| | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, | | | | | | Percentage | |
| | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | Increase | | | Increase | |
| Item | | | | | | | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| REVENUES | $ | 47,241,187 | | $ | 76,335,539 | | $ | (29,094,352 | ) | | -38% | |
| COST OF REVENUES | | 27,435,115 | | | 45,202,712 | | $ | (17,767,597 | ) | | -39% | |
| GROSS PROFIT | | 19,806,072 | | | 31,132,827 | | $ | (11,326,755 | ) | | -36% | |
| PRODUCT ROYALTY INCOME | | 93,696 | | | 240,044 | | $ | (146,348 | ) | | -61% | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Salaries and Wages | | 5,443,685 | | | 6,148,179 | | $ | (704,494 | ) | | -11% | |
| Commissions and Consulting | | 434,657 | | | 563,689 | | $ | (129,032 | ) | | -23% | |
| Professional Fees | | 748,608 | | | 586,474 | | $ | 162,134 | | | 28% | |
| Advertising and Marketing | | 4,127,798 | | | 3,342,791 | | $ | 785,007 | | | 23% | |
| Office Lease and Expenses | | 596,862 | | | 689,068 | | $ | (92,206 | ) | | -13% | |
| Research and Development Costs | | 2,526,550 | | | 2,179,996 | | $ | 346,554 | | | 16% | |
| Bad Debt Expense (Recovery) | | (10,288 | ) | | 474,019 | | $ | (484,307 | ) | | -102% | |
| General and Administrative | | 3,438,746 | | | 3,273,346 | | $ | 165,400 | | | 5% | |
| Depreciation | | 1,174,664 | | | 1,098,433 | | $ | 76,231 | | | 7% | |
| Total Operating Expenses | | 18,481,282 | | | 18,355,995 | | $ | 125,287 | | | 1% | |
| INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | | 1,418,486 | | | 13,016,876 | | $ | (11,598,390 | ) | | -89% | |
| Other Expenses | | (39,138 | ) | | (13,550 | ) | $ | (25,588 | ) | | 189% | |
| INCOME BEOFRE INCOME TAXES | | 1,379,348 | | | 13,003,326 | | $ | (11,623,978 | ) | | -89% | |
| Income Taxes | | 576,189 | | | 3,042,873 | | $ | (2,466,684 | ) | | -81% | |
| NET INCOME | $ | 803,159 | | $ | 9,960,453 | | $ | (9,157,294 | ) | | -92% | |
Revenues - We earn revenues from the sale of our protective gear comprising of neck braces, body armor, helmets and other products, parts and accessories both in the United States and abroad. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $47.24 million, a 38% decrease, compared to revenues of $76.34 million, for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease in global revenues is attributable to a $2.64 million decrease in neck brace sales, a $3.36 million decrease in helmet sales, a $6.81 million decrease in other products, parts and accessory sales and a $16.29 million decrease in body armor sales, during the year ended December 31, 2023. Revenues associated with international customers for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively were $33.27 million and $59.02 million, or 70% and 77% of global revenues.
The following table sets forth our revenues by product line for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2023 | | | % of Revenues | | | 2022 | | | % of Revenues | |
| Neck braces | $ | 2,748,533 | | | 6% | | $ | 5,389,672 | | | 7% | |
| Body armor | | 22,576,722 | | | 48% | | | 38,864,312 | | | 51% | |
| Helmets | | 11,117,109 | | | 23% | | | 14,477,472 | | | 19% | |
| Other products, parts and accessories | | 10,798,823 | | | 23% | | | 17,604,083 | | | 23% | |
| | $ | 47,241,187 | | | 100% | | $ | 76,335,539 | | | 100% | |
Sales of our flagship neck brace accounted for $2.75 million and $5.39 million, or 6% and 7% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The 49% decrease in neck brace revenues was primarily due to a 49% decrease in the volume of neck braces sold to our customers worldwide during the 2023 period, as dealers and distributors continued to adjust ordering patterns and digest industry wide inventory levels.
Our body armor products are comprised of chest protectors, full upper body protectors, upper body protection vests, back protectors, knee braces, knee and elbow guards, off-road motorcycle boots and mountain biking shoes. Body armor revenues accounted for $22.58 million and $38.86 million, or 48% and 51% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The 42% decrease in body armor revenues was primarily due to a 43% decrease in the volume of upper body armor sold during the 2023 period. Additionally, sales volumes of off-road motorcycle boots decreased by 48%, when compared to the 2022 period, which was an exceptionally strong period for motorcycle boots sales. Motorcycle boot revenues increased by 58% for the year ended December 31, 2022, when compared to the prior year period.
Our helmets accounted for $11.12 million and $14.48 million, or 23% and 19% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Although sales volumes of our MOTO helmet line up for off-road motorcycle use increased by 45% during the period, the 23% decrease in helmet revenues is primarily due to a 49% decrease in the volume of MTB helmets sold during the 2023 period as dealers and distributors, particularly in the cycling industry continue to manage ordering and industry wide inventory levels cautiously.
Our other products, parts and accessories are comprised of goggles, hydrations bags and apparel items including jerseys, pants, shorts and jackets, as well as aftermarket product support items. Other products, parts and accessories sales accounted for $10.80 million and $17.60 million, or 23% and 23% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The 39% decrease in revenues of other products, parts and accessories is primarily due to a 47% decrease in the global sales volume of technical apparel designed for off-road motorcycle and mountain biking use when compared to the prior year period.
Costs of Revenues and Gross Profit - Cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $27.44 million and $45.20 million, respectively. Gross Profit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $19.81 million or 42% of revenues, and $31.13 million or 41% of revenues, respectively. Our neck brace products continue to generate a higher gross margin than our other product categories. Although neck brace revenues continue to generate a higher gross margin than our other product categories and accounted for 6% and 7% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, revenues associated with international customers were 70% and 77% of our revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with revenues associated with international distributors continuing to generate a lower gross profit as a percentage of revenues than direct dealer sales in the United States.
Product Royalty Income - Product royalty income is earned on sales to distributors that have royalty agreements in place, as well as sales of licensed products by third parties that have licensing agreements in place. Product royalty income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $93,696 and $240,044, respectively. The 61% decrease in product royalty income is primarily due to a decrease in the sale of licensed products by licensees during the 2023 period.
Salaries and Wages - Salaries and wages for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $5,443,685 and $6,148,179, respectively. This 11% decrease in salaries and wages during the 2023 period was primarily due to a decrease in share compensation costs relating to a share issuance made to key personnel during the 2022 period, that was partially offset by the employment of sales, marketing and business development personnel in the United States and abroad as the Company continues to invest in its global sales and marketing capabilities.
Commissions and Consulting Expense - Commissions and consulting expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $434,657 and $563,689, respectively. This 23% decrease in commissions and consulting expenses during the 2023 period is primarily due to a decrease in commissions and performance incentives paid to external sales personnel in the United States in line with the decrease in sales revenues and continued employment of in-house employee sales personnel in the region during the 2023 period.
Professional Fees - Professional fees consist of costs incurred for audit, tax, regulatory filings and quarterly reporting requirements, as well as patent maintenance, protection and litigation expenses incurred as the Company continues to expand its portfolio of exceptional protective gear. Professional fees for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $748,608 and $586,474, respectively. Although product liability litigation costs continued to decrease, the 28% increase in professional fees is primarily due to an increase in patent maintenance and litigations expenses as the Company continues to build, maintain and defend a strong portfolio of intellectual property.
Advertising and Marketing - The Company primarily places paid advertising on various motorsport and bicycle online platforms and sponsors a number of events, teams and individuals to increase brand and product visibility globally. Advertising and marketing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $4,127,798 and $3,342,791, respectively. This 23% increase in advertising and marketing expenditures is in-line with continued production and implementation of global, co-ordinated marketing campaigns that incorporate athlete sponsorships, industry trade show activation and event attendance and advertising activities undertaken with the support of our distribution partners and designed to market the Company's growing product offering and increase global consumer brand engagement. The Company actively intensified product sponsorships to athletes, media and a wider audience of riders around the world in order to create product awareness and utilize on-hand inventory efficiently.
Office Lease and Expenses - Office lease and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $596,862 and $689,068, respectively. The 13% decrease in office lease and expenses during the 2023 period is primarily due to a decrease in additional warehousing rented in the United States as the Company continues to improve warehouse operations and optimize stock levels at its Reno, Nevada warehouse.
Research and Development Costs - These costs include the salaries of staff members that are directly involved in the research and development of protective gear, as well as the direct costs associated with developing these products. Research and development costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $2,526,550 and $2,179,996, respectively. This 16% increase in research and development costs during the 2023 period is primarily the result of the employment of specialist product development professionals with strong industry competence and product certification costs incurred as the Company continues to widen and refine its product categories and build a pipeline of cutting-edge products designed to reach a wider rider audience.
Bad Debt Expense (Recovery) - Bad debt expense (recovery) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were ($10,288) and $474,019, respectively. This 102% decrease in bad debt expense is primarily due to a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts relating to our customers in the United States during the 2023 period, in line with a decrease in domestic accounts receivable balances at December 31, 2023, when compared to December 31, 2022.
General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative costs consist of insurance, travel, merchant fees, communication costs, office and computer equipment with insurance and travel comprising a substantial part of these expenses. General and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were $3,438,746 and $3,273,346, respectively. The 5% increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to an increase in travel expenditure globally in line with a relaxation of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and an increase in marketing, tradeshow and sales activation travel as the Company continues to build global multi-channel sales and distribution channels.
Depreciation Expense - Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,174,664 and $1,098,433, respectively. The 7% increase in depreciation expense is primarily due to the addition of digital and web based enhancements to the Company's online assets in order to drive consumer engagement and selling activities. Additionally, moulds and tooling assets utilized in the production of the Company's expanding product categories were commissioned.
Total Operating Expenses - Total operating expenses increased by $125,287 to $18,481,282 or 1% for the year ended December 31, 2023, when compared to $18,355,995 in the 2022 period. This increase during the 2023 period is primarily due to increased expenditures on advertising and marketing and research and development costs that were partially offset by decreases in salaries and wages, bad debt and commission expenses incurred during the period.
Other Expenses - Other expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $39,138 and $13,550, respectively. Although interest received increased during the 2023 period, the increase in other expenses is primarily due to interest paid on short term debt during the 2023 period.
Net Income - The net income after income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $803,159, a decrease of $9,157,294, when compared to a net income after income taxes of $9,960,453 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This 92% decrease in net income is primarily due to the 38% decrease in revenues discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $11.35 million, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $7.10 million at December 31, 2022. The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
| | | December 31, | |
| | | 2023 | | | 2022 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 6,657,212 | | $ | 3,086,982 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,996,252 | ) | $ | (1,042,442 | ) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | (1,290 | ) | $ | 288,817 | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | $ | (415,195 | ) | $ | (252,848 | ) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,244,475 | | $ | 2,080,509 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period | $ | 7,102,945 | | $ | 5,022,436 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | $ | 11,347,420 | | $ | 7,102,945 | |
Cash increased by $4,244,475 or 60%, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The primary sources of cash during 2023 were a net income of $803,159, a decrease in accounts receivable of $5,923,355, a decrease in inventory of $2,291,133 and a decrease in deferred asset of $1,105,885. The primary uses of cash during calendar year 2023 were a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $809,022, a decrease in income taxes payable of $3,382,700 and capital expenditures amounting to $1,999,500.
The Company is currently meeting its working capital needs through cash on hand, a revolving line of credit with a bank as well, as internally generated cash from operations. Management believes that its current cash and cash equivalent balances, along with the net cash generated by operations are sufficient to meet its anticipated operating cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. There are currently no plans for any major capital expenditures in the next twelve months. Our long-term financing requirements depend on our growth strategy, which relates primarily to our desire to increase revenue both domestically as well as internationally.
Obligations under Material Contracts
Pursuant to our Licensing Agreement with Xceed Holdings, a company controlled by Dr. Christopher Leatt, our founder, chairman and head of research and development, we pay Xceed Holdings 4% of all neck brace sales revenue billed and received by the Company on a quarterly basis based on sales of the previous quarter. During the years ended December 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company paid an aggregate of $124,061 and $243,822, in licensing fees to Xceed Holdings. In addition, pursuant to a separate license agreement between the Company and Mr. J. P. De Villiers, our former director, the Company is obligated to pay a royalty fee of 1% of all our billed and received neck brace sales revenue, in quarterly installments, based on sales of the previous quarter, to a trust that is beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. De Villiers. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company paid an aggregate of $31,015 and $60,957, in licensing fees to Mr. De Villiers.
Dr. Christopher Leatt is compensated in his capacity as our Research and Development consultant, pursuant to our Consulting Agreement, dated November 8, 2021, with Innovation Services Limited, or Innovation, a Jersey limited company in which, Dr. Leatt is an indirect beneficiary. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Innovation has agreed to serve as the Company's exclusive research, development and marketing consultant, in exchange for a monthly fee; provided, however, that Dr. Leatt must remain an Innovation director and beneficiary of a majority of its ownership interests during the term of the agreement, and Dr. Leatt must remain the Company's primary point of contact responsible for the oversight, review and delivery of the services to be performed by Innovation under the agreement. From January 1 through June 30, 2023, the monthly fee payable by the Company to Innovation was $44,371, and commencing July 1, 2023, this monthly fee increased to $45,463. Innovation may increase its monthly fees, on an annual basis on written notice to the Company, by no greater than the lesser of: (a) five percent (5%) of the prior year's annualized fee; or (b) a percentage equal to then-applicable annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the United States Department of Labor's bureau of labor statistics, plus one-half percent (0.5%). The parties further agreed that all intellectual property generated in connection with the services provided under the consulting agreement will be the sole property of the Company. The term of the Consulting Agreement will continue unless terminated by either party in accordance with its terms. Either party may terminate the Consulting Agreement upon 6 months' prior written notice, except that the Company may immediately terminate it without notice if the services to be performed by Innovation cease to be performed by Dr. Leatt, if beneficial ownership in Innovation by Dr. Leatt's and his immediate family members decreases, or for any other material breach of the agreement. The parties have agreed to settle any dispute under the Consulting Agreement by submission to JAMS for final and binding arbitration pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures in those Rules. The Company also simultaneously entered into a side letter agreement, dated November 8, 2021, with Dr. Leatt, pursuant to which Dr. Leatt agreed, among other things: (1) not to perform services similar to the services provided under the agreement for any current or future, direct or indirect competitor of the Company or any similar company; (2) not to solicit any current or future employees of the Company for employment with Innovation or any other entity with which he may become affiliated, or to contact or solicit any current or future stockholder or investor of the Company in connection with any matter that is not directly related to the ongoing or future business operations of the Company; and (3) that he will apprise the Company of any business opportunity that he becomes aware of that could benefit the Company so that the Company, can in its sole discretion, make a determination regarding whether to pursue such opportunity in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. Dr. Leatt further agreed to continue dedicating a majority of his time on matters related to performance of his duties as a director of the Company and to the fulfillment of his obligations to the Company's research and development efforts under the consulting agreement, and the Company will have the right to adjust the amount of the fees payable under the consulting agreement to the extent of any substantial diminution in his fulfillment of such duties and obligations. The foregoing agreements replaced prior agreements in force from June 2018 to November 2021, among the Company, Dr. Leatt and Innovate Services Limited, a Seychelles company, beneficially owned by Dr. Leatt, that wound up operations. The foregoing description of the Consulting Agreement and Side Letter Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Consulting Agreement and the Side Letter Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, hereto and are incorporated by reference in this report. During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognized an aggregate of $538,001 and $519,468, respectively, in consulting fees to Innovation.
Pursuant to a Premium Finance Agreement, dated October 26, 2023, between the Company and Aon Premium Finance, the Company is obligated to pay APF an aggregate sum of $1,520,667 in eleven payments of $132,515 at a 9.880% annual interest rate, commencing on November 1, 2023, and ending on September 1, 2024. Any late payment during the term of the agreement will be assessed a late penalty of 5% on the payment amount due, and in the event of default APF has the right to accelerate the payment due under the agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has not defaulted on its payment obligations under this agreement.
On November 19, 2018, the Company entered into a $1,000,000 revolving line of credit agreement with a bank. Payments for the advances under the line bear interest at the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate plus 2.5 percentage points commencing January 1, 2019. The line of credit matured on November 19, 2020, at which time the unpaid principal, interest, or other charges outstanding under the agreement are due and payable. On November 5, 2020, the Company executed an amendment to the line of credit to extend the line of credit facility through November 19, 2021. The amendment took retroactive effect to October 27, 2020, and introduced an index floor so that payments for any future advances will bear interest at the greater of the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate or an Index Floor of 1.25 percentage points plus 2.5 percentage points. Obligations under the line of credit are secured by equipment and fixtures in the United States of America, accounts receivable and inventory of Leatt Corporation and Two-Eleven Distribution, LLC. On March 1, 2021, we executed a second amendment to the line of credit. The amendment took retroactive effect to February 17, 2021, extended the line of credit facility through February 28, 2022, and increased the revolving line of credit to $1,500,000. Effective January 21, 2022, the Company executed an amendment to the line of credit to extend the line of credit facility through February 29, 2023, and to replace interest determined by LIBOR Daily Floating Rate with the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index rate. Effective January 20, 2023, the Company executed an amendment to the line of credit to extend the line of credit facility through February 29, 2024, which has subsequently been extended to March 1, 2025. As of December 31, 2023, there were no advances of the line of credit leaving $1,500,000 of the line of credit available for advance.
On December 29, 2021, Two Eleven entered into a Loan and Security agreement with a bank, effective December 17, 2021, to finance equipment. The Equipment Note financed under the Loan and Security Agreement has a total value of $272,519, payable in 36 consecutive monthly installments commencing February 5, 2022, and continuing to January 5, 2025. Interest shall accrue on the entire principal amount of this Equipment Note outstanding from time to time at a fixed rate of 3.5370% per annum. The principal and interest amount of each payment shall be $7,990. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively, $101,755 and $192,290 of the Equipment Note was outstanding.
On December 20, 2022, Two Eleven entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with a bank, effective December 1, 2022, to finance certain equipment owned by Two Eleven. The note issued under the agreement, the Equipment Note, has a total value of $58,075, payable by Two Eleven in 36 consecutive monthly installments, commencing on February 5, 2023, and continuing through to January 5, 2026. Interest will accrue on the entire principal amount of the Equipment Note outstanding from time to time at a fixed rate of 7.8581% per annum, and the principal and interest amount of each installments payment will be $1,816. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively, $41,755 and $58,075 of the Equipment Note was outstanding.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We have identified the following as the items that require the most significant judgment and often involve complex estimation: revenue recognition, estimating allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, leases and accounting for income taxes.
Revenue and Cost Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606 "Revenues from Contracts with Customers". As such the Company has and will continue to review its performance obligations in terms of material customer contractual arrangements in order to verify that revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied on a periodic basis.
All manufacturing of Leatt products is performed by third party subcontractors that are predominately based in China.
The Company's products are sold worldwide to a global network of distributors and dealers, and directly to consumers when there are no dealers or distributors in their geographic area or where consumers choose to purchase directly via the Company's e-commerce website (collectively the "customers").
Revenues from product sales are recognized when earned, net of applicable provisions for discounts and returns and allowances in the event of product defect where no exchange of product is possible. Revenues are recognized when our performance obligations are satisfied as evidenced by transfer of control of promised goods to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Product royalty income, representing less than 1% of total revenues, is recorded as the underlying product sales occur, in accordance with the related licensing arrangements.
Our standard distributor payment terms range from pre-payment in full to sixty (60) days after shipment and subsequent sales of our products by distributors have no effect on the amount and timing of payments due to us, however, in limited instances, qualified distributors and dealers may be granted extended payment terms during selected order periods. In performing such evaluations, the Company utilizes historical experience, sales performance, and credit risk requirements. Furthermore, products purchased by distributors may not be returned to the Company in the event that any such distributor relationship is terminated.
Since the Company (through its wholly-owned subsidiary) serves as the distributor of Leatt products in the United States, the Company records its revenue and related cost of revenue for its product sales in the United States upon shipment of the merchandise to the dealer or to the ultimate consumer when there is no dealer in the geographic area or the consumer chooses to purchase directly from the Company's e-commerce website and the sales order was received directly from, and paid by, the ultimate consumer. Since the Company (through its South African branch) serves as the distributor of Leatt products in South Africa, the Company records its revenue and related cost of revenue for its product sales in South Africa upon shipment of the merchandise from the branch to the dealer. The Company's standard terms and conditions of sale for non-consumer direct or web-based sales do not allow for product returns other than under warranty.
Sales totaling $31,671 and $2,509,534 were deferred as all the requirements to have a contract with the customer in accordance with ASC 606 had not been met as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The shipped goods associated with these deferred sales are included in the caption deferred asset, net of an allowance for potential loss of $6,400 and $105,071 for December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
International sales (other than in the United States and South Africa) are generally drop-shipped directly from our consolidation warehouse or third-party manufacturer to the international distributors. Revenue and related cost of revenue is recognized at the time of shipment from the manufacturer's port when the shipping terms are Free On Board ("FOB") shipping point, Cost and Freight ("CFR") or Cost and Insurance to named place ("CIP") as legal title and risk of loss to the product pass to the distributor. Sales to all customers (distributors, dealers and consumers) are generally final; however, in limited instances, product may be returned and exchanged due to product quality issues. Historically, returns due to product quality issues have not been material and there have been no distributor terminations that resulted in product returns. Cost of revenues also includes royalty fees associated with sales of Leatt-Brace products. Product royalty income is recorded as the underlying product sales occur, in accordance with the related licensing arrangements.
The Company reviews the reserves for customer returns at each reporting period and adjusts them to reflect data available at that time. To estimate reserves for returns, the Company estimates the expected returns and claims based on historical rates as well as events and circumstances that indicate changes to historical rates of product returns and claims. Historically, returns due to product quality issues have not been material and there have been no distributor terminations that resulted in product returns. The provision for estimated returns at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0 and $0, respectively.
Sales commissions are expensed when incurred, which is generally at the time of sale or cash received from customers, because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded in commissions and consulting expenses within operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Shipping and handling activities associated with outbound freight, after control over a product has transferred to a customer, are accounted for as a fulfilment cost and are included in revenues and cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Revenue recognized from contracts with customers is recorded net of sales taxes, value added taxes, or similar taxes that are collected on behalf of local taxing authorities.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable consist of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities. Credit is granted to distributors on an unsecured basis based on credit risk analysis procedures. We continuously monitor both credit reports and collections, communication and payments from customers and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon the expected credit losses determined utilizing historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that have been identified. In determining the amount of the allowance, we are required to make certain estimates and assumptions. Accounts receivable balances that are still outstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off as uncollectible. While such credit losses have historically been minimal, within our expectations and the provisions established, macro-economic conditions and customer financial positions are fluid, and we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. A significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any of our significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the collectability of our accounts receivable and our future operating results. The allowance for short-term doubtful accounts at December 31, 2023 was $662,612, and at December 31, 2022 was $743,621. Additionally, an allowance for long-term doubtful accounts will be included for accounts receivables that are anticipated to be collected over a period that is greater than 12 months. The allowance for long-term doubtful accounts at December 31, 2023 was $26,929, and at December 31, 2022 was $0.
Inventory Valuation - Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in first-out (FIFO) method. Inventory consists primarily of finished goods. Shipping and handling costs are included in the cost of inventory. In assessing the inventory value, we make estimates and judgments regarding reserves required for product obsolescence, aging of inventory and other issues potentially affecting the saleable condition of products. In performing such evaluations, we utilize historical experience as well as current market information. The reserve for obsolescence at December 31, 2023 was $227,528, and at December 31, 2022 was $105,072.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Our long-lived assets include property and equipment. We evaluate our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. In evaluating an asset for recoverability, we estimate the future cash flow expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss, equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset, is recognized. We have determined there were no impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Operating Leases - The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. Operating leases are included in the right-of-use assets ("ROU''), and lease liability obligations are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset of the lease term and lease liability obligations represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company's leases typically do not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and lease direct costs. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Income Taxes - As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. We regularly evaluate our ability to recover the reported amount of our deferred income taxes considering several factors, including our estimate of the likelihood of the Company generating sufficient taxable income in future years during the period over which the temporary differences reverse.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the respective dates of adoption, or expected adoption and effects on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to its stockholders.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Some of our operations are carried out in the Republic of South Africa, or RSA, and we are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. Accordingly, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the RSA, and by the general state of the RSA economy. Our results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and consolidated results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in foreign currency as we translate these currencies into U.S. dollars when we consolidate our financial results. Operating outside of the United States further exposes us to foreign exchange risk, which we monitor. We are most sensitive to changes in the exchange rates of the South African rand, the renminbi, the euro and the U.S. dollar. We have more ZAR expenses than we do sales in South Africa. Furthermore, a portion of our consolidated revenues are denominated in South African Rand, or ZAR, certain of our assets are denominated in ZAR, and our research and marketing operations in South Africa utilize South African labor sources. A decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the ZAR could increase our cost of doing business in South Africa. Alternatively, if the ZAR depreciates against the U.S. Dollar, the value of our ZAR revenues, earnings and assets as expressed in our U.S. Dollar financial statements will decline. In China we have more renminbi expenses than we do sales, because we manufacture our products in China that we sell globally. A decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the renminbi could increase our cost of purchasing products in China. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk. In Europe we have significantly more sales than we do expenses. Since 70% of our sales is derived outside the U.S. where the U.S. dollar is not the primary currency, significant fluctuations in exchange rates such as the strengthening of the dollar versus our customers' local currency can adversely affect our ability to remain competitive in those areas.
Inflation
Inflationary factors such as increases in the cost of our sales, salaries, wages and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company experienced inflationary cost increases that had an impact on both cost of sales, gross margins, salaries and selling, general and administrative expenses. A prolonged high rate of inflation in the future may have a significant adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin as a percentage of net sales if the selling prices of our products are not increased due to market dynamics. Additionally, prolonged inflationary pressure on salaries, selling, general and administrative expenses may have an impact on Net Income.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The full text of our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 begins on page F-1 of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information that would be required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Sean Macdonald, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer determined that, as of December 31, 2023, and as of the date that the evaluation was completed, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:
1. pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
2. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors; and
3. 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.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2023 was effective.
Because the Company is a smaller reporting company, this annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in its internal controls over financial reporting in 2023 that would materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
We have no information to disclose that was required to be in a report on Form 8-K during the period covered by this report but was not reported. There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
The following sets forth the name and position of each of our current executive officers, directors and significant employees and their ages and titles as of March 4, 2024.
| Name | Age | Title |
| Dr. Christopher James Leatt | 55 | Founder, Chairman and Research & Development Consultant |
| Sean Macdonald | 46 | CEO, CFO, President and Director |
| Jeffrey Joseph Guzy | 72 | Director |
DR. CHRIS LEATT: Dr. Leatt, aged 55, has served as the Company's Chairman since 2005 and as the Company's Research and Development consultant since July 2015. He studied medicine at the University of Cape Town and interned in the United Kingdom. He worked briefly as a General Practitioner and in General Surgery and Orthopaedics before taking up a Registrar's position in Neurosurgery at the Tygerberg Academic Hospital. He resigned from his post in Neurosurgery in order to develop and study the benefits and viability of a neck protection system (the Leatt-Brace®) for helmet clad sport and recreational users in an attempt to reduce devastating neck injuries. Dr. Leatt is a fixed wing PPL pilot, Commercial helicopter pilot and Grade II instructor. He has been an active participant in competitive cross-country motorcycle endurance races, as well as Super Sport and Battle of the Twins (BOTTS) track racing events. He won the Western Province BOTTS championship in 2011.
SEAN MACDONALD: Mr. Macdonald, CA (SA), aged 46, has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President since November 2010, as its Chief Financial Officer since August 2009, and as a Director since May 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Macdonald served from August 2004 to December 2009, as the Chief Financial Officer of Cyclelab, the largest bicycle retailer in South Africa, where he was responsible for operational, financial and strategic leadership of the business including the implementation of a franchise model in order to grow the business. Mr. Macdonald holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Cape Town, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting, which included 3 years of articles at KPMG Cape Town. Mr. Macdonald is also a South Africa registered Chartered Accountant.
JEFFREY GUZY: Mr. Guzy, aged 72, has served as a director since April 2007 and serves as a business development consultant and entrepreneur in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Guzy is currently working as Chairman and CEO of CoJax Oil and Gas Corporation (OTC.CJAX). Prior to that, Mr. Guzy served, from October 2007 to August 2010 as our President. Mr. Guzy has a MBA in Strategic Planning and Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; a M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania; a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University; and a Certificate in Theology from Georgetown University. Mr. Guzy has served as an executive manager with IBM Corp., Sprint International, Bell Atlantic Video Services, Loral CyberStar and FaciliCom International. Mr. Guzy has also started his own telecommunications company providing Internet services in Western Africa. He continues to work with emerging private companies and middle-market public companies. He serves as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee of public companies, Capstone Industries (OTC.CAPC) and Purebase Corporation (OTC.PUBC), and as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee and the corporate governance committee of Blue Star Foods Corporation (NASDAQ.BSFC) a public company.
There are no agreements or understandings for any of our executive officers, directors or significant employees to resign at the request of another person and no officer or director is acting on behalf of nor will any of them act at the direction of any other person.
Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience Represented on the Board
The Board has identified particular qualifications, attributes, skills and experience that are important to be represented on the board as a whole, in light of our current needs and business priorities. The Board believes that each director is a recognized person of high integrity with a proven record of success in his or her field. Each director demonstrates innovative thinking, familiarity with and respect for corporate governance requirements and practices, an appreciation of multiple cultures and a commitment to the business and operations of the Company. In addition to the foregoing qualifications, the Board has assessed the intangible qualities including the director's ability to ask difficult questions and, simultaneously, to work collegially. The Board also considers diversity of age, cultural background and professional experiences in evaluating candidates for Board membership. Diversity is important because a variety of points of view contribute to a more effective decision-making process.
Set forth below is a tabular disclosure summarizing some of the specific qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences of our directors.
| Name | Title | Qualifications |
| Dr. Christopher James Leatt | Founder, Chairman and Head of Research & Development | • | Dr. Leatt holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree and is the inventor of the Leatt Brace® and the Founder of the Company. |
| • | He supports the Company's research and development department and has an intimate knowledge of the Company's innovative products. |
| • | He contributes invaluable long-term knowledge of the Company's business and operations and extensive experience in the industry. |
| Sean Macdonald | CEO, CFO, President and Director | • | Mr. Macdonald is a registered Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance and Information Systems and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting. |
| • | His invaluable experience in finance and accounting provides insight for the implementation of effective operational, financial and strategic leadership of the Company. |
| Jeffrey Joseph Guzy | Director | • | Through his MBA in Strategic Planning & Management and his knowledge of U.S. capital markets, Mr. Guzy provides invaluable guidance and perspective to the Board. |
| • | He has also served as the Company's President and has invaluable long-term knowledge of the Company's business and operations. |
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors or officers.
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 SEC 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.
Except as set forth in our discussion below in "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence - Transactions with Related Persons," none of our directors, director nominees or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Significant Employees
| Name | Age | Position |
| Erik Olsson | 56 | International General Manager and Head of International Distribution |
| Todd Repsher | 53 | U.S. General Manager |
ERIK OLSSON: Mr. Olsson, aged 56, has served as our International General Manager and Head of International Distribution since January 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Olsson served from January 2010 to December 2011, as European General Manager and later as General Manager of Asia, Europe, the Middle-East and the Central Pacific (Oceania). Mr. Olsson has over 20 years' experience as a sales and product manager for various companies in the power sports industry. Prior to joining us he served from January 2003 to December 2009 as Area Manager for Jofrab Ab, a Swedish distributor of motorcycles and recreational vehicles.
TODD REPSHER: Mr. Repsher, aged 53, has served as our U.S. General Manager since 2016 and served as our US National Sales Manager since March 2014. Mr. Repsher is an award-winning sales executive with over 20 years' experience in the marketing and sales of sports orientated companies in North America. Prior to joining us he was the National Sales Manager for Switzerland-based Scott Sports, Inc. from 2011 to 2013, where he managed the sale and distribution of all North American motorsports (off-road, on-road, snowmobile) apparel and accessories for Scott Sports. Prior to that, Mr. Repsher served, from 2002 to 2011, as the Outside Sales Territory Manager for California-based Fox Racing, Inc.
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Stockholders may communicate with the Board by sending a letter to our Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 12 Kiepersol Drive, Atlas Gardens, Contermanskloof Road, Durbanville, Western Cape, South Africa, 7550 for submission to the board or committee or to any specific director to whom the correspondence is directed. Stockholders communicating through this means should include with the correspondence evidence, such as documentation from a brokerage firm, that the sender is a current record or beneficial stockholder of the Company. All communications received as set forth above will be opened by the Corporate Secretary or his designee for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents contain a message to one or more of our directors.
Any contents that are not advertising materials, promotions of a product or service, patently offensive materials or matters deemed, using reasonable judgment, inappropriate for the Board will be forwarded promptly to the chairman of the Board, the appropriate committee or the specific director, as applicable.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this report.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table Update
The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the following persons for services rendered in all capacities during the indicated periods. No other executive officers received total annual salary and bonus compensation in excess of $100,000.
Name and
Principal
Position | Year | Salary
($) | Bonus
($) | Stock
Awards
($) | Option
Awards
($)(1) | Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
Earnings
($) | Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) | All Other
Compensation
($) | Total
($) |
Dr. Christopher James Leatt,
Chairman and Head of
Research and
Development(2) | 2021 | 71,730 | -- | 164,666 | 11,446 | -- | -- | 506,796 | 754,638 |
| 2022 | 70,179 | -- | 239,432 | 17,166 | -- | -- | 519,468 | 846,245 |
| 2023 | 61,743 | -- | 21,105 | -- | -- | -- | 538,001 | 620,849 |
Sean Macdonald,
President, CEO, CFO
and Director | 2021 | 309,393 | 150,000 | 242,206 | 17,166 | -- | -- | -- | 718,765 |
| 2022 | 350,699 | 140,000 | 352,156 | 25,749 | -- | -- | -- | 868,604 |
| 2023 | 342,262 | 62,500 | 26,968 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 431,730 |
Todd Repsher
U.S. National sales manager | 2021 | 213,600 | 40,000 | 82,084 | 6,602 | -- | -- | 1,712 | 343,998 |
| 2022 | 230,700 | 28,500 | 58,036 | 9,904 | -- | -- | 1,985 | 329,125 |
| 2023 | 246,000 | 10,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,550 | 258,050 |
1. The option awards reflect a 1-for-25 reverse split effected by the Company on September 20, 2012.
2. Also reflects compensation to Dr. Leatt in his capacity as our Research and Development consultant as discussed under the Summary of Employment Agreements heading below. Compensation received by Dr. Leatt in his role as Chairman of the Company's board of directors is separately reflected under the Compensation heading below.
3. The stock awards reflect stock awards from previous issuances that vested during the period as well as stock awards that were issued during the period.
Summary of Employment Agreements
We have entered into an employment agreement, effective as of January 1, 2014, with Sean Macdonald our President, CEO and CFO, pursuant to which, as amended, we were obligated to pay him a base salary of R3,849,000 (approximately $226,764) and $101,400 per annum. Mr. Macdonald further received a travel allowance of R114,010 (approximately, $6,717), medical and life insurance benefits, participation in the Company's new provident fund, the right to participate in the Company's executive wellness program and he is entitled to an annual performance-based bonus at the sole discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company and Mr. Macdonald agreed to amend the employment agreement to increase his base salary to ZAR4,099,185 (approximately $224,222) and $107,991 per annum, subject to guaranteed minimum exchange rate, and to increase his travel allowance to ZAR121,420 (approximately, $6,642). Mr. Macdonald may not sell any stock issued to him by the Company without prior written consent of the Board of Directors. Mr. Macdonald is also subject to the customary confidentiality covenants and South African Labor Laws which entitle Mr. Macdonald to one week's severance pay for each year of service to the Company. The agreement may be terminated by either party with six months' written notice; provided that Mr. Macdonald will be obligated to assist in the appointment and orientation of his successor during such six-month period. Mr. Macdonald may also be terminated by the Company with no notice for gross misconduct, incapacity or for breach of the employment agreement.
We have entered into an employment agreement, effective as of March 3, 2014, with Todd Repsher, our U.S. General Manager, pursuant to which, as amended, we were obligated to pay him a base salary from $246,000 per annum. Effective January 1, 2024, his base salary increased to $254,610 per annum. Mr. Repsher also receives coverage under the Company's employment benefit plans and is subject to customary confidentiality and indemnification requirements. The agreement may be terminated at any time by the Company and upon three months' written notice by Mr. Repsher, however, in advance of any termination based on neglect of duty or breach of the employment agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, give Mr. Repsher 15 days' advance notice with an opportunity to cure the deficiency. The agreement is subject to California law and disputes under the agreement are subject to resolution by arbitration.
Dr. Christopher Leatt is compensated in his capacity as our Research and Development consultant, pursuant to our Consulting Agreement, dated November 8, 2021, with Innovation Services Limited, or Innovation, a Jersey limited company in which, Dr. Leatt is an indirect beneficiary. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Innovation has agreed to serve as the Company's exclusive research, development and marketing consultant, in exchange for a monthly fee; provided, however, that Dr. Leatt must remain an Innovation director and beneficiary of a majority of its ownership interests during the term of the agreement, and Dr. Leatt must remain the Company's primary point of contact responsible for the oversight, review and delivery of the services to be performed by Innovation under the agreement. From January 1 through June 30, 2023, the monthly fee payable by the Company to Innovation was $44,371, and commencing July 1, 2023, this monthly fee increased to $45,463. Innovation may increase its monthly fees, on an annual basis on written notice to the Company, by no greater than the lesser of: (a) five percent (5%) of the prior year's annualized fee; or (b) a percentage equal to then-applicable annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the United States Department of Labor's bureau of labor statistics, plus one-half percent (0.5%). The parties further agreed that all intellectual property generated in connection with the services provided under the consulting agreement will be the sole property of the Company. The term of the Consulting Agreement will continue unless terminated by either party in accordance with its terms. Either party may terminate the Consulting Agreement upon 6 months' prior written notice, except that the Company may immediately terminate it without notice if the services to be performed by Innovation cease to be performed by Dr. Leatt, if beneficial ownership in Innovation by Dr. Leatt's and his immediate family members decreases, or for any other material breach of the agreement. The parties have agreed to settle any dispute under the Consulting Agreement by submission to JAMS for final and binding arbitration pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures in those Rules. The Company also simultaneously entered into a side letter agreement, dated November 8, 2021, with Dr. Leatt, pursuant to which Dr. Leatt agreed, among other things: (1) not to perform services similar to the services provided under the agreement for any current or future, direct or indirect competitor of the Company or any similar company; (2) not to solicit any current or future employees of the Company for employment with Innovation or any other entity with which he may become affiliated, or to contact or solicit any current or future stockholder or investor of the Company in connection with any matter that is not directly related to the ongoing or future business operations of the Company; and (3) that he will apprise the Company of any business opportunity that he becomes aware of that could benefit the Company so that the Company, can in its sole discretion, make a determination regarding whether to pursue such opportunity in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. Dr. Leatt further agreed to continue dedicating a majority of his time on matters related to performance of his duties as a director of the Company and to the fulfillment of his obligations to the Company's research and development efforts under the consulting agreement, and the Company will have the right to adjust the amount of the fees payable under the consulting agreement to the extent of any substantial diminution in his fulfillment of such duties and obligations. The foregoing agreements replaced prior agreements in force from June 2018 to November 2021, among the Company, Dr. Leatt and Innovate Services Limited, a Seychelles company, beneficially owned by Dr. Leatt, that wound up operations.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information regarding equity grants to named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including prior year grants that vested during the period.
Name |
Grant Date | All other stock
awards: Number of
shares of stock
or units | All other option
awards: Number of
securities underlying
options | Exercise or
base price of
option awards
($/Share) | Grant date
fair value of
stock and
option awards ($) |
| Dr. Christopher Leatt | 12/22/2023 | 51,000 | | $9.38 | $478,380 |
| Sean Macdonald | 12/22/2023 | 76,000 | | $9.38 | $712,880 |
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 51,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. On December 22, 2023, 2,250 Restricted Stock vested, 5,000 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 8,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 10,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 76,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Mr. Macdonald, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. On December 22, 2023, 2,875 Restricted Stock vested, 7,500 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 13,125 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 15,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth the equity awards outstanding at December 31, 2023 for each of our named executive officers.
| OPTION AWARDS |
Name | Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options exercisable | Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unexercisable | Equity
incentive plan
awards;
number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options | Option
exercise
price
($) | Option
expiration
date |
| Dr. Christopher Leatt | 52,000 | -- | -- | $2.60 | March 28, 2026 |
| Dr. Christopher Leatt | 52,000 | -- | -- | $1.60 | August 23, 2027 |
| Dr. Christopher Leatt | 52,000 | -- | -- | $2.30 | February 24, 2029 |
| Jeffrey Guzy | 15,000 | -- | -- | $2.30 | February 24, 2029 |
| Todd Repsher | 30,000 | -- | -- | $2.30 | February 24, 2029 |
On March 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant to Dr. Christopher Leatt, the Company's Chairman, of a 10-year option under the Company's 2011 Plan, to purchase 52,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 a share, 15,600 of which immediately vested. The initial option grant to Dr. Leatt had vesting scheduled for the remaining underlying shares on December 31, 2017 (30%), March 29, 2017 (20%) and March 29, 2018 (20%), however on November 22, 2016, the Company's board of directors modified the option award to push out the vesting period in line with the Company's expected 2016 fourth quarter performance. As a result of the modification, the option will now expire on March 28, 2026 and the December 31, 2017 vesting date was eliminated. The option to purchase 15,600 of the shares vested on March 29, 2017, and the remaining options to purchase 20,800 shares vested in two equal portions on March 29, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The foregoing modification did not affect the exercise price as the fair market value of the underlying shares on the initial grant date was the same as the fair market value on the modification date. This option to purchase 52,000 shares will expire on March 28, 2026. On August 24, 2017, the Board approved a grant to Dr. Leatt of another 10-year option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.60 a share under the 2011 Plan, 20,800 of which vested on December 31, 2017, 15,600 of which vested on December 31, 2018, and the remaining 15,600 of which vested on December 31, 2019. This option will expire on August 23, 2027. On February 25, 2019, the Board approved a grant to Dr. Leatt of another 10-year option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 a share under the 2011 Plan, 15,600 (30%) of which vested on February 25, 2019, another 10,400 of which vested on February 25, 2020, another 10,400 of which vested on February 25, 2021, and the remaining 15,600 (30%) shares vested on February 25, 2022. This option to purchase 52,000 shares will expire on February 24, 2029.
On February 25, 2019, the Board approved a grant to Mr. Guzy of another 10-year option to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 a share under the 2011 Plan, 30% or 4,500 of which vested February 25, 2019. Options to purchase another 20% or 3,000 shares, vested on February 25, 2020, options to purchase another 20% or 3,000 shares, vested on February 25, 2021 and options to purchase the remaining 30% or 4,500 shares vested February 25, 2022. This option to purchase 15,000 shares will expire on February 24, 2029.
On February 25, 2019, the Board approved a grant to Mr. Repsher of a 10-year option to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 a share under the 2011 Plan, 9,000 (30%) of which vested on February 25, 2019, another 6,000 of which vested on February 25, 2020, and another 6,000 of which vested on February 25, 2021. The remaining 9,000 (30%) shares vested on February 25, 2022. This option to purchase 30,000 shares will expire on February 24, 2029.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
Except as set forth below, no named executive officers exercised stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar instruments or had vesting stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 51,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. On December 22, 2023, 2,250 Restricted Stock vested, 5,000 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 8,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 10,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 76,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Mr. Macdonald, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. On December 22, 2023, 2,875 Restricted Stock vested, 7,500 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 13,125 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 15,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 1,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Mr. Guzy, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan, all of which vested on December 22, 2023.
Pension Benefits
The Company and its U.S. employees participate in a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). None of the named executive officers received or held benefits under a defined pension benefit plan and the Company did not maintain a defined pension benefit plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
No nonqualified deferred compensation was offered or issued to any named executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Our named executive officers are not entitled to severance payments or other benefit upon the termination of their employment agreements or following a change in control.
Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth the total director compensation earned by our directors during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:
| Name | Fees earned
or
paid in cash
($) | Stock
awards
($) | Option
awards
($) | All other
compensation
($) | Total
($) |
| Dr. Christopher James Leatt | 61,743 | 21,105 | - | - | 82,848 |
| Jeffrey J. Guzy | 24,000 | 9,380 | - | - | 33,380 |
| Sean Macdonald | 18,000 | 26,968 | - | - | 44,968 |
Narrative to Director Compensation Table
During the 2023 calendar year, we paid Jeff Guzy and Sean Macdonald $2,000 and $1,500 per month, respectively, for their services as directors. Effective January 1, 2024, Jeff Guzy and Sean Macdonald's compensation increased to $2,068 and $1,599 per month, respectively for their services. In the future, we may adopt a policy of paying independent directors a fee for their attendance at board and committee meetings. We also reimburse our directors for reasonable travel expenses related to their duties as our directors.
On July 8, 2015, the Company entered into a Director Agreement with Board Chairman, Dr. Christopher Leatt, pursuant to which, as amended, in addition to his duties with the Company's Research and Development department, Dr. Leatt agreed to devote as much time as is necessary to perform the duties of a director of the Company, including duties as a member of any committees that he may be appointed to by the Board of Directors, including but not limited to assisting the Company with the development of business and new business strategies relating to the objectives of the Company, participation in the Company's investor relations activities, including road shows and shareholder communication activities, and participation in corporate strategy decisions of the Company. During the 2023 calendar, we paid Dr. Leatt a base fee of ZAR95,000 as compensation for his services, approved expenses for travel, medical and life insurance benefits and participation in the Company's Senior Executive Wellness Program, and the Company has agreed to indemnify him to the full extent allowed by law except where such indemnification is prohibited due to intentional misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law. Effective January 1, 2024, Dr. Leatt's base fee increased to ZAR100,225 per month, and remainder of the compensation remained the same. Either party may terminate the Director Agreement at any time upon six months' written notice unless he resigns from his position or is removed by shareholders of the Company prior to such termination.
On March 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant to Dr. Leatt, of a 10-year option under the Company's 2011 Plan, to purchase 52,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 a share, 15,600 of which immediately vested. The initial option grant to Dr. Leatt had vesting scheduled for the remaining underlying shares on December 31, 2017 (30%), March 29, 2017 (20%) and March 29, 2018 (20%), however on November 22, 2016, the Company's board of directors modified the option award to push out the vesting period in line with the Company's expected 2016 fourth quarter performance. As a result of the modification, the option will now expire on March 28, 2026 and the December 31, 2017 vesting date was eliminated. The option to purchase 15,600 of the shares vested on March 29, 2017, and the remaining options to purchase 20,800 shares vested in two equal portions on March 29, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The foregoing modification did not affect the exercise price as the fair market value of the underlying shares on the initial grant date was the same as the fair market value on the modification date. This option to purchase 52,000 shares will expire on March 28, 2026. On August 24, 2017, the Board approved a grant to Dr. Leatt of another 10-year option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.60 a share under the 2011 Plan, 20,800 of which vested on December 31, 2017, 15,600 of which vested on December 31, 2018, and the remaining 15,600 of which vested on December 31, 2019. This option to purchase 52,000 shares will expire on August 23, 2027. On February 25, 2019, the Board approved a grant to Dr. Leatt of another 10-year option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 a share under the 2011 Plan, 15,600 (30%) of which vested on February 25, 2019, another 10,400 of which vested on February 25, 2020, and another 10,400 of which vested on February 25, 2021. The remaining 15,600 (30%) shares vested February 25, 2022. This option to purchase 52,000 shares will expire on February 24, 2029. On December 29, 2020, the Company's Board approved the award of 8,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. Sixty percent (4,800 shares) of the restricted stock vested immediately, on the date of the award, twenty percent (1,600 shares) vested on December 29, 2021, and the remaining 20% (1,600 shares) vested on December 29, 2022. On December 22, 2021, the Company's Board approved the award of 8,500 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan, sixty percent (5,100 shares) of which vested on December 31, 2021, and the remaining 40% (3,400 shares) of which vested in equal parts on March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022, September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022. On December 20, 2022, the Board approved the award of 6,800 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan, all of which vested on December 31, 2022. On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 51,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Leatt, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan.On December 22, 2023, 2,250 Restricted Stock vested, 5,000 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 8,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 10,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 12,500 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
On February 25, 2019, the Board approved a grant to Mr. Guzy of another 10-year option to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 a share under the 2011 Plan, 30% or 4,500 of which vested February 25, 2019. Options to purchase another 20% or 3,000 shares, vested on February 25, 2020, options to purchase another 20% or 3,000 shares, vested on February 25, 2021 and options to purchase the remaining 30% or 4,500 shares vested February 25, 2022. This option to purchase 15,000 shares will expire on February 24, 2029. On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 1,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Mr. Guzy, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan, all of which vested on December 22, 2023.
On December 21, 2023, the Board approved the award of 76,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Mr. Macdonald, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Plan. On December 22, 2023, 2,875 Restricted Stock vested, 7,500 shall vest on December 22, 2024, 13,125 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2025, 15,000 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2026, 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2027, and lastly 18,750 Restricted Stock shall vest on December 22, 2028, provided, however, that one hundred percent (100%) of Grantee's nonvested Restricted Stock shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Agreement).
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Section 78.138 of the NRS provides that a director or officer will not be individually liable unless it is proven that (i) the director's or officer's acts or omissions constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties, and (ii) such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law.
Section 78.7502 of NRS permits a company to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding if the officer or director (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner the officer or director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, if a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the officer or director was unlawful.
Section 78.751 of NRS permits a Nevada company to indemnify its officers and directors against expenses incurred by them in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of final disposition thereof, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such officer or director is not entitled to be indemnified by the company. Section 78.751 of NRS further permits the company to grant its directors and officers additional rights of indemnification under its articles of incorporation or bylaws or otherwise.
Section 78.752 of NRS provides that a Nevada company may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the company, or is or was serving at the request of the company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for any liability asserted against him and liability and expenses incurred by him in his capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the company has the authority to indemnify him against such liability and expenses.
Our Articles of Incorporation provide that no director or officer of the Company will be personally liable to the Company or any of its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law, or (ii) the payment of dividends in violation of Section 78.300 of NRS. In addition, our Bylaws implement the indemnification and insurance provisions permitted by Chapter 78 of the NRS by providing that:
- The Company shall indemnify its directors to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS and may, if and to the extent authorized by the board of directors, so indemnify its officers and any other person whom it has the power to indemnify against liability, reasonable expense or other matter whatsoever.
- The Company may at the discretion of the board of directors' purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who holds or who has held any position identified in the paragraph above against any and all liability incurred by such person in any such position or arising out of his status as such.
Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling the company pursuant to provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Other than as disclosed herein, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or executive officers to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.
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, as of March 4, 2024, the stock ownership of (i) each of our executive officers and directors, (i) of all our executive officers and directors as a group, and (iii) of each person known by us to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of our common stock. Except as otherwise noted, each person listed below is the sole beneficial owner of the shares and has sole investment and voting power of such shares. No person listed below has any option, warrant or other right to acquire additional securities of the Company, except as may be otherwise noted. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of Leatt Corporation, 12 Kiepersol Drive, Atlas Gardens, Contermanskloof Road, Durbanville, Western Cape, South Africa, 7550.
| Title of Class | Name & Address of
Beneficial Owner | Office,
If Any | Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership (2) | Percent
of Class (3) |
Common
Stock, $0.001
par value | Class A
Voting Convertible Preferred
Stock, $0.001 par value(1) | | | | |
| Officers and Directors |
| X | - | Dr. Christopher J. Leatt (4) | Founder, Innovation Officer and | 2,011,164 | 31.57% |
| - | X | | Chairman | 96,000 | 80.00% |
| X | - | Jeffrey J. Guzy(5) | Director | 71,717 | 1.15% |
| - | - | Sean Macdonald(6) | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | 290,684 | 4.68% |
| X | - | All officers
and directors as
a group
(persons named above) | | 2,373,565 | 37.17% |
| - | X | 96,000 | 80.00% |
| 5% Shareholders |
| X | - | Jean-Pierre De Villiers(7) | | 388,762 | 6.25% |
| - | X | 24,000 | 20.00% |
| (1) | The Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock at a vote of 100-for-one, subject to adjustments resulting from any future stock splits. The Preferred Stock has priority over the Common Stock in any liquidation preferences but no dividend rights (except as may be declared by the Board). The Common Stock has dividend rights in respect of any dividend distributions when and if declared and paid by the Company. The Common Stock has a claim to any liquidation distribution, subject to the priority claim of the Preferred Stock. No dividends have been paid to date on any securities. There are no other classes of equity securities authorized and issued. |
| | |
| (2) | Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or "SEC" and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to the shares of our common stock. |
| | |
| (3) | As of the date of this report and after giving effect to the Company's 1-for-25 reverse stock split effected on September 20, 2012 (the "Reverse Split"), the Company has 28,000,000 shares of common stock authorized with 6,215,440 shares issued and outstanding, and 1,120,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized with 120,000 shares issued and outstanding. For each Beneficial Owner above, any options exercisable or restricted shares vesting within 60 days have been included in the denominator. |
| | |
| (4) | Represents (a) 1,850,157 shares of common stock directly held by Dr. Leatt and 5,007 shares of common stock held by members of his immediate family, (b) a vested option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at $2.60 per share which expires on March 28, 2026, (c) a vested option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at $1.60 per share which will expire on August 23, 2027, (d) a vested option to purchase 52,000 shares of common stock at $2.30 per share which will expire on February 24, 2029. |
| | |
| (5) | Represents (a) 56,717 shares of common stock directly held by Mr. Guzy, and (b) a vested option to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at $2.30 per share which will expire on February 24, 2029. |
| | |
| (6) | Represents (a) 290,684 shares of common stock directly held by Mr. Macdonald. |
| | |
| (7) | Represents 366,950 shares of common stock directly held by Mr De Villiers and 21,812 shares of common stock held by members of his immediate family. |
Changes in Control
We do not currently have any arrangements which if consummated may result in a change of control of our Company.
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 the last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under "Executive Compensation"). 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.
On March 1, 2006, the Company entered into a Licensing Agreement with Xceed Holdings (formerly, Leatt Brace Holdings), a South African company that is controlled by Dr. Leatt, the Company's Chairman, and by Mr. De Villiers until his resignation on August 29, 2006. Under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, we are obligated to pay Xceed Holdings 4% of neck brace sales revenue billed and received by us, on a quarterly basis based on sales of the previous quarter. During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company paid an aggregate of $124,061 and $243,822, in licensing fees to Xceed Holdings. In addition, pursuant to a separate license agreement between us and Mr. De Villiers, the Company is obligated to pay a royalty fee of 1% of all our billed and received neck brace sales revenue, in quarterly installments, based on sales of the previous quarter, to a trust that is beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. De Villiers. Royalties paid to Mr. De Villiers totaled $31,015 and $60,957 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
On November 8, 2021, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Innovation Services Limited, a Jersey limited company in which, Dr. Christopher Leatt, the Company's founder and chairman, is an indirect beneficiary. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Innovation has agreed to serve as the Company's exclusive research, development and marketing consultant, in exchange for a monthly fee; provided, however, that Dr. Leatt must remain an Innovation director and beneficiary of a majority of its ownership interests during the term of the agreement, and Dr. Leatt must remain the Company's primary point of contact responsible for the oversight, review and delivery of the services to be performed by Innovation under the agreement. From January 1 through June 30, 2023, the monthly fee payable by the Company to Innovation was $44,371, and commencing July 1, 2023, this monthly fee increased to $45,463. Innovation may increase its monthly fees, on an annual basis on written notice to the Company, by no greater than the lesser of: (a) five percent (5%) of the prior year's annualized fee; or (b) a percentage equal to then-applicable annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the United States Department of Labor's bureau of labor statistics, plus one-half percent (0.5%). The parties further agreed that all intellectual property generated in connection with the services provided under the consulting agreement will be the sole property of the Company. The term of the Consulting Agreement will continue unless terminated by either party in accordance with its terms. Either party may terminate the Consulting Agreement upon 6 months' prior written notice, except that the Company may immediately terminate it without notice if the services to be performed by Innovation cease to be performed by Dr. Leatt, if beneficial ownership in Innovation by Dr. Leatt's and his immediate family members decreases, or for any other material breach of the agreement. The parties have agreed to settle any dispute under the Consulting Agreement by submission to JAMS for final and binding arbitration pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures in those Rules. The Company also simultaneously entered into a side letter agreement, dated November 8, 2021, with Dr. Leatt, pursuant to which Dr. Leatt agreed, among other things: (1) not to perform services similar to the services provided under the agreement for any current or future, direct or indirect competitor of the Company or any similar company; (2) not to solicit any current or future employees of the Company for employment with Innovation or any other entity with which he may become affiliated, or to contact or solicit any current or future stockholder or investor of the Company in connection with any matter that is not directly related to the ongoing or future business operations of the Company; and (3) that he will apprise the Company of any business opportunity that he becomes aware of that could benefit the Company so that the Company, can in its sole discretion, make a determination regarding whether to pursue such opportunity in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. Dr. Leatt further agreed to continue dedicating a majority of his time on matters related to performance of his duties as a director of the Company and to the fulfillment of his obligations to the Company's research and development efforts under the consulting agreement, and the Company will have the right to adjust the amount of the fees payable under the consulting agreement to the extent of any substantial diminution in his fulfillment of such duties and obligations. The foregoing agreements replaced prior agreements in force from June 2018 to November 2021, among the Company, Dr. Leatt and Innovate Services Limited, a Seychelles company, beneficially owned by Dr. Leatt, that wound up operations. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized an aggregate of $538,001 and $519,468, respectively, in consulting fees to Innovation.
Except as set forth in our discussion above, none of our directors, director nominees or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
As we increase the size of our board of directors to include additional independent directors, we expect to prepare and adopt a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of "related-persons transactions." For purposes of our policy only, a "related-person transaction" will be a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any "related person" are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related person will not be covered by this policy. A related person will be any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
We anticipate that, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, the policy will require management to present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our audit committee (or, where approval by our audit committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our board of directors) for consideration and approval or ratification. Management's presentation will be expected to include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available.
To identify related-person transactions in advance, we are expected to rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person transactions, our board of directors will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
• the risks, costs and benefits to us;
• the impact on a director's independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;
• the terms of the transaction;
• the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
• the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally.
We also expect that the policy will require any interested director to excuse himself from deliberations and approval of the transaction in which the interested director is involved.
Promoters and Certain Control Persons
We did not have any promoters at any time during the past five fiscal years.
Director Independence
Our Board of Directors has determined that our director, Mr. Jeffrey Guzy, is an independent director, as the term "independent" is defined by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Independent Auditors' Fees
The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2023 | | | 2022 | |
| Audit Fees | $ | 225,500 | | $ | 175,000 | |
| Audit-Related Fees | | 24,000 | | | 19,820 | |
| Tax Fees | | 17,690 | | | 14,600 | |
| Other fees | | 72 | | | 50 | |
| TOTAL | $ | 267,262 | | $ | 209,470 | |
"Audit Fees" consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in our Form 10-K and 10-Qs 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 under other captions of this Item 14.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our board of directors to assure that such services do not impair the auditors' independence from us. In accordance with its policies and procedures, our board of directors pre-approved the audit and non-audit services performed by Fitzgerald & Co, CPAs, P.C. for our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
Financial Statements and Schedules
The financial statements are set forth under Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K. Financial statement schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
| Exhibit | Exhibit Title |
| Number | |
| 2.1 | Settlement Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2008, between Leatt Corp., Christopher J. Leatt and J. P. De Villiers |
| 2.2 | Amendment No. 1 to Settlement Agreement, dated February 4, 2010, between Leatt Corp., Christopher J. Leatt and Jean- Pierre De Villiers |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on October 28, 2008 |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws, adopted on October 28, 2008 |
| 4.1 | Certificate of Designation of Series A Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on October 29, 2008 |
| 4.2 | Leatt Corp. Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan as amended |
| 4.3 | Stock Option Agreement, dated March 29, 2016, between Leatt Corp. and Dr. Christopher Leatt |
| 4.7 | Stock Option Agreement, dated February 25, 2019, between Leatt Corp. and Jeffrey Guzy. |
| 4.9 | Stock Option Agreement, dated August 24, 2017, between Leatt Corp. and Dr. Christopher Leatt |
| 4.12 | Stock Option Agreement, dated February 25, 2019, between Leatt Corp. and Dr. Christopher Leatt |
| 4.14 | Stock Option Agreement, dated February 25, 2019, between Leatt Corp. and Todd Repsher |
| 4.30* | Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated December 22, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and Erik Olsson |
| 4.31* | Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated December 22, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and Jeffrey Guzy |
| 4.32* | Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated December 22, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and Sean Macdonald |
| 4.33* | Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated December 22, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and Dr. Christopher Leatt |
| 10.1 | Consulting Agreement, dated November 8, 2021, between Innovation Services Limited and Leatt Corporation |
| 10.2 | Side Letter Agreement, dated November 8, 2021, between Leatt Corporation and Dr. Christopher Leatt |
| 10.3 | 2022-23 Leatt Corporation General Business Terms and Conditions, effective November 1, 2021 |
| 10.4 | Lease Agreement, dated February 24, 2022, between Leatt Corp. and Montprop Beleggings (Pty) Ltd |
| 10.5* | Lease Agreement, dated May 24, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and Montprop Beleggings (Pty) Ltd Addendum |
| 10.5 | Lease Agreement, dated January 12, 2023, between Leatt Corp. and AJ Brutus Investments cc. |
| 10.6 | Lease Agreement, dated May 24, 2022, between Leatt Corp. and FC Rust Theron Incorporated. |
| 10.7 | Lease Agreement, dated December 14, 2020, between Two Eleven Distribution, LLC, and CP Logistics NVCC IV, LLC. |
| 10.8* | Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2022, between Leatt Corp. and Sean Macdonald (as amended) |
| 10.12* | Director Agreement, dated July 8, 2015, between Leatt Corporation and Dr. Christopher Leatt (as amended) |
| 10.13* | Director Agreement, dated June 29, 2017, between Leatt Corporation and Sean Macdonald (as amended) |
| 10.14* | Director Agreement, dated January 1, 2017, between Leatt Corporation and Jeffrey Guzy (as amended) |
| | |
| 14.1 | Code of Ethics |
| 21 | List of Subsidiaries |
| 31.1* | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 31.2* | Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 32.1* | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 32.2* | Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 101** | Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T |
| 101.INS** | Inline XBRL Instance Document-the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File as its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
| 101.SCH** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
| 101.CAL** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| 101.DEF** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
| 101.LAB** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| 101.PRE** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| 104** | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
________________________
* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023 is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 13, 2024
| | LEATT CORPORATION |
| | |
| | |
| | By: /s/ Sean Macdonald |
| | Sean Macdonald, Chief Executive |
| | Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer and |
| | Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date |
| | | |
| /s/ Sean Macdonald | Chief Executive Officer, Chief | March 13, 2024 |
| Sean Macdonald | Financial Officer and Director | |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| | | |
| /s/ Dr. Christopher J. Leatt | Chairman | March 13, 2024 |
| Dr. Christopher J. Leatt | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Jeffrey J. Guzy | Director | March 13, 2024 |
| Jeffrey J. Guzy | | |
