on director nominees, the recommendation must be received by the Compensation and Nominating Committee at least 30 days before the date of the annual meeting or, in the case of an information statement and no shareholder meeting being held, prior to April 1st.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
CURRENT OFFICERS. The current officers of the Company are:
1.
Stewart Wallach, age 69, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on April 23, 2007. Mr. Wallach is also the senior executive officer and director of Capstone.
2.
Gerry McClinton, age 65, is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and a director (appointed as a director on February 5, 2008) of the Company. Mr. McClinton is also a senior executive of Capstone.
3.
Aimee Gaudet, age 42, was appointed on January 16, 2013 as Company Secretary. She is also Executive Assistant to Stewart Wallach at CAPC.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIP: There is no family relationship between members of Company management.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.
The Board of Directors approved the annual grant of stock options to Jeffrey Guzy and Jeffrey Postal, both directors of Company, and Aimee Gaudet Brown, an officer of the Company. For each of the stock options: the grant date is August 5, 2020, the exercise period is August 6, 2020 to August 5, 2021 and the exercise price is $0.435 per share. The Form 5’s for these option grants were filed March 10, 2021 instead of February 14, 2021.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Role of Management
The Company believes that it is important to have our Chief Executive Officer's input in the design of compensation programs for his direct reports. The Chief Executive Officer reviews his direct reports' compensation programs annually with the Committee, evaluating the adequacy relative to the marketplace, inflation, internal equity, external competitiveness, business and motivational challenges and opportunities facing the Company and its executives. In particular, he considers base salary a critical component of compensation to remain competitive and retain his executives. All final decisions regarding compensation for the Chief Executive Officer's direct reports listed in the Summary Compensation Table are made by the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer does not make recommendations with regard to his own compensation.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
While we may consult industry sources on compensation for executives, we have not engaged a consultant to analyze our compensation levels.
For 2020, the principal components of compensation for each officer were:
•
base salary.
•
annual incentive.
•
long-term incentive compensation (restricted stock awards); and
•
perquisites and other benefits.
Our Company endeavors to strike an appropriate balance between long-term and current cash compensation. The current executives are key to the ability of the Company to conduct its business because of their individual experience and relationships in our current business line. Their compensation reflects their individual value to the ability of the Company to conduct its current business.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Name & Principal Position
Year
Salary $
Bonus $
Stock Awards $
Non-Equity Incentives $
All Others $
TOTAL
Stewart Wallach,
$
301,521
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
301,521
Chief Executive
$
301,521
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
301,521
Officer (1,2,3,7,8,9,10)
$
301,521
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
301,521
James G. McClinton,
$
191,442
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
191,442
Chief Financial
$
191,442
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
191,442
Officer & COO (4,5,6,7,8,9,10)
$
191,442
$
--
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
191,442
Footnotes:
(1) On February 5, 2020, the Company entered into a new Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach will be paid $301,521 per annum.
(2) On February 5, 2018, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach would be paid $301,521 per annum.
(3) On February 5, 2016, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach would be paid $301,521 per annum.
(4) On February 5, 2020, the Company entered into a new Employment Agreement with James McClinton, , whereby Mr. McClinton would be paid $191,442 per annum.
(5) On February 5, 2018, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with James McClinton, whereby Mr. McClinton would be paid $191,442 per annum.
(6) On February 5, 2016, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with James McClinton, whereby Mr. McClinton would be paid $191,442 per annum.
(7) The Company has no non-equity incentive plans.
(8) The Company has no established bonus plan. Any bonus payments are made ad hoc upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Bonuses are only paid on a performance basis.
(9) On September 1, 2020, fifty percent of both Mr. Wallach and Mr. McClinton’s salary for the period September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 was accrued and deferred for payment until 2021.
(10) On January 1, 2021, fifty percent of both Mr. Wallach and Mr. McClinton’s salary for the period January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021 was deferred for payment until later in 2021.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer and President.
On February 5, 2018, the Company renewed the Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach was paid $301,521 per annum. The term of this agreement began February 5, 2018 and ended February 5, 2020. The parties could extend the employment period of this agreement by mutual consent with approval of the Company's Board of Directors, but the extension could not exceed two years in length.
On February 5, 2020, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach would be paid $301,521 per annum. The term of this new agreement began February 5, 2020 and ends February 5, 2023. The parties may extend the employment period of this agreement by mutual consent with approval of the Company's Board of Directors, but the extension may not exceed two years in length.
The February 5, 2020 Employment Agreement with Mr. Wallach was filed by the Company as an exhibit to Report Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 - (as filed by the Company with the Commission on March 30, 2020).
Gerry McClinton, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
On February 5, 2018, the Company renewed the Employment Agreement with James McClinton, whereby Mr. McClinton was paid $191,442 per annum. The term of this agreement began February 5, 2018 and ended February 5, 2020. The parties could extend the employment period of this agreement by mutual consent with approval of the Company's Board of Directors, but the extension may not exceed one year in length.
On February 5, 2020, the Company entered an Employment Agreement with James McClinton, whereby Mr. McClinton would be paid $191,442 per annum. The term of this new agreement began February 5, 2020 and ends February 5, 2022. The parties may extend the employment period of this agreement by mutual consent with approval of the Company's Board of Directors, but the extension may not exceed one year in length.
The February 5, 2020 Employment Agreement with Mr. McClinton was filed by the Company as an exhibit to Report Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (as filed by the Company with the Commission on March 30, 2020).
Effective September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, payments equivalent to fifty percent of both Mr. Wallach and Mr. McClinton’s salary or approximately $48,707 and $30,925, respectively, will be deferred until 2021.
Effective January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021, further payments equivalent to fifty percent of both Mr. Wallach and Mr. McClinton’s salary or approximately $40,589 and $25,771, respectively, will be deferred until later in 2021.
Common Provisions in both new Employment Agreements:
The following provisions are contained in each of the above employment agreements: If the officer's employment is terminated by death or disability or without cause, the Company is obligated to pay to the officer's estate or the officer, an amount equal to accrued and unpaid base salary as well as all accrued but unused vacation days through the date of termination. The Company will also pay sum payments equal to (a) the sum of twelve (12) months base salary at the rate the Executive was earning as of the date of termination and (b) the sum of "merit" based bonuses earned by the Executive during the prior calendar year of his termination. Any payments owed by the Company shall be paid from a normal payroll account on a bi-weekly basis in accordance with the normal payroll policies of the Company. The amount owed by the Company to the Executive, from the effective Termination date, will be payout bi-weekly over the course of the year but at no time will be no more than twenty (26) installments. The Company will also continue to pay the Executive's health and dental insurance benefits for 6 months starting at the Executives date of termination. If the Executive had family health coverage at the time of termination, the additional family premium obligation would remain theirs and will be reduced against the Executive's severance package. The employment agreements have an anti-competition provision for 18 months after the end of employment.
The above summary of the employment agreements is qualified by reference to the actual employment agreements, which were filed as exhibits to the Form 10-K by the Company for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (as filed by the Company with the Commission on March 30, 2020).
These amended agreements supersede any existing employment agreements and are the only employment agreements with Company officers:
SUMMARY TABLE OF OPTION GRANTS TO OFFICERS OF COMPANY
As of December 31, 2020
Name
No. of Shares
Underlying
% of Total Options
Granted Employees
in 2020
Expiration
Date
Restricted
Stock Grants
No. Shares
underlying Options
Options Granted
in 2020
Stewart Wallach
-
-
-
-
-
Gerry McClinton
-
-
-
-
-
OTHER COMPENSATION (1)
NAME/POSITION
YEAR
SEVERANCE
PACKAGE
CAR
ALLOWANCE
CO. PAID
SERVICES
TRAVEL
LODGING
TOTAL ($)
Stewart Wallach
-
-
-
-
-
Chief Executive
-
-
-
-
-
Officer
-
-
-
-
-
Gerry McClinton
-
-
-
-
-
Chief Operating
-
-
-
-
-
Officer & Chief
-
-
-
-
-
Financial Officer
Footnotes:
(1)
There were no 401(k) matching contributions by the Company and no medical supplemental payments by the Company in any of the years specified.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS FOR YEAR END 2020 TABLE
OPTIONS (1)
NAME
Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
Option Exercise
Price
Option
Expiration Date
Stewart Wallach
-
-
-
Gerry McClinton
-
-
-
Footnotes:
(1)
The Company does not have any stock awards for the years specified for the above named senior officers.
2020 OPTION EXERCISES AND VESTED OPTIONS
Name
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on
Exercise
Stewart Wallach
-
-
Gerry McClinton
-
-
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
SALARY
SEVERANCE
BONUS
SEVERANCE
GROSS UP
TAXES
BENEFIT
COMPENSATION
GRAND TOTAL
TOTAL
Stewart Wallach
$
301,521
$
-
$
12,600
$
6,600
$
320,721
Gerry McClinton
$
191,442
$
-
$
11,000
$
6,600
$
209,042
Indemnification.
The Company maintains directors and officer's liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such obligations, and payments made under these agreements historically have not been material. Further, the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and officers.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT:
The sole class of voting Common Stock of the Company as of March 01, 2021, that are issued and outstanding is the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or "Common Stock". The table below sets forth, as of March 01, 2021, ("Record Date"), certain information $0.0001 par value per share, or "Common Stock" information with respect to the Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each Director, nominee and executive officer of the Company; (ii) each person who owns beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock; and (iii) all Directors, nominees and executive officers as a group. There were 46,296,364 shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date of March 01, 2021.
NAME, ADDRESS & TITLE
STOCK OWNERSHIP
% OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
SHARES - COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
STOCK OWNERSHIP AFTER CONVERSION -ALL OPTIONS, WARRANTS & THOSE EXERCISEABLE WITHIN NEXT 60 DAYS
% OF STOCK OWNED AFTER CONVERSION - OPTIONS, WARRANTS INCLUDES EXERCISEABLE WITHIN THE 60 DAYS
OPTIONS & WARRANTS VESTED
OPTIONS & WARRANTS EXPIRED
OPTIONS, WARRANTS NOT VESTED
Stewart Wallach, CEO, 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
9,831,745
21.2%
499,950
9,831,745
20.9%
-
-
-
Gerry McClinton, CFO, & Director, 431 Fairway Drive Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
33,664
0.1%
-
33,664
0.1%
-
-
-
Jeff Postal, Director, 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
9,034,120
19.5%
499,950
9,334,120
19.8%
300,000
-
100,000
Aimee C. Brown (Gaudet), Secretary, 431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
-
-%
-
70,000
0.1%
70,000
-
10,000
Jeff Guzy, Director, 3130 19th Street North, Arlington, VA 22201
52,800
0.1%
-
452,800
1.0%
400,000
200,000
100,000
Larry Sloven, Director, 431 Fairway Drive Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
52,800
0.1%
-
52,800
0.1%
-
-
-
ALL OFFICERS & DIRECTORS AS A GROUP
19,005,129
41.0%
999,900
19,775,129
42.0%
770,000
200,000
210,000
Total
46,296,364
100.0%
999,900
47,076,364
100.0%
780,000
200,000
210,000
Notes to Table.
(1)
Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2)
Mr. Wallach’s ownership of common stock in the table does not include 499,950 shares issuable upon conversion of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock and does not include 500,000 shares of common stock that may be issued, upon occurrence of a trigger event under a January 4, 2021 Loan agreement but that has not occurred.
(3)
Mr. Postal’s ownership of common stock in the table does not include 499,950 shares issuable upon conversion of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock and does not include 500,000 shares of common stock that may be issued, upon occurrence of a trigger event under a January 4, 2021 Loan agreement but that has not occurred.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The Company is a "controlled company" under typical stock exchange corporate governance rules, that is a company where 50% or more of the voting power is owned by a person or a group and does not currently have to meet requirements for a board of directors with a majority of "independent directors." Currently, only Jeffrey Guzy qualifies as an "independent director" under the listing standards of most stock exchanges or quotation systems. No other director qualifies as an "independent director" under those rules because they are officers of the Company or have business relationships with the Company.
The CAPC Board adopted a written policy for approval of transactions between the Company and its directors, director nominees, executive officers, greater than 5% beneficial owners and their respective immediate family members. The policy governs transaction in which the value exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000 in a single calendar year.
A "related-person transaction" will be a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any "related person" are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related person will not be covered by this policy. A related person will be any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
The policy provides that the Audit Committee reviews transactions subject to the policy and determines whether to approve or ratify those transactions. The Audit Committee considers, among other factors it deems appropriate, the following factors:
•
Benefits derived by the related person from the transaction versus the benefits derived by the Company.
•
Total value of the transaction.
•
Whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of business of the Company; and
•
Were the terms and conditions of the transaction usual and customary and commercially reasonable.
The Audit Committee does not have any policies on expedited or pre-approval of certain routine related person transactions.
From time to time, the Company borrows working capital on a short-term basis, usually with maturity dates of less than a year, from Company directors and officers. The Company believes that these working capital loans are commercially reasonable, especially in light of the inability of the Company to obtain such short-term financing from traditional funding sources. As of December 31, 2020 the Company had no related party loans or outstanding balances.
On May 31, 2019, the Board of Directors approved that the Company’s outstanding loan balance as of December 31, 2018 of $904,109, owed to Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, would be offset as a dividend distribution from Capstone Industries, Inc to the Company as of December 31, 2018.
On May 31, 2019, the disinterested directors of the Board of Directors approved the use of up to $900,000 dividend distribution, to be completed by December 31, 2019, from Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to the Company to provide working capital. As of December 31, 2019, the authorized distribution had been fully completed.
On February 4, 2020, the Board of Directors approved that the Company’s outstanding loan balance as of December 31, 2019 of $380,967, owed to Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, would be offset as a dividend distribution from Capstone Industries, Inc to the Company as of December 31, 2019.
On February 4, 2020, the disinterested directors of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the use of up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 profit distribution, to be completed by December 31, 2020, from Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to the Company to provide working capital. As of December 31, 2020, $350,000 of the authorized distribution had been completed.
Process for Identifying Related Person Transactions.
To identify related-person transactions in advance, we are expected to rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our board of directors will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
•
the risks, costs and benefits to us.
•
the impact on a director's independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated.
•
the terms of the transaction.
•
the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
•
the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally.
Promoters and Certain Control Persons
We did not have any promoters at any time during the past five fiscal years.
Director Independence
Our Board of Directors has determined that our director, Mr. Jeffery Guzy, is an independent director, as the term "independent" is defined by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company was not successful in recruiting additional, qualified and interested independent directors in fiscal year 2020.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees & Services
The following is a summary of the fees billed to date by D. Brooks & Associates CPA’s, P.A., for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Audit Fees
$
13,050
$
-
Tax Fees
-
-
Total
$
13,050
$
-
The following is a summary of the fees billed to us by Kaufman, Rossin & Co., for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Audit Fees
$
122,250
$
140,500
Tax Fees
10,900
7,900
Total
$
133,150
$
148,400
The following is a summary of the fees paid by us to CBIZ and Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., the Company’s former Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Audit Fees
$
3,500
$
15,000
Tax Fees
14,050
8,750
Total
$
17,550
$
23,750
Audit Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of our interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, services performed in connection with filings with the Commission and related comfort letters and other services that are normally provided by the Independent Registered firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Tax Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state and local tax compliance and consultation in connection with various transactions and acquisitions.
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND PERMISSIBLE NON-AUDIT SERVICES OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as allowed by law or regulation. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specifically approved amount. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees incurred to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.
The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the Company's 2020 audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees to the extent the services occurred after the effective date of the SEC's final pre-approval rules.
Part IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, and Financial Statement Schedules Reports
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report.
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accountants for the Years Ended December 31, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accountants for the Years Ended December 31, 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3. EXHIBITS
Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Pursuant to the Instructions to Exhibits, certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are not filed because the total amount of securities authorized under any such instrument does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. A copy of such instrument will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of CHDT Corp. Incorporated by reference to Annex G to the Special Meeting Proxy Statement, Dated April 15, 2004, filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on April 20, 2004.
3.1.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Capstone Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc. with the Commission on July 14, 2009.
3.1.1.1
Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Capstone Companies, Inc., as filed with Florida Secretary of State on June 8, 2016. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc. with the Commission on June 8, 2016.
3.2
By-laws of Capstone Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Annex H the Special Meeting Proxy Statement, Dated April 15, 2004, filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on April 20, 2004.
4.6
Description of Capstone Companies, Inc. Securities^
10.01
Employment Agreement by Capstone Companies, Inc. and Stewart Wallach, dated February 5, 2020 filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 30, 2020.
10.02
Employment Agreement by Capstone Companies, Inc. and James McClinton, dated February 5, 2020 filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 30, 2020.
10.03
Amendment to Financing Agreement by Capstone Industries, Inc. and Sterling Capital Funding, dated November 5, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 28, 2018.
10.04
Validity Guaranty to Financing Agreement by Capstone Industries, Inc. and Sterling Capital Funding, dated June 4, 2016. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 28, 2018.
10.07
Addendum dated January 1, 2019 to Consulting Agreement by Capstone Industries, Inc. and George Wolf filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 30, 2020.
10.08
Financial Services Agreement dated March 1, 2017, by Capstone Companies, Inc. and Wilmington Capital Securities, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Form 10-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc with the Commission on March 28, 2018.
Code of Ethics Policy. Exhibit 14 of the Capstone Companies, Inc. Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on March 22, 2018.
21.1
Subsidiaries of Capstone Companies, Inc. ^
31.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer^
31.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Gerry McClinton, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer^
32.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer. ^
32.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Gerry McClinton, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer^
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Note: CHDT Corp. is a prior name of Capstone Companies, Inc.
^ Filed Herein.