EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1599407
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1599407_10-K_2025_0001213900-25-026414.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
OUR BUSINESS
Overview
We are an acquisition holding company focused on acquiring and managing a group of small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million, in a variety of different industries headquartered in North America.
Through our structure, we offer investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of a portfolio of businesses that traditionally have been owned and managed by private equity firms, private individuals or families, financial institutions or large conglomerates. We believe that our management and acquisition strategies will allow us to achieve our goals to make and grow regular distributions to our common shareholders and increase common shareholder value over time.
We seek to acquire controlling interests in small businesses that we believe operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities, and that have positive and stable earnings and cash flows, face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence and have strong management teams largely in place. We believe that private company operators and corporate parents looking to sell their businesses will consider us to be an attractive purchaser of their businesses. We make these businesses our majority-owned subsidiaries and actively manage and grow such businesses. We expect to improve our businesses over the long term through organic growth opportunities, add-on acquisitions and operational improvements.
Our Market Opportunity
We acquire and manage small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million. We believe that the merger and acquisition market for small businesses is highly fragmented and provides significant opportunities to purchase businesses at attractive prices. For example, according to GF Data, in 2023 platform acquisitions with enterprise values greater than $50.0 million commanded valuation premiums over 30% higher than platform acquisitions with enterprise values less than $50.0 million (8.0x to 9.9x trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) versus 6.0x to 7.1x trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA, respectively).
We believe that the following factors contribute to lower acquisition multiples for small businesses:
● there are typically fewer potential acquirers for these businesses;
● third-party financing generally is less available for these acquisitions;
● sellers of these businesses may consider non-economic factors, such as continuing board membership or the effect of the sale on their employees; and
● these businesses are generally less frequently sold pursuant to an auction process.
We believe that our management team’s strong relationships with business brokers, investment and commercial bankers, accountants, attorneys and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities offers us substantial opportunities to purchase small businesses.
We also believe that significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of the businesses upon their acquisition. In the past, our manager has acquired businesses that are often formerly owned by seasoned entrepreneurs or large corporate parents. In these cases, our manager has frequently found that there have been opportunities to further build upon the management teams of acquired businesses. In addition, our manager has frequently found that financial reporting and management information systems of acquired businesses may be improved, both of which can lead to substantial improvements in earnings and cash flow. Finally, because these businesses tend to be too small to have their own corporate development efforts, we believe opportunities exist to assist these businesses in meaningful ways as they pursue organic or external growth strategies that were often not pursued by their previous owners.
Our Strategy
Our long-term goals are to make and grow regular distributions to our common shareholders and to increase common shareholder value over the long-term. We plan to continue focusing on acquiring businesses. Therefore, we intend to continue to identify, perform due diligence on, negotiate and consummate platform acquisitions of small businesses in attractive industry sectors.
We plan to limit the use of third-party (i.e., external) acquisition leverage so that our debt will not exceed the market value of the assets we acquire and so that our debt to EBITDA ratio will not exceed 1.25x to 1 for our operating subsidiaries. We believe that limiting leverage in this manner will avoid the imposition on stringent lender controls on our operations that would otherwise potentially hamper the growth of our operating subsidiaries and otherwise harm our business even during times when we have positive operating cash flows. Additionally, in our experience, leverage rarely leads to “break-out” returns and often creates negative return outcomes that are not correlated with the profitability of the business.
Management Strategy
Our management strategy involves the identification, performance of due diligence, negotiation and consummation of acquisitions. After acquiring businesses, we attempt to grow the businesses both organically and through add-on or bolt-on acquisitions. Add-on or bolt-on acquisitions are acquisitions by a company of other companies in the same industry. Following the acquisition of companies, we seek to grow the earnings and cash flow of acquired companies and, in turn, grow regular distributions to our common shareholders and to increase common shareholder value over time. We believe we can increase the cash flows of our businesses by applying our intellectual capital to improve and grow our businesses.
We seek to acquire and manage small businesses. We believe that the merger and acquisition market for small businesses is highly fragmented and provides opportunities to purchase businesses at attractive prices. We believe we will be able to acquire small businesses for multiples ranging from three to six times EBITDA. We also believe, and our manager has historically found, that significant opportunities exist to improve the performance of these businesses upon their acquisition.
In general, our manager oversees and supports the management team of our businesses by, among other things:
● recruiting and retaining managers to operate our businesses by using structured incentive compensation programs, including minority equity ownership, tailored to each business;
● regularly monitoring financial and operational performance, instilling consistent financial discipline, and supporting management in the development and implementation of information systems;
● assisting the management teams of our businesses in their analysis and pursuit of prudent organic growth strategies;
● identifying and working with business management teams to execute on attractive external growth and acquisition opportunities;
● identifying and executing operational improvements and integration opportunities that will lead to lower operating costs and operational optimization;
● providing the management teams of our businesses the opportunity to leverage our experience and expertise to develop and implement business and operational strategies; and
● forming strong subsidiary level boards of directors to supplement management teams in their development and implementation of strategic goals and objectives.
We also believe that our long-term perspective provides us with certain additional advantages, including the ability to:
● recruit and develop management teams for our businesses that are familiar with the industries in which our businesses operate;
● focus on developing and implementing business and operational strategies to build and sustain shareholder value over the long term;
● create sector-specific businesses enabling us to take advantage of vertical and horizontal acquisition opportunities within a given sector;
● achieve exposure in certain industries in order to create opportunities for future acquisitions; and
● develop and maintain long-term collaborative relationships with customers and suppliers.
We intend to continually increase our intellectual capital as we operate our businesses and acquire new businesses and as our manager identifies and recruits qualified operating partners and managers for our businesses.
Acquisition Strategy
Our acquisition strategies involve the acquisition of small businesses in various industries that we expect will produce positive and stable earnings and cash flow, as well as achieve attractive returns on our invested capital. In this respect, we expect to make acquisitions in industries wherein we believe an acquisition presents an attractive opportunity from the perspective of both (i) return on assets or equity and (ii) an easily identifiable path for growing the acquired businesses. We believe that attractive opportunities will increasingly present themselves as private sector owners seek to monetize their interests in longstanding and privately held businesses and large corporate parents seek to dispose of their “non-core” operations.
We believe that the greatest opportunities for generating consistently positive annual returns and, ultimately, residual returns on capital invested in acquisitions will result from targeting capital light businesses operating in niche geographical markets with a clearly identifiable competitive advantage within the following industries: business services, consumer services, consumer products, consumable industrial products, industrial services, niche light manufacturing, distribution, alternative/specialty finance and in select cases, specialty retail. While we believe that the professional experience of our management team within the industries identified above will offer the greatest number of acquisition opportunities, we will not eschew opportunities if a business enjoys an inarguable moat around its products and services in an industry which our management team may have less familiarity.
From a financial perspective, we expect to make acquisitions of small businesses that are stable, have minimal bad debt, and strong accounts receivable. In addition, we expect to acquire companies that have been able to generate positive pro forma cash available for distribution for a minimum of three years prior to acquisition. Our previous acquisitions met these acquisition criteria.
We benefit from our manager’s ability to identify diverse acquisition opportunities in a variety of industries. In addition, we rely upon our management teams’ experience and expertise in researching and valuing prospective target businesses, as well as negotiating the ultimate acquisition of such target businesses. In particular, because there may be a lack of information available about these target businesses, which may make it more difficult to understand or appropriately value such target businesses, our manager will:
● engage in a substantial level of internal and third-party due diligence;
● critically evaluate the management team;
● identify and assess any financial and operational strengths and weaknesses of any target business;
● analyze comparable businesses to assess financial and operational performances relative to industry competitors;
● actively research and evaluate information on the relevant industry; and
● thoroughly negotiate appropriate terms and conditions of any acquisition.
The process of acquiring new businesses is time-consuming and complex. Our manager has historically taken from 2 to 24 months to perform due diligence on, negotiate and close acquisitions. Although we expect our manager to be at various stages of evaluating several transactions at any given time, there may be significant periods of time during which it does not recommend any new acquisitions to us.
Upon an acquisition of a new business, we rely on our manager’s experience and expertise to work efficiently and effectively with the management of the new business to jointly develop and execute a business plan.
While primarily seek to acquire controlling interests in a business, we may also acquire non-control or minority equity positions in businesses where we believe it is consistent with our long-term strategy.
As discussed in more detail below, we intend to raise capital for additional acquisitions primarily through debt financing, primarily at our operating company level, additional equity offerings by our company, the sale of all or a part of our businesses or by undertaking a combination of any of the above.
Our primary corporate purpose is to own, operate and grow our operating businesses. However, in addition to acquiring businesses, we expect to sell businesses that we own from time to time. Our decision to sell a business will be based upon financial, operating and other considerations rather than a plan to complete a sale of a business within any specific time frame. We may also decide to own and operate some or all of our businesses in perpetuity if our board believes that it makes sense to do so. Upon the sale of a business, we may use the resulting proceeds to retire debt or retain proceeds for future acquisitions or general corporate purposes. Generally, we do not expect to make special distributions at the time of a sale of one of our businesses; instead, we expect that we will seek to gradually increase regular common shareholder distributions over time.
There are several risks associated with our acquisition strategy, including the following risks, which are described more fully in Item 1A “Risk Factors”-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure”:
● we may not be able to successfully fund future acquisitions of new businesses due to the unavailability of debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, which could impede the implementation of our acquisition strategy;
● we may experience difficulty as we evaluate, acquire and integrate businesses that we may acquire, which could result in drains on our resources, including the attention of our management, and disruptions of our on-going business;
● we face competition for businesses that fit our acquisition strategy and, therefore, we may have to acquire targets at sub-optimal prices or, alternatively, forego certain acquisition opportunities; and
● we may change our management and acquisition strategies without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in a determination by us to pursue riskier business activities.
Strategic Advantages
Based on the experience of our manager and its ability to identify and negotiate acquisitions, we believe that we are strongly positioned to acquire additional businesses. Our manager has strong relationships with business brokers, investment and commercial bankers, accountants, attorneys and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities. In negotiating these acquisitions, we believe our manager will be able to successfully navigate complex situations surrounding acquisitions, including corporate spin-offs, transitions of family-owned businesses, management buy-outs and reorganizations.
We believe that the flexibility, creativity, experience and expertise of our manager in structuring transactions provides us with strategic advantages by allowing us to consider non-traditional and complex transactions tailored to fit a specific acquisition target.
Our manager also has a large network of deal intermediaries who expose us to potential acquisitions. Through this network, we have a substantial pipeline of potential acquisition targets. Our manager also has a well-established network of contacts, including professional managers, attorneys, accountants and other third-party consultants and advisors, who may be available to assist us in the performance of due diligence and the negotiation of acquisitions, as well as the management and operation of our businesses once acquired.
Valuation and Due Diligence
When evaluating businesses or assets for acquisition, we perform a rigorous due diligence and financial evaluation process. In doing so, we seek to evaluate the operations of the target business as well as the outlook for the industry in which the target business operates. While valuation of a business is, by definition, a subjective process, we define valuations under a variety of analyses, including:
● discounted cash flow analyses;
● evaluation of trading values of comparable companies;
● expected value matrices;
● assessment of competitor, supplier and customer environments; and
● examination of recent/precedent transactions.
One outcome of this process is an effort to project the expected cash flows from the target business as accurately as possible. A further outcome is an understanding of the types and levels of risk associated with those projections. While future performance and projections are always uncertain, we believe that our detailed due diligence review process allows us to more accurately estimate future cash flows and more effectively evaluate the prospects for operating the business in the future. To assist us in identifying material risks and validating key assumptions in our financial and operational analysis, in addition to our own analysis, we engage third-party experts to review key risk areas, including legal, tax, regulatory, accounting, insurance and environmental. We may also engage technical, operational or industry consultants, as necessary.
A further critical component of the evaluation of potential target businesses is the assessment of the capability of the existing management team, including recent performance, expertise, experience, culture and incentives to perform. Where necessary, and consistent with our management strategy, we actively seek to augment, supplement or replace existing members of management who we believe are not likely to execute the business plan for the target business. Similarly, we analyze and evaluate the financial and operational information systems of target businesses and, where necessary, we actively seek to enhance and improve those existing systems that are deemed to be inadequate or insufficient to support our business plan for the target business.
Financing
We finance acquisitions primarily through additional equity and debt financings. We believe that having the ability to finance most, if not all, acquisitions with the general capital resources raised by our company, rather than financing relating to the acquisition of individual businesses, provides us with an advantage in acquiring attractive businesses by minimizing delay and closing conditions that are often related to acquisition-specific financings. In this respect, we believe that, at some point in the future, we may need to pursue additional debt or equity financings, or offer equity in our company or target businesses to the sellers of such target businesses, in order to fund acquisitions.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that our manager’s collective investment experience and approach to executing our investment strategy provide us with several competitive advantages. These competitive advantages, certain of which are discussed below, have enabled our management to generate very attractive risk- adjusted returns for investors in their predecessor firms.
Robust Network. Through their activities with their predecessor firms and their comprehensive marketing capabilities, we believe that the management team of our manager has established a “top of mind” position among investment bankers and business brokers targeting small businesses. By employing an institutionalized, multi-platform marketing strategy, we believe our manager has established a robust national network of personal relationships with intermediaries, seasoned operating executives, entrepreneurs and managers, thereby firmly establishing our presence and credibility in the small business market. In contrast to many other buyers of and investors in small businesses, we believe that we can buy businesses at value-oriented multiples and through our asset management activities with a group of professional, experienced and talented operating partners, create appreciable value. We believe our experience, track record and consistent execution of our marketing and investment activities will allow us to maintain a leadership position as the preferred partner for today’s small business market.
Disciplined Deal Sourcing. We employ an institutionalized, multi-platform approach to sourcing new acquisition opportunities. Our deal sourcing efforts include leveraging relationships with more than 3,000 qualified deal sources through regular calling, mail and e-mail campaigns, assignment of regional marketing responsibilities, in-person visits and high-profile sponsorship of important conferences and industry events. We supplement these activities by retaining selected intermediary firms to conduct targeted searches for opportunities in specific categories on an opportunistic basis. As a result of the significant time and effort spent on these activities, we believe we established close relationships and unique “top of mind” awareness with many of the most productive intermediary sources for small business acquisition opportunities in the United States. While reinforcing our market leadership, this capability enables us to generate a large number of attractive acquisition opportunities.
Differentiated Acquisition Capabilities in the Small Business Market. We deploy a differentiated approach to acquiring businesses in the small business market. Our management concentrates their efforts on mature companies with sustainable value propositions, which can be supported by our resources and institutional expertise. Our evaluation of acquisition opportunities typically involves significant input from a seasoned operating partner with relevant experience, which we believe enhances both our diligence and ongoing monitoring capabilities. In addition, we approach every acquisition opportunity with creative structures, which we believe enables us to engineer mutually attractive scenarios for sellers, whereas competing buyers may be limited by their rigid structural requirements. We believe our commitment to conservative capital structures and valuation will enhance each acquired operating subsidiary’s ability to deliver consistent levels of cash available for distribution, while additionally supporting reinvestment for growth.
Value Proposition for Business Owners. We employ a creative, flexible approach by tailoring each acquisition structure to meet the specific liquidity needs and certain qualitative objectives of the target’s owners and management team. In addition to serving as an exit pathway for sellers, we seek to align our interests with the sellers by enabling them to retain and/or earn (through incentive compensation) a substantial economic interest in their businesses following the acquisition and by typically allowing the incumbent management team to retain operating control of the acquired operating subsidiary on a day-to-day basis. We believe that our company is an appealing buyer for small business owners and managers due to our track record of capitalizing portfolio companies conservatively, enhancing our ability to execute on its strategic initiatives and adding equity value. As a result, we believe business owners and managers will find our company to be a dynamic, value-added buyer that brings considerable resources to achieve their strategic, capital and operating needs, resulting in substantial value creation for the operating subsidiary.
Operating Partner. Our manager has consistently worked with a strong network of seasoned operating partners - former entrepreneurs and executives with extensive experience building, managing and optimizing successful small businesses across a range of industries. We believe that our operating partner model will enable us to make a significant improvement in the operating subsidiary, as compared to other buyers, such as traditional private equity firms, which rely principally upon investment professionals to make acquisition/investment and monitoring decisions regarding not only the business, financial and legal due diligence aspects of a business but also the more operational aspects including industry dynamics, management strength and strategic growth initiatives. We typically engage an operating partner soon after identifying a target business for acquisition, enhancing our acquisition judgment and building the acquisition team’s relationship with the subsidiary’s management team. Operating partners usually serve as a member of the board of directors of an operating subsidiary and spend two to four days per month working with the subsidiary’s management team. We leverage the operating partner’s extensive experience to build the management team, improve operations and assist with strategic growth initiatives, resulting in value creation.
Small Business Market Experience. We believe the history and experience of our manager’s partnering with companies in the small business market allows us to identify highly attractive acquisition opportunities and add significant value to our operating subsidiaries. Our manager’s investment experience in the small business market prior to forming our company has further contributed to our institutional expertise in the acquisition, strategic and operational decisions critical to the long-term success of small businesses. Since 2000, the management team of our manager has collectively been presented with several thousand investment opportunities and actively worked with more than 30 small businesses on all facets of their strategy, development and operations, which we have successfully translated into unique, institutionalized capabilities directed towards creating value in small businesses.
Intellectual Property
Our manager owns certain intellectual property relating to the term “1847.” Our manager has granted our company a license to use the term “1847” in its business.
Employees
As of December 31, 2024, our company had 6 full-time employees (excluding our operating subsidiaries described below).
OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY
Our company is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on January 22, 2013. Your rights as a holder of common shares, and the fiduciary duties of our board of directors and executive officers, and any limitations relating thereto, are set forth in the operating agreement governing our company and differ from those applying to a Delaware corporation. However, subject to certain exceptions, the documents governing our company specify that the duties of our directors and officers will be generally consistent with the duties of directors and officers of a Delaware corporation.
Our company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the partnership income tax provisions, our company is not expected to incur any U.S. federal income tax liability; rather, each of our shareholders will be required to take into account his or her allocable share of company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. As a holder of our shares, you may not receive cash distributions sufficient in amount to cover taxes in respect of your allocable share of our net taxable income. We will file a partnership return with the IRS and will issue you with tax information, including a Schedule K-1, setting forth your allocable share of our income, gain, loss, deduction, credit and other items. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply to partnerships are complex, and complying with the reporting requirements may require significant time and expense. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in our prospectus, dated October 28, 2024 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on October 30, 2024 for more information.
We currently have five classes of limited liability company interests - the common shares, the series A senior convertible preferred shares, the series C senior convertible preferred shares, the series D senior convertible preferred shares and the allocation shares. All of our allocation shares have been and will continue to be held by our manager.
On May 28, 2020, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary 1847 Asien Inc., a Delaware corporation, or 1847 Asien, acquired Asien’s Appliance, Inc., a California corporation, or Asien’s. On February 26, 2024, Asien’s entered into a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors with SG Service Co., LLC. Pursuant to the assignment, Asien’s transferred ownership of all or substantially all of its right, title, and interest in, as well as custody and control of, its assets to SG Service Co., LLC in trust. Following the assignment, we retained no financial interest in Asien’s. Accordingly, the results of operations of Asien’s are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On September 30, 2020, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary 1847 Cabinet Inc., a Delaware corporation, or 1847 Cabinet, acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., an Idaho corporation, or Kyle’s. As a result of this transaction, we own 92.5% of 1847 Cabinet, with the remaining 7.5% held by a third party, and 1847 Cabinet owns 100% of Kyle’s. 1847 Cabinet was formed in the State of Delaware on August 21, 2020 and Kyle’s was formed in the State of Idaho on May 7, 1991.
On March 30, 2021, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary 1847 Wolo Inc., a Delaware corporation, or 1847 Wolo, acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Wolo Mfg. Corp., a New York corporation, and Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., a New York corporation, which we collectively refer to as Wolo. As a result of this transaction, we own 92.4% of 1847 Wolo, with the remaining 7.6% held third parties, and 1847 Wolo owns 100% of Wolo Mfg. Corp and Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc. 1847 Wolo was formed in the State of Delaware on December 3, 2020. Wolo Mfg. Corp. was formed in the State of New York on August 6, 1965 and Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc. was formed in the State of New York on January 28, 1999.
On May 14, 2021, we formed 1847 HQ Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary in the State of Delaware to manage our benefit plans.
On October 8, 2021, 1847 Cabinet acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities of High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., a Nevada corporation, or High Mountain, and Sierra Homes, LLC d/b/a Innovative Cabinets & Design, a Nevada limited liability company, or Innovative Cabinets. As a result of this transaction, 1847 Cabinet acquired 92.5% of High Mountain and Innovative Cabinets, with the remaining 7.5% held by a third party. Innovative Cabinets was formed in the State of Nevada on June 17, 2008. On September 30, 2024, we entered into an asset purchase agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, with BFS Group LLC, or BFS, and High Mountain, pursuant to which we sold substantially all of the assets of High Mountain to BFS. Accordingly, the results of operations of High Mountain are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On February 9, 2023, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary 1847 ICU Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, or 1847 ICU, acquired ICU Eyewear Holdings, Inc., a California corporation, and its subsidiary ICU Eyewear, Inc., a California corporation, which we collectively refer to as ICU Eyewear. Our company was a limited guarantor of an amended and restated credit and security agreement, or Loan Agreement, that was entered into on September 11, 2023 between AB Lending SPV I LLC d/b/a Mountain Ridge Capital, or the ICU Lender, and 1847 ICU and ICU Eyewear. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the ICU Lender had a security interest in all the assets of ICU Eyewear. ICU Eyewear was in default under the Loan Agreement and consented to a foreclosure by the ICU Lender and private sale of substantially all of its assets in an Article 9 sale process, pursuant to Section 9-610 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York and Section 9-610 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of California. On August 5, 2024, ICU Eyecare Solutions Inc., an entity that is not affiliated with our company, was the successful bidder with a cash bid of $4,250,000. Pursuant to an agreement, dated August 5, 2024, and in consideration for such purchase price, the ICU Lender having foreclosed on its security interest in all of the assets of ICU Eyewear then conveyed all of its rights, title, and interest in all of such assets to ICU Eyecare Solutions Inc. Following the sale, we retained no financial interest in ICU Eyewear. Accordingly, the results of operations of ICU Eyewear are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On December 16, 2024, our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary 1847 CMD Inc., a Delaware corporation, or 1847 CMD, acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities of CMD Inc., a Nevada corporation, and CMD Finish Carpentry, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, which we collectively refer to as CMD. As a result of this transaction, we own 100% of 1847 CMD and 1847 CMD owns 100% of CMD Inc. and CMD Finish Carpentry LLC. 1847 CMD Inc. was formed in the State of Delaware on October 22, 2024. CMD Inc. was formed in the State of Nevada on September 28, 2012 and CMD Finish Carpentry, LLC was formed in the State of Nevada on August 15, 2024.
The following chart depicts our current organizational structure:
See “-Our Manager” for more details regarding the ownership of our manager.
OUR MANAGER
Overview of Our Manager
Our manager, 1847 Partners LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company. It has two classes of limited liability interests known as Class A interests and Class B interests. The Class A interests, which give the holder the right to the profit allocation received by our manager as a result of holding our allocation shares, are owned in their entirety by 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC; and the Class B interests, which give the holder the right to all other profits or losses of our manager, including the management fee payable to our manager by us, are owned in their entirety by 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC. 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC is owned 52% by Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, 38% by 1847 Founders Capital LLC, which is owned by Edward J. Tobin, and approximately 9% by Louis A. Bevilacqua, the managing member of Bevilacqua PLLC, our outside counsel, with the balance being owned by another attorney at such law firm. 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC is owned 54% by Ellery W. Roberts, 36% by 1847 Founders Capital LLC and 10% by Louis A. Bevilacqua. Mr. Roberts is also the sole manager of both entities. In the future, Mr. Roberts may cause 1847 Partners Class A Member LLC or 1847 Partners Class B Member LLC to issue units to employees of our manager to incentivize those employees by providing them with the ability to participate in our manager’s incentive allocation and management fee.
Key Personnel of Our Manager
The key personnel of our manager are Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, and Edward J. Tobin. Each of these individuals will be compensated entirely by our manager from the management fees it receives. As employees of our manager, these individuals devote a substantial majority of their time to the affairs of our company.
Collectively, the management team of our manager has more than 60 years of combined experience in acquiring and managing small businesses and has overseen the acquisitions and financing of over 50 businesses.
Acquisition and Disposition Opportunities
Our manager has exclusive responsibility for reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to acquisition and disposition opportunities. If our manager does not originate an opportunity, our board of directors will seek a recommendation from our manager prior to making a decision concerning such opportunity. In the case of any acquisition or disposition opportunity that involves an affiliate of our manager or us, our nominating and corporate governance committee, or, if we do not have such a committee, the independent members of our board of directors, will be required to authorize and approve such transaction.
Our manager will review each acquisition or disposition opportunity presented to our manager to determine if such opportunity satisfies the acquisition and disposition criteria established by our board of directors. The acquisition and disposition criteria provide that our manager will review each acquisition opportunity presented to it to determine if such opportunity satisfies our acquisition and disposition criteria, and if it is determined, in our manager’s sole discretion, that an opportunity satisfies the criteria, our manager will refer the opportunity to our board of directors for its authorization and approval prior to the consummation of any such opportunity.
Our investment criteria include the following:
● Revenue of at least $5.0 million
● Current year EBITDA/Pre-tax Income of at least $1.5 million with a history of positive cash flow
● Clearly identifiable “blueprint” for growth with the potential for break-out returns
● Well-positioned companies within our core industry categories (consumer-driven, business-to-business, light manufacturing and specialty finance) with strong returns on capital
● Opportunities wherein building management team, infrastructure and access to capital are the primary drivers of creating value
● Headquartered in North America
We believe we will be able to acquire small businesses for multiples ranging from three to six times EBITDA. With respect to investment opportunities that do not fall within the criteria set forth above, our manager must first present such opportunities to our board of directors. Our board of directors and our manager will review these criteria from time to time and our board of directors may make changes and modifications to such criteria as we make additional acquisitions and dispositions.
If an acquisition opportunity is referred to our board of directors by our manager and our board of directors determines not to timely pursue such opportunity in whole or in part, any part of such opportunity that we do not promptly pursue may be pursued by our manager or may be referred by our manager to any person, including affiliates of our manager. In this case, our manager is likely to devote a portion of its time to the oversight of this opportunity, including the management of a business that we do not own.
If there is a disposition, our manager must use its commercially reasonable efforts to manage a process through which the value of such disposition can be maximized, taking into consideration non-financial factors such as those relating to competition, strategic partnerships, potential favorable or adverse effects on us, our businesses, or our investments or any similar factors that may reasonably perceived as having a short- or long-term impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Management Services Agreement
The management services agreement sets forth the services performed by our manager. Our manager performs such services subject to the oversight and supervision of our board of directors.
In general, our manager performs those services for us that would be typically performed by the executive officers of a company. Specifically, our manager performs the following services, which we refer to as the management services, pursuant to the management services agreement:
● manage our day-to-day business and operations, including our liquidity and capital resources and compliance with applicable law;
● identify, evaluate, manage, perform due diligence on, negotiate and oversee acquisitions of target businesses and any other investments;
● evaluate and oversee the financial and operational performance of our businesses, including monitoring the business and operations of such businesses, and the financial performance of any other investments that we make;
● provide, on our behalf, managerial assistance to our businesses;
● evaluate, manage, negotiate and oversee dispositions of all or any part of any of our property, assets or investments, including disposition of all or any part of our businesses;
● provide or second, as necessary, employees of our manager to serve as our executive officers or other employees or as members of our board of directors; and
● perform any other services that would be customarily performed by executive officers and employees of a publicly listed or quoted company.
We and our manager have the right at any time during the term of the management services agreement to change the services provided by our manager. In performing management services, our manager has all necessary power and authority to perform, or cause to be performed, such services on our behalf, and, in this respect, our manager is the only provider of management services to us. Nonetheless, our manager is required to obtain authorization and approval of our board of directors in all circumstances where executive officers of a corporation typically would be required to obtain authorization and approval of a corporation’s board of directors, including, for example, with respect to the consummation of an acquisition of a target business, the issuance of securities or the entry into credit arrangements.
While our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, intends to devote substantially all of his time to the affairs of our company, neither Mr. Roberts, nor our manager, is expressly prohibited from investing in or managing other entities. In this regard, the management services agreement does not require our manager and its affiliates to provide management services to us exclusively.
Secondment of Our Executive Officers
In accordance with the terms of the management services agreement, our manager may second to us our executive officers, which means that these individuals will be assigned by our manager to work for us during the term of the management services agreement. Our board of directors has appointed Mr. Roberts as an executive officer of our company. Although Mr. Roberts is an employee of our manager, he will report directly, and be subject, to our board of directors. In this respect, our board of directors may, after due consultation with our manager, at any time request that our manager replace any individual seconded to us and our manager will, as promptly as practicable, replace any such individual; however, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roberts, controls our manager, which may make it difficult for our board of directors to completely sever ties with Mr. Roberts. Our manager and our board of directors may agree from time to time that our manager will second to us one or more additional individuals to serve on our behalf, upon such terms as our manager and our board of directors may mutually agree.
Indemnification by our Company
We have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless our manager and its employees and representatives, including any individuals seconded to us, from and against all losses, claims and liabilities incurred by our manager in connection with, relating to or arising out of the performance of any management services. However, we will not be obligated to indemnify or hold harmless our manager for any losses, claims and liabilities incurred by our manager in connection with, relating to or arising out of (i) a breach by our manager or its employees or its representatives of the management services agreement, (ii) the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of our manager or its employees or representatives in the performance of any of its obligations under the management services agreement, or (iii) fraudulent or dishonest acts of our manager or its employees or representatives with respect to our company or any of its businesses.
Termination of Management Services Agreement
Our board of directors may terminate the management services agreement and our manager’s appointment if, at any time:
● a majority of our board of directors vote to terminate the management services agreement, and the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares (other than shares beneficially owned by our manager) then entitled to vote also vote to terminate the management services agreement;
● neither Mr. Roberts nor his designated successor controls our manager, which change of control occurs without the prior written consent of our board of directors;
● there is a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order that (i) our manager materially breached the terms of the management services agreement and such breach continued unremedied for 60 days after our manager receives written notice from us setting forth the terms of such breach, or (ii) our manager (x) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard in performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, or (y) engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts in connection with our business or operations;
● our manager has been convicted of a felony under federal or state law, our board of directors finds that our manager is demonstrably and materially incapable of performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, and the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares, other than shares beneficially owned by our manager, vote to terminate the management services agreement; or
● there is a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that our manager has (i) engaged in fraudulent or dishonest acts in connection with our business or operations or (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard in performing its duties and obligations under the management services agreement, and the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares (other than shares beneficially owned by our manager) vote to terminate the management services agreement.
In addition, our manager may resign and terminate the management services agreement at any time upon 120 days prior written notice to us, and this right is not contingent upon the finding of a replacement manager. However, if our manager resigns, until the date on which the resignation becomes effective, it will, upon request of our board of directors, use reasonable efforts to assist our board of directors to find a replacement manager at no cost and expense to us.
Upon the termination of the management services agreement, seconded officers, employees, representatives and delegates of our manager and its affiliates who are performing the services that are the subject of the management services agreement will resign their respective position with us and cease to work at the date of such termination or at any other time as determined by our manager. Any director appointed by our manager may continue serving on our board of directors, subject to the terms of the operating agreement.
If we terminate the management services agreement, we have agreed to cease using the term “1847”, including any trademarks based on the name of our company that may be licensed to them by our manager, under the licensing provisions of the management services agreement, entirely in our business and operations within 180 days of such termination. Such licensing provisions of the management services agreement would require our company and its businesses to change their names to remove any reference to the term “1847” or any reference to trademarks licensed to them by our manager. In this respect, our right to use the term “1847” and related intellectual property is subject to licensing provisions between our manager, on the one hand, and our company, on the other hand.
Except with respect to the termination fee payable to our manager due to a termination of the management services agreement based solely on a vote of our board of directors and our shareholders, no other termination fee is payable upon termination of the management services agreement for any other reason. See “-Our Manager as a Service Provider-Termination Fee” for more information about the termination fee payable upon termination of the management services agreement.
While termination of the management services agreement will not affect any terms and conditions, including those relating to any payment obligations, that exist under any offsetting management services agreements or transaction services agreements, such agreements will be terminable by our businesses upon 60 days prior written notice and there will be no termination or other similar fees due upon such termination. Notwithstanding termination of the management services agreement, our manager will maintain its rights with respect to the allocation shares it then owns, including its rights under the supplemental put provision of our operating agreement. See “-Our Manager as an Equity Holder-Supplemental Put Provision” for more information on our manager’s put right with respect to the allocation shares.
Our Relationship with Our Manager, Manager Fees and Manager Profit Allocation
Our relationship with our manager is based on our manager having two distinct roles: first, as a service provider to us and, second, as an equity holder of the allocation shares.
As a service provider, our manager performs a variety of services for us, which entitles it to receive a management fee. As holder of our allocation shares, our manager has the right to a preferred distribution in the form of a profit allocation upon the occurrence of certain events. Our manager paid $1,000 for the allocation shares. In addition, our manager will have the right to cause us to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement.
These relationships with our manager are governed principally by the following agreements:
● the management services agreements relating to the services our manager performs for us and our businesses; and
● our operating agreement relating to our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns and which contains the supplemental put provision relating to our manager’s right to cause us to purchase the allocation shares it owns.
We also expect that our manager will enter into offsetting management services agreements and transaction services agreements with our businesses directly. These agreements, and some of the material terms relating thereto, are discussed in more detail below. The management fee, profit allocation and put price under the supplemental put provision will be our payment obligations and, as a result, will be paid, along with other company obligations, prior to the payment of distributions to common shareholders.
The following table provides a simplified description of the fees and profit allocation rights held by our manager. Further detail is provided in the following subsections.
Description
Fee Calculation
Payment Term
Management Fees
Determined by management services agreement
0.5% of adjusted net assets (2.0% annually)
Quarterly
Determined by offsetting management services agreement
Payment of fees by our subsidiary businesses that result in a dollar for dollar reduction of manager fees paid by us to our manager such that our manager cannot receive duplicate fees from both us and our subsidiary
Quarterly
Termination fee - determined by management services agreement
Accumulated management fee paid in the preceding 4 fiscal quarters multiplied by 2. Paid only upon termination by our board and a majority in interest of our shareholders
Determined by management services agreement
Reimbursement of manager’s costs and expenses in providing services to us, but not including: (1) costs of overhead; (2) due diligence and other costs for potential acquisitions our board of directors does not approve pursuing or that are required by acquisition target to be reimbursed under a transaction services agreement; and (3) certain seconded officers and employees
Ongoing
Transaction Services Fees
Acquisition services of target businesses or disposition of subsidiaries - fees determined by transaction services agreements
2.0% of aggregate purchase price up to $50 million; plus 1.5% of aggregate purchase price in excess of $50 million and up to and equal to $100 million; plus 1.0% of aggregate purchase price in excess of $100 million
Per transaction
Manager profit allocation determined by our operating agreement
20% of certain profits and gains on a sale of subsidiary after clearance of the 8% annual hurdle rate
8% hurdle rate determined for any subsidiary by multiplying the subsidiary’s average quarterly share of our assets by an 8% annualized rate
Sale of a material amount of capital stock or assets of one of our businesses or subsidiaries.
Holding event: at the option of our manager, for the 30 day period following the 5th anniversary of an acquired business (but only based on historical profits of the business)
Our Manager as a Service Provider
Management Fee
We will pay our manager a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% (2.0% annualized) of its adjusted net assets, as discussed in more detail below (which we refer to as the parent management fee).
Subject to any adjustments discussed below, for performing management services under the management services agreement during any fiscal quarter, we will pay our manager a management fee with respect to such fiscal quarter. The management fee to be paid with respect to any fiscal quarter will be calculated as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, which we refer to as the calculation date. The management fee will be calculated by an administrator, which will be our manager so long as the management services agreement is in effect. The amount of any management fee payable by us as of any calculation date with respect to any fiscal quarter will be (i) reduced by the aggregate amount of any offsetting management fees, if any, received by our manager from any of our businesses with respect to such fiscal quarter, (ii) reduced (or increased) by the amount of any over-paid (or under-paid) management fees received by (or owed to) our manager as of such calculation date, and (iii) increased by the amount of any outstanding accrued and unpaid management fees.
The management fee will be paid prior to the payment of distributions to our common shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the management fee when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay the management fee.
Offsetting Management Services Agreements
Pursuant to the management services agreement, we have agreed that our manager may, at any time, enter into offsetting management services agreements with our businesses pursuant to which our manager may perform services that may or may not be similar to management services. Any fees to be paid by one of our businesses pursuant to such agreements are referred to as offsetting management fees and will offset, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the management fee otherwise due and payable by us under the management services agreement with respect to a fiscal quarter. The management services agreement provides that the aggregate amount of offsetting management fees to be paid to our manager with respect to any fiscal quarter shall not exceed the management fee to be paid to our manager with respect to such fiscal quarter.
Our manager entered into offsetting management services agreements with 1847 Asien, 1847 Cabinet, 1847 Wolo, 1847 ICU and 1847 CMD. See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Management Fees” for a description of these agreements. Our manager may also enter into offsetting management services agreements with our future subsidiaries, which agreements would be in the form prescribed by our management services agreement. The offsetting management fee paid to our manager for providing management services to a future subsidiary will vary.
The services that our manager provides under the offsetting management services agreements include: conducting general and administrative supervision and oversight of the subsidiary’s day-to-day business and operations, including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring of personnel, administration of personnel and personnel benefits, development of administrative policies and procedures, establishment and management of banking services, managing and arranging for the maintaining of liability insurance, arranging for equipment rental, maintenance of all necessary permits and licenses, acquisition of any additional licenses and permits that become necessary, participation in risk management policies and procedures; and overseeing and consulting with respect to our business and operational strategies, the implementation of such strategies and the evaluation of such strategies, including, but not limited to, strategies with respect to capital expenditure and expansion programs, acquisitions or dispositions and product or service lines. If our manager and the subsidiary do not enter into an offsetting management services agreement, our manager will provide these services for our subsidiaries under our management services agreement.
Example of Calculation of Management Fee with Adjustment for Offsetting Management Fees
In order to better understand how the management fee is calculated, we are providing the following example:
Quarterly management fee: (in thousands)
Consolidated total assets $ 100,000
Consolidated accumulation amortization of intangibles 5,000
Total cash and cash equivalents 5,000
Adjusted total liabilities (10,000 )
Adjusted net assets (Line 1 + Line 2 - Line 3 - Line 4) 90,000
Multiplied by quarterly rate 0.5 %
Quarterly management fee $ 450
Offsetting management fees:
Acquired company A offsetting management fees $ (100 )
Acquired company B offsetting management fees (100 )
Acquired company C offsetting management fees (100 )
Acquired company D offsetting management fees (100 )
Total offsetting management fees (Line 8 + Line 9 - Line 10 - Line 11) (400 )
Quarterly management fee payable by Company (Line 7 + Line 12) $ 50
The foregoing example provides hypothetical information only and does not intend to reflect actual or expected management fee amounts.
For purposes of the calculation of the management fee:
● “Adjusted net assets” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) our consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP) as of such calculation date, plus (ii) the absolute amount of our consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such calculation date, minus (iii) total cash and cash equivalents, minus (iv) the absolute amount of our adjusted total liabilities as of such calculation date.
● “Adjusted total liabilities” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, our consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such calculation date after excluding the effect of any outstanding third-party indebtedness.
● “Quarterly management fee” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) 0.5%, multiplied by (ii) our adjusted net assets as of such calculation date; provided, however, that with respect to any fiscal quarter in which the management services agreement is terminated, we will pay our manager a management fee with respect to such fiscal quarter equal to the product of (i)(x) 0.5%, multiplied by (y) our adjusted net assets as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from and including the first day of such fiscal quarter to but excluding the date upon which the management services agreement is terminated and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal quarter.
● “Total offsetting management fees” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, fees paid to our manager by the businesses that we acquire in the future under separate offsetting management services agreements.
Transaction Services Agreements
Pursuant to the management services agreement, we have agreed that our manager may, at any time, enter into transaction services agreements with any of our businesses relating to the performance by our manager of certain transaction-related services in connection with the acquisitions of target businesses by us or dispositions of our property or assets. These services may include those customarily performed by a third-party investment banking firm or similar financial advisor, which may or may not be similar to management services, in connection with the acquisition of target businesses by us or our subsidiaries or disposition of subsidiaries or any of our property or assets or those of our subsidiaries. In connection with providing transaction services, our manager will generally receive a fee equal to the sum of (i) 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price of the target business up to and equal to $50 million, plus (ii) 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the target business in excess of $50 million and up to and equal to $100 million, plus (iii) 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price over $100 million, subject to annual review by our board of directors. The purchase price of a target business shall be defined as the aggregate amount of consideration, including cash and the value of any shares issued by us on the date of acquisition, paid for the equity interests of such target business plus the aggregate principal amount of any debt assumed by us of the target business on the date of acquisition or any similar formulation. The other terms and conditions relating to the performance of transaction services will be established in accordance with market practice.
Our manager may enter into transaction services agreements with our subsidiaries and future subsidiaries, which agreements would be in the form prescribed by our management services agreement.
The services that our manager will provide to our subsidiaries and future subsidiaries under the transaction services agreements will include the following services that would be provided in connection with a specific transaction identified at the time that the transaction services agreement is entered into: reviewing, evaluating and otherwise familiarizing itself and its affiliates with the business, operations, properties, financial condition and prospects of the future subsidiary and its target acquisition and preparing documentation describing the future subsidiary’s operations, management, historical financial results, projected financial results and any other relevant matters and presenting such documentation and making recommendations with respect thereto to certain of our manager’s affiliates.
Any fees received by our manager pursuant to such a transaction services agreement will be in addition to the management fee payable by us pursuant to the management services agreement and will not offset the payment of such management fee. A transaction services agreement with any of our businesses may provide for the reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred by our manager in connection with the acquisition of such businesses.
Transaction services agreements will be reviewed, authorized and approved by our board of directors on an annual basis.
Reimbursement of Expenses
We are responsible for paying costs and expenses relating to its business and operations. We agreed to reimburse our manager during the term of the management services agreement for all costs and expenses that are incurred by our manager or its affiliates on our behalf of, including any out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services under the management services agreement, and all costs and expenses the reimbursement of which are specifically approved by our board of directors.
We will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing or otherwise paying for any costs or expenses relating to our manager’s overhead or any other costs and expenses relating to our manager’s conduct of its business and operations. Also, we will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing our manager for costs and expenses incurred by our manager in the identification, evaluation, management, performance of due diligence on, negotiation and oversight of potential acquisitions of new businesses for which we (or our manager on our behalf) fail to submit an indication of interest or letter of intent to pursue such acquisition, including costs and expenses relating to travel, marketing and attendance of industry events and retention of outside service providers relating thereto. In addition, we will not be obligated or responsible for reimbursing our manager for costs and expenses incurred by our manager in connection with the identification, evaluation, management, performance of due diligence on, negotiating and oversight of an acquisition by us if such acquisition is actually consummated and the business so acquired entered into a transaction services agreement with our manager providing for the reimbursement of such costs and expenses by such business. In this respect, the costs and expenses associated with the pursuit of add-on acquisitions may be reimbursed by any businesses so acquired pursuant to a transaction services agreement.
All reimbursements will be reviewed and, in certain circumstances, approved by our board of directors on an annual basis in connection with the preparation of year-end financial statements.
Termination Fee
We will pay our manager a termination fee upon termination of the management services agreement if such termination is based solely on a vote of our board of directors and our shareholders; no other termination fee will be payable to our manager in connection with the termination of the management services agreement for any other reason. The termination fee that is payable to our manager will be equal to the product of (i) two (2) multiplied by (ii) the sum of the amount of the quarterly management fees calculated with respect to the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the termination date of the management services agreement. The termination fee will be payable in eight equal quarterly installments, with the first such installment being paid on or within five (5) business days of the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the management services agreement was terminated and each subsequent installment being paid on or within five (5) business days of the last day of each subsequent fiscal quarter, until such time as the termination fee is paid in full to our manager.
Our Manager as an Equity Holder
Manager’s Profit Allocation
Our manager owns 100% of our allocation shares, which generally will entitle our manager to receive a 20% profit allocation as a form of preferred distribution. Upon the sale of a subsidiary, our manager will be paid a profit allocation if the sum of (i) the excess of the gain on the sale of such subsidiary over a high-water mark plus (ii) the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition by us exceeds the 8% hurdle rate. The 8% hurdle rate is the product of (i) a 2% rate per quarter, multiplied by (ii) the number of quarters such subsidiary was held by us, multiplied by (iii) the subsidiary’s average share (determined based on gross assets, generally) of our consolidated net equity (determined according to GAAP with certain adjustments). In certain circumstances, after a subsidiary has been held for at least 5 years, our manager may also trigger a profit allocation with respect to such subsidiary (determined based solely on the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition). The calculation of the profit allocation and the rights of our manager, as the holder of the allocation shares, are governed by the operating agreement.
Our board will have the opportunity to review and approve the calculation of manager’s profit allocation when it becomes due and payable. Our manager will not receive a profit allocation on an annual basis. Instead, our manager will be paid a profit allocation only upon the occurrence of one of the following events, which we refer to collectively as the trigger events:
● the sale of a material amount, as determined by our manager and reasonably consented to by a majority of our board of directors, of the capital stock or assets of one of our subsidiaries or a subsidiary of one of our subsidiaries, including a distribution of our ownership of a subsidiary to our shareholders in a spin-off or similar transaction, which event we refer to as a sale event; or
● at the option of our manager, for the 30-day period following the fifth anniversary of the date upon which we acquired a controlling interest in a business, which event we refer to as a holding event. If our manager elects to forego declaring a holding event with respect to such business during such period, then our manager may only declare a holding event with respect to such business during the 30-day period following each anniversary of such fifth anniversary date with respect to such business. Once declared, our manager may only declare another holding event with respect to a business following the fifth anniversary of the calculation date with respect to a previously declared holding event.
We believe this payment timing, rather than a method that provides for annual allocation payments, more accurately reflects the long-term performance of each of our businesses and is consistent with our intent to hold, manage and grow our businesses over the long term. We refer generally to the obligation to make this payment to our manager as the “profit allocation” and, specifically, to the amount of any particular profit allocation as the “manager’s profit allocation.”
Definitions used in, and an example of the calculation of profit allocation, are set forth in more detail below.
The amount of our manager’s profit allocation will be based on the extent to which the “total profit allocation amount” (as defined below) with respect to any business, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs, which date we refer to as the “calculation date”, exceeds the relevant hurdle amounts (as described below) with respect to such business, as of such calculation date. Our manager’s profit allocation will be calculated by an administrator, which will be our manager so long as the management services agreement is in effect, and such calculation will be subject to a review and approval process by our board of directors. For this purpose, “total profit allocation amount” will be equal to, with respect to any business as of any calculation date, the sum of:
● the contribution-based profit (as described below) of such business as of such calculation date, which will be calculated upon the occurrence of any trigger event with respect to such business; plus
● the excess of our cumulative gains and losses (as described below) over the high-water mark (as described below) as of such calculation date, which will only be calculated upon the occurrence of a sale event with respect to such business, and not on a holding event (we generally expect this component to be the most significant component in calculating total profit allocation amount).
Specifically, manager’s profit allocation will be calculated and paid as follows:
● manager’s profit allocation will not be paid with respect to a trigger event relating to any business if the total profit allocation amount, as of any calculation date, with respect to such business does not exceed such business’ level 1 hurdle amount (based on an 8% annualized hurdle rate, as described below), as of such calculation date; and
● manager’s profit allocation will be paid with respect to a trigger event relating to any business if the total profit allocation amount, as of any calculation date, with respect to such business exceeds such business’ level 1 hurdle amount, as of such calculation date. Our manager’s profit allocation to be paid with respect to such calculation date will be equal to the sum of the following:
○ 100% of such business’ total profit allocation amount, as of such calculation date, with respect to that portion of the total profit allocation amount that exceeds such business’ level 1 hurdle amount (but is less than or equal to such business’ level 2 hurdle amount (which is based on a 10% annualized hurdle rate, as described below), in each case, as of such calculation date. We refer to this portion of the total profit allocation amount as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is intended to provide our manager with an overall profit allocation of 20% of the business’ total profit allocation amount until such business’ level 2 hurdle amount has been reached; plus
○ 20% of the total profit allocation amount, as of such calculation date, that exceeds such business’ level 2 hurdle amount as of such calculation date; minus
○ the high-water mark allocation, if any, as of such calculation date. The effect of deducting the high-water mark allocation is to take into account profit allocations our manager has already received in respect of past gains attributable to previous sale events.
The administrator will calculate our manager’s profit allocation on or promptly following the relevant calculation date, subject to a “true-up” calculation upon availability of audited or unaudited consolidated financial statements, as the case may be, to the extent not available on such calculation date. Any adjustment necessitated by the true-up calculation will be made in connection with the next calculation of manager’s profit allocation. Because of the length of time that may pass between trigger events, there may be a significant delay in our ability to realize the benefit, if any, of a true-up of our manager’s profit allocation.
Once calculated, the administrator will submit the calculation of our manager’s profit allocation, as adjusted pursuant to any true-up, to our board of directors for its review and approval. The board of directors will have ten business days to review and approve the calculation, which approval shall be automatic absent disapproval by the board of directors. Our manager’s profit allocation will be paid ten business days after such approval.
If the board of directors disapproves of the administrator’s calculation of manager’s profit allocation, the calculation and payment of manager’s profit allocation will be subject to a dispute resolution process, which may result in our manager’s profit allocation being determined, at our cost and expense, by two independent accounting firms. Any determination by such independent accounting firms will be conclusive and binding on us and our manager.
We will also pay a tax distribution to our manager if our manager is allocated taxable income by us but does not realize distributions from us at least equal to the taxes payable by our manager resulting from allocations of taxable income. Any such tax distributions will be paid in a similar manner as profit allocations are paid.
For any fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs with respect to more than one business, the calculation of our manager’s profit allocation, including the components thereof, will be made with respect to each business in the order in which controlling interests in such businesses were acquired or obtained by us and the resulting amounts shall be aggregated to determine the total amount of manager’s profit allocation. If controlling interests in two or more businesses were acquired at the same time and such businesses give rise to a calculation of manager’s profit allocation during the same fiscal quarter, then manager’s profit allocation will be further calculated separately for each such business in the order in which such businesses were sold.
The profit allocations and tax distributions will be paid prior to the payment of distributions to our shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the profit allocations or tax distributions when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay such profit allocation. Our manager will have the right to elect to defer the payment of our manager’s profit allocation due on any payment date. Once deferred, our manager may demand payment thereof upon 20 business days’ prior written notice.
Termination of the management services agreement, by any means, will not affect our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares that it owns, including its right to receive profit allocations, unless our manager exercises its put right to sell such allocation shares to us.
Example of Calculation of Manager’s Profit Allocation
Our manager will receive a profit allocation at the end of the fiscal quarter in which a trigger event occurs, as follows (all dollar amounts are in millions):
Assumptions
Year 1:
Acquisition of Company A
Acquisition of Company B
Year 4
Company A (or assets thereof) sold for $25 capital gain (as defined below) over its net book value of assets at time of sale, which is a qualifying trigger event
Company A’s average allocated share of our consolidated net equity over its ownership is $50
Company A’s holding period in quarters is 12 (assuming that Company A is acquired on the first day of the year)
Company A’s contribution-based profit since acquisition is $5
Year 6:
Company B’s contribution-based profit since acquisition is $7
Company B’s average allocated share of our consolidated net equity over its ownership is $25
Company B’s holding period in quarters is 20
Company B’s cumulative gains and losses are $20
Manager elects to have holding period measured for purposes of profit allocation for Company B
Profit Allocation Calculation:
Year
A, due to
sale
Year
B, due to
5 year hold
Contribution-based profit since acquisition for respective subsidiary $ 5 $ 7
Gain/ Loss on sale of company
Cumulative gains and losses
High-water mark prior to transaction
Total Profit Allocation Amount (Line 1 + Line 3)
Business’ holding period in quarters since ownership or last measurement due to holding event
Business’ average allocated share of consolidated net equity
Business’ level 1 hurdle amount (2.00% * Line 6 * Line 7)
Business’ excess over level 1 hurdle amount (Line 5 - Line 8)
Business’ level 2 hurdle amount (125% * Line 8) 12.5
Allocated to manager as “catch-up” (Line 10 - Line 8) 2.5
Excess over level 2 hurdle amount (Line 9 - Line 11) 14.5
Allocated to manager from excess over level 2 hurdle amount (20% * Line 12) 2.9
Cumulative allocation to manager (Line 11 + Line 13) 5.4
High-water mark allocation (20% * Line 4)
Manager’s Profit Allocation for Current Period (Line 14 - Line 15,> 0) $ 6 $ 1.4
For purposes of calculating profit allocation:
● An entity’s “adjusted net assets” will be equal to, as of any date, the sum of (i) such entity’s consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, plus (ii) the absolute amount of such entity’s consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, minus (iii) the absolute amount of such entity’s adjusted total liabilities as of such date.
● An entity’s “adjusted total liabilities” will be equal to, as of any date, such entity’s consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date after excluding the effect of any outstanding third-party indebtedness of such entity.
● A business’ “allocated share of our overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of such business’ quarterly share of our overhead for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period.
● A business’ “average allocated share of our consolidated equity” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the average (i.e., arithmetic mean) of a business’ quarterly allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period.
● “Capital gains” (i) means, with respect to any entity, capital gains (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that are calculated with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets of such entity and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation and (ii) will be equal to the amount, adjusted for minority interests, by which (x) the net sales price of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, exceeded (y) the net book value (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, at the time of such sale, as reflected on our consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, that such amount shall not be less than zero.
● “Capital losses” (i) means, with respect to any entity, capital losses (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that are calculated with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets of such entity and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation and (ii) will be equal to the amount, adjusted for minority interests, by which (x) the net book value (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be, at the time of such sale, as reflected on our consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, exceeded (y) the net sales price of such capital stock or assets, as the case may be; provided, that such absolute amount thereof shall not be less than zero.
● Our “consolidated net equity” will be equal to, as of any date, the sum of (i) our consolidated total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of asset impairments (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that were taken relating to any businesses owned by us as of such date, plus (iii) our consolidated accumulated amortization of intangibles (as determined in accordance with GAAP), as of such date minus (iv) our consolidated total liabilities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of such date.
● A business’ “contribution-based profits” will be equal to, for any measurement period as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of such business’ net income (as determined in accordance with GAAP and as adjusted for minority interests) with respect to such measurement period (without giving effect to (x) any capital gains or capital losses realized by such business that arise with respect to the sale of capital stock or assets held by such business and which sale gave rise to a sale event and the calculation of profit allocation or (y) any expense attributable to the accrual or payment of any amount of profit allocation or any amount arising under the supplemental put agreement, in each case, to the extent included in the calculation of such business’ net income), plus (ii) the absolute aggregate amount of such business’ loan expense with respect to such measurement period, minus (iii) the absolute aggregate amount of such business’ allocated share of our overhead with respect to such measurement period.
● Our “cumulative capital gains” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of capital gains realized by us as of such calculation date, after giving effect to any capital gains realized by us on such calculation date, since its inception.
● Our “cumulative capital losses” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of capital losses realized by us as of such calculation date, after giving effect to any capital losses realized by us on such calculation date, since its inception.
● Our “cumulative gains and losses” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the sum of (i) the amount of cumulative capital gains as of such calculation date, minus (ii) the absolute amount of cumulative capital losses as of such calculation date.
● The “high-water mark” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the highest positive amount of capital gains and losses as of such calculation date that were calculated in connection with a qualifying trigger event that occurred prior to such calculation date.
● The “high-water mark allocation” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) the amount of the high-water mark as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) 20%.
● A business’ “level 1 hurdle amount” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) (x) the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.00% (8% annualized), multiplied by (y) the number of fiscal quarters ending during such business’ measurement period as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a business’ average allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period.
● A business’ “level 2 hurdle amount” will be equal to, as of any calculation date, the product of (i) (x) the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.5% (10% annualized, which is 125% of the 8% annualized hurdle rate), multiplied by (y) the number of fiscal quarters ending during such business’ measurement period as of such calculation date, multiplied by (ii) a business’ average allocated share of our consolidated equity for each fiscal quarter ending during such measurement period.
● A business’ “loan expense” will be equal to, with respect to any measurement period as of any calculation date, the aggregate amount of all interest or other expenses paid by such business with respect to indebtedness of such business to either our company or other company businesses with respect to such measurement period.
● The “measurement period” will mean, with respect to any business as of any calculation date, the period from and including the later of (i) the date upon which we acquired a controlling interest in such business and (ii) the immediately preceding calculation date as of which contribution-based profits were calculated with respect to such business and with respect to which profit allocation were paid (or, at the election of the allocation member, deferred) by us up to and including such calculation date.
● Our “overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the sum of (i) that portion of our operating expenses (as determined in accordance with GAAP) (without giving effect to any expense attributable to the accrual or payment of any amount of profit allocation or any amount arising under the supplemental put agreement to the extent included in the calculation of our operating expenses), including any management fees actually paid by us to our manager, with respect to such fiscal quarter that are not attributable to any of the businesses owned by us (i.e., operating expenses that do not correspond to operating expenses of such businesses with respect to such fiscal quarter), plus (ii) our accrued interest expense (as determined in accordance with GAAP) on any outstanding third-party indebtedness with respect to such fiscal quarter, minus (iii) revenue, interest income and other income reflected in our unconsolidated financial statements as prepared in accordance with GAAP.
● A “qualifying trigger event” will mean, with respect to any business, a trigger event that gave rise to a calculation of total profit allocation with respect to such business as of any calculation date and (ii) where the amount of total profit allocation so calculated as of such calculation date exceeded such business’ level 2 hurdle amount as of such calculation date.
● A business’ “quarterly allocated share of our consolidated equity” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) our consolidated net equity as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is such business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of (x) our adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, minus (y) the aggregate amount of any cash and cash equivalents as such amount is reflected on our consolidated balance sheet as prepared in accordance with GAAP that is not taken into account in the calculation of any business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.
● A business’ “quarterly share of our overhead” will be equal to, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) the absolute amount of our overhead with respect to such fiscal quarter, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is such business’ adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter and the denominator of which is our adjusted net assets as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.
● An entity’s “third-party indebtedness” means any indebtedness of such entity owed to any third-party lenders that are not affiliated with such entity.
Supplemental Put Provision
In addition to the provisions discussed above, in consideration of our manager’s acquisition of the allocation shares, our operating agreement contains a supplemental put provision pursuant to which our manager will have the right to cause us to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement.
If the management services agreement is terminated at any time or our manager resigns, then our manager will have the right, but not the obligation, for one year from the date of such termination or resignation, as the case may be, to elect to cause us to purchase all of the allocation shares then owned by our manager for the put price as of the put exercise date.
For purposes of this provision, the “put price” is equal to, as of any exercise date, (i) if we terminate the management services agreement, the sum of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date or (ii) if our manager resigns, the average of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date, in each case, calculated assuming that (x) all of the businesses are sold in an orderly fashion for fair market value as of such exercise date in the order in which the controlling interest in each business was acquired or otherwise obtained by us, (y) the last day of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to such exercise date is the relevant calculation date for purposes of calculating manager’s profit allocation as of such exercise date. Each of the two separate, independently made calculations of our manager’s profit allocation for purposes of calculating the put price will be performed by a different investment bank that is engaged by us at our cost and expense. The put price will be adjusted to account for a final “true-up” of our manager’s profit allocation.
We and our manager can mutually agree to permit us to issue a note in lieu of payment of the put price when due; provided, that if our manager resigns and terminates the management services agreement, then we will have the right, in our sole discretion, to issue a note in lieu of payment of the put price when due. In either case the note would have an aggregate principal amount equal to the put price, would bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4.0% per annum, would mature on the first anniversary of the date upon which the put price was initially due, and would be secured by the then-highest priority lien available to be placed on our equity interests in each of our businesses.
Our obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement are absolute and unconditional. In addition, we will be subject to certain obligations and restrictions upon exercise of our manager’s put right until such time as our obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement, including any related note, have been satisfied in full, including:
● subject to our right to issue a note in the circumstances described above, we must use commercially reasonable efforts to raise sufficient debt or equity financing to permit us to pay the put price or note when due and obtain approvals, waivers and consents or otherwise remove any restrictions imposed under contractual obligations or applicable law or regulations that have the effect of limiting or prohibiting us from satisfying our obligations under the supplemental put agreement or note;
● our manager will have the right to have a representative observe meetings of our board of directors and have the right to receive copies of all documents and other information furnished to the board of directors;
● our company and its businesses will be restricted in their ability to sell or otherwise dispose of their property or assets or any businesses they own and in their ability to incur indebtedness (other than in the ordinary course of business) without granting a lien on the proceeds therefrom to our manager, which lien will secure our obligations under the put provision of our operating agreement or note; and
● we will be restricted in our ability to (i) engage in certain mergers or consolidations, (ii) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of our business, property or assets or all or a substantial portion of the stock or beneficial ownership of our businesses or a portion thereof, (iii) liquidate, wind-up or dissolve, (iv) acquire or purchase the property, assets, stock or beneficial ownership or another person, or (v) declare and pay distributions to our common shareholders.
We have also agreed to indemnify our manager for any losses or liabilities it incurs or suffers in connection with, arising out of or relating to its exercise of its put right or any enforcement of terms and conditions of the supplemental put provision of our operating agreement.
The put price will be paid prior to the payment of distributions to our shareholders. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the put price when due, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to pay the put price.
Termination of the management services agreement, by any means, will not affect our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares that it owns. In this regard, our manager will retain its put right and its allocation shares after ceasing to serve as our manager. As a result, if we terminate our manager, regardless of the reason for such termination, it would retain the right to exercise the put right and demand payment of the put price.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS
Our construction business is operated through our subsidiaries Kyle’s, Innovative Cabinets and CMD, and prior to September 30, 2024, High Mountain. As noted above, CMD was not acquired until December 16, 2024. This business segment accounted for approximately 76.1% and 67.9% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Overview
Our construction business specializes in designing, building, and installing doors, trim, millwork, custom cabinetry, and countertops. We serve diverse customers across various sectors, including commercial, government, hospitality, and residential. Before we acquired CMD, the core business primarily served homebuilders and homeowners of single-family homes and commercial and multi-family developers in the greater Reno-Sparks-Fernley metro area in Nevada and the Boise, Idaho area. This coverage area has now expanded to include the greater Las Vegas metro area, as well as southern Utah and northern Arizona.
Products and Services
We are proficient at designing and manufacturing custom millwork utilizing a variety of materials, with core specialties in commercial, government, hospitality, and residential sectors in the greater Las Vegas metro area, as well as southern Utah and northern Arizona, which is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the Western U.S. We design and install architectural millwork and cabinets, doors, frames and hardware, and bathroom accessories and specialties.
We provide a wide variety of finished cabinetry products and services to builders of multi-family communities, as well as commercial clients in the greater Reno-Sparks-Fernley metro area in Nevada. This includes selling and installing kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops.
We also build cabinets for every area of a home - kitchen and bath cabinets, fireplace mantels and surrounds, entertainment systems and wall units, bookcases and office cabinets - in Boise, Idaho and the surrounding area, for builders, designers and homeowners when they are building a new home or conduct remodeling. In this market, most of the focus has been on supplying custom or semi-custom builders of residential properties.
Manufacturing
Our services consist of design, assembly, procurement, light manufacturing, and installation services. Products that utilize raw materials to manufacture products within our operations are primarily cabinetry and specialty products for custom builders in residential and commercial spaces. Most of our product volume consists of installing purchased materials that are not manufactured in our facilities.
In the Las Vegas, Nevada market, CMD utilizes several in-house technology programs and machinery, such as design and progress programs, cabinet standard manuals, and implementation operations. In the custom cabinetry division, CMD utilizes estimating software, project management software, and computer numerical control, or CNC, machinery, which automates the control, movement, and precision of cutting and machining processes, to customize production, manage a variety of projects, and maximize product workflows and efficiency. The door divisions of CMD purchase materials for contracts and install the materials at the job site, involving assembly of door frames at the company.
In the Boise, Idaho market, Kyle’s operates a cabinet shop that is equipped with state-of-the-art tools operated by skilled cabinet makers. It manufactures its cabinets using its CNC machinery to maximize efficiency. The details of each custom cabinet are created by talented employees, from hand sanding to staining and painting to adding a wide array of specialty finishes, coatings, distressing and glazing.
In the Reno, Nevada market, Innovative Cabinets procures ready-to-assemble (RTS) cabinets through an Asian-based supply chain to the specifications of contract. The products are warehoused, assembled at the company, delivered to the job site, and installed primarily for builders of multi-family communities.
Pricing
Our strategy has been to deliver quality and performance at a value-based price target. Our pricing model generally offers better features or efficiencies than general market competitors in each product category to our builder markets.
Supplier Relationships
We source products and raw materials from multiple regional, national, and foreign suppliers. Some of our products and materials come from Asian-based suppliers. Depending on the US government’s various foreign policies, products and materials from Asian-based suppliers may be subject to import tariffs. As such, we continue to explore partnership or supplier opportunities to optimize our costs.
CMD sources a variety of hollow-core doors, wood casings, lumber, metal doors and casings, manufactured trim materials and hardware for its door division, laminate and melamine wood materials for its custom cabinetry division, and pre-made door partitions, fire extinguishers, and bathroom accessories for its specialties division. The primary raw materials used to manufacture Kyle’s products are melamine and veneered sheet goods, lumber, doors, and hardware. The cost of these raw materials is a key factor in pricing its products.
Historically, we have purchased key products and raw materials from a limited number of suppliers. We buy products and raw materials based on purchase orders. While we believe that there is an ample supply of most of the products and raw materials that we need, in the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of these products and raw materials from our existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. If we fail to secure a sufficient supply of key products and raw materials in a timely fashion, it could result in a significant delay in delivering our products and services, which may cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers. Furthermore, failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these products and raw materials at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins. Please see Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Construction Business” for a description of the risks related to our supplier relationships.
Sales and Marketing
In the Las Vegas, Nevada market, we primarily work with custom homebuilders of single-family homes, single-family homeowners, commercial and multi-family developers, and on municipal projects such as schools and public facilities. CMD operates in one of the strongest building markets in the country, with a strong, diversified customer base with builders such as Toll Brothers, Boyd Martin, Christopher Homes, and Whiting Turner Construction. Many of these relationships span over a decade and have allowed CMD to expand its footprint into northern Arizona and southern Utah.
In the Boise, Idaho market, we primarily work with custom or semi-custom home builders, but due to strong housing demands in the area, we are also tapping into the residential multi-family, new construction segment of the market.
We have high customer retention levels and have generated a considerable number of broader revenue opportunities through direct and specific interaction with our customer base. We have negotiated pricing with several long-term recurring contractor customers, which have accounted for many of our revenues. There can be no assurance that we will maintain or improve the relationships with those customers. If we cannot maintain long-term relationships with major customers or replace major customers from period to period with equivalent customers, the loss of such sales could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Please also see Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Construction Business-The loss of any of our key customers could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.”
We primarily rely on direct consumer marketing and our extensive relationships with local builders to market our products. We also maintain websites at www.cmdnv.com and www.kylescabinets.com and www.innovativecabinetsanddesign.com and conduct social media marketing through Facebook pages.
Competition
We compete with specialty builders in the residential, commercial, governmental, and hospitality sectors of the Las Vegas metro market, facing different competitors in each segment. In our commercial door division, we compete primarily with Holguin, Star Hardware, and Five Star. In the multifamily sector, our main competitors are DMC, Rystin Construction, and Star Hardware. For tract homes, Next Level Door and Trim is the leading competitor, while for custom cabinetry, our competitors include Western Casework and Henrick-and-Oherron.
Because CMD offers a broad array of products and services across multiple sectors, we often serve as a “one-stop shop” for many residential and commercial developers in the Las Vegas metro area, whereas our competitors have more limited offerings.
The finished carpentry industry consists of contractors who specialize in finish carpentry services, such as on-site construction and the installation of doors, windows, stairs, shelving, cupboards, cabinets, and decks. Carpenters face significant competition from do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners in housing alterations and additions, as well as from skilled tradespeople working for general building contractors in new construction.
In our primary markets, we encounter numerous competitors, with reputation, price, artistry, and service quality being the key competitive factors. We primarily compete with other specialty builders, such as Franklin’s and Western Idaho, and to a lesser extent, against national retail chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Barriers to entry exist for new companies looking to enter these markets due to the available labor pool in finished carpentry and the strong relationships between industry players. These barriers also present challenges for larger competitors from outside the region when establishing a foothold. With the implementation of our business strategy focused on delivering high-value, quality products, customized solutions, and expert installations, we expect to continue competing effectively against the competitors mentioned above.
Competitive Strengths
Based on management’s belief and experience in the industry, we believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to compete effectively.
● Superior name and reputation. We are well established in our markets (including for over 40 years in the Boise market and over 20 years in the Las Vegas market) and have built a strong reputation for best-in-class processes, product quality, and timeliness. We have strong visibility both online and among industry professionals. Over our many years in business, we have established a stellar reputation for integrity, superior service, and genuine concern for our clients and their businesses.
● Established blue-chip clients. We have customer lists that include many regional contractors in the areas that we service, many of whom have used us as their go-to vendors for many years.
● Streamlined operations. We believe that our processes and operational systems create higher-than-average efficiencies, accuracy and profitability.
● Diversified capabilities. We have diversified capabilities to support large homebuilders of single-family homes, commercial and multi-family developers, and governmental and hospitality developers providing flexibility toward trending markets and growth opportunities.
● Outstanding growth opportunities. Our portfolio, brand and reputation, and streamlined operational platform can be leveraged for expansion, both in existing regions, and other high-value surrounding areas.
● Strong regional presence. We operate in the in the greater Las Vegas metro and Boise metro area, which are two of the fastest growing economic regions in the Western U.S. due to its day drive distance to many of the largest commercial centers and port facilities in the United States and favorable tax and business regulation environment. There are multiple national homebuilders and multi-family developers active in the region. We are among the largest door, millwork, and custom carpentry companies in this region.
Growth Strategies
We will strive to grow our business by pursuing the following growth strategies.
● Geographic expansion. There are immediate opportunities for expansion into the surrounding areas, including Twin Falls, McCall, and Sun Valley in Idaho, as well as Northern and Southern Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. We believe we are well-positioned to grow in these regions, as many of our residential and multifamily developers have requested bids from us as they expand their operations.
● Expansion to commercial projects and tract homes. We see significant potential to delve into the commercial real estate sector and tract homes. The Las Vegas market has experienced tremendous population growth, resulting in a continual increase in demand for tract residential home developments, an area where we have done little work so far. In Boise, we primarily focus on the residential single-family new construction segment, but there is strong evidence of ongoing market demand for multi-family projects, both from our current customers and potential new ones. With the right infrastructure in place to support this market demand, we could quickly penetrate the markets for multi-family projects, office buildings, and hotel and resort properties.
● Capacity and infrastructure expansion. In Nevada, we are in the process of expanding our warehouse space and operations to capture additional bid opportunities in the ready-to-assemble (RTS) cabinet segment.
Employees
As of December 31, 2024, our construction companies employed 171 full-time employees. None of the employees are represented by labor unions, and we believe that our custom carpentry companies have excellent relationships with their employees.
Regulation
Both facilities in Las Vegas are subject to the Clark County Department of Air Quality and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. Our facility in Reno is governed by the Washoe County Department of Health, while our facility in Boise, Idaho is subject to Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Each of these agencies implement rules and regulations in connection with air quality, pollution and the protection of the environment, including those governing emissions to air, discharges to water, storage, treatment and disposal of waste, remediation of contaminated sites and protection of worker health and safety.
We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements. However, our efforts to comply with environmental requirements do not remove the risk that we may be held liable, or incur fines or penalties, and that the amount of liability, fines or penalties may be material, for, among other things, releases of hazardous substances occurring on or emanating from current or formerly owned or operated properties or any associated offsite disposal location, or for contamination discovered at any of our properties from activities conducted by previous occupants.
Permits are required for certain of our operations, and these permits are subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations may result in the payment of fines or the entry of injunctions, or both.
Changes in environmental laws and regulations or the discovery of previously unknown contamination or other liabilities relating to our properties and operations could result in significant environmental liabilities. In addition, we might incur significant capital and other costs to comply with increasingly stringent air emission control laws and enforcement policies which would decrease our cash flow.
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIES BUSINESS
Our automotive supplies business is operated by Wolo. This business segment accounted for approximately 23.9% and 32.1% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Overview
Our automotive supplies business is headquartered in Deer Park, New York and was founded in 1965. We design and sell horn and safety products (electric, air, truck, marine, motorcycle and industrial equipment), and offer vehicle emergency and safety warning lights for cars, trucks, industrial equipment and emergency vehicles. Focused on the automotive and industrial after-market, we sell our products to big-box national retail chains, through specialty and industrial distributors, as well as online/mail order retailers and original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs.
Products
We design and sell a broad range of branded vehicle horns, warning lights, sirens, back-up alarms and accessories
Horns
We design and sell an innovative and extensive selection of electromechanical, air and electronic-speaker horns. The horns are used in many industries such as: heavy duty truck, motorcycle, marine, industrial and the automotive aftermarket. We also sell hand-held gas horns which can be used for sporting events, as well as marine, construction sites and outdoor activities.
Our top-selling product is the Bad Boy horn, which has a one-piece design that requires no hoses. It installs in minutes by simply transferring the vehicle’s factory horn wires to the compressor, and mounts with one bolt included in kit. The Bad Boy produces a powerful dual tone air horn sound that is two times louder than the factory horn. It is compact in size to fit any car, truck, motorcycle and any 12-volt vehicle that wants a loud air horn sound. A heavy-duty maintenance free compressor provides years of dependable service.
In the past three years, we have brought a number of new and innovative horn products to the markets to which we sell. Some highlights include:
● Midnight Express. A high-pressure truck train horn that is three trumpets, all metal and painted semi-gloss black. Train horns are purchased by the vehicle owner that wants the ultra-powerful sound of a train.
● Quadraphonic Express. Four metal trumpets that are triple chrome plated, produce an ultra-powerful train horn sound that will be heard and will dress-up the appearance of any vehicle.
● Nexgen Express Train Horn. A totally new design by us, a state-of-the-art fully electronic train horn, compact in size and produces more than 150-watts output. Engineered to fit into the engine compartment of cars, SUVs and even compact vehicles with a simple two wire hook-up, Nexgen offers two distinctive train horn sounds controlled by a wireless key fab.
● Mighty Mo. An industrial equipment horn designed to withstand off-road and construction site conditions, while being able to penetrate noisy environments and still be heard.
Compressor and Tank Systems
We also sell air compressor systems, consisting of air storage tanks, compressors and everything needed to hookup a high-pressure air horn. Two years ago, we started offering complete kits of train horns and choice of high-pressure air systems. Additionally, we offer replacement parts for all products.
Electric Sirens and Speakers
We have an array of emergency electronic sirens with built-in public address systems used by emergency responders.
Back-Up Alarms
We offer a variety of back-up alarm systems from basic beep-style horn sold in all aftermarket retailers, to hi-tech intelligent alarms that adjust audio output to be louder than surrounding ambient noise. Our Model BA-697 has three super bright 1-watt LEDs that flash while the vehicle is in reverse and the auditable warning sound is turned on. In addition, we have a selection of white noise “Psss Psss” sound alarms required in the state of California.
Warning Lights
We offer a large selection of warning lights for road assistance as well as emergency vehicles, construction, road safety and snow plowing vehicles. Warning lights come in a variety of types, sizes and shapes such as rotating, strobe and state-of-the-art LED models ranging in sizes from 8 inches to fifty-seven 57 inches. A recent addition to warning lights that has become an everyday bestseller for us is the new WATCHMAN®, which is a 24-inch magnet light bar that can be converted to permanent mounting in minutes with no special tools. Because of the products’ popularity, we designed a larger 48” version of the Watchman, which has seen very good acceptance in the market.
Another recent addition is Luminous, a high-performance, low profile linear light bar designed with the latest state-of-the-art electronic circuitry that has low power consumption and will provide years of reliable service. Luminous produces an intense beam of light which can be seen 360 degrees even in bright daylight. Available in three lengths in color amber, blue, red, green and any combination of colors. Luminous is certified SAE J845 Class 1 and California Title 13.
Manufacturing
Most of our manufacturing is outsourced to contract manufacturers in China and Taiwan. In-house assembly consists of changes to fully assembled products, as per custom orders. For example, converting the voltage of a horn for truck use, or the standard color of a particular warning light.
We have implemented a strict quality control program which is run by our warehouse/production manager. We believe that our high-quality standards assure customers that they are getting the best and most reliable products in the market. Our manufacturing operations are designed to allow low-cost production of a wide variety of products while maintaining a high level of customer service and quality.
We believe that our manufacturing facilities generally have sufficient capacity to meet our current business requirements and our currently anticipated sales.
Vendor/Supplier Relationships
We have developed long term relationships with contact manufacturers based in China and Taiwan. All materials are sourced by the contract manufacturers. The following table sets forth the vendors and suppliers that accounted for more than 10% of our purchases for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Supplier
Product
Total
Purchases
Percent of
Purchases
Total
Purchases
Percent of
Purchases
Yonglong Car Accessories
Warning Lights
$ 287,247
16.5 %
$ 448,028
22.6 %
Ruian Jiani Auto Parts
Horns
198,863
11.4 %
312,550
15.7 %
Changzhou Wushi Electrical
Horns
182,017
10.4 %
317,064
16.0 %
E-own Corporation
Warning Lights & Horns
173,829
10.0 %
248,171
12.5 %
Zhejiang Jiejia Automobile
Horns
64,489
3.7 %
287,733
14.5 %
We have established relationships with our vendors, with many of these relationships spanning more than 15 years. We implement vendor agreements with all our major accounts and some mid-size accounts. The typical length of a vendor agreement is 2-3 years, and in most cases automatically renew.
We have also established volume discounts with our suppliers which help to offset increased material, tariffs and increased labor costs domestically and overseas. With the unstable world market, we have carefully started to engage secondary suppliers to make sure we have no interruptions in the supply chain and to be sure we maintain a competitive price.
We believe that our strong relationships with suppliers yield high quality, competitive pricing and overall good service to our customers. Although we cannot be sure that our sources of supply will be adequate in all circumstances, we believe that we can develop alternate sources in a timely and cost-effective manner if our current sources become inadequate. Due to availability of numerous alternative suppliers, we do not believe that the loss of any single supplier would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. See Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Automotive Supply Business” for a description of the risks related to our supplier relationships.
Sales and Marketing
Our sales team consists of a vice president of sales who coordinates with contracted sales representatives from thirteen regional sales companies in North America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and the industrial aftermarket. The sales representative’s agreement with us is limited to automotive, internet-based companies and occasionally motorcycle aftermarket distributors.
Sales representatives are responsible for the solicitation and development of new accounts, as well as working with existing customers to develop promotions and incentives for our products. We have had relationships with these regional sales companies for 13 to 15 years on-average. All major customers are serviced frequently by their sales representatives.
Our innovative retail product packaging design is also a highly effective marketing tool in direct-to-consumer selling. Featuring quick response (QR) barcode technology, customers are able to scan product packaging using their smart phone or mobile device to instantly see product information, watch demonstration videos, or even hear horn demos. There is no need for special in-store displays or additional shelf space as all information is accessible directly by scanning the product packaging. It is like having a virtual sales associate in-store. Packaging also features scan-back’s, an instant rebate that is applied at the register upon checkout.
Additional marketing programs include in-store promotional programs for customers, e-commerce via our website, as well as email blasts and customer print catalogs. We mail print and/or electronic CD catalogs to established accounts every 18 months with new product information inserted via supplemental sell-sheets. New product launches and updates are also sent to customers via email blast periodically.
We exhibit at key industry and customer tradeshows and belongs to the National Marine Manufacturers Association and American Boat and Yacht Council.
Customers
We sell products to the automobile aftermarket, national retailers, direct-to-consumer, mail order, web-based retailers, public safety equipment wholesalers, industrial wholesalers, as well as the motorcycle and marine aftermarkets.
We have a diverse customer base, including Amazon, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, CarQuest, Aries, das, Grainger, and FleetFarm. Internationally, we sell products in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Amsterdam. Most of our online customers such as Amazon ship direct internationally. A majority of our sales are made to repeat customers, with many of our customer relationships spanning more than 10 years. We believe that our customers appreciate the ease of doing business with all orders placed electronically via electronic data interchange, or EDI.
In recent years, we have entered into the motorcycle and industrial (fleet maintenance) aftermarkets, as well a product line of horns for the marine parts aftermarket.
Order Fulfillment
Our efficient fulfillment process uses an intergraded EDI system for receiving orders, advanced shipping notices and invoicing. The custom software is integral in reducing manual order entry, as well as the prevention of errors.
Implementing an EDI system has allowed us to improve our fulfillment threshold rate, as well as avoid fines from customers for order fulfillment errors and fill rate. The following diagram illustrates our order fulfillment process.
Research and Development
For the development of new products, we have implemented a streamlined R&D process. The average R&D process from initial design to sending a product sample for tooling is approximately 6-12 months.
● Step 1: Identify and confirm a problem and/or need for a product
● Step 2: Draw up many possible solutions and discuss with sales manager and warehouse manager, whose focus in on the market demand
● Step 3: Narrow down to the three best options and create handmade prototype to test which solution works best.
● Step 4: Send sample prototype to patent attorney to determine ability to patent and send hand sample to a draftsman for 3D drawing
● Step 5: The 3D drawing is approved, and a 3D print is made. The 3D print sample is tested, and any necessary modifications are made
● Step 6: The 3D drawing and printed sample are sent to one of our suppliers to start the tooling process
Competition
The sale of automotive aftermarket items is highly competitive in many areas, including customer service, product availability, store location, brand recognition and price. We believe that we have established our brand as an industry-leader in developing innovative products for the automobile aftermarket industry, especially in horn design and technology (electric, air, truck, marine, motorcycle and industrial equipment). Current competitors in related industries are FIAMM, Grote, Peterson Manufacturing Company, ECCO, Vixen Horns, HornBlasters and Kleinn.
Competitive Advantages
Based on management’s belief and experience in the industry, we believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to compete effectively.
● Established name and reputation. We believe that we have maintained our excellent reputation in the industry for over 55 years through bringing exclusive products and designs to market to meet current and future needs.
● Patents and trademarks. We have been granted 45 patents from the U.S., China, Taiwan and the EU. About half of our patents are utility patents, which protect a products’ methods of functionality. Utility patents are a difficult barrier for competitors to overcome, therefore these products have a higher profit margin. The other half of our patents are design patents.
● Long-term supplier and customer relationships. We have established relationships with our vendors, with many of these relationships spanning more than 15 years, and a majority of our sales are made to repeat customers, with many of our customer relationships spanning more than 10 years.
● International licensing agreements. We have a licensing agreement with a large wholesale supplier of auto parts in the U.K. for our patented Bad Boy Horn. The U.K. supplier also has retail chain stores and this agreement has been generating year-over-year sales growth for us.
Growth Strategies
Management sees the below as the key initiatives for our continued growth strategy:
● Increase sales through new products and online marketing. We are aggressively pursuing our current market share and building sales by adding new products to existing accounts. Additionally, we will continue to expand our online sales platforms which include Wolo-mfg.com, Wolo-USA.com, Autozone.com, Amazon.com, BestAutoAccessories.com and Autoaccessoriesgarage.com, among others. There also exists significant growth potential in the purchasing of available key URL’s and implementing enhanced search engine optimization strategies.
● Expand into traditional market and original equipment replacement horns. The automotive aftermarket has multiple channels of distribution, and one in which we have limited distribution is the traditional channel. This channel distributes products through wholesale warehouse distributors such as Federated Auto Parts, Pronto Auto Parts, Bumper-To-Bumper and Auto Value. Traditional distribution primarily services the DIFM (Do-It-For-Me) or professional installers. Most of the products sold are direct original equipment replacement parts which are researched based on year/make/model of the vehicle needing parts. We have limited distribution into the traditional channel, primarily due to the fact that there are no original equipment replacement horns in our product offerings. We believe that with minor product enhancements, we can offer products to serve this channel and improve market share into the traditional channel.
● Expand into growing international markets. Currently, we sell our products in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East. We believe that there is great growth opportunity in Mexico. Additionally, we have identified Canada and the Netherlands as expansion markets specifically for our Motorcycle Air Horn.
● Additional focus on the municipal and public safety markets. We have identified a significant demand for certified warning lights within the municipal and public safety markets. The certification of existing products is immediately possible and very cost effective.
● Grow presence within the marine marketplace. We see immediate growth opportunities existing within the marine market with certified horns that meet US Coast Guard regulations and other regulatory standards.
Intellectual Property
We have been granted 45 patents from the United States, China, Taiwan and the EU. About half of our patents are utility patents, which protect a product’s methods of functionality. Utility patents are a difficult barrier for competitors to overcome, therefore these products have a higher profit margin. The other half of our patents are design patents.
We have trademarks registered in the United States and various countries for some of our core properties, including Taiwan, amongst others.
Our intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, service marks, domain names, copyrights and trade secrets, is an important part of our business. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of laws and regulations, in addition to intellectual property rights in the United States and other jurisdictions, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secret laws, together with contractual provisions and technical measures that we have implemented. To protect our trade secrets, we maintain strict control access to our proprietary systems and technology. We also enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with employees and consultants, as well as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with third parties that provide products and services to us.
Employees
As of December 31, 2024, we employed 12 employees, including 4 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by labor unions, and we believe that we have an excellent relationship with our employees.
Regulation
We are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and governmental regulations relating to the operation of our business, including those related to labor and employment, discrimination, anti-bribery/anti-corruption, product quality and safety standards, data privacy and taxes. Compliance with any such laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our operations to date.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider all of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained or referred to in this report, before making an investment decision with respect to our securities. If any of the following events occur, our financial condition, business and results of operations (including cash flows) may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the market price of our shares could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Structure
Our auditors have issued a going concern opinion on our audited financial statements.
Although our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 were prepared under the assumption that we would continue our operations as a going concern, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm that accompanies our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 contains a going concern qualification in which such firm expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, based on the financial statements at that time. We have generated losses since inception and have relied on cash on hand, sales of securities, external bank lines of credit, and issuance of third-party and related party debt to support cashflow from operations. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,502,450, restricted cash of $1,358,968 and a total working capital deficit of $111,927,759. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred an operating loss of $11,998,244 and used cash flows in operating activities of $14,635,636.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, management believes, based on our operating plan, that current working capital and current and expected additional financing is sufficient to fund operations and satisfy our obligations as they come due for at least one year from the financial statement issuance date. However, we do believe additional funds are required to execute our business plan and our strategy of acquiring additional businesses. The funds required to execute our business plan will depend on the size, capital structure and purchase price consideration that the seller of a target business deems acceptable in a given transaction. The amount of funds needed to execute our business plan also depends on what portion of the purchase price of a target business the seller of that business is willing to take in the form of seller notes or our equity or equity in one of our subsidiaries.
Although we do not believe that we will require additional cash to continue our operations over the next twelve months, there are no assurances that we will be able to raise our revenues to a level which supports profitable operations and provides sufficient funds to pay obligations in the future. Our prior losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our financial condition. In addition, continued operations and our ability to acquire additional businesses may be dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing in the future, and there are no assurances that such financing will be available to us at all or will be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we are unable to generate additional funds in the future through our operations, financings or from other sources or transactions, we will exhaust our resources and will be unable to continue operations. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our shareholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in us.
We may not be able to effectively integrate the businesses that we acquire.
Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions will depend on our ability to integrate those businesses with our own. The combination of multiple independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate businesses into our business, or if such integration is successfully accomplished, that such integration will not be costlier or take longer than presently contemplated. Integration of future acquisitions may include various risks and uncertainties, including the factors discussed in the paragraph below. If we cannot successfully integrate and manage the businesses within a reasonable time, we may not be able to realize the potential and anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, which could have a material adverse effect on our share price, business, cash flows, results of operations and financial position.
We will consider other acquisitions that we believe will complement, strengthen and enhance our growth. We evaluate opportunities on a preliminary basis from time to time, but these transactions may not advance beyond the preliminary stages or be completed. Such acquisitions are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including:
● the inability to integrate effectively the operations, products, technologies and personnel of the acquired companies (some of which are in diverse geographic regions) and achieve expected synergies;
● the potential disruption of existing business and diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations;
● the inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
● the need or obligation to divest portions of the acquired companies;
● the potential failure to identify material problems and liabilities during due diligence review of acquisition targets;
● the potential failure to obtain sufficient indemnification rights to fully offset possible liabilities associated with acquired businesses; and
● the challenges associated with operating in new geographic regions.
Our future success is dependent on the employees of our manager, our manager’s operating partners and the management team of our business, the loss of any of whom could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued services of the employees of our manager. The loss of their services may materially adversely affect our ability to manage the operations of our businesses. The employees of our manager may leave our manager and go to companies that compete with us in the future. In addition, we depend on the assistance provided by our manager’s operating partners in evaluating, performing diligence on and managing our businesses. The loss of any employees of our manager or any of our manager’s operating partners may materially adversely affect our ability to implement or maintain our management strategy or our acquisition strategy.
The future success of our existing and future businesses also depends on the respective management teams of those businesses because we intend to operate our businesses on a stand-alone basis, primarily relying on their existing management teams for day-to-day operations. Consequently, their operational success, as well as the success of any organic growth strategy, will be dependent on the continuing efforts of the management teams of our businesses. We will seek to provide these individuals with equity incentives and to have employment agreements with certain persons we have identified as key to their businesses. However, these measures may not prevent these individuals from leaving their employment. The loss of services of one or more of these individuals may materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
We may experience difficulty as we evaluate, acquire and integrate businesses that we may acquire, which could result in drains on our resources, including the attention of our management, and disruptions of our on-going business.
We acquire small businesses in various industries. Generally, because such businesses are privately held, we may experience difficulty in evaluating potential target businesses as much of the information concerning these businesses is not publicly available. Therefore, our estimates and assumptions used to evaluate the operations, management and market risks with respect to potential target businesses may be subject to various risks and uncertainties. Further, the time and costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential target businesses and their industries may cause a substantial drain on our resources and may divert our management team’s attention away from the operations of our businesses for significant periods of time.
In addition, we may have difficulty effectively integrating and managing acquisitions. The management or improvement of businesses we acquire may be hindered by a number of factors, including limitations in the standards, controls, procedures and policies implemented in connection with such acquisitions. Further, the management of an acquired business may involve a substantial reorganization of the business’ operations resulting in the loss of employees and customers or the disruption of our ongoing businesses. We may experience greater than expected costs or difficulties relating to an acquisition, in which case, we might not achieve the anticipated returns from any particular acquisition.
We face competition for businesses that fit our acquisition strategy and, therefore, we may have to acquire targets at sub-optimal prices or, alternatively, forego certain acquisition opportunities.
We have been formed to acquire and manage small businesses. In pursuing such acquisitions, we expect to face strong competition from a wide range of other potential purchasers. Although the pool of potential purchasers for such businesses is typically smaller than for larger businesses, those potential purchasers can be aggressive in their approach to acquiring such businesses. Furthermore, we expect that we may need to use third-party financing in order to fund some or all of these potential acquisitions, thereby increasing our acquisition costs. To the extent that other potential purchasers do not need to obtain third-party financing or are able to obtain such financing on more favorable terms, they may be in a position to be more aggressive with their acquisition proposals. As a result, in order to be competitive, our acquisition proposals may need to be aggressively priced, including at price levels that exceed what we originally determined to be fair or appropriate. Alternatively, we may determine that we cannot pursue on a cost-effective basis what would otherwise be an attractive acquisition opportunity.
We may not be able to successfully fund acquisitions due to the unavailability of debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, which could impede the implementation of our acquisition strategy.
In order to make acquisitions, we intend to raise capital primarily through debt financing, primarily at our operating company level, additional equity offerings, the sale of equity or assets of our businesses, offering equity in our company or our businesses to the sellers of target businesses or by undertaking a combination of any of the above. Because the timing and size of acquisitions cannot be readily predicted, we may need to be able to obtain funding on short notice to benefit fully from attractive acquisition opportunities. Such funding may not be available on acceptable terms. In addition, the level of our indebtedness may impact our ability to borrow at our company level. The sale of additional shares of any class of equity will also be subject to market conditions and investor demand for such shares at prices that may not be in the best interest of our shareholders. These risks may materially adversely affect our ability to pursue our acquisition strategy.
We may change our management and acquisition strategies without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in a determination by us to pursue riskier business activities.
We may change our strategy at any time without the consent of our shareholders, which may result in our acquiring businesses or assets that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the strategy described in this report. A change in our strategy may increase our exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations, subject us to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act, or subject us to other risks and uncertainties that affect our operations and profitability.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from the anticipated dividends and interest payments that we expect to receive from our businesses, we may not be able to make distributions to our shareholders.
Our primary business is the holding and managing of controlling interests in our operating businesses. Therefore, we will be dependent upon the ability of our businesses to generate cash flows and, in turn, distribute cash to us in the form of interest and principal payments on indebtedness and distributions on equity to enable us, first, to satisfy our financial obligations and, second, to make distributions to our common shareholders. The ability of our businesses to make payments to us may also be subject to limitations under the laws of the jurisdictions in which they are incorporated or organized. If, as a consequence of these various restrictions or otherwise, we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from our businesses, we may not be able to declare, or may have to delay or cancel payment of, distributions to our common shareholders.
In addition, the put price and profit allocation will be payment obligations and, as a result, will be senior in right to the payment of any distributions to our shareholders. Further, we are required to make a profit allocation to our manager upon satisfaction of applicable conditions to payment. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder” for more information about our manager’s put right and profit allocation.
Our loans with third parties contain certain terms that could materially adversely affect our financial condition.
We and our subsidiaries are parties to certain loans with third parties, which are secured by the assets of our subsidiaries. The loans agreements contain customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative financial and other covenants. If an event of default were to occur under any of these loans, the lender thereto may pursue all remedies available to it, including declaring the obligations under its respective loan immediately due and payable, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition. See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further discussion regarding our borrowing activities.
In the future, we may seek to enter into other credit facilities to help fund our acquisition capital and working capital needs. These credit facilities may expose us to additional risks associated with leverage and may inhibit our operating flexibility and reduce cash flow available for payment of distributions to our shareholders.
We may seek to enter into other credit facilities with third-party lenders to help fund our acquisitions. Such credit facilities will likely require us to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amount and will likely contain a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants.
If we violate any such covenants, our lenders could accelerate the maturity of any debt outstanding and we may be prohibited from making any distributions to our shareholders. Such debt may be secured by our assets, including the stock we may own in businesses that we acquire and the rights we have under intercompany loan agreements that we may enter into with our businesses. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations may be affected by events beyond our control and will depend primarily upon cash produced by businesses that we currently manage and may acquire in the future and distributed or paid to us. Any failure to comply with the terms of our indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
In addition, we expect that such credit facilities will bear interest at floating rates which will generally change as interest rates change. We will bear the risk that the rates that we are charged by our lenders will increase faster than we can grow the cash flow from our businesses or businesses that we may acquire in the future, which could reduce profitability, materially adversely affect our ability to service our debt, cause us to breach covenants contained in our third-party credit facilities and reduce cash flow available for distribution.
We may engage in a business transaction with one or more target businesses that have relationships with our executive officers, our directors, our manager, our manager’s employees or our manager’s operating partners, or any of their respective affiliates, which may create or present conflicts of interest.
We may decide to engage in a business transaction with one or more target businesses with which our executive officers, our directors, our manager, our manager’s employees, our manager’s operating partners, or any of their respective affiliates, have a relationship, which may create or present conflicts of interest. Regardless of whether we obtain a fairness opinion from an independent investment banking firm with respect to such a transaction, conflicts of interest may still exist with respect to a particular acquisition and, as a result, the terms of the acquisition of a target business may not be as advantageous to our shareholders as it would have been absent any conflicts of interest.
The operational objectives and business plans of our businesses may conflict with our operational and business objectives or with the plans and objective of another business we own and operate.
Our businesses operate in different industries and face different risks and opportunities depending on market and economic conditions in their respective industries and regions. A business’ operational objectives and business plans may not be similar to our objectives and plans or the objectives and plans of another business that we own and operate. This could create competing demands for resources, such as management attention and funding needed for operations or acquisitions, in the future.
If, in the future, we cease to control and operate our businesses or other businesses that we acquire in the future or engage in certain other activities, we may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
We have the ability to make investments in businesses that we will not operate or control. If we make significant investments in businesses that we do not operate or control, or that we cease to operate or control, or if we commence certain investment-related activities, we may be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Our decision to sell a business will be based upon financial, operating and other considerations rather than a plan to complete a sale of a business within any specific time frame. If we were deemed to be an investment company, we would either have to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, obtain exemptive relief from the SEC or modify our investments or organizational structure or our contract rights to fall outside the definition of an investment company. Registering as an investment company could, among other things, materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations, materially limit our ability to borrow funds or engage in other transactions involving leverage and require us to add directors who are independent of us or our manager and otherwise will subject us to additional regulation that will be costly and time-consuming.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results and prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial statements, which would harm the trading price of our common shares.
Companies that file reports with the SEC, including us, are subject to the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX 404. SOX 404 requires management to establish and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting and annual reports on Form 10-K filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, to contain a report from management assessing the effectiveness of a company’s internal control over financial reporting. Separately, under SOX 404, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, public companies that are large accelerated filers or accelerated filers must include in their annual reports on Form 10-K an attestation report of their regular auditors attesting to and reporting on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting. Non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies, like us, are not required to include an attestation report of their auditors in annual reports.
A report of our management is included under Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures.” We are a smaller reporting company and, consequently, are not required to include an attestation report of our auditor in our annual report. However, if and when we become subject to the auditor attestation requirements under SOX 404, we can provide no assurance that we will receive a positive attestation from our independent auditors.
During its evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, management identified material weaknesses as described under Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures.” We are undertaking remedial measures, which measures will take time to implement and test, to address these material weaknesses. There can be no assurance that such measures will be sufficient to remedy the material weaknesses identified or that additional material weaknesses or other control or significant deficiencies will not be identified in the future. If we continue to experience material weaknesses in our internal controls or fail to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, such circumstances could cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements, or adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and, if required, annual auditor attestation reports. Each of the foregoing results could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and lead to a decline in our share price.
Risks Related to Our Construction Business
The loss of any of our key customers could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.
Historically, a few long-term recurring contractor customers have accounted for a majority of our revenues. There can be no assurance that we will maintain or improve the relationships with those customers. Our major customers often change each period based on when a given order is placed. If we cannot maintain long-term relationships with major customers or replace major customers from period to period with equivalent customers, the loss of such sales could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business primarily relies on U.S. home improvement, repair and remodel and new home construction activity levels, all of which are impacted by risks associated with fluctuations in the housing market. Downward changes in the general economy, the housing market or other business conditions could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Our business primarily relies on home improvement, repair and remodel and new home construction activity levels in the United States. The housing market is sensitive to changes in economic conditions and other factors, such as the level of employment, access to labor, consumer confidence, consumer income, availability of financing and interest rate levels. Adverse changes in any of these conditions generally, or in any of the markets where we operate, including due to the global pandemic, could decrease demand and could adversely impact our businesses by: causing consumers to delay or decrease homeownership; making consumers more price conscious resulting in a shift in demand to smaller, less expensive homes; making consumers more reluctant to make investments in their existing homes, including large kitchen and bath repair and remodel projects; or making it more difficult to secure loans for major renovations.
Increases in interest rates and the reduced availability of financing for home improvements may cause our sales and profitability to decrease.
In general, demand for home improvement products may be adversely affected by increases in interest rates and the reduced availability of financing. Also, trends in the financial industry which influence the requirements used by lenders to evaluate potential buyers can result in reduced availability of financing. If interest rates or lending requirements increase and consequently, the ability of prospective buyers to finance purchases of home improvement products is adversely affected, our business, financial condition and results of operations may also be adversely impacted and the impact may be material.
Our construction business is subject to seasonal and other periodic fluctuations, and affected by factors beyond our control, which may cause our sales and operating results to fluctuate significantly.
Our construction business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. We believe that we can more effectively control and balance our direct labor resources and costs during seasonal variations in our construction business, depending on the dynamics of the market served. However, extreme winter weather conditions can have an adverse effect on appointments and installations, which typically occur during our fourth and first quarters and can also negatively affect our net sales and operating results. In addition, sales and revenues may decline in the fourth quarter due to the holiday season.
Difficulties in recruiting adequate personnel may have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our growth expectations.
In order to fulfill our growth expectations, we must recruit, hire, train and retain qualified sales and installation personnel. In particular, during the pandemic, we may experience greater difficulty in fulfilling our personnel needs since our employees are not able to work remotely for installations. When new construction and remodeling are on the rise, recruiting independent contractors to perform our installations becomes more difficult. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient contractors or employees to fulfill our installation requirements. Our inability to fulfill our personnel needs could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our growth expectations.
Increases in the cost of labor, union organizing activity and work stoppages at our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers could materially affect our financial performance.
Our business is labor intensive, and, as a result, our financial performance is affected by the availability of qualified personnel and the cost of labor. Currently, none of our employees are represented by labor unions. Strikes or other types of conflicts with personnel could arise or we may become a target for union organizing activity. Some of our direct and indirect suppliers have unionized workforces. Strikes, work stoppages or slowdowns experienced by these suppliers could result in slowdowns or closures of facilities where components of our products are manufactured. Any interruption in the production of our products could reduce sales of our products and increase our costs.
In the event of a catastrophic loss of our key manufacturing facility, our business would be adversely affected.
While we maintain insurance covering our facility, including business interruption insurance, a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of our manufacturing facility due to accident, labor issues, weather conditions, natural disaster or otherwise, whether short or long-term, could have a material adverse effect on us.
The nature of our constructions business exposes us to product liability, workmanship warranty, casualty, negligence, construction defect, breach of contract and other claims and legal proceedings.
We are subject to product liability, workmanship warranty, casualty, negligence, construction defect, breach of contract and other claims and legal proceedings relating to the products we install or manufacture that, if adversely determined, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with most of the products we install. Other than for products manufactured by Kyle’s and the custom work at CMD, we generally do not have direct control over the quality of such products manufactured or supplied by such third-party suppliers. As such, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of such products. In the event that any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to recall or redesign such products, which would result in significant unexpected costs.
We are also exposed to potential claims arising from the conduct of our employees and contractors, for which we may be contractually liable. We have in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to penalties and other liabilities in connection with injury or damage incurred in conjunction with the installation of our products.
In addition, our contracts, particularly those with large single-family and multi-family homebuilders, contain certain performance and installation schedule requirements. Many factors, some of which our outside of our control, may affect our ability to meet these requirements, including shortages of material or skilled labor, unforeseen engineering problems, work stoppages, weather interference, floods, unanticipated cost increases, and legal or political challenges. If we do not meet these requirements, we may be subject to liquidated damages or other penalties, as well as claims for breach of contract.
Product liability, workmanship warranty, casualty, negligence, construction defect, breach of contract and other claims and legal proceedings can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for significant periods of time, regardless of the ultimate outcome. In addition, lawsuits relating to construction defects typically have statutes of limitations that can run as long as ten years. Claims of this nature could also have a negative impact on customer confidence in us and our services. Although we currently maintain what we believe to be suitable and adequate insurance, we may be unable to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms or such insurance may not provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. In addition, some liabilities may not be covered by our insurance. Current or future claims could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to compete successfully with our competitors, our financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.
We operate in a highly fragmented and very competitive industry. Our competitors include national and local door, trim, and carpentry manufacturers. These can be large, consolidated operations which house their manufacturing facilities in large and efficient plants, as well as relatively small, local cabinetmakers. Although we believe that we have superior name and reputation of direct marketing of custom designed carpentry, doors and millwork, we compete with numerous competitors in our primary markets in which we operate, with reputation, price, workmanship and services being the principal competitive factors. Some of our competitors have achieved substantially more market penetration in certain of the markets in which we operate. Some of our competitors have greater resources available and are less highly leveraged, which may provide them with greater financial flexibility. We also compete against retail chains, including Sears, Costco, Builders Square, Sam’s Warehouse Club and other stores, which offer similar products and services through licensees. We compete, to a lesser extent, with small home improvement contractors and with large “home center” retailers such as Home Depot and Lowes. As a result of the implementation of our business strategy to conduct more remodel, condo/multi-family, and commercial projects in the new construction markets, we anticipate that we will compete to a greater degree with large “home center” retailers. To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in manufacturing, customer service and support, marketing and our dealer network. We may have to adjust the prices of some of our products to stay competitive, which would reduce our revenues or harm our financial condition and results of operations. We may not have sufficient resources to continue to make such investments or maintain our competitive position within each of the markets we serve.
We have historically depended on a limited number of third parties to supply key finished goods and raw materials to us. Failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these finished goods and raw materials in a timely fashion and at reasonable costs could significantly delay our delivery of products, which would cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers.
We have historically purchased certain key finished goods and raw materials, such as pre-manufactured doors, cabinets, countertops, lumber and hardware, from a limited number of suppliers. We purchased finished goods and raw materials on the basis of purchase orders. In the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of these finished goods and raw materials from our existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. If we fail to secure a sufficient supply of key finished goods and raw materials in a timely fashion, it would result in a significant delay in our delivery of products, which may cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers. Furthermore, failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these finished goods and raw materials at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins.
Increased prices for finished goods or raw materials could increase our cost of revenues and decrease demand for our products, which could adversely affect our revenue or profitability.
Our profitability is affected by the prices of the finished goods and raw materials used in the manufacturing and sale of our products. These prices may fluctuate based on a number of factors beyond our control, including, among others, changes in supply and demand, general economic conditions, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs, currency exchange rates and, in some cases, government regulation. Increased prices could adversely affect our profitability or revenues. We do not have long-term supply contracts for finished goods and raw materials; however, we enter into pricing agreements with certain customers which fix their pricing for specified periods ranging from one to twelve months. Significant increases in the prices of finished goods and raw materials could adversely affect our profit margins, especially if we are not able to recover these costs by increasing the prices we charge our customers for our products.
Changes to U.S. trade policy, tariff and import/export regulations may adversely affect our operating results.
The United States has recently enacted and/or proposed to enact significant new tariffs on goods imported from numerous countries, including China, Mexico and Canada. Additionally, President Trump has directed various federal agencies to further evaluate key aspects of U.S. trade policy and there has been ongoing discussion and commentary regarding potential significant changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs. There continues to exist significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and other countries with respect to such trade policies, treaties and tariffs.
While CMD and Kyle’s purchase most of their materials from domestic suppliers, much of the wood used in such materials originates from Canada. Innovative Cabinets purchases products from South Vietnam. If the U.S. continues to impose new tariffs, this may cause supply chain disruptions and could further escalate our costs. We may determine to increase our sales prices in order to pass these increased costs to our customers. Kyle’s has a short lead-time (30 days) and bids projects based on material costs, lowering the risk to profitability. CMD has a longer lead-time (6 to 24 months) and has allowances in its contracts for change-orders if costs increase, allowing for CMD to recover most of the cost increases created by economic factors. However, in the event we determine to pass increased costs to our customers, our customers may reduce their orders from us, which could negatively affect our business, profitability and operating results. We are closely monitoring these developments and evaluating strategies to mitigate potential impacts.
Furthermore, as a result of policy changes and government proposals, there may be greater restrictions and economic disincentives on international trade in general. The new tariffs and other changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, and foreign governments have instituted or are considering imposing trade sanctions on U.S. goods. Such changes have the potential to adversely impact the U.S. economy or sectors thereof, our industry and the demand for our products, and as a result, could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Interruptions in deliveries of finished goods and raw materials could adversely affect our revenue or profitability.
Our dependency upon regular deliveries from particular suppliers means that interruptions or stoppages in such deliveries could adversely affect our operations until arrangements with alternate suppliers could be made. If any of our suppliers were unable to deliver finished goods and raw materials to us for an extended period of time, as the result of financial difficulties, catastrophic events affecting their facilities or other factors beyond our control, or if we were unable to negotiate acceptable terms for the supply of finished goods and raw materials with these or alternative suppliers, our business could suffer. We may not be able to find acceptable alternatives, and any such alternatives could result in increased costs for us. Even if acceptable alternatives are found, the process of locating and securing such alternatives might be disruptive to our business. Extended unavailability of a necessary finished good or raw material could cause us to cease manufacturing or selling one or more of our products for a period of time.
Environmental requirements applicable to our facilities may impose significant environmental compliance costs and liabilities, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
Our facilities are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to pollution and the protection of the environment, including those governing air emissions, discharges to water, storage, treatment and disposal of waste, remediation of contaminated sites and protection of worker health and safety. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements. However, our efforts to comply with environmental requirements do not remove the risk that we may be held liable, or incur fines or penalties, and that the amount of liability, fines or penalties may be material, for, among other things, releases of hazardous substances occurring on or emanating from current or formerly owned or operated properties or any associated offsite disposal location, or for contamination discovered at any of our properties from activities conducted by previous occupants.
Changes in environmental laws and regulations or the discovery of previously unknown contamination or other liabilities relating to our properties and operations could result in significant environmental liabilities. In addition, we might incur significant capital and other costs to comply with increasingly stringent air emission control laws and enforcement policies which would decrease our cash flow.
We may fail to fully realize the anticipated benefits of our growth strategy within the multi-family, tract home, and commercial properties channels.
Part of our growth strategy depends on expanding our business in the multi-family and commercial properties channels. We may fail to compete successfully against other companies that are already established providers within those channels. Demand for our products within the multi-family, tract home, and commercial properties channels may not grow, or might even decline. In addition, trends within the industry change often, we may not accurately gauge consumer preferences and successfully develop, manufacture and market our products. Our failure to anticipate, identify or react to changes in these trends could lead to, among other things, rejection of a new product line, reduced demand and price reductions for our products, and could adversely affect our sales. Further, the implementation of our growth strategy may place additional demands on our administrative, operational and financial resources and may divert management’s attention away from our existing business and increase the demands on our financial systems and controls. If our management is unable to effectively manage growth, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. If our growth strategy is not successful then our revenue and earnings may not grow as anticipated or may decline, we may not be profitable, or our reputation and brand may be damaged. In addition, we may change our financial strategy or other components of our overall business strategy if we believe our current strategy is not effective, if our business or markets change, or for other reasons, which may cause fluctuations in our financial results.
Risks Related to Our Automotive Supply Business
If we fail to offer a broad selection of products at competitive prices or fail to maintain sufficient inventory to meet customer demands, our revenue could decline.
In order to expand our business, we must successfully offer, on a continuous basis, a broad selection of products that meet the needs of our customers, including by being the first to market with new products. In addition, to be successful, our product offerings must be broad and deep in scope, competitively priced, well-made, innovative and attractive to a wide range of consumers. We cannot predict with certainty that we will be successful in offering products that meet all of these requirements. Moreover, even if we offer a broad selection of products at competitive prices, we must maintain sufficient in-stock inventory to meet consumer demand. If our product offerings fail to satisfy our customers’ requirements or respond to changes in customer preferences or we otherwise fail to maintain sufficient in-stock inventory, our revenue could decline.
We are highly dependent upon key suppliers and an interruption in such relationships or our ability to obtain products from such suppliers could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In 2024 and 2023, Wolo purchased a substantial portion of finished goods from five third-party vendors which comprised 52.0% and 81.3% of its purchases, respectively. Our ability to acquire products from our suppliers in amounts and on terms acceptable to us is dependent upon a number of factors that could affect our suppliers and which are beyond our control. For example, financial or operational difficulties that some of our suppliers may face could result in an increase in the cost of the products we purchase from them. If we do not maintain our relationships with our existing suppliers or develop relationships with new suppliers on acceptable commercial terms, we may not be able to continue to offer a broad selection of merchandise at competitive prices and, as a result, we could lose customers and our sales could decline.
We also have limited control over the products that our suppliers purchase or keep in stock. Our suppliers may not accurately forecast the products that will be in high demand or they may allocate popular products to other resellers, resulting in the unavailability of certain products for delivery to our customers. Any inability to offer a broad array of products at competitive prices and any failure to deliver those products to our customers in a timely and accurate manner may damage our reputation and brand and could cause us to lose customers and our sales could decline.
In addition, the increasing consolidation among auto parts suppliers may disrupt or end our relationship with some suppliers, result in product shortages and/or lead to less competition and, consequently, higher prices. Furthermore, as part of our routine business, suppliers extend credit to us in connection with our purchase of their products. In the future, our suppliers may limit the amount of credit they are willing to extend to us in connection with our purchase of their products. If this were to occur, it could impair our ability to acquire the types and quantities of products that we desire from the applicable suppliers on acceptable terms, severely impact our liquidity and capital resources, limit our ability to operate our business and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent upon relationships with manufacturers in Taiwan and China, which exposes us to complex regulatory regimes and logistical challenges.
Most of our manufacturing is outsourced to contract manufacturers in China and Taiwan, resulting in additional factors could interrupt our relationships or affect our ability to acquire the necessary products on acceptable terms, including:
● political, social and economic instability and the risk of war or other international incidents in Asia or abroad;
● fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may increase our cost of products;
● imposition of duties, taxes, tariffs or other charges on imports;
● difficulties in complying with import and export laws, regulatory requirements and restrictions;
● natural disasters and public health emergencies, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic;
● import shipping delays resulting from foreign or domestic labor shortages, slow-downs, or stoppage; and
● the failure of local laws to provide a sufficient degree of protection against infringement of our intellectual property;
● imposition of new legislation relating to import quotas or other restrictions that may limit the quantity of our products that may be imported into the U.S. from countries or regions where we do business;
● financial or political instability in any of the countries in which our products are manufactured;
● potential recalls or cancellations of orders for any products that do not meet our quality standards;
● disruption of imports by labor disputes or strikes and local business practices;
● political or military conflict involving the U.S. or any country in which our suppliers are located, which could cause a delay in the transportation of our products, an increase in transportation costs and additional risk to products being damaged and delivered on time;
● heightened terrorism security concerns, which could subject imported goods to additional, more frequent or more thorough inspections, leading to delays in deliveries or impoundment of goods for extended periods;
● inability of our non-U.S. suppliers to obtain adequate credit or access liquidity to finance their operations; and
● our ability to enforce any agreements with our foreign suppliers.
If we were unable to import products from China and Taiwan or were unable to import products from China and Taiwan in a cost-effective manner, we could suffer irreparable harm to our business and be required to significantly curtail our operations, file for bankruptcy or cease operations.
From time to time, we may also have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights with foreign suppliers. However, it may be more difficult to evaluate the level of legal protection we enjoy in Taiwan and China and the corresponding outcome of any administrative or court proceedings than in comparison to our suppliers in the United States.
Changes to U.S. trade policy, tariff and import/export regulations may adversely affect our operating results.
The United States has recently enacted and/or proposed to enact significant new tariffs on goods imported from numerous countries, including China, and most recently, the Trump Administration announced a 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and auto parts. Additionally, President Trump has directed various federal agencies to further evaluate key aspects of U.S. trade policy and there has been ongoing discussion and commentary regarding potential significant changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs. There continues to exist significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and other countries with respect to such trade policies, treaties and tariffs.
Approximately 90% of our vendor base is located in China. If the U.S. continues to impose new tariffs, this may cause supply chain disruptions and could further escalate our costs. We may determine to increase our sales prices in order to pass these increased costs to our customers. In the event we determine to pass increased costs to our customers, our customers may reduce their orders from us, which could negatively affect our business, profitability and operating results. We are closely monitoring these developments and evaluating strategies to mitigate potential impacts.
Furthermore, as a result of policy changes and government proposals, there may be greater restrictions and economic disincentives on international trade in general. The new tariffs and other changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, and foreign governments have instituted or are considering imposing trade sanctions on U.S. goods. Such changes have the potential to adversely impact the U.S. economy or sectors thereof, our industry and the demand for our products, and as a result, could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on third-party delivery services, for both inbound and outbound shipping, to deliver our products to our distribution centers and subsequently to our customers on a timely and consistent basis, and any deterioration in our relationship with any one of these third parties or increases in the fees that they charge could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We rely on third parties for the shipment of our products, both inbound and outbound shipping logistics, and we cannot be sure that these relationships will continue on terms favorable to us, or at all. Shipping costs have increased from time to time, and may continue to increase, and we may not be able to pass these costs directly to our customers. Any increased shipping costs could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our costs of doing business and reducing gross margins which could negatively affect our operating results. In addition, we utilize a variety of shipping methods for both inbound and outbound logistics. For inbound logistics, we rely on trucking and ocean carriers and any increases in fees that they charge could adversely affect our business and financial condition. For outbound logistics, we rely on “Less-than-Truckload” and parcel freight based upon the product and quantities being shipped and customer delivery requirements. These outbound freight costs have increased on a year-over-year basis and may continue to increase in the future. We also ship a number of oversized auto parts which may trigger additional shipping costs by third-party delivery services. Any increases in fees or any increased use of “Less-than-Truckload” shipping would increase our shipping costs which could negatively affect our operating results.
In addition, if our relationships with these third parties are terminated or impaired, or if these third parties are unable to deliver products for us, whether due to labor shortage, slow down or stoppage, deteriorating financial or business condition, responses to terrorist attacks or for any other reason, we would be required to use alternative carriers for the shipment of products to our customers. Changing carriers could have a negative effect on our business and operating results due to reduced visibility of order status and package tracking and delays in order processing and product delivery, and we may be unable to engage alternative carriers on a timely basis, upon terms favorable to us, or at all.
If commodity prices such as fuel, plastic and steel increase, our margins may be negatively impacted.
Our third-party delivery services have increased fuel surcharges from time to time, and such increases negatively impact our margins, as we are generally unable to pass all of these costs directly on to consumers. Increasing prices in the component materials for the parts we sell may impact the availability, the quality and the price of our products, as suppliers search for alternatives to existing materials and increase the prices they charge. We cannot ensure that we can recover all the increased costs through price increases, and our suppliers may not continue to provide the consistent quality of product as they may substitute lower cost materials to maintain pricing levels, all of which may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
If we are unable to manage the challenges associated with our international operations, the growth of our business could be limited and our business could suffer.
In addition to our relationships with foreign suppliers, we have contracts with sales representatives from fifteen regional sales companies in North America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and the industrial aftermarket. We are subject to a number of risks and challenges that specifically relate to our international operations. Our international operations may not be successful if we are unable to meet and overcome these challenges, which could limit the growth of our business and may have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. These risks and challenges include:
● difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations;
● restrictions imposed by local labor practices and laws on our business and operations;
● exposure to different business practices and legal standards;
● unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
● the imposition of government controls and restrictions;
● political, social and economic instability and the risk of war, terrorist activities or other international incidents;
● the failure of telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure;
● natural disasters and public health emergencies;
● potentially adverse tax consequences; and
● fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and relative weakness in the U.S. dollar.
The impact of geopolitical conflicts may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We acquire finished goods in regions outside the United States, including China. As a result, our operations are affected by economic, political and other conditions in the foreign countries in which we do business as well as U.S. laws regulating international trade. Specifically, instability in the geopolitical environment in many parts of the world (including as a result of the on-going Russia and Ukraine war, the conflict between Israel and Hamas and increasingly tense China-Taiwan relations) and other disruptions may continue to put pressure on global economic conditions. Notably, approximately 90% of our vendor base is located in China and supply chain issues have escalated shipping costs in recent years. Our inability to respond to and manage the potential impact of such events effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, countries across the globe are instituting sanctions and other penalties against Russia and are becoming more wary of China. While we do not have operations in, and do not obtain products from, Russia or Ukraine, the retaliatory measures that have been taken, and could be taken in the future, by the U.S., NATO, and other countries have created global security concerns that could result in broader European military and political conflicts and otherwise have a substantial impact on regional and global economies, any or all of which could adversely affect our business.
While the broader consequences are uncertain at this time, the continuation and/or escalation of the Russian and Ukraine conflict or the Israel and Hamas conflict, along with any expansion of the conflict to surrounding areas, create a number of risks that could adversely impact our business, including:
● increased inflation and significant volatility in commodity prices;
● disruptions to our technology infrastructure, including through cyberattacks, ransom attacks or cyber-intrusion;
● adverse changes in international trade policies and relations;
● our ability to maintain or increase our prices, including freight in response to rising fuel costs;
● disruptions in global supply chains;
● increased exposure to foreign currency fluctuations; and
● constraints, volatility or disruption in the credit and capital markets.
If our fulfillment operations are interrupted for any significant period of time or are not sufficient to accommodate increased demand, our sales could decline and our reputation could be harmed.
Our success depends on our ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and to promptly deliver our products to our customers. Most of the orders for our products are filled from our inventory in our distribution centers, where all our inventory management, packaging, labeling and product return processes are performed. Increased demand and other considerations may require us to expand our distribution centers or transfer our fulfillment operations to larger or other facilities in the future. If we do not successfully expand our fulfillment capabilities in response to increases in demand, our sales could decline.
In addition, our distribution centers are susceptible to damage or interruption from human error, pandemics, fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks, acts of war, break-ins, earthquakes and similar events. We do not currently maintain back-up power systems at our fulfillment centers. We do not presently have a formal disaster recovery plan and our business interruption insurance may be insufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur in the event operations at our fulfillment center are interrupted. In addition, alternative arrangements may not be available, or if they are available, may increase the cost of fulfillment. Any interruptions in our fulfillment operations for any significant period of time, including interruptions resulting from the expansion of our existing facilities or the transfer of operations to a new facility, could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
We face intense competition and operate in an industry with limited barriers to entry, and some of our competitors may have greater resources than us and may be better positioned to capitalize on the growing auto parts market.
The aftermarket auto parts industry is competitive and highly fragmented, with products distributed through multi-tiered and overlapping channels. We compete with both online and offline retailers who offer OEMs and aftermarket auto parts. Current or potential competitors include FIAMM, Grote, Peterson Manufacturing Company, ECCO, Vixen Horns, Grover, HornBlasters, and Kleinn.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, large customer bases, superior brand recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing, technical, management and other resources than we do. In addition, some of our competitors have used and may continue to use aggressive pricing tactics and devote substantially more financial resources to website and system development than we do. We expect that competition will further intensify in the future as Internet use and online commerce continue to grow worldwide. Increased competition may result in reduced sales, lower operating margins, reduced profitability, loss of market share and diminished brand recognition.
We rely on key personnel and may need additional personnel for the success and growth of our business.
Our business is largely dependent on the personal efforts and abilities of highly skilled executive, technical, managerial, merchandising and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. The loss of any key employee or our inability to attract or retain other qualified employees could harm our business and results of operations.
If our product catalog database is stolen, misappropriated or damaged, or if a competitor is able to create a substantially similar catalog without infringing our rights, then we may lose an important competitive advantage.
We have invested significant resources and time to build and maintain our product catalog, which is maintained in the form of an electronic database. We believe that our product catalog provides us with an important competitive advantage. We cannot assure you that we will be able to protect our product catalog from unauthorized copying or theft or that our product catalog will continue to operate adequately, without any technological challenges. In addition, it is possible that a competitor could develop a catalog or database that is similar to or more comprehensive than ours, without infringing our rights. In the event our product catalog is damaged or is stolen, copied or otherwise replicated to compete with us, whether lawfully or not, we may lose an important competitive advantage and our business could be harmed.
Economic conditions have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on the demand for aftermarket auto parts and could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
Demand for our products has been and may continue to be adversely affected by general economic conditions. In declining economies, consumers often defer regular vehicle maintenance and may forego purchases of nonessential performance and accessories products, which can result in a decrease in demand for auto parts in general. Consumers also defer purchases of new vehicles, which immediately impacts performance parts and accessories, which are generally purchased in the first six months of a vehicle’s lifespan. In addition, during economic downturns, some competitors may become more aggressive in their pricing practices, which would adversely impact our gross margin. Certain suppliers may exit the industry, which may impact our ability to procure parts and may adversely impact gross margin as the remaining suppliers increase prices to take advantage of limited competition.
Vehicle miles driven, vehicle accident rates and insurance companies’ willingness to accept a variety of types of parts in the repair process have fluctuated and may decrease, which could result in a decline of our revenues and negatively affect our results of operations.
We and our industry depend on the number of vehicle miles driven, vehicle accident rates and insurance companies’ willingness to accept a variety of types of parts in the repair process. Decreased miles driven reduce the number of accidents and corresponding demand for parts, and reduce the wear and tear on vehicles with a corresponding reduction in demand for vehicle repairs and parts. If consumers were to drive less in the future and/or accident rates were to decline, as a result of higher gas prices, increased use of ride-shares, the advancement of driver assistance technologies, or otherwise, our sales may decline and our business and financial results may suffer.
We will be required to collect and pay more sales taxes, and could become liable for other fees and penalties, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
We have historically collected sales or other similar taxes only on the shipment of goods to customers in the state of New York. However, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, we are now required to collect sales tax in any state which passes legislation requiring out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax even where they have no physical nexus. We have historically enjoyed a competitive advantage to the extent our competitors are already subject to those tax obligations. By collecting sales tax in additional states, we will lose this competitive advantage as total costs to our customers will increase, which could adversely affect our sales.
Moreover, if we fail to collect and remit or pay required sales or other taxes in a jurisdiction or qualify or register to do business in a jurisdiction that requires us to do so or if we have failed to do so in the past, we could face material liabilities for taxes, fees, interest and penalties. If various jurisdictions impose new tax obligations on our business activities, our sales and net income in those jurisdictions could decrease significantly, which could harm our business.
Higher wage and benefit costs could adversely affect our business.
Changes in federal and state minimum wage laws and other laws relating to employee benefits could cause us to incur additional wage and benefit costs. Increased labor costs brought about by changes in minimum wage laws, other regulations or prevailing market conditions could increase our expenses and have an adverse impact on our profitability.
We face exposure to product liability lawsuits.
The automotive industry in general has been subject to a large number of product liability claims due to the nature of personal injuries that result from car accidents or malfunctions. As a distributor of auto parts, including parts obtained overseas, we could be held liable for the injury or damage caused if the products we sell are defective or malfunction regardless of whether the product manufacturer is the party at fault. While we carry insurance against product liability claims, if the damages in any given action were high or we were subject to multiple lawsuits, the damages and costs could exceed the limits of our insurance coverage or prevent us from obtaining coverage in the future. If we were required to pay substantial damages as a result of these lawsuits, it may seriously harm our business and financial condition. Even defending against unsuccessful claims could cause us to incur significant expenses and result in a diversion of management’s attention. In addition, even if the money damages themselves did not cause substantial harm to our business, the damage to our reputation and the brands offered on our websites could adversely affect our future reputation and our brand and could result in a decline in our net sales and profitability.
Business interruptions in our facilities may affect the distribution of our products and/or the stability of our computer systems, which may affect our business.
Weather, terrorist activities, war or other disasters, or the threat of them, may result in the closure of one or more of our facilities, or may adversely affect our ability to timely provide products to our customers, resulting in lost sales or a potential loss of customer loyalty. Most of our products are imported from other countries and these goods could become difficult or impossible to bring into the United States, and we may not be able to obtain such products from other sources at similar prices. Such a disruption in revenue could potentially have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We rely extensively on our computer systems to manage inventory, process transactions and timely provide products to our customers. Our systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches or other catastrophic events. If our systems are damaged or fail to function properly, we may experience loss of critical data and interruptions or delays in our ability to manage inventories or process customer transactions. Such a disruption of our systems could negatively impact revenue and potentially have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Security threats, such as ransomware attacks, to our IT infrastructure could expose us to liability, and damage our reputation and business.
It is essential to our business strategy that our technology and network infrastructure remain secure and is perceived by our customers to be secure. Despite security measures, however, any network infrastructure may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Information security risks have significantly increased in recent years in part due to the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties, including foreign private parties and state actors. We may face cyber-attacks that attempt to penetrate our network security, including our data centers, to sabotage or otherwise disable our network of websites and online marketplaces, misappropriate our or our customers’ proprietary information, which may include personally identifiable information, or cause interruptions of our internal systems and services. If successful, any of these attacks could negatively affect our reputation, damage our network infrastructure and our ability to sell our products, harm our relationship with customers that are affected and expose us to financial liability.
We maintain a comprehensive system of preventive and detective controls through our security programs; however, given the rapidly evolving nature and proliferation of cyber threats, our controls may not prevent or identify all such attacks in a timely manner or otherwise prevent unauthorized access to, damage to, or interruption of our systems and operations, and we cannot eliminate the risk of human error or employee or vendor malfeasance.
In addition, any failure by us to comply with applicable privacy and information security laws and regulations could cause us to incur significant costs to protect any customers whose personal data was compromised and to restore customer confidence in us and to make changes to our information systems and administrative processes to address security issues and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their personal information, which could cause them to stop shopping on our sites altogether. Such events could lead to lost sales and adversely affect our results of operations. We also could be exposed to government enforcement actions and private litigation.
Failure to comply with privacy laws and regulations and failure to adequately protect customer data could harm our business, damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers.
Federal and state regulations may govern the collection, use, sharing and security of data that we receive from our customers. In addition, we have and post on our websites our own privacy policies and practices concerning the collection, use and disclosure of customer data. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any data-related consent orders, U.S. Federal Trade Commission requirements or other federal, state or international privacy-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others, which could potentially harm our business. Further, failure or perceived failure to comply with our policies or applicable requirements related to the collection, use or security of personal information or other privacy-related matters could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers. The regulatory framework for privacy issues is currently evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future.
Challenges by OEMs to the validity of the aftermarket auto parts industry and claims of intellectual property infringement could adversely affect our business and the viability of the aftermarket auto parts industry.
OEMs have attempted to use claims of intellectual property infringement against manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket products to restrict or eliminate the sale of aftermarket products that are the subject of the claims. The OEMs have brought such claims in federal court and with the United States International Trade Commission. We have received in the past, and we anticipate we may in the future receive, communications alleging that certain products we sell infringe the patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names or other intellectual property rights of OEMs or other third parties.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office records indicate that OEMs are seeking and obtaining more design patents and trademarks than they have in the past. In some cases, we have entered into license agreements that allow us to sell aftermarket parts that replicate OEM patented parts in exchange for a royalty. In the event that our license agreements, or other similar license arrangements are terminated, or we are unable to agree upon renewal terms, we may be subject to restrictions on our ability to sell aftermarket parts that replicate parts covered by design patents or trademarks, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
Litigation or regulatory enforcement could also result in interpretations of the law that require us to change our business practices or otherwise increase our costs and harm our business. We may not maintain sufficient, or any, insurance coverage to cover the types of claims that could be asserted. If a successful claim were brought against us, it could expose us to significant liability.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our reputation and brand could be impaired and we could lose customers.
We regard our patents, trademarks, trade secrets and similar intellectual property as important to our success. We rely on patent, trademark and copyright law, and trade secret protection, and confidentiality and/or license agreements with employees, customers, partners and others to protect our proprietary rights. We cannot be certain that we have taken adequate steps to protect our proprietary rights, especially in countries where the laws may not protect our rights as fully as in the United States. In addition, our proprietary rights may be infringed or misappropriated, and we could be required to incur significant expenses to preserve them. In the past we have filed litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. The outcome of such litigation can be uncertain, and the cost of prosecuting such litigation may have an adverse impact on our earnings. We have patent and trademark registrations for several patents and marks. However, any registrations may not adequately cover our intellectual property or protect us against infringement by others. Effective patent, trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services may be made available online. We also currently own or control a number of Internet domain names and have invested time and money in the purchase of domain names and other intellectual property, which may be impaired if we cannot protect such intellectual property. We may be unable to protect these domain names or acquire or maintain relevant domain names in the United States and in other countries. If we are not able to protect our patents, trademarks, domain names or other intellectual property, we may experience difficulties in achieving and maintaining brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Because we are involved in litigation from time to time and are subject to numerous laws and governmental regulations, we could incur substantial judgments, fines, legal fees and other costs as well as reputational harm.
We are sometimes the subject of complaints or litigation from customers, employees or other third parties for various reasons. The damages sought against us in some of these litigation proceedings could be substantial. Although we maintain liability insurance for some litigation claims, if one or more of the claims were to greatly exceed our insurance coverage limits or if our insurance policies do not cover a claim, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Existing or future government regulation could expose us to liabilities and costly changes in our business operations and could reduce customer demand for our products and services.
We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, including laws protecting the privacy of customer non-public information and regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices, as well as laws and regulations governing businesses in general and the Internet and e-commerce and certain environmental laws. Additional laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet. These laws may cover issues such as user privacy, spyware and the tracking of consumer activities, marketing e-mails and communications, other advertising and promotional practices, money transfers, pricing, content and quality of products and services, taxation, electronic contracts and other communications, intellectual property rights, and information security. Furthermore, it is not clear how existing laws such as those governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, trespass, data mining and collection, and personal privacy apply to the Internet and e-commerce. To the extent we expand into international markets, we will be faced with complying with local laws and regulations, some of which may be materially different than U.S. laws and regulations. Any such foreign law or regulation, any new U.S. law or regulation, or the interpretation or application of existing laws and regulations to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations by, among other things, subjecting us to fines, penalties, damages or other liabilities, requiring costly changes in our business operations and practices, and reducing customer demand for our products and services. We may not maintain sufficient, or any, insurance coverage to cover the types of claims or liabilities that could arise as a result of such regulation.
We may be affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory, or market responses to such change.
The growing political and scientific sentiment is that global weather patterns are being influenced by increased levels of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This growing sentiment and the concern over climate change have led to legislative and regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions which warm the earth’s atmosphere. These warmer weather conditions could result in a decrease in demand for auto parts in general. Moreover, proposals that would impose mandatory requirements on greenhouse gas emissions continue to be considered by policy makers in the United States. Laws enacted that directly or indirectly affect our suppliers (through an increase in the cost of production or their ability to produce satisfactory products) or our business (through an impact on our inventory availability, cost of revenues, operations or demand for the products we sell) could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Significant increases in fuel economy requirements or new federal or state restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide that may be imposed on vehicles and automobile fuels could adversely affect demand for vehicles, annual miles driven or the products we sell or lead to changes in automotive technology. Compliance with any new or more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws, could require additional expenditures by us or our suppliers. Our inability to respond to such changes could adversely impact the demand for our products and our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Risks Related to Our Relationship with Our Manager
Termination of the management services agreement will not affect our manager’s rights to receive profit allocations and removal of our manager may cause us to incur significant fees.
Our manager owns all of our allocation shares, which generally will entitle our manager to receive a profit allocation as a form of preferred distribution. In general, this profit allocation is designed to pay our manager 20% of the excess of the gains upon dispositions of our subsidiaries, plus an amount equal to the net income of such subsidiaries since their acquisition by us, over an annualized hurdle rate. If our manager resigns or is removed, for any reason, it will remain the owner of our allocation shares. It will therefore remain entitled to all profit allocations while it holds our allocation shares regardless of whether it is terminated as our manager. If we terminate our manager, it may therefore be difficult or impossible for us to find a replacement to serve the function of our manager, because we would not be able to force our manager to transfer its allocation shares to a replacement manager so that the replacement manager could be entitled to a profit allocation. Therefore, as a practical matter, it may be difficult for us to replace our manager without its cooperation. If it becomes necessary to replace our manager and we are unable to replace our manager without its cooperation, we may be unable to continue to manage our operations effectively and our business may fail.
If we terminate the management services agreement with our manager, any fees, costs and expenses already earned or otherwise payable to our manager upon termination would become immediately due. Moreover, if our manager were to be removed and our management services agreement terminated by a vote of our board of directors and a majority of our common shares other than common shares beneficially owned by our manager, we would also owe a termination fee to our manager on top of the other fees, costs and expenses. In addition, the management services agreement is silent as to whether termination of our manager “for cause” would result in a termination fee; there is therefore a risk that the agreement may be interpreted to entitle our manager to a termination fee even if terminated “for cause”. The termination fee would equal twice the sum of the amount of the quarterly management fees calculated with respect to the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the termination date of the management services agreement. As a result, we could incur significant management fees as a result of the termination of our manager, which may increase the risk that our business may be unable to meet its financial obligations or otherwise fail.
Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls our manager. If some event were to occur to cause Mr. Roberts (or his designated successor, heirs, beneficiaries or permitted assigns) not to control our manager without the prior written consent of our board of directors, our manager would be considered terminated under our agreement.
Our manager and the members of our management team may engage in activities that compete with us or our businesses.
Although our Chief Executive Officer intends to devote substantially all of his time to the affairs of our company and our manager must present all opportunities that meet our acquisition and disposition criteria to our board of directors, neither our manager nor our Chief Executive Officer is expressly prohibited from investing in or managing other entities. In this regard, the management services agreement and the obligation to provide management services will not create a mutually exclusive relationship between our manager and its affiliates, on the one hand, and our company, on the other.
Our manager need not present an acquisition opportunity to us if our manager determines on its own that such acquisition opportunity does not meet our acquisition criteria.
Our manager will review any acquisition opportunity to determine if it satisfies our acquisition criteria, as established by our board of directors from time to time. If our manager determines, in its sole discretion, that an opportunity fits our criteria, our manager will refer the opportunity to our board of directors for its authorization and approval prior to signing a letter of intent, indication of interest or similar document or agreement. Opportunities that our manager determines do not fit our criteria do not need to be presented to our board of directors for consideration. In addition, upon a determination by our board of directors not to promptly pursue an opportunity presented to it by our manager, in whole or in part, our manager will be unrestricted in its ability to pursue such opportunity, or any part that we do not promptly pursue, on its own or refer such opportunity to other entities, including its affiliates. If such an opportunity is ultimately profitable, we will not have participated in such opportunity. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Acquisition and Disposition Opportunities” for more information about our current acquisition criteria.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ellery W. Roberts, controls our manager and, as a result, we may have difficulty severing ties with Mr. Roberts.
Under the terms of the management services agreement, our board of directors may, after due consultation with our manager, at any time request that our manager replace any individual seconded to us, and our manager will, as promptly as practicable, replace any such individual. However, because Mr. Roberts controls our manager, we may have difficulty completely severing ties with Mr. Roberts absent terminating the management services agreement and our relationship with our manager. Further, termination of the management services agreement could give rise to a significant financial obligation, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager” for more information about our relationship with our manager.
If the management services agreement is terminated, our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, has the right to cause us to purchase its allocation shares, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
If: (i) the management services agreement is terminated at any time other than as a result of our manager’s resignation, subject to (ii); or (ii) our manager resigns, our manager will have the right, but not the obligation, for one year from the date of termination or resignation, as the case may be, to cause us to purchase the allocation shares for the put price. The put price shall be equal to, as of any exercise date: (i) if we terminate the management services agreement, the sum of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of the “base put price amount” as of such exercise date; or (ii) if our manager resigns, the average of two separate, independently made calculations of the aggregate amount of the “base put price amount” as of such exercise date. If our manager elects to cause us to purchase its allocation shares, we are obligated to do so and, until we have done so, our ability to conduct our business, including our ability to incur debt, to sell or otherwise dispose of our property or assets, to engage in certain mergers or consolidations, to acquire or purchase the property, assets or stock of, or beneficial interests in, another business, or to declare and pay distributions, would be restricted. These financial and operational obligations may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business and results of operations. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder-Supplemental Put Provision” for more information about our manager’s put right and our obligations relating thereto, as well as the definition and calculation of the base put price amount.
If the management services agreement is terminated, we will need to change our name and cease our use of the term “1847”, which in turn could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations as we would be required to expend funds to create and market a new name.
Our manager controls our rights to the term “1847” as it is used in the name of our company. We and any businesses that we acquire must cease using the term “1847,” including any trademark based on the name of our company that may be licensed to them by our manager under the license provisions of our management services agreement, entirely in their businesses and operations within 180 days of our termination of the management services agreement. The sublicense provisions of the management services agreement would require our company and its businesses to change their names to remove any reference to the term “1847” or any reference to trademarks licensed to them by our manager. This also would require us to create and market a new name and expend funds to protect that name, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We have agreed to indemnify our manager under the management services agreement that may result in an indemnity payment that could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations.
The management services agreement provides that we will indemnify, reimburse, defend and hold harmless our manager, together with its employees, officers, members, managers, directors and agents, from and against all losses (including lost profits), costs, damages, injuries, taxes, penalties, interests, expenses, obligations, claims and liabilities of any kind arising out of the breach of any term or condition in the management services agreement or the performance of any services under such agreement except by reason of acts or omissions constituting fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence. If our manager is forced to defend itself in any claims or actions arising out of the management services agreement for which we are obligated to provide indemnification, our payment of such indemnity could have a material adverse impact upon our business and results of operations.
Our manager can resign on 120 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as the market price of our shares.
Our manager has the right, under the management services agreement, to resign at any time on 120 days written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our manager resigns, we may not be able to contract with a new manager or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 120 days, or at all, in which case our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be materially adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management, acquisition activities and supervision of our business is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the experience and expertise possessed by our manager and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our businesses may result in additional costs and time delays that could materially adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as the market price of our shares.
The amount recorded for the allocation shares may be subject to substantial period-to-period changes, thereby significantly adversely impacting our results of operations.
We will record the allocation shares at the redemption value at each balance sheet date by recording any change in fair value through our income statement as a dividend between net income and net income available to common shareholders. The redemption value of the allocation shares is largely related to the value of the profit allocation that our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, will receive. The redemption value of the allocation shares may fluctuate on a period-to-period basis based on the distributions we pay to our common shareholders, the earnings of our businesses and the price of our common shares, which fluctuation may be significant, and could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder” for more information about the terms and calculation of the profit allocation and any payments under the supplemental put provisions of our operating agreement.
We cannot determine the amount of the management fee that will be paid to our manager over time with certainty, which management fee may be a significant cash obligation and may reduce the cash available for operations and distributions to our shareholders.
Our manager’s management fee will be calculated by reference to our adjusted net assets, which will be impacted by the following factors:
● the acquisition or disposition of businesses;
● organic growth, add-on acquisitions and dispositions by our businesses; and
● the performance of our businesses.
We cannot predict these factors, which may cause significant fluctuations in our adjusted net assets and, in turn, impact the management fee we pay to our manager. Accordingly, we cannot determine the amount of management fee that will be paid to our manager over time with any certainty, which management fee may represent a significant cash obligation and may reduce the cash available for our operations and distributions to our shareholders.
We must pay our manager the management fee regardless of our performance. Therefore, our manager may be induced to increase the amount of our assets rather than the performance of our businesses.
Our manager is entitled to receive a management fee that is based on our adjusted net assets, as defined in the management services agreement, regardless of the performance of our businesses. In this respect, the calculation of the management fee is unrelated to our net income. As a result, the management fee may encourage our manager to increase the amount of our assets by, for example, recommending to our board of directors the acquisition of additional assets, rather than increase the performance of our businesses. In addition, payment of the management fee may reduce or eliminate the cash we have available for distributions to our shareholders.
The management fee is based solely upon our adjusted net assets; therefore, if in a given year our performance declines, but our adjusted net assets remain the same or increase, the management fee we pay to our manager for such year will increase as a percentage of our net income and may reduce the cash available for distributions to our shareholders.
The management fee we pay to our manager will be calculated solely by reference to our adjusted net assets. If in a given year our performance declines, but our adjusted net assets remain the same or increase, the management fee we pay to our manager for such year will increase as a percentage of our net income and may reduce the cash available for distributions to our shareholders. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as a Service Provider-Management Fee” for more information about the terms and calculation of the management fee.
The amount of profit allocation to be paid to our manager could be substantial. However, we cannot determine the amount of profit allocation that will be paid over time or the put price with any certainty.
We cannot determine the amount of profit allocation that will be paid over time or the put price with any certainty. Such determination would be dependent on, among other things, the number, type and size of the acquisitions and dispositions that we make in the future, the distributions we pay to our shareholders, the earnings of our businesses and the market value of common shares from time to time, factors that cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. Such factors will have a significant impact on the amount of any profit allocation to be paid to our manager, especially if our share price significantly increases. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder-Manager’s Profit Allocation” for more information about the calculation and payment of profit allocation. Any amounts paid in respect of the profit allocation are unrelated to the management fee earned for performance of services under the management services agreement.
The management fee and profit allocation to be paid to our manager may significantly reduce the amount of cash available for distributions to shareholders and for operations.
Under the management services agreement, we will be obligated to pay a management fee to and, subject to certain conditions, reimburse the costs and out-of-pocket expenses of our manager incurred on our behalf in connection with the provision of services to us. Similarly, our businesses will be obligated to pay fees to and reimburse the costs and expenses of our manager pursuant to any offsetting management services agreements entered into between our manager and our businesses, or any transaction services agreements to which such businesses are a party. In addition, our manager, as holder of the allocation shares, will be entitled to receive a profit allocation upon satisfaction of applicable conditions to payment and may be entitled to receive the put price upon the occurrence of certain events. While we cannot quantify with any certainty the actual amount of any such payments in the future, we do expect that such amounts could be substantial. The management fee, put price and profit allocation are payment obligations and, as a result, will be senior in right to the payment of any distributions to our shareholders. Likewise, the profit allocation may also significantly reduce the cash available for operations.
Our manager’s influence on conducting our business and operations, including acquisitions, gives it the ability to increase its fees and compensation to our Chief Executive Officer, which may reduce the amount of cash available for distributions to our shareholders.
Under the terms of the management services agreement, our manager is paid a management fee calculated as a percentage of our adjusted net assets for certain items and is unrelated to net income or any other performance base or measure. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as a Service Provider-Management Fee” for more information about the calculation of the management fee. Our manager, which Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, controls, may advise us to consummate transactions, incur third-party debt or conduct our operations in a manner that may increase the amount of fees paid to our manager which, in turn, may result in higher compensation to Mr. Roberts because his compensation is paid by our manager from the management fee it receives from us.
Fees paid by our company and our businesses pursuant to transaction services agreements do not offset fees payable under the management services agreement and will be in addition to the management fee payable by our company under the management services agreement.
The management services agreement provides that businesses that we may acquire in the future may enter into transaction services agreements with our manager pursuant to which our businesses will pay fees to our manager. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as a Service Provider” for more information about these agreements. Unlike fees paid under the offsetting management services agreements, fees that are paid pursuant to such transaction services agreements will not reduce the management fee payable by us. Therefore, such fees will be in addition to the management fee payable by us or offsetting management fees paid by businesses that we may acquire in the future.
The fees to be paid to our manager pursuant to these transaction service agreements will be paid prior to any principal, interest or dividend payments to be paid to us by our businesses, which will reduce the amount of cash available for distributions to our shareholders.
Our manager’s profit allocation may induce it to make decisions and recommend actions to our board of directors that are not optimal for our business and operations.
Our manager, as holder of all of the allocation shares, will receive a profit allocation based on the extent to which gains from any sales of our subsidiaries plus their net income since the time they were acquired exceed a certain annualized hurdle rate. As a result, our manager may be encouraged to make decisions or to make recommendations to our board of directors regarding our business and operations, the business and operations of our businesses, acquisitions or dispositions by us or our businesses and distributions to our shareholders, any of which factors could affect the calculation and payment of profit allocation, but which may otherwise be detrimental to our long-term financial condition and performance.
The obligations to pay the management fee and profit allocation, including the put price, may cause us to liquidate assets or incur debt.
If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the management fee and profit allocation, including the put price, when such payments are due and payable, we may be required to liquidate assets or incur debt in order to make such payments. This circumstance could materially adversely affect our liquidity and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
Risks Related to Taxation
Our shareholders will be subject to taxation on their share of our taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from us.
Our company is a limited liability company and is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, our shareholders are subject to U.S. federal income taxation and, possibly, state, local and foreign income taxation on their share of our taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from us. There is, accordingly, a risk that our shareholders may not receive cash distributions equal to their allocated portion of our taxable income or even in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax liability that results from that income. This risk is attributable to a number of variables, such as results of operations, unknown liabilities, government regulations, financial covenants relating to our debt, the need for funds for future acquisitions and/or to satisfy short- and long-term working capital needs of our businesses, and the discretion and authority of our board of directors to make distributions or modify our distribution policy.
As a partnership, our company itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax (except as may be imposed under certain recently enacted partnership audit rules), although it will file an annual partnership information return with the IRS. The information return will report the results of our activities and will contain a Schedule K-1 for each company shareholder reflecting allocations of profits or losses (and items thereof) to our members, that is, to the shareholders. Each partner of a partnership is required to report on his or her income tax return his or her share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, and other items of the partnership (in each case, as reflected on such Schedule K-1) without regard to whether cash distributions are received. Each holder will be required to report on his or her tax return his or her allocable share of company income, gain, loss, deduction, credit and other items for our taxable year that ends with or within the holder’s taxable year. Thus, holders of common shares will be required to report taxable income (and thus be subject to significant income tax liability) without a corresponding current receipt of cash if we were to recognize taxable income and not make cash distributions to the shareholders.
Generally, the determination of a holder’s distributive share of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership is governed by the operating agreement, but it is also subject to income tax laws governing the allocation of the partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions and credits. These laws are complex, and there can be no assurance that the IRS would not successfully challenge any allocation set forth in any Schedule K-1 issued by us. Whether an allocation set forth in any particular K-1 issued to a shareholder will be accepted by the IRS also depends on a facts and circumstances analysis of the underlying economic arrangement of our shareholders. If the IRS were to prevail in challenging the allocations provided by the operating agreement, the amount of income or loss allocated to holders for U.S. federal income tax purposes could be increased or reduced or the character of allocated income or loss could be modified. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in our prospectus, dated October 28, 2024 and filed with the SEC on October 30, 2024, for more information.
All of our income could be subject to an entity-level tax in the United States, which could result in a material reduction in cash flow available for distribution to shareholders and thus could result in a substantial reduction in the value our shares.
Given the number of shareholders that we have, and because our shares are listed for trading on the over-the-counter market, we believe that our company will be regarded as a publicly traded partnership. Under the federal tax laws, a publicly traded partnership generally will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A publicly traded partnership will be treated as a partnership, however, and not as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes so long as 90% or more of its gross income for each taxable year in which it is publicly traded constitutes “qualifying income,” within the meaning of section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and we are not required to register under the Investment Company Act. Qualifying income generally includes dividends, interest (other than interest derived in the conduct of a lending or insurance business or interest the determination of which depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person), certain real property rents, certain gain from the sale or other disposition of real property, gains from the sale of stock or debt instruments which are held as capital assets, and certain other forms of “passive-type” income. We expect to realize sufficient qualifying income to satisfy the qualifying income exception. We also expect that we will not be required to register under the Investment Company Act.
In certain cases, income that would otherwise qualify for the qualifying income exception may not so qualify if it is considered to be derived from an active conduct of a business. For example, the IRS may assert that interest received by us from our subsidiaries is not qualifying income because it is derived in the conduct of a lending business. If we fail to satisfy the qualifying income exception or is required to register under the Investment Company Act, we will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal (and certain state and local) income tax purposes, and shareholders would be treated as shareholders in a domestic corporation. We would be required to pay federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its income. In addition, we would likely be liable for state and local income and/or franchise taxes on our income. Distributions to the shareholders would constitute ordinary dividend income (taxable at then existing ordinary income rates) or, in certain cases, qualified dividend income (which is generally subject to tax at reduced tax rates) to such holders to the extent of our earnings and profits, and the payment of these dividends would not be deductible to us. Shareholders would receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV in respect of such dividend income and would not receive a Schedule K-1. Taxation of our company as a corporation could result in a material reduction in distributions to our shareholders and after-tax return and would likely result in a substantial reduction in the value of, or materially adversely affect the market price of, our shares.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our shares may be modified by administrative, legislative, or judicial interpretation at any time, and any such action may affect investments previously made. For example, changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the qualifying income exception for our company to be classified as a partnership, and not as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, necessitate that our company restructure its investments, or otherwise adversely affect an investment in our shares.
In addition, we may become subject to an entity level tax in one or more states. Several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise, or other forms of taxation. If any state were to impose a tax upon our company as an entity, our distributions to you would be reduced.
Complying with certain tax-related requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive business or investment opportunities or enter into acquisitions, borrowings, financings, or arrangements we may not have otherwise entered into.
In order for our company to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, we must meet the qualifying income exception discussed above on a continuing basis and must not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. In order to effect such treatment, we may be required to invest through foreign or domestic corporations, forego attractive business or investment opportunities or enter into borrowings or financings we (or any of our subsidiaries, as the case may be) may not have otherwise entered into. This may adversely affect our ability to operate solely to maximize our cash flow. In addition, we may not be able to participate in certain corporate reorganization transactions that would be tax free to our shareholders if we were a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Non-corporate investors who are U.S. taxpayers will not be able to deduct certain fees, costs or other expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We will pay a management fee (and possibly certain transaction fees) to our manager. We will also pay certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with the activities of our manager. We intend to deduct such fees and expenses to the extent that they are reasonable in amount and are not capital in nature or otherwise nondeductible. It is expected that such fees and other expenses will generally constitute miscellaneous itemized deductions for non-corporate U.S. taxpayers who hold our shares. Under current law in effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, non-corporate U.S. taxpayers may not deduct any such miscellaneous itemized deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A non-corporate U.S. taxpayer’s inability to deduct such items could result in such holder reporting as his or her share of company taxable income an amount that exceeds any cash actually distributed to such U.S. taxpayer for the year. U.S. holders of our shares that are corporations generally will be able to deduct these fees, costs and expenses in accordance with applicable U.S. federal income tax law.
A portion of the income arising from an investment in our shares may be treated as unrelated business taxable income and taxable to certain tax-exempt holders despite such holders’ tax-exempt status.
We expect to incur debt with respect to certain of our investments that will be treated as “acquisition indebtedness” under section 514 of the Code. To the extent we recognize income from any investment with respect to which there is “acquisition indebtedness” during a taxable year, or to the extent we recognize gain from the disposition of any investment with respect to which there is “acquisition indebtedness,” a portion of that income will be treated as unrelated business taxable income and taxable to tax-exempt investors. In addition, if the IRS successfully asserts that we are engaged in a trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes (for example, if it determines we are engaged in a lending business), tax-exempt holders, and in certain cases non-U.S. holders, would be subject to U.S. income tax on any income generated by such business. The foregoing would apply only if the amount of such business income does not cause us to fail to meet the qualifying income test (which would happen if such income exceeded 10% of our gross income, and in which case such failure would cause us to be taxable as a corporation).
A portion of the income arising from an investment in our shares may be treated as income that is effectively connected with our conduct of a U.S. trade or business, which income would be taxable to holders who are not U.S. taxpayers.
If the IRS successfully asserts that we are engaged in a trade or business in the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes (for example, if it determines we are engaged in a lending business), then in certain cases non-U.S. holders would be subject to U.S. income tax on any income that is effectively connected with such business. It could also cause the non-U.S. holder to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a sale of his or her interest in our company. The foregoing would apply only if the amount of such business income does not cause us to fail to meet the qualifying income test (which would happen if such income exceeded 10% of our gross income, and in which case such failure would cause us to be taxable as a corporation).
Risks related to recently enacted legislation.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when or in what form the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our shareholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our shares.
We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued, nor is the long-term impact of recently enacted tax legislation clear. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws on an investment in our shares.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Shares
We may not be able to maintain a listing of our common shares on NYSE American.
Our common shares are listed on NYSE American, and we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain the listing of our common shares on NYSE American. If we fail to meet any listing standards or if we violate any listing requirements, our common shares may be delisted. For instance, we have been advised by NYSE American that our common shares may be delisted if our share price falls below $0.10, and due to new NYSE American rules limiting the number of reverse splits that companies may effectuate over a two-year period to less than a cumulative ratio of 200 shares to 1, we will be unable to effectuate an additional reverse share split until at least July 2026, thereby increasing the likelihood that our share price may fall below $0.10. Furthermore, we have a shareholders’ deficit of approximately $96 million as of December 31, 2024, which NYSE American could also use as a basis to delist our common shares. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to meet all listing standards or that we will not violate any listing requirements in the future. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing.
A delisting of our common shares from NYSE American may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell our common shares and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common shares. The delisting of our common shares could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.
The market price, trading volume and marketability of our common shares may, from time to time, be significantly affected by numerous factors beyond our control, which may materially adversely affect the market price of your common shares, the marketability of your common shares and our ability to raise capital through future equity financings.
The market price and trading volume of our common shares may fluctuate significantly. Many factors that are beyond our control may materially adversely affect the market price of your common shares, the marketability of your common shares and our ability to raise capital through equity financings. These factors include the following:
● actual or anticipated variations in our periodic operating results;
● increases in market interest rates that lead investors of our common shares to demand a higher investment return;
● changes in earnings estimates;
● changes in market valuations of similar companies;
● actions or announcements by our competitors;
● adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we may incur in the future;
● additions or departures of key personnel;
● actions by shareholders;
● speculation in the media, online forums, or investment community; and
● our intentions and ability to maintain the listing our common shares on NYSE American.
An active, liquid trading market for our common shares may not be sustained, which may make it difficult for you to sell the common shares you purchase.
We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us will sustain a trading market or how active and liquid that market may remain. If an active and liquid trading market is not sustained, you may have difficulty selling any of our common shares that you purchase at a price above the price you purchase them or at all. The failure of an active and liquid trading market to continue would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of our common shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling securities and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our securities as consideration.
Future sales of our securities may affect the market price of our common shares and result in material dilution.
We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our common shares, or the availability of common shares for future sale, will have on the market price of our common shares. Notably, we are obligated to issue 453,455 common shares upon the conversion of our outstanding series A senior convertible preferred shares, 5,574 common shares upon the conversion of our outstanding series C senior convertible preferred shares, 32,274 common shares upon the conversion of our outstanding series D senior convertible preferred shares and 174,186,206 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $0.53 per share (excluding any decrease to the exercise price and increase in the number of shares as a result of antidilution adjustments contained in certain outstanding warrants). We are also obliged to issue common shares upon the conversion of secured convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $22,819,184, which are convertible into our common shares at a conversion price of equal to the lowest daily volume weighted price of our common shares during the five trading days prior to conversion (subject to adjustment). We have also reserved 5,000,000 common shares for issuance under our 2023 Equity Incentive Plan.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common shares at a time and price which you deem appropriate.
Rule 144 sales in the future may have a depressive effect on our share price.
All of the outstanding common shares held by the present officers, directors, and affiliate shareholders are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. As restricted shares, these shares may be resold only pursuant to an effective registration statement or under the requirements of Rule 144 or other applicable exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and as required under applicable state securities laws. Rule 144 provides in essence that a person who is an affiliate or officer or director who has held restricted securities for six months may, under certain conditions, sell every three months, in brokerage transactions, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1.0% of a company’s outstanding common shares. There is no limitation on the amount of restricted securities that may be sold by a non-affiliate after the owner has held the restricted securities for a period of six months if our company is a current reporting company under the Exchange Act. A sale under Rule 144 or under any other exemption from the Securities Act, if available, or pursuant to subsequent registration of common shares of present shareholders, may have a depressive effect upon the price of the common shares in any market that may develop.
Our series A senior convertible preferred shares, series C senior convertible preferred shares and series D senior convertible preferred shares are senior to our common shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our common shareholders.
Holders of our series A senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to quarterly dividends, payable in cash or in common shares, at a rate per annum of 24.0% of the stated value ($2.42 per share), holders of our series C senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to accruing dividends, payable upon conversion or liquidation, at a rate per annum of 6.0% of the stated value ($10.00 per share) and holders of our series D senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to accruing dividends, payable upon conversion or liquidation, at a rate per annum of 10.0% of the stated value ($0.339 per share). In addition, upon any liquidation of our company or its subsidiaries, each holder of outstanding series A senior convertible preferred shares will be entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to 115% of the stated value, plus an amount of cash equal to all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared), and each holder of outstanding series C senior convertible preferred shares and series D senior convertible preferred shares will be entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to 100% of the stated value, plus an amount of cash equal to all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not declared), all before any payment shall be made to or set apart for the holders of our common shares. This could limit our ability to make regular distributions to our common shareholders or distributions upon liquidation.
We may issue additional debt and equity securities, which are senior to our common shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financing that is secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to our shareholders.
Any additional preferred securities, if issued by our company, may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation, which could further limit our ability to make distributions to our common shareholders. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing.
Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Thus, you will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of your common shares and diluting your interest in us. In addition, we can change our leverage strategy from time to time without approval of holders of our common shares, which could materially adversely affect the market share price of our common shares.
Our potential future earnings and cash distributions to our shareholders may affect the market price of our common shares.
Generally, the market price of our common shares may be based, in part, on the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future cash distributions, whether from operations, sales, acquisitions or refinancings, and on the value of our businesses. For that reason, our common shares may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per share. Should we retain operating cash flow for investment purposes or working capital reserves instead of distributing the cash flows to our shareholders, the retained funds, while increasing the value of our underlying assets, may materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares. Our failure to meet market expectations with respect to earnings and cash distributions and our failure to make such distributions, for any reason whatsoever, could materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Were our common shares to be considered penny stock, and therefore become subject to the penny stock rules, U.S. broker-dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in our common shares.
Our common shares may be subject to the penny stock rules under the Exchange Act. These rules regulate broker-dealer practices for transactions in “penny stocks.” Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share. The penny stock rules require broker-dealers that derive more than 5% of their customer transaction revenues from transactions in penny stocks to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks, and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market, to any non-institutional customer to whom the broker-dealer recommends a penny stock transaction. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to completing the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction, the broker and/or dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. The transaction costs associated with penny stocks are high, reducing the number of broker-dealers who may be willing to engage in the trading of our common shares. These additional penny stock disclosure requirements are burdensome and may reduce all the trading activity in the market for our common shares. As long as our common shares are subject to the penny stock rules, holders of our common shares may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
Holders of our common shares may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under our operating agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiffs in any such action.
Our operating agreement governing our common shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of our common shares waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us arising out of or relating to our operating agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
If we opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of Delaware, which govern our operating agreement, by a federal or state court in the State of Delaware, which has non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the operating agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to our operating agreement. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before entering into the operating agreement.
If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of our common shares bring a claim against us in connection with matters arising under our operating agreement, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us. If a lawsuit is brought against us under our operating agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiffs in any such action.
Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the operating agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the operating agreement serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of our common shares or by us of compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our principal office is located at 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016. We entered into an office service agreement with Regus Management Group, LLC for use of office space at this location effective January 22, 2013. Under the agreement, in exchange for our right to use the office space at this location, we are required to pay a monthly fee of $210 (excluding taxes).
Kyle’s is headquartered at 10849 W. Emerald St. Boise, ID 83713, where it leases a 6,600 square foot facility that includes corporate offices, administration, production floor, warehouse, and employee areas. On September 1, 2020, Kyle’s entered into an industrial lease agreement with Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt, the sellers of Kyle’s. The lease is for a term of five years, with an option for a renewal term of five years, and provides for a base rent of $7,000 per month for the first 12 months, which will increase to $7,210 for months 13-16 and to $7,426 for months 37-60. In addition, Kyle’s is responsible for all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
On June 9, 2021, Kyle’s entered into a lease agreement for an additional facility located at 11193 W. Emerald St. Boise, ID 83713. The facility consists of 9,530 square feet of office and warehouse space. The lease commenced on January 1, 2022 and is for a term of 62 months, with an option for a renewal term of five years, and provides for a base rent of $3,336 for months 3-4 (with no payments for the first two months), with gradual increases to $7,508 for final year. In addition, Kyle’s is responsible for its proportionate share of all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
Innovative Cabinets is headquartered at 875 East Patriot Boulevard, Suite 280, Reno, NV 89511, where it leases a 24,000 square foot facility, consisting of warehouse and production space. The term of the lease commenced on January 1, 2021 and is for a period of 61 months. The base rent is $15,600 for 2021, with gradual increases to $18,085 for 2026. In addition, Innovative Cabinets is responsible for its proportionate share of all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
CMD is headquartered at 4495 Delancey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89103, where it leases a 15,000 square foot facility that includes corporate offices, administration, production floor, warehouse, and employee areas. On December 16, 2024, 1847 CMD entered into a lease agreement with Delancey LLC relating to this property and another located at 4485 Delancey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89103. The lease expires on December 31, 2029, with options for renewals for two (2) additional five (5) year periods, and provides for a base rent of $20,000 per month, which shall increase annually by an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the previous year’s base rent. In addition, 1847 CMD is responsible for all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
CMD also leases a property located at 2421 East Gowan Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030. This facility consists of 15,288 square feet of office and warehouse space. On December 16, 2024, 1847 CMD entered into a lease agreement for this property with CD Gowan LLC. The lease expires on December 31, 2029, with options for renewals for two (2) additional five (5) year periods, and provides for a base rent of $15,000 per month, which shall increase annually by an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the previous year’s base rent. In addition, 1847 CMD is responsible for all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
Wolo is located at 1 Saxwood St., Deer Park, NY 11729. This 10,000 square foot facility houses our offices, production space and stored inventory. The term of the lease for this space commenced in 1978 and has been extended numerous times. Pursuant to the latest amendment entered into in April 2022, the lease expires on July 31, 2025 and provides for a monthly rent of $7,518 for the first year, with scheduled annual increases. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties, and covenants.
We believe that all our properties have been adequately maintained, are generally in good condition, and are suitable and adequate for our businesses.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are not currently aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

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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 REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
Our common shares are listed for trading on NYSE American under the symbol “EFSH.”
Number of Holders of Our Common Shares
As of March 28, 2025, there were approximately 86 shareholders of record of our common shares. In computing the number of holders of record of our common shares, each broker-dealer and clearing corporation holding shares on behalf of its customers is counted as a single shareholder.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Please see Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”
Dividend Policy
Holders of our series A senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to dividends at a rate per annum of 24.0% of the stated value of $2.42 per share (subject to adjustment). Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative. Dividends shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each dividend payment date in cash or common shares at our discretion. Dividends payable in common shares shall be calculated based on a price equal to eighty percent (80%) of the volume weighted average price for the common shares on our principal trading market during the five (5) trading days immediately prior to the applicable dividend payment date; provided that if our common shares are not registered, any dividends payable in common shares shall be calculated based upon the fixed price of $1.57; and provided further that we may only elect to pay dividends in common shares based upon such fixed price if the volume weighted average price for the common shares on our principal trading market during the five (5) trading days immediately prior to the applicable dividend payment date is $1.57 or higher.
Holders of our series C senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to dividends at a rate per annum of 6.0% of the stated value of $10.00 per share. Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative. Dividends shall be payable only upon conversion or upon liquidation of our company.
Holders of our series D senior convertible preferred shares are entitled to dividends at a rate per annum of 10.0% of the stated value of $0.339 per share. Dividends shall accrue from day to day, whether or not declared, and shall be cumulative. Dividends shall be payable only upon conversion or upon liquidation of our company.
We plan to make regular distributions on our outstanding common shares, subject to our operating subsidiaries generating sufficient cash flow to support such regular cash distributions. Our distribution policy will be based on the liquidity and capital of our businesses and on our intention to pay out as distributions to our shareholders most of the cash resulting from the ordinary operation of the businesses, and not to retain significant cash balances in excess of what is prudent for our company or our businesses, or as may be prudent for the consummation of attractive acquisition opportunities. If our strategy is successful, we expect to maintain and increase the level of regular distributions to common shareholders in the future.
The declaration and payment of any distribution to our common shareholders will be subject to the approval of our board of directors. Our board of directors will take into account such matters as general business conditions, our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and any contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of distributions by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and any other factors that the board of directors deems relevant. However, even if our board of directors were to decide to declare and pay distributions, our ability to pay such distributions may be adversely impacted due to unknown liabilities, government regulations, financial covenants of our debt, funds needed for acquisitions and to satisfy short- and long-term working capital needs of our businesses, or if our operating subsidiaries do not generate sufficient earnings and cash flow to support the payment of such distributions. In particular, we may incur debt in the future to acquire new businesses, which debt will have substantial debt commitments, which must be satisfied before we can make distributions. These factors could affect our ability to continue to make distributions to our common shareholders.
We may use cash flow from our operating subsidiaries, capital resources, including borrowings under any third-party credit facilities that we establish, or reduction in equity to pay a distribution. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in our prospectus, dated October 28, 2024 and filed with the SEC on October 30, 2024, for more information about the tax treatment of distributions to our shareholders.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We have not sold any equity securities during the 2024 fiscal year that were not previously disclosed in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or a current report on Form 8-K that was filed during the 2024 fiscal year.
Purchases of Equity Securities
No repurchases of our common shares were made during the fourth quarter of 2024.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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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.
The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
We are an acquisition holding company focused on acquiring and managing a group of small businesses, which we characterize as those that have an enterprise value of less than $50 million, in a variety of different industries headquartered in North America.
Through our structure, we offer investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of a portfolio of businesses that traditionally have been owned and managed by private equity firms, private individuals or families, financial institutions or large conglomerates. We believe that our management and acquisition strategies will allow us to achieve our goals to make and grow regular distributions to our common shareholders and increase common shareholder value over time.
We seek to acquire controlling interests in small businesses that we believe operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities, and that have positive and stable earnings and cash flows, face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence and have strong management teams largely in place. We believe that private company operators and corporate parents looking to sell their businesses will consider us to be an attractive purchaser of their businesses. We make these businesses our majority-owned subsidiaries and actively manage and grow such businesses. We expect to improve our businesses over the long term through organic growth opportunities, add-on acquisitions and operational improvements.
Recent Developments
Amendment to Operating Agreement
On March 11, 2025, our manager entered into an amendment to our operating agreement to increase the number of common shares that we are authorized to issue from 500 million shares to 2 billion shares.
Warrant Exchange
As described below, on October 30, 2024, we issued series A warrants to certain investors, most of which were exercised shortly after issuance. On March 11, 2025, the exercise price of the remaining series A warrants was reduced to $0.81 per share, with a corresponding increase in the number of series A warrants. Following this adjustment, the number of series A warrants outstanding was increased to 632,990, with each series A warrant exercisable for two common shares, or an aggregate of 1,265,980 common shares. Following the adjustment, a holder exercised 193,348 series A warrants for 386,696 common shares, or the Exercised Shares. Accordingly, an aggregate of 439,642 series A warrants remained outstanding, or the Remaining Warrants.
On March 25, 2025, we entered into cancellation and exchange agreements with the holders of the Remaining Warrants and the Exercised Shares, pursuant to which such holders agreed to exchange the Remaining Warrants and the Exercised Shares for an aggregate of 1,027 series F convertible preferred shares.
In connection with the cancellation and exchange agreements, on March 25, 2025 we executed a share designation to establish the terms of the series F convertible preferred shares, or the Share Designation. Pursuant to the Share Designation, we designated 1,027 of our preferred shares as series F convertible preferred shares with a stated value of $1,000 per share. Following is a summary of the material terms of the series F convertible preferred shares:
Ranking. The series F convertible preferred shares rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, (i) senior to all common shares, allocation shares, series C preferred shares, series D preferred shares and each other class or series that is not expressly made senior to or on parity with the series F convertible preferred shares; (ii) on parity with each other class or series that is not expressly subordinated or made senior to the series F convertible preferred shares; and (iii) junior to the series A senior convertible preferred shares, all indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us and each other class or series that is expressly made senior to the series F convertible preferred shares.
Dividend Rights. Holders of series F convertible preferred shares are entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared on the common shares, pari passu with the holders of common shares, on an as-converted basis.
Liquidation Rights. Subject to the rights of creditors and the holders of any senior securities or parity securities (in each case, as defined in the Share Designation), upon any liquidation of our company, before any payment or distribution of the assets of our company (whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders of junior securities (as defined in the Share Designation), each holder of outstanding series F convertible preferred shares shall be entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to 100% of the stated value ($1,000 per share). If, upon any liquidation, the assets, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of the series F convertible preferred shares shall be insufficient to pay in full the preferential amount payable to the holders of the series F convertible preferred shares and liquidating payments on any other shares of any class or series of parity securities as to the distribution of assets on any liquidation, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holders of series F convertible preferred shares and any such other parity securities ratably in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such series F convertible preferred shares and any such other parity securities if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.
Voting Rights. The series F convertible preferred shares do not have any voting rights; provided that, so long as any series F convertible preferred shares are outstanding, we shall not, and shall not permit any of our subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding series F convertible preferred shares, (a) amend our certificate of formation or operating agreement in any manner that adversely affects any rights of the holders of the series F convertible preferred shares or alter or amend the Share Designation, (b) authorize or create any class of shares ranking as to dividends, redemption or distribution of assets upon a liquidation senior to, or otherwise pari passu with, the series F convertible preferred shares, or (c) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Conversion Rights. Each series F convertible preferred share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, into such number of fully paid and nonassessable common shares determined by dividing the stated value ($1,000 per share) by the conversion price of $0.1549 per share. The conversion price is subject to standard adjustments in the event of any share splits, share combinations, share reclassifications, dividends paid in common shares, sales of substantially all of our assets, mergers, consolidations or similar transactions, as well as for subsequent issuances of common shares, or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common shares, at a price below the then conversion price; provided that a holder shall not be entitled to utilize a conversion price of less than $0.01 (subject to standard adjustments for share splits, share combinations, recapitalizations and similar transactions). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate number of common shares that we may issue upon conversion of the series F convertible preferred shares is limited to 5,385,291 shares (equal to 19.99% of our outstanding common shares prior to entry into the cancellation and exchange agreements) prior to obtaining shareholder approval of the issuance of all common shares that may be issued upon conversion of the series F convertible preferred shares, in accordance with NYSE American rules. Furthermore, we shall not effect any conversion of the series F convertible preferred shares, and a holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the series F convertible preferred shares, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion, such holder (together with such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon conversion. This limitation may be waived (up to a maximum of 9.99%) by the holder in its sole discretion upon not less than sixty-one (61) days’ prior notice to us.
Other Rights. Holders of series F convertible preferred shares have no redemption, preemptive or subscription rights for additional securities of our company.
Management Fees
On April 15, 2013, we and our manager entered into a management services agreement, pursuant to which we are required to pay our manager a quarterly management fee equal to 0.5% of our adjusted net assets for services performed (which we refer to as the parent management fee). The amount of the parent management fee with respect to any fiscal quarter is (i) reduced by the aggregate amount of any management fees received by our manager under any offsetting management services agreements with respect to such fiscal quarter, (ii) reduced (or increased) by the amount of any over-paid (or under-paid) parent management fees received by (or owed to) our manager as of the end of such fiscal quarter, and (iii) increased by the amount of any outstanding accrued and unpaid parent management fees. We did not expense any parent management fees for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2024.
Following the assignment of all of the assets of Asien’s on February 26, 2024 as described under “-Discontinued Operations” below, our manager ceased to provide services to 1847 Asien for quarterly management fees. 1847 Asien expensed management fees of $50,000 and $300,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in discontinued operations.
On August 21, 2020, 1847 Cabinet entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager, which was amended on October 8, 2021. Pursuant to the amended management services agreement, our manager will provide certain services to 1847 Cabinet in exchange for a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $125,000 or 2% of adjusted net assets (as defined within the amended management services agreement). 1847 Cabinet expensed management fees of $375,000 and $500,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, of which $125,000 is included in discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 due to the sale of High Mountain described under “-Discontinued Operations” below.
On March 30, 2021, 1847 Wolo entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager. Pursuant to the management services agreement, our manager will provide certain services to 1847 Wolo in exchange for a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $75,000 or 2% of adjusted net assets (as defined within the management services agreement). 1847 Wolo expensed management fees of $300,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Following the foreclosure sale of all of the assets of ICU Eyewear on August 5, 2024 as described under “-Discontinued Operations” below, our manager ceased to provide services to 1847 ICU for quarterly management fees. 1847 ICU expensed management fees of $175,000 and $225,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in discontinued operations.
On December 16, 2024, 1847 CMD entered into an offsetting management services agreement with our manager. Pursuant to the management services agreement, our manager will provide certain services to 1847 CMD in exchange for a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $75,000 or 2% of adjusted net assets (as defined within the management services agreement).
In addition, if the aggregate amount of management fees paid or to be paid to our manager under the offsetting management services agreements, exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 9.5% of our gross income in any fiscal year or the parent management fee in any fiscal quarter, then the management fee to be paid by such entities shall be reduced, on a pro rata basis determined by reference to the other management fees to be paid to our manager under other offsetting management services agreements.
On a consolidated basis, for the year ended December 31, 2024, we expensed total management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $2,267,000 and $350,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we expensed total management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $633,333 and $691,667, respectively.
Segments
Following the divestures described under “-Discontinued Operations” below, we now have two reportable segments:
● The construction segment provides finish carpentry and related products and services, including doors, frames, trim, hardware, millwork, cabinetry, and specialty construction accessories.
● The automotive supplies segment provides horn and safety products (including electric, air, truck, marine, motorcycle, and industrial equipment) as well as vehicle emergency and safety warning lights for cars, trucks, industrial equipment, and emergency vehicles.
We report all other business activities that are not reportable in the corporate services segment. We provide general corporate services to our segments; however, these services are not considered when making operating decisions and assessing segment performance. The corporate services segment includes costs associated with executive management, financing activities and other public company-related costs.
Discontinued Operations
On February 26, 2024, Asien’s entered into a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors with SG Service Co., LLC. Pursuant to the assignment, Asien’s transferred ownership of all or substantially all of its right, title, and interest in, as well as custody and control of, its assets to SG Service Co., LLC in trust. Following the assignment, we retained no financial interest in Asien’s. Accordingly, the results of operations of Asien’s are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Our company was a limited guarantor of the Loan Agreement that was entered into on September 11, 2023 between the ICU Lender, 1847 ICU and ICU Eyewear. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the ICU Lender had a security interest in all the assets of ICU Eyewear. ICU Eyewear was in default under the Loan Agreement and consented to a foreclosure by the ICU Lender and private sale of substantially all of its assets in an Article 9 sale process, pursuant to Section 9-610 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York and Section 9-610 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of California. On August 5, 2024, ICU Eyecare Solutions Inc., an entity that is not affiliated with our company, was the successful bidder with a cash bid of $4,250,000. Pursuant to an agreement, dated August 5, 2024, and in consideration for such purchase price, the ICU Lender having foreclosed on its security interest in all of the assets of ICU Eyewear then conveyed all of its rights, title, and interest in all of such assets to ICU Eyecare Solutions Inc. Following the sale, we retained no financial interest in ICU Eyewear. Accordingly, the results of operations of ICU Eyewear are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On September 30, 2024, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with BFS and High Mountain, pursuant to which we sold substantially all of the assets of Hight Mountain to BFS for an aggregate cash only purchase price of $17,000,000, subject to certain pre-closing and post-closing adjustments. At closing, the purchase price was subject to a working capital adjustment and was also reduced by the amount of outstanding indebtedness repaid at closing or assumed by BFS, as well as certain transaction expenses. Additionally, the purchase price was reduced by $1,358,968, net of certain post-closing adjustments. Following the sale, we retained no financial interest in High Mountain. Accordingly, the results of operations of High Mountain are reported as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, both in dollars and as a percentage of our revenues.
Years Ended December 31,
Amount % of
Revenues
Amount % of
Revenues
Revenues $ 15,710,330 100.0 % $ 14,190,135 100.0 %
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues 7,937,588 50.5 % 7,637,496 53.8 %
Personnel 6,538,872 41.6 % 4,990,561 35.2 %
Depreciation and amortization 655,658 4.2 % 1,162,295 8.2 %
General and administrative 5,000,843 31.8 % 3,272,333 23.1 %
Professional fees 6,896,438 43.9 % 2,378,190 16.8 %
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 679,175 4.3 % 10,456,087 73.7 %
Total operating expenses 27,708,574 176.4 % 29,896,962 210.7 %
Loss from operations (11,998,244 ) (76.4 )% (15,706,827 ) (110.7 )%
Other income (expense)
Other income (expense) (1,263,983 ) (8.0 )% 12,611 0.1 %
Gain on disposal of property and equipment 13,000 0.1 % - -
Interest expense (4,262,224 ) (27.1 )% (4,628,194 ) (32.6 )%
Amortization of debt discounts (9,047,721 ) (57.6 )% (4,232,231 ) (29.8 )%
Loss on extinguishment of debt (4,709,793 ) (30.0 )% - -
Loss on change in fair value of warrant liabilities (77,638,662 ) (494.2 )% (27,900 ) (0.2 )%
Gain on change in fair value of derivative liabilities 1,401,373 8.9 % 385,138 2.7 %
Total other expense (95,508,010 ) (607.9 )% (8,490,576 ) (59.8 )%
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes (107,506,254 ) (684.3 )% (24,197,403 ) (170.5 )%
Income tax provision 702,000 4.5 % 209,000 1.5 %
Net loss from continuing operations $ (106,804,254 ) (679.8 )% $ (23,988,403 ) (169.0 )%
Total revenues. Our total revenues were $15,710,330 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $14,190,135 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The construction segment generates revenue through the sale of finished carpentry and related products and services. Revenues from the construction segment increased by $2,321,335, or 24.1%, to $11,960,884 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $9,639,549 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenues was primarily attributed to an increase in new multi-family projects and an increase in the average customer contract value.
The automotive supplies segment generates revenue through the design and sale of horn and safety products (electric, air, truck, marine, motorcycle and industrial equipment), including vehicle emergency and safety warning lights for cars, trucks, industrial equipment and emergency vehicles. Revenues from the automotive supplies segment decreased by $801,140, or 17.6%, to $3,749,446 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $4,550,586 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributed to working capital constraints on inventory.
Cost of revenues. Our total cost of revenues was $7,937,588 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $7,637,496 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cost of revenues for the construction segment consists of finished goods, lumber, hardware and materials and plus direct labor and related costs, net of any material discounts from vendors. Cost of revenues for the construction segment increased by $956,944, or 21.3%, to $5,439,723 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $4,482,779 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to the corresponding increase in revenues. As a percentage of construction revenues, cost of revenues for the construction segment was 45.5% and 46.5% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Cost of revenues for the automotive supplies segment consists of the costs of purchased finished goods plus freight and tariff costs. Cost of revenues for the automotive supplies segment decreased by $656,852, or 20.8%, to $2,497,865 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $3,154,717 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such decrease was primarily attributed to the corresponding decrease in revenues. As a percentage of automotive supplies revenues, cost of revenues for the automotive supplies segment was 66.6% and 69.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Personnel costs. Personnel costs include employee salaries and bonuses plus related payroll taxes. It also includes health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, and training costs. Our total personnel costs were $6,538,872 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $4,990,561 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Personnel costs for the construction segment increased by $752,966, or 24.7%, to $3,805,928 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $3,052,962 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased employee headcount as a result of increased revenues and corporate wage allocations. As a percentage of construction revenue, personnel costs for the construction segment were 31.8% and 31.7% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Personnel costs for the automotive supplies segment increased by $17,507, or 1.9%, to $934,895 for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $917,388 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased benefit costs. As a percentage of automotive supplies revenues, personnel costs for the automotive supplies segment were 24.9% and 20.2% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Personnel costs for the corporate services segment increased by $777,838, or 76.2%, to $1,798,049 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1,020,211 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased benefit costs and accrued management bonuses and wages.
Depreciation and amortization. Our total depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $506,637, or 43.6%, to $655,658 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1,162,295 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such decrease was primarily as a result of impairments of intangible assets.
General and administrative expenses. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of insurance expense, rent expense, management fees, advertising, bank fees, bad debt allowances, and other general expenses incurred in connection with general operations. Our total general and administrative expenses were $5,000,843 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $3,272,333 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
General and administrative expenses for the construction segment increased by $272,590, or 18.5%, to $1,745,773 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1,473,183 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased revenues, along with increases in rent and office expenditures. As a percentage of construction revenue, general and administrative expenses for the construction segment were 14.6% and 15.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for the automotive supplies segment decreased by $82,879, or 8.7%, to $865,115 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $947,994 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such decrease was primarily attributed to decreased office expenditures. As a percentage of automotive supplies revenue, general and administrative expenses for the automotive supplies segment were 23.1% and 20.8% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
General and administrative expenses for the corporate services segment increased by $1,538,799, or 180.8%, to $2,389,955 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $851,156 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to management fees from the sale of High Mountain that entitles our manager to receive a 20% profit allocation and a transaction fee of 2.0% from the sale of High Mountain and purchase of CMD, offset by decreased software and office expenditures.
Professional fees. Our total professional fees were $6,896,438 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $2,378,190 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Professional fees for the construction segment decreased by $39,282, or 25.5%, to $114,731 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $154,013 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such decrease was primarily attributed to decreased consulting fees. As a percentage of construction revenue, professional fees for the construction segment were 1.0% and 1.6% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Professional fees for the automotive supplies segment increased by $25,790, or 13.1%, to $222,360 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $196,570 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased consulting fees. As a percentage of automotive supplies revenue, professional fees for the automotive supplies segment were 5.9% and 4.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Professional fees for our holding company increased by $4,531,740, or 223.5%, to $6,559,347 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $2,027,607 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such increase was primarily attributed to increased legals fees, consulting fees, investor relations, and other public company related fees. Additionally, during 2024 we prepaid $2.5 million in non-recurring consulting and investor relations fees using the proceeds from the public offering of common shares and pre-funded warrants described below.
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded impairments of goodwill and intangible assets of $679,175, as compared to $10,456,087 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Total other income (expense). We had $95,508,010 in total other expense, net, for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to other expense, net, of $8,490,576 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Other expense, net, for the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted of a loss on change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $77,638,662, amortization of debt discounts of $9,047,721, a loss on extinguishment of debt of $4,709,793, interest expense of $4,262,224 and other expense of $1,263,983, offset by a gain on change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $1,401,373 and a gain on disposal of property and equipment of $13,000, while other expense, net, for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of interest expense of $4,628,194, amortization of debt discounts of $4,232,231 and a loss on change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $27,900, offset by a gain on change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $385,138 and other income of $12,611.
Income tax provision. We had an income tax benefit of $702,000 and $209,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net loss from continuing operations. As a result of the cumulative effect of the factors described above, our net loss from continuing operations was $106,804,254 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $23,988,403 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,502,450 and restricted cash of $1,358,968. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through revenue generated from operations, cash proceeds from financing activities, borrowings, and equity contributions by our shareholders.
Management plans to address the above as needed by, securing additional bank lines of credit, and obtaining additional financing through debt or equity transactions. Management has implemented tight cost controls to conserve cash.
The ability of our company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to successfully accomplish the plans described in the preceding paragraph and to eventually attain profitable operations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if our company is unable to continue as a going concern. If our company is unable to obtain adequate capital, it could be forced to cease operations.
We believe additional funds are required to execute our business plan and our strategy of acquiring additional businesses. The funds required to execute our business plan will depend on the size, capital structure and purchase price consideration that the seller of a target business deems acceptable in a given transaction. The amount of funds needed to execute our business plan also depends on what portion of the purchase price of a target business the seller of that business is willing to take in the form of seller notes or our equity or equity in one of our subsidiaries. We will seek growth as funds become available from cash flow, borrowings, additional capital raised privately or publicly, or seller retained financing.
Our primary use of funds will be for future acquisitions, public company expenses including regular distributions to our shareholders, investments in future acquisitions, payments to our manager pursuant to the management services agreement, potential payment of profit allocation to our manager and potential put price to our manager in respect of the allocation shares it owns. The management fee, expenses, potential profit allocation and potential put price are paid before distributions to shareholders and may be significant and exceed the funds we hold, which may require us to dispose of assets or incur debt to fund such expenditures. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager” for more information concerning the management fee, the profit allocation and put price.
The amount of management fee paid to our manager by us is reduced by the aggregate amount of any offsetting management fees, if any, received by our manager from any of our businesses. As a result, the management fee paid to our manager may fluctuate from quarter to quarter. The amount of management fee paid to our manager may represent a significant cash obligation. In this respect, the payment of the management fee will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to shareholders.
Our manager, as holder of 100% of our allocation shares, is entitled to receive a twenty percent (20%) profit allocation as a form of preferred equity distribution, subject to an annual hurdle rate of eight percent (8%), as follows. Upon the sale of a subsidiary, our manager will be paid a profit allocation if the sum of (i) the excess of the gain on the sale of such subsidiary over a high-water mark plus (ii) the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition by us exceeds the 8% hurdle rate. The 8% hurdle rate is the product of (i) a 2% rate per quarter, multiplied by (ii) the number of quarters such subsidiary was held by us, multiplied by (iii) the subsidiary’s average share (determined based on gross assets, generally) of our consolidated net equity (determined according to GAAP, with certain adjustments). In certain circumstances, after a subsidiary has been held for at least 5 years, our manager may also trigger a profit allocation with respect to such subsidiary (determined based solely on the subsidiary’s net income since its acquisition). The amount of profit allocation may represent a significant cash payment and is senior in right to payments of distributions to our shareholders. Therefore, the amount of profit allocation paid, when paid, will reduce the amount of cash available to us for our operating and investing activities, including future acquisitions. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder-Manager’s Profit Allocation” for more information on the calculation of the profit allocation.
Our operating agreement also contains a supplemental put provision, which gives our manager the right, subject to certain conditions, to cause us to purchase the allocation shares then owned by our manager upon termination of the management services agreement. The amount of put price under the supplemental put provision is determined by assuming all of our subsidiaries are sold at that time for their fair market value and then calculating the amount of profit allocation would be payable in such a case. If the management services agreement is terminated for any reason other than our manager’s resignation, the payment to our manager could be as much as twice the amount of such hypothetical profit allocation. As is the case with profit allocation, the calculation of the put price is complex and based on many factors that cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. See Item 1 “Business-Our Manager-Our Manager as an Equity Holder-Supplemental Put Provision” for more information on the calculation of the put price. The put price obligation, if our manager exercises its put right, will represent a significant cash payment and is senior in right to payments of distributions to our shareholders.
Therefore, the amount of put price will reduce the amount of cash available to us for our operating and investing activities, including future acquisitions.
Summary of Cash Flow
The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for the period indicated:
Cash Flow
For the Years Ended
December 31,
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations $ (14,635,636 ) $ (8,023,584 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations 891,802 (27,843 )
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations 16,931,807 7,863,654
Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations 3,187,973 (187,773 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations at beginning of year 673,445 861,218
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations at end of year $ 3,861,418 $ 673,445
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations was $14,635,636 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $8,023,584 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Significant factors affecting the increase in net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations were primarily a result of the increased net loss, decreased contract liabilities and accounts payable, and increased receivables, partially offset by expenses, and decreased inventories and prepaid expenses.
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $891,802 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $27,843 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in the net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was primarily a result of the proceeds received from the sale of High Mountain, offset by the purchase of CMD during 2024.
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $16,931,807 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $7,863,654 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in the net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was primarily a result of increased proceeds from public and private offerings, offset by increased debt repayments.
Public Offering of Common Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants
On February 9, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain purchasers and a placement agency agreement with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, or Spartan, as placement agent, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to such purchasers an aggregate of 9,364 common shares and prefunded warrants for the purchase of 16,280 common shares (all of which were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2024) at an offering price of $195.00 per common share and $193.05 per prefunded warrant, pursuant to our effective registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-276670). On February 14, 2024, the closing of this offering was completed. At the closing, the purchasers prepaid the exercise price of the prefunded warrants in full. Therefore, we received total gross proceeds of $5,000,000. Pursuant to the placement agency agreement, Spartan received a cash transaction fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. After deducting these and other offering expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $4.4 million.
Public Offering of Units
On October 28, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain purchasers and a placement agency agreement with Spartan, as placement agent, relating to our public offering of units. Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement and the placement agency agreement, we agreed to issue and sell to the purchasers an aggregate of 587,306 units, at a purchase price of $18.90 per unit, for total gross proceeds of approximately $11.1 million, pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282201) under the Securities Act. On October 30, 2024, the closing of the offering was completed. Pursuant to the placement agency agreement, Spartan received a cash transaction fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1% of the aggregate gross proceeds and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. After deducting these expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $9.9 million.
The units are comprised of (i) 587,306 common shares, (ii) series A warrants to purchase 587,306 common shares at an exercise price of $28.50 per share (which was subsequently adjusted to 8,558,723 shares at an exercise price of $1.50 in accordance with certain adjustment provisions contained in the series A warrants) and (iii) series B warrants to purchase 587,306 common shares at an exercise price of $37.80 per share (which was subsequently adjusted to 14,799,979 shares at an exercise price of $1.50 in accordance with certain adjustment provisions contained in the series B warrants). Please see Exhibit 4.1 to this report for a description of the terms of these warrants.
Private Placement of Units
On December 13, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain purchasers and a placement agreement with Spartan, as placement agent, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to the purchasers an aggregate of 42,311,118 units, at a purchase price of $0.27 per unit, for total gross proceeds of approximately $11.42 million. On December 16, 2024, the closing of this private placement was completed. Pursuant to the placement agreement, Spartan received a cash transaction fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1% of the aggregate gross proceeds and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses. After deducting these and other offering expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $10.2 million, all of which were used to pay the cash portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of CMD.
The units are comprised of (i) 3,437,210 common shares and pre-funded warrants for the purchase of 38,873,908 common shares, (ii) series A warrants to purchase 42,311,118 common shares at an exercise price of $0.81 per share and (iii) series B warrants to purchase 42,311,118 common shares at an exercise price of $0.54 per share. Please see Exhibit 4.1 to this report for a description of the terms of these warrants.
Debt
The following table shows aggregate figures for our total debt that is coming due in the short and long term as of December 31, 2024. For a complete description of the terms of our outstanding debt, please see Notes 14, 15 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Short-Term Long-Term Total Debt
Notes Payable
Vehicle loans $ 44,894 $ 8,530 $ 53,424
CMD seller promissory note 1,050,000 - 1,050,000
6% Subordinated promissory note 500,000 - 500,000
Purchase and sale of future revenues loan 1,237,950 - 1,237,950
12% subordinated promissory note for services 500,000 - 500,000
20% OID subordinated promissory notes 3,217,932 - 3,217,932
25% OID subordinated promissory note 1,455,600 - 1,455,600
Total notes payable 8,006,376 8,530 8,014,906
Less: debt discounts (220,465 ) - (220,465 )
Total notes payable, net 7,785,911 8,530 7,794,441
Related Party Notes Payable
Related party promissory note 578,290 - 578,290
Convertible Notes Payable
Secured convertible promissory notes 23,074,286 - 23,074,286
Less: debt discounts (985,137 ) - (985,137 )
Total convertible notes payable, net 22,089,149 - 22,089,149
Finance Leases
Financing leases 182,043 423,198 605,241
Combined total debt $ 31,840,995 $ 431,728 $ 32,272,723
Less: combined debt discounts (1,205,602 ) - (1,205,602 )
Combined total debt, net $ 30,635,393 $ 431,728 $ 31,067,121
Contractual Obligations
Our principal commitments consist mostly of obligations under the loans described above, the operating leases described under Item 2 “Properties” and other contractual commitments described below.
We have engaged our manager to manage our day-to-day operations and affairs. Our relationship with our manager will be governed principally by the following agreements:
● the management services agreement and offsetting management services agreements relating to the management services our manager will perform for us and the businesses we own and the management fee to be paid to our manager in respect thereof; and
● our operating agreement setting forth our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns, including the right to receive profit allocations from us, and the supplemental put provision relating to our manager’s right to cause us to purchase the allocation shares it owns.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion relates to critical accounting policies for our consolidated company. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operation. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements:
Business Combinations. We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” We allocate the purchase price of an acquisition to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. We recognize the amount by which the purchase price of an acquired entity exceeds the net of the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as goodwill. In determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we use various recognized valuation methods including the income, cost and market approaches in accordance with ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” We make assumptions within certain valuation techniques, including discount rates, royalty rates, and the amount and timing of future cash flows. We initially perform these valuations based upon preliminary estimates and assumptions by management or independent valuation specialists under our supervision, where appropriate, and make revisions as estimates and assumptions are finalized, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from business combinations and are expensed as incurred.
Long-Lived Assets. We review the carrying value of long-lived assets such as property and equipment, right of use assets, and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These events and circumstances may include significant decreases in the market price of an asset or asset group, significant changes in the extent or manner in which an asset or asset group is being used by us or in its physical condition, a significant change in legal factors or in the business climate, a history or forecast of future operating or cash flow losses, significant disposal activity, a significant decline in revenue or adverse changes in the economic environment. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, we assess the recoverability of an asset group by determining if the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable, we estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies, which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows. Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset group’s carrying amount and its estimated fair value.
Goodwill. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we test goodwill for impairment annually on October 1, or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. When assessing the recoverability of goodwill, we may first assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The qualitative assessment is based on several factors, including the current operating environment, industry and market conditions, and overall financial performance. If we bypass the qualitative assessment, or if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes, and to estimate the future cash flows used to measure fair value. Our estimates of future cash flows consider past performance, current and anticipated market conditions, and internal projections and operating plans, including forecasted growth rates and estimated discount rates. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a reporting unit is considered impaired, and an impairment charge is recognized for the difference.
Embedded Derivative Liabilities. We evaluate the embedded features of our financial instruments, including our preferred shares, convertible notes payable and warrants, in accordance with ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging.” Certain conversion options and redemption features are required to be bifurcated from their host instrument and accounted for as free-standing derivative financial instruments should certain criteria be met. We apply significant judgment to identify and evaluate complex terms and conditions for financial instruments to determine whether such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. Embedded derivatives must be separately measured from the host contract if all the requirements for bifurcation are met. The assessment of the conditions surrounding the bifurcation of embedded derivatives depends on the nature of the host contract and the features of the derivatives. Bifurcated embedded derivatives are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations each period. We have a sequencing policy, whereby in the event that reclassification of contracts from equity to assets or liabilities is necessary in accordance with ASC Topic 815 due to our inability to demonstrate we have sufficient authorized shares as a result of certain securities with a potentially indeterminable number of shares, shares will be allocated on the basis of the earliest maturity date of potentially dilutive instruments first, with the earliest maturity date of grants receiving the first allocation of shares. Pursuant to ASC Topic 815, any issuances of securities to our employees and directors, or to compensate grantees in a share-based payment arrangement, are not subject to the sequencing policy.
Warrant Liabilities. We account for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the specific terms of the warrants in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance in ASC Topic 480 and ASC Topic 815-40, “Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity.” The assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments, meet the definition of a liability, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification, including whether the warrants are indexed to our own common shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require net cash settlement in a circumstance outside of our control, among other conditions for equity classification. For issued or modified warrants that meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations each period.
Income Taxes. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and establish a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the position will be sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. This evaluation is based on all available evidence and assumes that the tax authorities have full knowledge of all relevant information concerning the tax position. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

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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 full text of our audited consolidated financial statements begins on page of this Annual 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
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. As a result of this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below. Notwithstanding the identified material weaknesses, management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, believes the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly represent, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP.
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Management has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below. As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm in this report.
Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
● pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
● provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our board of directors; and
● provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified include:
● we do not have written documentation of our internal control policies and procedures, including written policies and procedures to ensure the correct application of accounting and financial reporting with respect to the current requirements of GAAP and SEC disclosure requirements;
● we failed to maintain a sufficient complement of personnel in our accounting and reporting department to ensure adequate segregation of duties such that appropriate review and monitoring of its financial records are executed; and
● we did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to our information technology general controls in the areas of user access and program change-management over certain information technology systems that support our financial reporting processes.
Notwithstanding the material weakness, we believe that our consolidated financial statements contained in this report fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods covered by this report in all material respects.
Our management, with the oversight of our audit committee, has initiated steps and plans to take additional measures to remediate the underlying causes of the material weakness, which we currently believe will be primarily through revising precision level of management review controls and gaining additional assurance regarding our outside service providers’ quality control procedures. It is possible that we may determine that additional remediation steps will be necessary in the future.
Planned Remediation of Material Weaknesses
Our management has been actively engaged in developing and implementing remediation plans to address the material weaknesses described above. These remediation efforts are ongoing and include or are expected to include:
● increasing personnel resources and technical accounting expertise within the accounting function (until we have sufficient technical accounting resources, we have engaged external consultants to provide support and to assist us in our evaluation of more complex applications of GAAP);
● engaging internal control consultants to assist us in performing a financial reporting risk assessment as well as identifying and designing our system of internal controls necessary to mitigate the risks identified; and
● preparation of written documentation of our internal control policies and procedures.
We continue to enhance corporate oversight over process-level controls and structures to ensure that there is appropriate assignment of authority, responsibility, and accountability to enable remediation of our material weaknesses. We believe that our remediation plan will be sufficient to remediate the identified material weaknesses and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. As we continue to evaluate, and work to improve, our internal control over financial reporting, management may determine that additional measures to address control deficiencies or modifications to the remediation plan are necessary.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
On April 17, 2024, we received a notification letter from NYSE American regarding our noncompliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards set forth in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide due to our failure to timely file our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The notification letter provided us with a six-month cure period to file the Annual Report. The notification letter also required that we issue a press release disclosing the filing delinquency within five days and we were required to file a Form 8-K disclosing receipt of the notification letter within four business days of receipt. Due to an administrative oversight, we neglected to issue a press release and file the Form 8-K. The Annual Report was filed on April 25, 2024. On the same date, we received an additional notification letter from NYSE American indicating that we had regained compliance with Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide.
We have no information to disclose that was required to be in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 but was not reported.
None of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Directors and Executive Officers
Set forth below is information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this report.
Name
Age Position
Ellery W. Roberts
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Vernice L. Howard Chief Financial Officer
Eric Vandam Chief Operating Officer
Glyn C. Milburn Vice President of Operations
Robert D. Barry Director
Michele A. Chow-Tai Director
Clark R. Crosnoe Director
Paul A. Froning Director
Lawrence X. Taylor Director
Ellery W. Roberts. Mr. Roberts has been our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President since our inception in January 2013. Mr. Roberts brings over 20 years of private equity investing experience to our company. In July 2011, Mr. Roberts formed The 1847 Companies LLC, a company that is no longer active, where he began investing his own personal capital and capital of high net worth individuals in select transactions. Prior to forming The 1847 Companies LLC, Mr. Roberts was the co-founder and was co-managing principal of RW Capital Partners LLC from October 2009 to June 2011. Mr. Roberts was a founding member of Parallel Investment Partners, LP (formerly SKM Growth Investors, LP), a Dallas-based private equity fund focused on re-capitalizations, buyouts and growth capital investments in lower middle market companies throughout the United States. Previously, Mr. Roberts served as principal with Lazard Group LLC, a senior financial analyst at Colony Capital, Inc., and a financial analyst with the Corporate Finance Division of Smith Barney Inc. (now known as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC). Mr. Roberts has also served as the chairman of the board of Polished.com Inc. since April 2019 and has also been a director of Western Capital Resources, Inc. since May 2010. Mr. Roberts received his B.A. degree in English from Stanford University. We believe Mr. Roberts is qualified to serve on our board due to his extensive senior management experience in the industry in which we operate, having served as founder or executive of various other management, investment and corporate advisory companies.
Vernice L. Howard. Ms. Howard has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2021. Ms. Howard has over 30 years of experience in the fields of finance and accounting. Prior to joining us, she worked for Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. and its affiliates for over eleven years as chief financial officer, where she was responsible for providing leadership to the organization in the areas of finance, human resources and general facilities administration, in addition to setting policies, procedures, strategies, practices and overseeing the organization’s assets. The foundation of Ms. Howard’s accounting and finance experience began with public accounting for several years gaining experience in tax and auditing in the entertainment and nonprofit sectors as chief financial officer for The Cronkite Ward Company, a television production company, and director of finance for Community Action Group (CAG), a nonprofit organization. Before her work with Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., Ms. Howard’s professional background established an emphasis in forensic accounting. Ms. Howard is a founding member of Chief, which is a DC based vetted network of C-level or rising VP’s supporting and connecting exceptional women. Ms. Howard holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Trinity Washington University Graduate School of Business Management and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Duquesne University.
Eric Vandam. Mr. Vandam has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 2024. He previously served as our Chief Operating Officer from January 2022 to February 2023, after which time he served as an advisor. Mr. Vandam brings 30 years of experience leading operations from a diverse range of positions. He worked for over 20 years at companies holding a direct coaching relationship with Toyota implementing the Toyota Production System within the furniture, automotive, and agriculture industries. In August 2018, he began his own consulting practice, VanDam Consulting, LLC. He also served as Vice President of Operations at Crenlo, LLC, a leading manufacturer within the commercial cab and enclosure industries, from December 2018 to November 2019. Prior to that, he worked at Heritage Home Group, LLC, a leader in designing, manufacturing, sourcing and retailing home furnishings, from May 2016 to July 2018, holding the positions of Vice President of Business Improvement and Vice President of Contract Furniture Division. He also held multiple positions, including, among others, General Manager of Holland Campus Operations, Executive Account Manager and Director of Operations of Greenhouse Seating Operations, at Herman Miller, Inc., a leading global company that designs, manufactures and distributes interior furnishings, from 2000 to 2016. Mr. VanDam has a B.S. degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix
Glyn C. Milburn. Mr. Milburn has served as our Vice President of Operations since February 2023 and previously served on our board of directors from August 2022 to March 2023. Since February 2016, Mr. Milburn has served as a partner at Jimmy Blackman & Associates, a full-service Government and Public Affairs firm, where he is responsible for business strategy, client management, communications and campaign management for a client portfolio comprised of large public safety labor unions, banking/finance companies, and hotel operators across the State of California. From April 2013 to January 2016, Mr. Milburn served as a special assistant in the City of Los Angeles where he held two positions in the City of Los Angeles, one in the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development and another in the Office of Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine. From August 2012 to March 2013, Mr. Milburn co-Founded Provident Investment Advisors LLC, a special investment vehicle for energy, technology and healthcare ventures, where he served as managing member. Mr. Milburn holds a B.A. degree in Public Policy from Stanford University.
Robert D. Barry. Mr. Barry has been a member of our board of directors since January 2014. He served as the chief accounting officer of our former subsidiary Polished.com Inc. from July 2021 to March 2024 and previously served as its chief financial officer from January 2019 to July 2021. He also served as the controller of our former subsidiary Neese, Inc. from July 2017 until our sale of Neese, Inc. in April 2021. From April 2013 until August 2016, Mr. Barry was chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Pawn Plus Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Barry served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Regional Management Corp., a consumer loan company, from March 2007 to January 2013. Prior to joining Regional Management Corp., Mr. Barry was the managing member of AccessOne Mortgage Company, LLC from 1997 to 2007. Prior to his time at AccessOne, Mr. Barry was executive vice president and chief financial officer for Regional Acceptance Corporation, a consumer finance company, and prior to that he was a financial institutions partner at KPMG LLP. Mr. Barry is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in North Carolina and Georgia. We believe Mr. Barry is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his years of relevant financial and business expertise.
Michele A. Chow-Tai. Ms. Chow-Tai has been a member of our board of directors since August 2023. Ms. Chow-Tai is an experienced professional in global banking and financial services with more than 32 years of industry expertise. For nearly seven years, she has been leading business development initiatives, fundraising, and acquisition strategies at Fairview Capital Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm, where she has been responsible for delivering a significant increase in the firm’s assets under management and has forged strong relationships with major institutional investors in the US and abroad. Prior to her work in private equity, Ms. Chow-Tai spent over two decades at leading global banks and financial services organizations, where she led multiple business initiatives, managed risk, and helped clients navigate the complexities of global markets. Ms. Chow-Tai served as Board Chair for the City University of New York - York College Foundation for 10 years. She is currently a Board Member of the National Association of Securities Professionals - New York Chapter, Board Member of the NASP-NY Foundation, and the Greater New Haven Chambers of Commerce. Ms. Chow-Tai also serves on the Advisory Board of LeaderXXchange, a purpose-driven organization that advises and promotes diversity and sustainability in governance, leadership, and investments. Ms. Chow-Tai holds a B.S. degree from the City University of New York - York College, holds credentials in business administration and finance and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. We believe Ms. Chow-Tai is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive experience in the global banking and financial services industry.
Clark R. Crosnoe. Mr. Crosnoe has been member of our board of directors since August 2022. In 2009, Mr. Crosnoe founded CRC Capital LLC, a registered investment advisor and manager of the CRC Investment Fund LP, a private investment partnership focused on publicly-traded equity securities. As managing member of CRC Capital LLC, Mr. Crosnoe is responsible for strategy, oversight and the day-to-day investment decisions of the fund. The portfolio typically includes investments in the consumer, financial, healthcare, industrial and energy sectors. In 1999, Mr. Crosnoe was a founding employee of Parallel Investment Partners where he was named partner in 2003. As a partner, he was responsible for sourcing, evaluating, structuring, executing and monitoring private equity investments, and also dedicated a substantial portion of his time to marketing activities for the firm. Mr. Crosnoe began his career in investment banking at Wasserstein Perella & Co. and also gained valuable experience at multi-billion dollar hedge fund HBK Investments. Mr. Crosnoe holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1996. We believe Mr. Crosnoe is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his many years of private and public investment and advisory experience.
Paul A. Froning. Mr. Froning has been a member of our board of directors since April 2013. In 2009, Mr. Froning co-founded Focus Healthcare Partners LLC, a Chicago-based private equity investment, advisory and asset management firm targeting the senior housing and healthcare sectors. Prior to that, Mr. Froning was a managing director in the private equity department of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a publicly-traded New York-based private investment firm, from February 2008 to October 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Froning was the chief investment officer and executive vice president of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., a publicly-traded affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, from 2005 to 2008. Previously, Mr. Froning held senior investment positions at the private equity investment arms of Lazard Group LLC and Security Capital Group, prior to its acquisition by GE Capital Corp., in addition to investment banking experience at Salomon Brothers, prior to its acquisition by Travelers Group, and the securities subsidiary of Principal Financial Group. Mr. Froning has a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame. We believe Mr. Froning is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his more than twenty years of private equity, investment and advisory experience.
Lawrence X. Taylor. Mr. Taylor has been member of our board of directors since August 2022. As a C-level executive, advisor, and board member with more than 30 years of business experience, he has guided organizations through complex restructurings, acquisitions, corporate development activities and capital transactions totaling over $20 billion. His experience spans start-ups to private companies to publicly traded companies and includes diverse companies across multiple industries including casino gaming, hospitality, manufacturing, aviation, real estate, retail, and healthcare. Since 2004, Mr. Taylor has served as president of Taylor Strategy Group, a business consulting practice he owns and operates. From 2004 to 2013, Mr. Taylor was a partner and managing director with Odyssey Capital Group, a Phoenix based business. Since 2021, he has served on the board of Item 9 Labs, a public company, where he serves as the lead independent director and on the audit committee (as chair), compensation committee (as chair) and nominating and governance committee. Since September 2022, he has served on the board of Kabbage, Inc. Mr. Taylor has served on the board of Barrie House Coffee Roasters since 2018, where he chairs the M&A committee and serves on the strategic planning committee. Mr. Taylor is a Board Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors and is Directorship Certified. Additionally, he was recognized as a “Director to Watch 2020” by the Private Company Director Magazine. Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Louisiana Tech University. We believe that Mr. Taylor is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his deep financial expertise, strategy, and governance experience.
Our directors currently have terms which will end at our next annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualify, subject to their prior death, resignation or removal. Officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Pursuant to our operating agreement, as holder of the allocation shares, our manager has the right to appoint one director to our board of directors for every four members constituting the entire board of directors. Any such director will not be required to stand for election by the shareholders. Ellery W. Roberts is the designated director of our manager. Otherwise, there is no arrangement or understanding between any director or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as a director, nominee or officer.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
● been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);
● had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;
● been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
● been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
● been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
● been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
Corporate Governance
Governance Structure
Currently, our Chief Executive Officer is also our Chairman. Our board believes that, at this time, having a combined Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for our company. In making this determination, the board considered, among other matters, Mr. Robert’s experience and tenure of having founded our company in 2013, and believed that Mr. Roberts is highly qualified to act as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer due to his experience, knowledge, and personality. Among the benefits of a combined Chief Executive Officer/Chairman considered by the board is that such structure promotes clearer leadership and direction for our company and allows for a single, focused chain of command to execute our strategic initiatives and business plans.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The board of directors oversees that the assets of our company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. Our board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of our business strategy. Our board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for our company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.
While the board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the board and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.
Our board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration; however, much of the work is delegated to committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. The audit committee oversees risks related to our financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters, the compensation committee evaluates the risks and rewards associated with our compensation philosophy and programs, and the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates risk associated with management decisions and strategic direction.
Independent Directors
NYSE American’s rules generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Roberts, qualify as “independent” directors in accordance with the rules and regulations of NYSE American. In making its independence determinations, the board considered, among other things, relevant transactions between us and entities associated with the independent directors, as described under Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence,” and determined that none have any relationship with our company or other relationships that would impair the directors’ independence.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board has established an audit committee, a compensation and nominating and corporate governance committee, each with its own charter, copies of which are available on our website at www.1847holdings.com. In addition, our board of directors may, from time to time, designate one or more additional committees, which shall have the duties and powers granted to it by our board of directors.
Audit Committee
Michele A. Chow-Tai, Clark R. Crosnoe and Paul A. Froning, each of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and NYSE American’s rules, serve on our audit committee, with Mr. Froning serving as the chairman. Our board has determined that Mr. Froning is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC rules and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable NYSE American rules and regulations. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company.
The audit committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) retaining and overseeing our independent accountants; (ii) assisting the board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) reviewing and approving the plan and scope of the internal and external audit; (iv) pre-approving any audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; (v) approving the fees to be paid to our independent auditors; (vi) reviewing with our chief executive officer and chief financial officer and independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls; (vii) reviewing hedging transactions; (viii) reviewing and approving the calculation of profit allocation due to the holders our allocation shares when due and payable; (ix) reviewing conflicts of interests that may arise between our company and our manager; (x) reviewing and approving related party transactions; (xi) evaluating enterprise risk issues, including those related to cybersecurity, and (xii) reviewing and assessing annually the audit committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.
Compensation Committee
Clark R. Crosnoe, Paul A. Froning and Lawrence X. Taylor, each of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and NYSE American’s rules, serve on our compensation committee, with Mr. Crosnoe serving as the chairman. The members of the compensation committee are also “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation relating to our directors and executive officers.
The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) reviewing and approving the compensation paid to our manager; (ii) reviewing and approving the remuneration of our executive officers; (iii) determining the compensation of our independent directors; (iv) making recommendations to the board regarding equity-based and incentive compensation plans, policies and programs; and (v) reviewing and assessing annually the compensation committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Michele A. Chow-Tai and Lawrence X. Taylor, each of whom satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and NYSE American’s rules, serve on our nominating and corporate governance committee, with Mr. Taylor serving as the chairman. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees.
The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) recommending the number of directors to comprise our board; (ii) identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the board and soliciting recommendations for director nominees from the chairman and chief executive officer of our company; (iii) recommending to the board the director nominees for each annual stockholders’ meeting; (iv) recommending to the board the candidates for filling vacancies that may occur between annual stockholders’ meetings; (v) reviewing independent director compensation and board processes, self-evaluations and policies; (vi) overseeing compliance with our code of ethics; and (vii) monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance.
The nominating and corporate governance committee’s methods for identifying candidates for election to our board of directors (other than those proposed by our shareholders, as discussed below) will include the solicitation of ideas for possible candidates from a number of sources - members of our board of directors, our executives, individuals personally known to the members of our board of directors, and other research. The nominating and corporate governance committee may also, from time-to-time, retain one or more third-party search firms to identify suitable candidates.
In making director recommendations, the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider some or all of the following factors: (i) the candidate’s judgment, skill, experience with other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size, and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; (ii) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other board members; (iii) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the board and any committee thereof; (iv) whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence; and (v) the candidate’s ability to contribute to the effective management of our company, taking into account the needs of our company and such factors as the individual’s experience, perspective, skills and knowledge of the industry in which we operate.
Our operating agreement provides that holders of common shares seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of shareholders must provide notice thereof in writing to our company not less than 120 days and not more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders or as otherwise required by requirements of the Exchange Act. In addition, the holders of common shares furnishing such notice must be a holder of record on both (i) the date of delivering such notice and (ii) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting. The operating agreement specifies certain requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before shareholders at an annual meeting or from making nominations for directors at an annual or special meeting.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This code of ethics addresses, among other things, honesty and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, regulations and policies, including disclosure requirements under the federal securities laws, and reporting of violations of the code.
We are required to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions. We intend to use our website as a method of disseminating this disclosure, as permitted by applicable SEC rules. Any such disclosure will be posted to our website within four (4) business days following the date of any such amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted an insider trading policy which prohibits our directors, officers and employees from engaging in transactions in our common shares while in the possession of material non-public information; engaging in transactions in the stock of other companies while in possession of material non-public information that they become aware of in performing their duties; and disclosing material non-public information to unauthorized persons outside our company.
Our insider trading policy restricts trading by directors, officers and certain key employees during blackout periods, which generally begin 15 calendar days before the end of each fiscal quarter and end two business days after the issuance of our earnings release for the quarter. Additional blackout periods may be imposed with or without notice, as the circumstances require.
Our insider trading policy also prohibits our directors, officers and employees from purchasing financial instruments (such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds) designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our common shares they hold, directly or indirectly. In addition, directors, officers and employees are expressly prohibited from pledging our common shares to secure personal loans or other obligations, including by holding their shares in a margin account, unless such arrangement is specifically approved in advance by the administrator of our insider trading policy, or making short-sale transactions in our common shares.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the company. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. We believe, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and representations of these persons, that all reports were timely filed for the year ended December 31, 2024, except for one Form 4 filing by Mr. Roberts, which was filed late due to administrative oversight.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Summary Compensation Table - Years Ended December 31, 2024 and
The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods.
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Ellery W. Roberts,
-
445,500
445,500
Chief Executive Officer(1)
-
549,000
549,000
Vernice L. Howard,
337,191
-
337,191
Chief Financial Officer
300,000
-
300,000
Glyn C. Milburn,
203,582
-
203,582
Vice President of Operations(2)
194,753
5,833
200,586
(1) Ellery W. Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, is employed by our manager and is seconded to our company. Our manager, and not our company, pays any compensation to Mr. Roberts. We do not reimburse our manager for any compensation paid to Mr. Roberts in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer. We pay our manager a quarterly management fee, and our manager may use the proceeds from the management fee, in part, to pay compensation to Mr. Roberts. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we expensed management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $2,267,000 and $350,000, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2023, we expensed management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $633,333 and $691,667, respectively. Mr. Roberts did not receive any compensation as an employee of our manager for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. However, Mr. Roberts, as a holder of limited liability company interests in our manger, received $300,000 and $342,643 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as a result of distributions from our manger to its interest holders, which is included in “Other Compensation” in the table above.
(2) Mr. Milburn served on our board of directors from August 2022 to March 2023 and was appointed as our Vice President of Operations in February 2023. “Other compensation” above represents director fees paid to Mr. Milburn.
Employment Agreements
As noted above, Mr. Roberts is not an employee of our company.
On September 7, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Vernice L. Howard, our Chief Financial Officer, setting forth the terms of Ms. Howard’s employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we agreed to pay Ms. Howard an annual base salary of $300,000. She is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to 50% of base salary based on earnings targets to be determined by our board. Ms. Howard is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans, including health insurance, commensurate with her position. Ms. Howard’s employment is at-will and can be terminated by us at any time or by Ms. Howard upon 90 days’ notice. Pursuant to the employment agreement, if we terminate Ms. Howard’s employment without cause, she is entitled to six months of base compensation. The employment agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions and restrictive covenants prohibiting Ms. Howard from (i) owning or operating a business that competes with us during the term of her employment and for a period of one year following the termination of her employment or (ii) soliciting our employees for a period of two years following the termination of her employment.
On March 1, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement with Glynn C. Milburn, our Vice President of Operations, setting forth the terms of his employment. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Milburn an annual base salary of $230,000. He is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to 50% of base salary based on earnings targets to be determined by our board. Mr. Milburn is also eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans, including health insurance, commensurate with his position. Mr. Milburn’s employment is at-will and can be terminated by us at any time or by Mr. Milburn upon 30 days’ notice. Pursuant to the employment agreement, if we terminate Mr. Milburn’s employment without cause, he is entitled to six months of base compensation. The employment agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions and restrictive covenants prohibiting Mr. Milburn from (i) owning or operating a business that competes with us during the term of his employment and for a period of one year following the termination of his employment or (ii) soliciting our employees for a period of two years following the termination of his employment.
Retirement Benefits
We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan or other retirement benefits.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
As described under “-Employment Agreements” above, Ms. Howard and Mr. Milburn are entitled severance in the event that they are terminated without cause.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
No executive officer named above had any unexercised options, stock that has not vested or equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
Director Compensation
The table below sets forth the compensation paid to our non-executive directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Name Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($) Total
($)
Robert D. Barry 35,000 35,000
Michele A. Chow-Tai 35,000 35,000
Clark R. Crosnoe 35,000 35,000
Paul A. Froning 35,000 35,000
Tracy S. Harris(1) 35,000 35,000
Lawrence X. Taylor 35,000 35,000
(1) Ms. Harris resigned from our board of directors on December 16, 2024.
Our independent directors receive an annual fee of $35,000, payable monthly. We have also agreed to grant our independent directors $35,000 of restricted shares, restricted share units and/or share options, subject to compensation committee approval. Each independent director may be reimbursed for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with his or her duties to our company.
Equity Incentive Plan
On March 28, 2023, our board of directors adopted the 1847 Holdings LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, which was approved by our shareholders on May 9, 2023 and became effective on such date. On April 25, 2024, our board of directors adopted two amendments to the Plan, which were approved by shareholders on July 25, 2024 and became effective on such date. On December 30, 2024, our board of directors adopted an additional amendment to the Plan, which was approved by shareholders on March 11, 2025 and became effective on such date. The following is a summary of certain significant features of the Plan. The information which follows is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Plan document itself, which is filed as an exhibit to this report.
Purposes: The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means whereby employees, directors and consultants of our company, its subsidiaries and affiliates develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of our company, and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to the business of our company, thereby advancing the interests of our company and its shareholders. A further purpose of the Plan is to provide a means through which we may attract able individuals to provide services to or for the benefit of our company and to provide a means for such individuals to acquire and maintain share ownership in our company, thereby strengthening their concern for the welfare of our company.
Types of Awards: Awards that may be granted include incentive share options, non-qualified share options, share appreciation rights and restricted awards. These awards offer our officers, employees, consultants and directors the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of our common shares and the award holder’s continuing service with our company.
Eligible Recipients: Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan will be those officers, employees, directors and consultants of our company and its subsidiaries who are selected by the administrator.
Administration: The Plan is administered by our compensation committee. Among other things, the administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of awards. The administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan.
Shares Available: As of December 31, 2024, the maximum number of common shares that may be delivered to participants under the Plan is 2,565, subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as share splits. In addition, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan will also automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year during the term of the Plan by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of common shares issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year. Shares subject to an award under the Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued as incentive share options is equal to the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Plan without taking into account any automatic increases in the share reserve. On January 1, 2025, the number of shares increased to 1,272,584 and on March 11, 2025, the number of shares increased to 5,000,000.
Share Options:
General. Share options give the option holder the right to acquire from us a designated number of common shares at a purchase price that is fixed upon the grant of the option. Share options granted may be either tax-qualified share options (so-called “incentive share options”) or non-qualified share options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the administrator has the authority to determine all grants of share options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions, if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the administrator may determine.
Option Price. The exercise price for share options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive share option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive share option grants to any person owning more than 10% of our voting power must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.
Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made either: (i) in cash or its equivalent; (ii) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired shares having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price; (iii) a cashless exercise (broker-assisted exercise) through a “same day sale” commitment; (iv) by a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii); or (v) any other method approved or accepted by the administrator in its sole discretion.
Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the administrator at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of more than 10% of our voting power, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.
Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive share option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the Code for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified share options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive share option will be a non-qualified share option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive share options. For example, the exercise price for incentive share options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive share option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive share options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive share options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.
Share Appreciation Rights: Share appreciation rights, or SARs, which may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have an economic value similar to that of options. When an SAR for a particular number of shares is exercised, the holder receives a payment equal to the difference between the market price of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares under the SAR. Again, the exercise price for SARs normally is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the Plan, holders of SARs may receive this payment - the appreciation value - either in cash or shares valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise. The form of payment will be determined by us.
Restricted Awards: Restricted awards are shares awarded to participants at no cost. Restricted awards can take the form of awards of restricted share, which represent issued and outstanding shares subject to vesting criteria, or restricted share units, which represent the right to receive shares subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Restricted share awards are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded. These awards will be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the administrator shall determine at the date of grant. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals.
Performance Criteria: Under the Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the administrator in establishing performance goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company, as the administrator may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the administrator deems appropriate.
Other Material Provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as share splits, share dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board of directors also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board of directors also has the authority to alter or amend the Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our shareholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.

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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.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of March 28, 2025 for (i) each of our named executive officers and directors; (ii) all of our named executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each other shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o our company, 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Title of Class Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1) Percent of
Class(2)
Ellery W. Roberts, Chairman and CEO Common Shares 16,328 *
Vernice L. Howard, Chief Financial Officer Common Shares *
Eric Vandam, Chief Operating Officer Common Shares - -
Glyn C. Milburn, VP of Operations Common Shares - -
Robert D. Barry, Director Common Shares *
Michele A. Chow-Tai, Director Common Shares - -
Clark R. Crosnoe, Director Common Shares - -
Paul A. Froning, Director Common Shares *
Lawrence X. Taylor, Director Common Shares - -
All executive officers and directors (9 persons above) Common Shares 16,362 *
* Less than 1%
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares that such person or any member of such group has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding common shares held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of March 28, 2025 are deemed to be outstanding for such person, but not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by any person.
(2) Based on 26,539,774 common shares issued and outstanding as of March 28, 2025.
Changes in Control
We do not currently have any arrangements which if consummated may result in a change of control of our company.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth certain information about the securities authorized for issuance under our incentive plans as of December 31, 2024.
Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders - - 2,565
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total - - 2,565

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Transactions with Related Persons
The following includes a summary of transactions since the beginning of our 2023 fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under Item 11 “Executive Compensation” above). We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.
Transactions with Our Manager
Our Chief Executive Officer, Ellery W. Roberts, controls our manager. Our relationship with our manager is governed principally by the following two agreements: (1) the management services agreement and offsetting management services agreements relating to the management services our manager will perform for us and the businesses we own and the management fee to be paid to our manager in respect thereof; and (2) our operating agreement setting forth our manager’s rights with respect to the allocation shares it owns, including the right to receive payments of profit allocation from us and our manager’s right to cause us to purchase the allocation shares it owns. Our manager has also entered into an offsetting management services agreement with 1847 Cabinet, 1847 Wolo and 1847 CMD and we expect that our manager will enter into offsetting management services agreements and transaction services agreements with our future businesses directly. On a consolidated basis, for the year ended December 31, 2024, we expensed total management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $2,267,000 and $350,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we expensed total management fees from continued operations and discontinued operations of $633,333 and $691,667, respectively.
Our manager owns certain intellectual property relating to the term “1847.” Pursuant to the management services agreement, our manager has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty free right to use the following intellectual property in connection with our business and operations or as may be required to comply with applicable law: (i) 1847 Holdings LLC; (ii) 1847 Partners LLC; (iii) www.1847holdings.com; and (iv) www.1847partners.com. We are permitted to sublicense the use of this intellectual property to any of our subsidiaries to use in connection with their business or as may be required by law. Our company and any businesses that we acquire must cease using the intellectual property described above entirely in their businesses and operations within 180 days of our termination of the management services agreement. The sublicense provisions of the management services agreement would require our company and its businesses to change their names to remove any reference to the term “1847” or any reference to the intellectual property licensed to them by our manager. This also would require us to create and market a new name and expend funds to protect that name.
Transactions with Officers of Subsidiary
On September 1, 2020, Kyle’s entered into an industrial lease agreement with Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt, who are officers of Kyle’s. The lease is for a term of five years, with an option for a renewal term of five years, and provides for a base rent of $7,000 per month for the first 12 months, which will increase to $7,210 for months 13-16 and to $7,426 for months 37-60. In addition, Kyle’s is responsible for all taxes, insurance and certain operating costs during the lease term. The lease agreement contains customary events of default, representations, warranties and covenants.
A portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Kyle’s on September 30, 2020 was paid by the issuance of a vesting promissory note by 1847 Cabinet to Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt in the principal amount of $1,260,000. Payment of the principal and accrued interest on the note was subject to vesting. On July 26, 2022, we and 1847 Cabinet entered into a conversion agreement with Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt, pursuant to which they agreed to convert $797,221 of the vesting note into 10 common shares at a conversion price of $81,900 per share. The note was subsequently amended on multiple occasions. Pursuant to the latest amendment, the parties agreed to extend the maturity date of the note to July 30, 2023. As additional consideration for entering into the amendment, 1847 Cabinet agreed to pay an amendment fee of $76,784 on the maturity date. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding principal balance is $578,290, with an accrued interest balance of $71,312. This note is currently in default.
Director Independence
Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Roberts, qualify as “independent” directors in accordance with the rules and regulations of NYSE American.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Independent Auditors’ Fees
The following is a summary of the fees billed to us for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Years Ended December 31,
Audit Fees $ 364,882
$ 577,549
Audit-Related Fees 308,003
125,000
Tax Fees -
-
All Other Fees -
-
TOTAL $ 672,885
$ 702,549
“Audit Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and review of the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K and 10-Q or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
“Audit-Related Fees” consisted of fees billed for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under the paragraph captioned “Audit Fees” above.
“Tax Fees” consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax returns preparation.
“All Other Fees” consisted of fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported above.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our audit committee charter provides that the audit committee must pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval would generally be requested annually, with any pre-approval detailed as to the particular service, which must be classified in one of the four categories of services listed above. The audit committee may also, on a case-by-case basis, pre-approve particular services that are not contained in the annual pre-approval request. In connection with this pre-approval policy, the audit committee also considers whether the categories of pre-approved services are consistent with the rules on accountant independence of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The audit committee has pre-approved all services performed since our policy on pre-approval of audit and non-audit services was adopted.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) List of Documents Filed as a Part of This Report:
(1) Index to Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 3627)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Index to Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules have been omitted because the required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto, or because it is not required.
(3) Index to Exhibits:
See exhibits listed under Part (b) below.
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Certificate of Formation of 1847 Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 7, 2014)
3.2
Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of 1847 Holdings LLC, dated January 19, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2018)
3.3
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 11, 2021)
3.4
Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of 1847 Holdings LLC, dated October 16, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2023)
3.5
Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of 1847 Holdings LLC, dated December 19, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 24, 2024)
3.6
Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of 1847 Holdings LLC, dated March 11, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2025)
4.1*
Description of Securities of 1847 Holdings LLC
4.2
Amended and Restated Share Designation of Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2021)
4.3
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Share Designation of Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2021)
4.4
Share Designation of Series C Senior Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 23, 2024)
4.5
Share Designation of Series D Senior Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
4.6
Share Designation of Series E Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2024)
4.7
Share Designation of Series F Convertible Preferred Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2025)
4.8
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Shares, dated December 16, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
4.9
Form of Series A Warrant to Purchase Common Shares, dated December 16, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
4.10
Form of Series B Warrant to Purchase Common Shares, dated December 16, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
4.11
Form of Series A Warrant to Purchase Common Shares, dated October 30, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2024)
4.12
Form of Series B Warrant to Purchase Common Shares, dated October 30, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2024)
4.13
Form of Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC on May 8, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2024)
4.14
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Spartan Capital Securities, LLC on May 8, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2024)
4.15
Warrant Agency Agreement, dated August 11, 2023, between 1847 Holdings LLC and VStock Transfer, LLC and Form of Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2023)
4.16
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Spartan Capital Securities, LLC on August 11, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2023)
4.17
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc. on February 22, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 28, 2023)
4.18
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc. on February 9, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 28, 2023)
4.19
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc. on February 3, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 28, 2023)
4.20
Warrant Agent Agreement, dated January 3, 2023, between 1847 Holdings LLC and VStock Transfer, LLC and form of Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2023)
4.21
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued to Craft Capital Management LLC on August 5, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2022)
4.22
Common Share Purchase Warrant issued to R.F. Lafferty & Co. Inc. on August 5, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2022)
4.23
Warrant for Common Shares issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc. on July 8, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on February 1, 2023)
4.24
Warrant for Common Shares issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Leonite Capital LLC on October 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.1
Management Services Agreement, dated April 15, 2013, between 1847 Holdings LLC and 1847 Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on March 14, 2014)
10.2
Amendment No. 1 to Management Services Agreement, dated September 15, 2013, between 1847 Holdings LLC and 1847 Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 7, 2014)
10.3
Management Services Agreement, dated March 30, 2021, between 1847 Wolo Inc. and 1847 Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2021)
10.4
Amendment No. 1 to Management Services Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, between 1847 Wolo Inc. and 1847 Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2023)
10.5
Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, between 1847 Cabinet Inc. and 1847 Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.6
Management Services Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, 1847 Partners LLC and 1847 CMD Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.7
Form of Cancellation and Exchange Agreement, dated March 25, 2025 (Series A Warrants) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2025)
10.8
Form of Cancellation and Exchange Agreement, dated March 25, 2025 (Common Shares) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2025)
10.9
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 13, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC and the Purchasers signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.10
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 13, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC and the Purchasers signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.11
Stock and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated November 4, 2024, between 1847 CMD Inc. and Chris Day (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.12
Amended and Restated Stock and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 5, 2024, between 1847 CMD Inc. and Chris Day (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.13
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Stock and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 13, 2024, between 1847 CMD Inc., Chris Day and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.14
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Stock and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, between 1847 CMD Inc., Chris Day and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.15
Promissory Note issued by 1847 CMD Inc. to The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 on December 16, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.16
Security Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, among 1847 CMD Inc., CMD Inc., CMD Finish Carpentry LLC and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.17
Pledge Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.18
Pledge Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, between 1847 CMD Inc. and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.19
Guaranty, dated December 16, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC, CMD Inc., CMD Finish Carpentry LLC and The CD Trust, dated October 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.20
Promissory Note issued by 1847 Cabinets Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC d/b/a Innovative Cabinets & Design and Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc. to Breadcrumbs Capital LLC on June 28, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.21
Security Agreement, dated June 28, 2024, among 1847 Cabinets Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC d/b/a Innovative Cabinets & Design, Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc. and Breadcrumbs Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.22
Assignment and Assumption of Accounts Receivable Agreement, dated June 28, 2024, among 1847 Cabinets Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC d/b/a Innovative Cabinets & Design, Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc. and Breadcrumbs Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.23
Memorandum of Understanding, dated June 28, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and Breadcrumbs Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.24
Third Amended and Restated 20% OID Subordinated Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Target Capital 15 LLC on June 24, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 18, 2024)
10.25
Note Extension Agreement, dated August 20, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and Target Capital 15 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 18, 2024)
10.26
Note Extension Agreement, dated November 15, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and Target Capital 15 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2025)
10.27
Note Extension Agreement, dated December 16, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and Target Capital 15 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2025)
10.28
Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Leonite Capital LLC on May 9, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.29
Memorandum of Understanding, dated May 9, 2024, between 1847 Holdings LLC and Leonite Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 19, 2024)
10.30
Note Purchase Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Asien Inc., 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Asien’s Appliance, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC, SILAC Insurance Company and Leonite Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.31
Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement, dated January 22, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Asien Inc., 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Asien’s Appliance, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC, SILAC Insurance Company and Leonite Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2025)
10.32
Second Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 28, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Asien Inc., 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Asien’s Appliance, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC, SILAC Insurance Company and Leonite Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2025)
10.33
Third Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement and Other Transaction Documents, dated September 30, 2024, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes LLC, Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Leonite Capital LLC, Altimir Partners LP and Beaman Special Opportunities Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 19, 2024)
10.34
Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to SILAC Insurance Company on October 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.35
Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to SILAC Insurance Company on October 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.36
Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to Leonite Capital LLC on October 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.37
Guaranty Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, among 1847 Asien Inc., 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Asien’s Appliance, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC and Leonite Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.38
Security Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Asien Inc., 1847 Wolo Inc., 1847 Cabinet Inc., Asien’s Appliance, Inc., Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc., Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc., High Mountain Door & Trim Inc., Sierra Homes, LLC and Leonite Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.39
Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, among Wolo Mfg. Corp., Wolo Industrial Horn & Signal, Inc. and Leonite Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.40
Second Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note issued by 1847 Holdings LLC to 1847 Cabinet Inc. on October 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021)
10.41
Letter Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 Cabinet Inc., Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2023)
10.42
Industrial Lease, dated September 1, 2020, between Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc. and Stephen Mallatt, Jr. and Rita Mallatt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2021)
10.43
Standard Lease Agreement, dated June 9, 2021, between Emerald Town, LLC and Kyle’s Custom Wood Shop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 31, 2022)
10.44
Lease, dated December 7, 2020, between SW Commerce Reno, LLC and Sierra Homes, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 31, 2022)
10.45
Agreement of Lease, dated October 4, 1978, between PKI Reality LLC and Wolo Mfg. Corp., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 31, 2022)
10.46
Lease, dated December 16, 2024, between Delancey LLC and 1847 CMD Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.47
Lease, dated December 16, 2024, between CD Gowan LLC and 1847 CMD Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2024)
10.48†
Employment Offer Letter, dated September 7, 2021, between Vernice L. Howard and 1847 Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2021)
10.49†
Letter Agreement Regarding the Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Employment Agreement, dated March 23, 2022, among 1847 Holdings LLC, 1847 HQ Inc. and Vernice L. Howard (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2022)
10.50†
Employment Offer Letter, March 1, 2023, between Glyn C. Milburn and 1847 HQ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 24, 2024)
10.51†
Employment Offer Letter, July 29, 2024, between Eric Vandam and 1847 HQ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2024)
10.52
Form of Independent Director Agreement between 1847 Holdings LLC and each independent director (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 31, 2022)
10.53
Form of Indemnification Agreement between 1847 Holdings LLC and each independent director (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 31, 2022)
10.54†
1847 Holdings LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 18, 2023)
10.55†
Amendment No. 1 to 1847 Holdings LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 18, 2024)
10.56†
Amendment No. 2 to 1847 Holdings LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 18, 2024)
10.57†
Amendment No. 3 to 1847 Holdings LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2025)
10.58†
Form of Share Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 18, 2023)
10.58†
Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 18, 2023)
10.60†
Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 18, 2023)
14.1
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 11, 2023)
19.1
Insider Trading Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 11, 2023)
21.1
List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 14, 2025)
23.1*
Consent of Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC
31.1*
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certifications of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**
Certifications of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1
Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 25, 2024)
101*
Inline XBRL Document Set for the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
104*
Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
† Executive compensation plan or arrangement