e20vf
As filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2005
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
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Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 |
OR
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Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005
OR
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Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the transition period from to
OR
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Shell company report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
Date
of event requiring this shell company report
Commission
file number 0-30082
ENVOY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
Ontario, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
172 John Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1X5
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
COMMON SHARES
(Title of Class)
The Nasdaq Small Cap Market
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act.
NONE
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or
common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: At September 30, 2005
there were 21,007,517 common shares outstanding.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17
þ Item 18
o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as
defined in Rule 12-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act. YES o NO þ
If this is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not
required to file reports pursuant to 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from
their obligations under these Sections. YES o NO þ
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
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Item 1.
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Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers |
Item 2.
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Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
Item 3.
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Key Information |
Item 4.
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Information on the Company |
Item 4A.
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Unresolved Staff Comments |
Item 5.
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Operating and Financial Review and Prospects |
Item 6.
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Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
Item 7.
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Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions |
Item 8.
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Financial Information |
Item 9.
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The Offer and Listing |
Item 10.
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Additional Information |
Item 11.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Item 12.
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Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities |
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PART II |
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Item 13.
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Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies |
Item 14.
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Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds |
Item 15.
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Controls and Procedures |
Item 16A
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Audit Committee Financial Expert |
Item 16B
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Code of Ethics |
Item 16C
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
Item 16D
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Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
Item 16E
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Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases |
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PART III |
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Item 17.
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Financial Statements |
Item 18.
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Financial Statements |
Item 19.
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Exhibits |
Signatures |
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Exhibit Index |
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- 4 -
The
certifications are exhibits, not part of body. References in this annual report to the Company and Envoy mean Envoy Communications Group Inc.
and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.
The Company presents its consolidated financial statements in Canadian dollars. In this annual
report, except where otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars.
References to $ are to Canadian dollars, references to US are to United States dollars and
references to £ are to British pounds. See Selected Financial Data in Item 3 of this Form
20-F.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 5 -
PART I
Item 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable
Item 1. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable
Item 2. KEY INFORMATION
A.
Selected Financial Data1
The following tables sets forth selected financial data for Envoy for the fiscal years
indicated below and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed audited consolidated
financial statements and the related notes thereto (the Consolidated Financial Statements)
appearing under Item 17 in this Form 20-F and the discussion under Item 5 Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects herein. The selected consolidated financial data does not include statements
of operations data or balance sheet data of any acquired operations prior to their respective
acquisition effective dates. The Companys historical results are not necessarily indicative of
the results that may be expected for any future period.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 6 -
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Fiscal Years Ended September 30, |
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2005(2) |
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2004(3) |
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2003(4) |
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2002(5) |
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2001(6) |
(all amounts in thousands, except |
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per share data) |
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Statement of Operations Data: |
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Net Revenue |
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$ |
43,157 |
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$ |
36,964 |
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$ |
37,742 |
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$ |
54,845 |
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$ |
79,687 |
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Earnings (Loss) From Continuing
Operations |
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4,140 |
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(2,680 |
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2,483 |
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(53,038 |
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(2,788 |
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Earnings(Loss) From Discontinued
Operations |
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1,802 |
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(426 |
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55 |
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(341 |
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(107 |
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Earnings (Loss) From Continuing
Operations Basic Earnings Per Share |
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0.19 |
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(0.16 |
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0.57 |
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(12.63 |
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(0.67 |
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Earnings (Loss) From Continuing
Operations Diluted Earnings Per Share |
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0.19 |
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(0.16 |
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0.42 |
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(12.63 |
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(0.67 |
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Net (Loss) Earnings 7 |
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5,942 |
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(3,106 |
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2,538 |
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(53,379 |
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(2,895 |
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Net Earnings (Loss) Per
Share 7 Basic |
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0.27 |
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($ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.58 |
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($ |
12.71 |
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($ |
0.70 |
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Net Earnings (Loss)Earnings Per
Share 7 Diluted |
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$ |
0.27 |
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($ |
0.18 |
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$ |
0.43 |
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($ |
12.71 |
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($ |
0.70 |
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1 |
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The consolidated financial statements of Envoy have been prepared by
management in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Canadian GAAP)
which vary in certain significant respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(U.S. GAAP). Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP is set forth in Note 24 to the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements. The following would be the adjustments under U.S. GAAP to the
information provided above as an increase (decrease) to: Net Revenue 2005 $nil, 2004 $nil, 2003
($3,387), 2002 ($15,825), and 2001 ($34,683);Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 2005 $344,
2004 $(464), 2003 ($4,025), 2002 $37,488, and 2001 ($208); Earnings(Loss) from continuing
operations earnings per share basic 2005 $0.02, 2004 $(0.02), 2003 (0.93), 2002 $8.93, and 2001
$(0.05); Earnings (Loss) from continuing operations earnings per share diluted 2005 $0.01, 2004
$(0.02), 2003 |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 7 -
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$(0.79), 2002 $8.93, and 2001 $(0.05); Net (Loss) earnings 2005 $344 2004 $(464),2003 $67, 2002
$(3), and 2001 $935; and Net (Loss) Earnings per share basic 2005 $0.02, 2004 $(0.03), 2003 $0.02,
2002 $nil, and 2001 ($0.22); Net (Loss) per share diluted 2005 $ 0.02, 2004 $(0.03,) 2003 $0.17,
2002 $nil, and 2001 ($0.22). |
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Effective May 1, 2003, Envoy uses the provisions of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
Handbook (the CICA Handbook) Handbook section 3475, Disposal of long-lived assets and
discontinued operations. The results of operations of a business that has either been disposed
of, or is held for sale, is reported as discontinued operations if the operations and cash flows of
the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the Companys ongoing operations, and the
Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component
after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations, less applicable taxes are
reported as a separate element of income or loss before extraordinary items for both current and
prior periods. For businesses that were disposed of prior to the adoption of these new standards,
Envoy includes the results of their operations in the comparative financial results. |
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At a meeting held on August 14, 2003, the Companys shareholders approved the consolidation of the
Companys common shares on the basis to be determined by its board of directors (not to exceed a
ratio of 1 for 10). On January 15, 2005, the Companys board of directors approved the
consolidation of the common shares (a reverse stock split) on the basis of 1 for 5. On January 21,
2005 the Company filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new
common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. Outstanding shares and earnings per share
figures for all periods presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation.
Information on the number of shares outstanding, and stock options are disclosed on a
post-consolidation basis. |
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As at September 30, |
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(all amounts in thousands) |
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2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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2002 |
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2001 |
Balance Sheet Data: |
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Current Assets |
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$ |
44,759 |
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$ |
59,432 |
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$ |
18,844 |
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$ |
27,447 |
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$ |
51,138 |
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Total Assets |
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82,951 |
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88,880 |
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37,967 |
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49,174 |
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113,850 |
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Total Debt8 |
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361 |
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659 |
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11,425 |
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14,795 |
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11,928 |
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Shareholders Equity9 |
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73,555 |
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76,891 |
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12,359 |
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9,779 |
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61,319 |
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Retained (Deficit) Earnings10 |
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(42,403 |
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(48,344 |
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(45,237 |
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(47,776 |
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5,508 |
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 8 -
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2 |
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The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 of Watt Gilchrist Limited (Gilchrist) is £1.00 to
$2.2641. and with respect to the Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.0648 . The
exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statements of Operations Data for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005 of Parker Williams Design Limited (PWD) is £1.00 to $2.2428 Cdn. The exchange
rate utilized with respect to the Balance Sheet Data of PWD is £1.00 to $2.0648 Cdn. Except as set
forth in footnotes 5, 6 and 7, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability
of the information in the Selected Financial Data. |
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The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.3759 and with respect to the
Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.2878. Except as set forth in footnotes 5, 6 and 7,
no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the information in the
Selected Financial Data. |
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4 |
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The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for the
year ended September 30, 2003 of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.3425 and with respect to the Balance
Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.2448. The exchange rate utilized with respect to the
Statement of Operations Data of US activities is $1.00 U.S. to $1.4635 and with respect to the
Balance Sheet Data of US activities is $1.00 U.S. to $1.3499. Except as set forth in footnotes 5,
6 and 7, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the information in
the Selected Financial Data. During fiscal 2003, Envoy disposed of a number of subsidiaries
including Sage Information Consultants Inc.Sage, Devlin Multimedia Inc. (Devlin) and Hampel
Stefanides Inc. (Hampel) as described in Notes 16 and 17 to the consolidated financial
statements. |
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5 |
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The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.3119 Cdn. and with respect to the
Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.4894. The exchange rate utilized with respect to
the Statement of Operations Data of Hampel is $1.00 U.S. to $1.5731 Cdn. and with respect to the
Balance Sheet Data of Hampel is $1.00 U.S. to $1.5872. Except as set forth in footnotes 4, 5 and
6, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the information in the
Selected Financial Data. During fiscal 2003, Envoy disposed of a number of subsidiaries including
Sage Information Consultants Inc. (Sage), Devlin Multimedia Inc. (Devlin) and Hampel
Stefanides Inc. (Hampel) as described in Notes 16 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements. |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 9 -
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6 |
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The Statement of Operations Data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 includes
the results of operations of The International Design Group (IDG), acquired effective as of
January 1, 2001, for the nine month period from January 1, 2001 to September 30, 2001. See Item 4
Information on the Company for a description of this acquisition. The exchange rate utilized
with respect to the Statement of Operations Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.2122 Cdn. and with
respect to the Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.3264 Cdn. The exchange rate utilized
with respect to the Statement of Operations Data of Hampel is US$1.00 U.S. to $1.5785 and with
respect to the Balance Sheet Data of Hampel is US$1.00 to $1.5352. Except as set forth in
footnotes 4, 5 and 6, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the
information in the Selected Financial Data. |
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As reflected in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the net earnings
(loss) from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005, 2004, 2003, and
2002 were $4,484, ($3,145),($1,576)and ($15,878) respectively under U.S. GAAP. The net earnings
(loss) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005, 2004, and 2003 was $6,286, ($3,571) and
$2,606 respectively under U.S. GAAP. The diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the years ended
September 30, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $0.29, ($0.21), $0.60, ($12.71) and ($0.91),
respectively under U.S. GAAP. |
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As described above and in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, on January 21,
2005 Envoy filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new common
share for every 5 common shares outstanding. Outstanding shares and earnings per share figures for
all periods presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation. |
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Total debt includes both the current and long term portion of debt. |
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As reflected in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
shareholders equity as at September 30, 2005 and 2004 was $73,550, and $77,066, respectively
under U.S. GAAP. Total assets as of September 30, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002,and 2001, under U.S. GAAP
would include the unrealized gain on securities for sale of ($6), $174, $nil, $nil, and $nil,
respectively |
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Retained earnings as of September 30, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001, excludes the
cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment of ($2,153), 74, ($236), $1,348, and $833 and
respectively. See Note 2(g) to the Notes to the audited Financial Statements of Envoy. |
Envoy has never paid any dividends on its common shares and does not anticipate that it will
pay any cash dividends on its common shares in the foreseeable future. Any decision to pay
dividends in the future will be at the discretion of Envoys board of directors, after taking into
account such factors as Envoys financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated
cash needs and plans for expansion.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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Exchange Rates
On December 27, 2005, the noon buying rate for Canadian dollars as certified for customs
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was $1.00 U.S. to $1.1736. The following table
sets forth for the periods indicated certain information regarding the exchange rates of Canadian
dollars into U.S. currency. The rate of exchange means the noon buying rate in New York City for
cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York.
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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
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2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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2002 |
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2001 |
Average* |
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1.2171 |
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$ |
1.2034 |
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$ |
1.4553 |
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$ |
1.5731 |
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$ |
1.5353 |
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* The average rate means the average rates each period, calculated by using the average of the
exchange rates on the last day of each month during the fiscal period.
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For the Month Ended |
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November |
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October |
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September |
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August |
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July |
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June |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
High |
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1.1960 |
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1.1887 |
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1.1880 |
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1.2185 |
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1.2437 |
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1.2578 |
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Low |
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1.1656 |
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1.1657 |
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1.1607 |
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1.1888 |
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1.2048 |
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1.2256 |
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B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Information not required for annual report.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Information not required for annual report.
D. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Envoys
outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, commissions and fees,
expenses and other financial items, and Envoys plans and expectations relating to its business and
prospects. The words expect, anticipate, estimate, may, will, should, intend,
believe, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Envoy in light of its
experience and its perception of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 11 -
as other factors
that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause Envoys
actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the factors described in Section E
below under Risk Factors. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not
place undue reliance on Envoys forward-looking statements. The Company has no intention and
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
E. Risk factors
Envoys business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely
affected by any of the following risks. In addition, risk and uncertainties not currently known to
the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial may also materially and adversely
affect its business.
Risks Related to Envoys Business and Industry
The Company receives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of large
clients. The loss of any such clients could adversely impact the Companys prospects, business,
financial condition and results of operations.
The Companys results of operations and its business depend on its relationship with a limited
number of large clients. Set forth below is the percentage of net revenue during the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2005 for each of the Companys clients that accounted for 10% or more of its
net revenue and for the Companys five largest clients combined:
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Fiscal Year Ended |
Client |
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September 30, 2005 |
ASDA Stores Limited |
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33 |
% |
Safeway Brands Inc. |
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13 |
% |
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. |
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12 |
% |
Five largest clients combined |
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65 |
% |
Although the Company has over 75 clients, a relatively small number of these clients
contribute a significant percentage of the Companys consolidated net revenue. For the year ended
September 30, 2005, the Companys top three clients accounted for 58% of its consolidated net
revenue. The Company expects reliance on a limited number of its clients to continue into the
future. The failure to achieve continued design wins from one or more of these significant
clients without adding new sources of net revenue could have an adverse effect on the
Companys financial results.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 12 -
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain its historical rate of
growth or its current level of revenue derived from any client in the future.
The Company is dependent on its key personnel.
The Companys success depends in part upon its ability to hire and retain key senior
management and skilled technical, client service and creative personnel able to create and maintain
solid relationships with clients. An inability to hire or retain qualified personnel could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company is exposed to the risks of doing business internationally.
The Companys international operations are subject to a number of risks inherent in operating in
different countries. These include, but are not limited to risks regarding:
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currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
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restrictions on repatriation of earnings; and |
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changes in the political or economic conditions of a specific country or region,
particularly in emerging markets. |
The occurrence of any of these events or conditions could adversely affect the Companys
ability to increase or maintain its operations in various countries.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Companys results of operations.
The Company is subject to currency risk through its activities in the United States, the
United Kingdom and the European Union. Unfavourable changes in the exchange rate may affect the
operating results of the Company. The Company does not currently use derivative instruments or
foreign currency contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk.
Market rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Companys results of operations.
The Company is subject to market risk through the risk of loss of value in
Envoys portfolios resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit
spreads, and equity prices. The Company mitigates this risk by employing a professional investment
manager and by ensuring that the portfolio is well diversified.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 13 -
The Company may be unsuccessful in evaluating material risks involved in completed and future
acquisitions.
The Company has grown in the past through strategic acquisitions and regularly reviews other
potential acquisitions of businesses that are complementary to its businesses. As part of the
review, the Company conducts business, legal and financial due diligence with the goal of
identifying and evaluating material risks involved in any particular transaction. Despite the
Companys efforts, it may be unsuccessful in ascertaining or evaluating all such risks. As a
result, it might not realize the intended advantages of any given acquisition and may not identify
all of the risks relating to the acquisition. If the Company fails to realize the expected benefits
from one or more acquisitions, or does not identify all of the risks associated with a particular
acquisition, the Companys business, results of operations and financial condition could be
adversely affected.
The Company may be unsuccessful in integrating any acquired operations with its existing
businesses.
The Company may experience difficulties in integrating operations acquired from other
companies. These difficulties include the diversion of managements attention from other business
concerns and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired operations. Acquisitions also
frequently involve significant costs related to integrating information technology, accounting and
management services and rationalizing personnel levels. If the Company experiences difficulties in
integrating one or more acquisitions, the Companys business, results of operations and financial
condition could be adversely affected.
The Company is subject to credit risk.
The Company manages its credit risk with respect to accounts receivable by acting as an agent
for its customers, by dealing primarily with large creditworthy customers and by billing whenever
possible in advance of rendering services or making commitments. The Company had one customer who
represented 17% of accounts receivable as at September 30, 2005, and one customer who represented
15% of accounts receivable as at September 30, 2004. Should the Company fail to efficiently manage
its outstanding accounts receivable, the Companys results of operations may be adversely affected.
The Company may need to raise additional capital to grow its business, which it may not be able to
do.
The Companys future liquidity and capital requirements are difficult to predict because they
depend on numerous factors, including the success of its existing services, attracting and
maintaining clients, as well as competing market developments. As a result, the Company may not be
able to generate sufficient cash from its operations to meet additional working capital
requirements, support additional capital expenditures or take advantage of
investment or acquisition opportunities. Accordingly, the Company may need to raise additional
capital in the future.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 14 -
The Companys ability to obtain additional financing will be subject to a number of factors,
including market conditions and its operating performance. These factors may make the timing,
amount, terms and conditions of additional financing unattractive for the Company. If the Company
raises additional funds by selling equity securities, the relative equity ownership of its existing
investors could be diluted or the new investors could obtain terms more favorable than previous
investors. If the Company raises additional funds through debt financing, it might incur
significant borrowing costs. If the Company is unable to raise additional funds when needed, or on
terms acceptable to it, the Companys ability to operate and grow its business could be impeded.
The Company is subject to recessionary economic cycles.
The marketing and communications industry is cyclical and as a result it is subject to
downturns in general economic conditions and changes in client business and marketing budgets.
Such downturns in the economic cycle may have material adverse effects on the Companys business,
results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may be subject to certain regulations that could restrict the Companys activities.
From time to time, governments, government agencies and industry self-regulatory bodies in
Canada, the United States, the European Union and other countries in which the Company operates
have adopted statutes, regulations and rulings that directly or indirectly affect the activities of
the Company and its clients. For further discussion of such regulations, see the discussion in the
Government Regulations section under Item 4B. Though the Company does not expect any existing or
proposed regulations to materially adversely impact the Companys business, the Company is unable
to estimate the effect on its future operations of the application of existing statutes or
regulations or the extent or nature of future regulatory action.
The Company competes for clients in a highly competitive industry, which may reduce market share
and decrease profits.
The marketing and communication services industry is highly competitive and fragmented. The
Companys principal competitors are large multinational communications services companies, as well
as regional and national branding and marketing services firms. Many of the Companys competitors
have larger client bases and significantly greater financial, marketing, public relations, revenues
and other resources than the Company does. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to compete effectively against these companies, and the competition for clients against such
current and future competitors may reduce the Companys market share and decrease profits.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 15 -
Risks Related to the Companys Common Shares
Because the Company is a Canadian company, it may be difficult to enforce liabilities against the
Company based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States.
The Company was organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, and its principal
executive offices are located in Toronto, Ontario. Many of its directors, controlling persons and
officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of their assets and a majority of the
Companys assets are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult to
enforce against the Company or any of its directors, controlling persons, or officers, liabilities
based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States.
The Company is a Passive Foreign Investment Company, which may have adverse tax consequences for
the Companys shareholders in the United States.
Under U.S. federal income tax laws, the Company is a passive foreign investment company
(PFIC), which may have adverse tax consequences for the Companys shareholders in the United
States. U.S. shareholders are urged to read the section titled Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations in Item 10 of this Form 20-F and to consult their tax advisors
concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the common shares of a PFIC.
Item 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
Envoy Communications Group Inc. (or the Company) is an, international consumer and retail
branding company with offices in North America and Europe.
Envoy conducts its branding services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Watt International
Inc. and Watt Gilchrist Limited (collectively, Watt), which together form one of the worlds
largest brand strategy and design consultancies. With seven offices located in North America, the
United Kingdom and Continental Europe, Watts clients include The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company (A&P), Asda Stores Ltd., Carulla Vivero S.A., Cencosud S.A, Cott Beverages Ltd., Coop
Norden Famous Players Ltd., Giant Food Inc., Gigante, Longs Drug Store Corporation, Kraft Foods
Inc., Next plc, Safeway Brands Inc., Sainsburys Supermarkets, Sobeys Inc., Sports Authority,
Smart &Final Stores Corporation, The Somerfield Group, Walgreen Co., and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
In 2005 three customers accounted for 33%, 13% and 12% respectively of net revenue. In 2004,
three customers accounted for 41%, 17% and 11% of net revenue. In both years, no other customers
accounted for more than 10% of net revenue.
Watt International Inc. subsists under the laws of the Province of Ontario and Watt Gilchrist
Limited subsists under the laws of the United Kingdom.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 16 -
The principal place of business of Envoy is located at 172 John Street, Toronto, Canada M5T
1X5. Envoy may be reached by telephone at (416) 593-1212 or facsimile at (416) 593-4434. Envoys
website is www.envoy.to. Information contained on Envoys website does not constitute a part of
this Form 20-F.
A. History and Development of the Company
Envoy was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada as
Potential Mines Ltd. in December 1973 and was continued under the laws of the Province of
Ontario, Canada in December 1997. Since December 1997, Envoy has shifted the nature of its
business to providing marketing, communications and consumer and retail branding services for
promoting clients products, services and business messages utilizing such media as print,
broadcast and the Internet. Envoy has grown, in large part, through strategic acquisitions.
Certain material acquisitions by Envoy are described below.
Effective as of June 1, 1998, Envoy acquired Promanad Communications Inc. (Promanad), an
advertising, public relations and corporate identity agency. Envoy expanded its geographic reach
into the U.S. marketplace through its acquisition of Hampel Stefanides Inc., (Hampel), effective
as of October 1, 1998.
Effective as of January 1, 1999, Envoy acquired Devlin Multimedia Inc., a Toronto-based
website design and development company.
Effective as of May 1, 1999, Envoy acquired Watt International Inc. (Watt International),
through which Envoy acquired the operations, substantially all of the assets and certain of the
liabilities of The Watt Design Group Inc. (Watt Design), a Toronto-based provider of design,
packaging, retail environments and marketing identity services to retailers. Envoy expanded its
geographical reach into the United Kingdom and the continental Europe marketplace through its
acquisition of Gilchrist, a United Kingdom based digital imaging and design firm, effective as of
July 1, 2000. Effective as of January 1, 2001, Envoy acquired The International Design Group
(Canada) Inc., (IDG) a Toronto-based retail planning and design firm. IDG was amalgamated with
Watt International effective September 30, 2001.
Effective as of June 1, 2000, Envoy acquired Sage Information Consultants Inc., a digital
professional service firm operating in the United States and Canada.
During July 2001, Envoy launched John Street Inc. (John Street), a Toronto based advertising
and communications initiative to replace the advertising business previously conducted by the
Communiqué Group Inc. On September 30, 2004, Envoy purchased from the executive officers of John
Street the 30% of the shares of John Street which it did not already own. On June 30, 2005, Envoy
sold all the shares of its advertising business, John Street, to the
management of John Street for $1,200,000. As part of the sale transaction, certain office
equipment and furniture that was being used by John Street was
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 17 -
sold for proceeds of $300,000, and
is included in the calculation of the gain on sale. Prior to its sale, John Street was reported as
part of the Canadian net revenue in the marketing segment.
Effective October 1, 2001, Envoy acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Commodore
Conference Planners Inc. (Commodore), a conference and event marketing company. Commodore was
amalgamated with Communique Incentives Inc. upon its acquisition.
On October 30, 2002, the assets of Devlin were sold to management of the subsidiary.
On November 11, 2002, the operations of Sage were shut down and the assets of Sage were
liquidated.
On February 7, 2003, Envoy decided to discontinue the operations of Hampel after conducting a
review, in conjunction with Envoys banks, of the ongoing viability, future prospects, cash needs
and local debt situation of this company. Following the liquidation of the assets, the shares of
Hampel were sold for nominal consideration.
On January 1, 2004, Envoy decided to sell all the shares of its corporate event and corporate
travel business, Communique Incentives Inc. (Communique), after conducting a review of its
ongoing viability, future prospects and cash requirements. The business was sold for nominal
consideration.
On February 28, 2005, Envoy, through its subsidiary ECG Holdings (UK) Limited (ECGH),
acquired 65% of the outstanding shares of Parker Williams Design Limited (Parker Williams), a
London, United Kingdom based packaging design and brand specialist company. The purchase price of
£1,818,000 was payable in cash on closing. The remaining 35% of the Parker Williams shares
(Management Shares) will continue to be held by senior management of Parker Williams
(Management Shareholders), subject to certain options described below. ECGH has the option to
acquire from the Management Shareholders and the Management Shareholders will have the option to
require ECGH to purchase from them, at various stages over a period of 4 years following
completion, the Management Shares for a purchase price based on the profitability of Parker
Williams for certain defined periods following closing. The acquisition was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting. Parker Williams, whose clients include Sainsburys Supermarkets
and Coop Norden, is a specialist in the retail area. Parker Williams was formed in 1990 by
designers Tamara Williams and Tony Parker. With over 25 years design experience in Europe, America
and the Far East, Parker Williams has revenues of approximately $5.0 million annually. Both
companies believe the combined expertise and focus within the retail arena will provide new
opportunities across both Europe and North America.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 18 -
B. Business Overview
Services in the Envoy Group
Consumer and retail branding Watt International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Envoy that
management believes to be one of the worlds leading brand strategy and design consultancies
provides the following services: strategic brand consulting, corporate identity and communications,
retail branding and store design, and package design. Watt International also provides brand
management, pre-press and film services through Gilchrist, a sister company with more than 100
years of experience.
On February 28, 2005, the Company through its subsidiary ECGH, acquired 65% of the outstanding
shares of Parker Williams a London, United Kingdom UK based packaging design and brand specialist
company. The purchase price of £1,818,000 was paid in cash on completion. The remaining 35% of
the Parker Williams Management Shares will continue to be held by senior management of Parker
Williams.
Net revenue by type of service for the last three fiscal years is as follows: (all amounts in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
Fiscal 2004 |
|
Fiscal 2003 |
|
|
|
Net revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,137 |
|
Consumer and retail branding |
|
$ |
43,157 |
|
|
|
36,964 |
|
|
|
34,313 |
|
Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,157 |
|
|
$ |
36,964 |
|
|
$ |
37,742 |
|
Net revenue by geographic region, based on the region the customer is located, is as follows:
(all amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
Fiscal 2004 |
|
Fiscal 2003 |
|
|
|
Net revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada |
|
|
5,717 |
|
|
$ |
2,075 |
|
|
$ |
2,317 |
|
United States |
|
|
14,515 |
|
|
|
14,165 |
|
|
|
18,150 |
|
United Kingdom and
Continental Europe |
|
|
22,925 |
|
|
|
20,724 |
|
|
|
17,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43,157 |
|
|
$ |
36,964 |
|
|
$ |
37,742 |
|
Our Strategic Direction
On February 28, 2005, Envoy, through its subsidiary ECGH, acquired 65% of the outstanding
shares of Parker Williams. The, the remaining 35% of the Parker Williams shares will continue to be
held by Senior Management. On June 30, 2005,
Envoy sold all the shares of its advertising business, John Street, to the management of John
Street.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 19 -
During fiscal 2004 Envoy sold all the shares of its corporate event and corporate travel
business and during fiscal 2003, Envoy divested its technology services. Envoy remains focused on
the expansion and prosperity of its core business of consumer and retail branding. The Watt group
of companies, our branding business, has proven successful at creating and executing private label
programs and landmark store design, making Envoy a world authority in brand strategy and design for
the retail sector.
In November 2003, Watt announced the launch of Gilchrist North America (GNA), a
state-of-the-art reprographics and brand management business, with locations in Toronto, and
Bentonville USA. GNA will leverage the highly experienced work force and sophisticated equipment
of Gilchrist United Kingdom, Watts UK based brand management company, to provide its clients with
a superior product. GNA has quickly become an integral part of our new client acquisition
strategy.
Also in November 2003, Watt announced the launch of Studio Watt, a niche-focused
agency devoted to serving the distinct needs of style-based specialty and boutique labels
throughout North America.
In January 2004, Watt announced the launch of ODIN, a web based software system that manages
every stage of the design process in real-time, from concept development and package design to
printing, packaging and getting the product to market. With anytime, anywhere access, ODIN
provides Watt clients with the ability to efficiently track and manage their projects, and know
instantly if there are any project deviations, timeline extensions, or delays from suppliers. The
efficiency gained through ODIN offers a significant competitive advantage for Watt and its clients,
which management believes will ensure at least a 20 percent increase in speed-to-market.
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.
Envoys historical growth has been achieved partially by way of strategic acquisition. The
Company used this strategic acquisition strategy to extend Envoys geographic reach and breadth of
service offerings and to add a significant degree of diversification to its business model.
During fiscal 2004, through two public offerings in Canada Envoy raised gross proceeds of
$66.5 million. During the second quarter, Envoy successfully negotiated with its lenders and
retired substantially all outstanding loan indebtedness.
Management believes the offerings have enabled Envoy to achieve two important goals: allowing
Envoy to eliminate its debt and permitting Envoy to engage in a meaningful M&A program.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 20 -
IV. Industry Overview
Consumer and Retail Branding
In all areas of marketing and product design, companies are looking to extend their customer
relationships and influence consumer behavior. Consumer and retail branding services encompass the
entire customer experience, from product packaging to the retail environment, and are a key
component of a companys marketing communications strategy.
The consumer and retail branding services sector is rapidly evolving into a global
marketplace, as companies are increasingly looking for expertise in the development and maintenance
of their brands on a global basis. Companies are looking to firms that can deliver a consistent
message to consumers through packaging and retail design, regardless of geography.
Retail is the second largest industry in the United States and one of the largest industries
worldwide. Unlike other, more volatile sectors, the retail industry continues to grow at a steady
rate, particularly as developing countries achieve greater economic stability.
This reality, coupled with Watts lengthy history of success and innovation in the retail industry,
presents Envoy with a spectrum of opportunities from overall brand strategy to store design to
private label program development with key customers like grocers, mass merchants, pharmacies and
home improvement companies.
In January 2004, Watt announced the launch of ODIN, a web based software system that
manages every stage of the design process in real-time, from concept development and package design
to printing, packaging and getting the product to market. With anytime, anywhere access, ODIN
provides Watt clients the ability to efficiently track and manage their projects, and know
instantly if there are any project deviations, timeline extensions, or delays from suppliers. The
efficiency gained by ODIN offers a significant competitive advantage for Watt and its clients, and
ensures at least a 20 percent increase in speed-to-market.
In April 2005, Home Hardware Stores Limited, in conjunction with Watt International announced the
launch of its New Build a Better Home Store program. The program provides new store design
concepts for its Home Hardware, Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre banners.
The New Build a Better Home Store program was unveiled at the Companys biannual Dealer Marker, a
forum for product purchasing, professional development and networking. Home hardware worked with
Watt International to enhance various formats and layouts of its retail environment to create a
more captivating, informative, convenient and service-oriented shopping experiences for customers.
In June 2005, Envoy announced that Twinings, one of the UKs most popular tea brands, had selected
Watt Internationals UK subsidiary, Gilchrist to provide a
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 21 -
blend of expertise in artwork,
reprographics and workflow systems (Odin) to manage brand implementation programs across its range
of beverages. The contact, which covers household brands such as Twinings, Jacksons and Ovaltine,
will enable the company to radically reduce product launch times via Gilchrists proficiency in
packaging graphics and its industry leading technology solution.
V. Government Regulations
The marketing communications industry is subject to extensive government regulation, both
domestic and foreign, with respect to the truth in and fairness of advertising. There are also a
number of U.S. federal and state laws and regulations directed at the advertising and marketing of
specific products, such as food and drug products. In addition, there has been an increasing
tendency on the part of businesses to resort to the judicial system, as well as industry
self-regulatory procedures, to challenge comparative advertising of their competitors on the
grounds that the advertising is false and deceptive. There can be no assurance Envoy will not be
subject to claims against it or Envoys clients by other companies or governmental agencies or that
such claims, regardless of merit, would not have a material adverse effect on Envoys future
operating performance.
C. Organizational Structure
Envoy has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Canada.
Significant subsidiaries are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%of |
|
Jurisdiction of |
Company |
|
Ownership |
|
Incorporation |
|
Watt
International Inc.
Watt Gilchrist Limited
Parker Williams Design
Limited
|
|
100
100
65
|
|
Ontario
United Kingdom
United Kingdom |
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
We currently operate offices in the following cities: Toronto, Canada; London, U;, Leeds, UK;
San Francisco, USA; Strasbourg, France, and Bentonville, USA. The terms of our principal leases
are as follows:
Envoys principal executive offices consist of a four-story office building of approximately
20,000 square foot located at 172 John Street, Toronto, Ontario. In addition to Envoy, Watt IDG, a
division of Watt International, are also located at these premises. These premises have been
leased pursuant to a lease with a term that commenced on July 1, 1999 and expires in June 2009 at a
current annual rent of $177,000 with rent increases each year of the lease term. In
connection with the lease negotiation, the landlord advanced to Envoy $750,000 as a loan, with an
interest rate of 3.5% per annum to be repaid over 10
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 22 -
years. The leasehold improvements involved
modernization of the facilities and other modifications expected to benefit both Envoy and the
landlord. The principal balance of this loan at September 30, 2005 was $325,341.
Until January 2003, Envoys principal executive offices consisted of a five-story office
building of approximately 35,000 square feet located at 26-28 Duncan Street, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. In January 2003, Envoy exited the Duncan Street facility after negotiating a release of
the term of the lease extension. Envoy had no further obligation to the landlord beyond February
1, 2003.
In October 2002 Envoy sold the assets of Devlin to management of the subsidiary. The new
company formed to acquire Devlin has been assigned all future obligations for all leases formerly
held by Devlin.
During fiscal 2004, Envoy negotiated to payoff all amounts owing with respect to the Hampel
lease. In 2003 when the Hampel business was closed down, Envoy negotiated a settlement with the
landlord agreeing to make 22 monthly payments of US$33,316 commencing on March 1, 2003, and a final
payment of US$150,000.00 in February 2005. The payments were secured by a letter of credit in the
amount of US$250,000 in favour of the landlord. During 2002 Envoy negotiated the exit of
approximately 18,000 square feet of office space located on the 12th floor of 111 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York. Under the terms of the lease settlement agreement Envoy agreed to pay
the landlord on September 30, 2002 US$500,000 cash, issued 250,000 common shares of Envoy at a
price of US$.50 per share and agreed to make 22 additional monthly payments of US$36,638 commencing
October 1, 2002. The payments were secured by a letter of credit in the amount of US$250,000 in
favour of the landlord. The total expense relating to the 12th floor termination
agreement has been reflected as restructuring costs in fiscal 2002.
The offices of Envoys wholly owned subsidiary, Watt International, consist of an office
building of approximately 26,600 square feet located at 300 Bayview, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The
premises are leased pursuant to a lease with a current annual rent of $243,318 . that expires in
March 2010.
The offices of Envoys wholly-owned subsidiary, Gilchrist, consist of an industrial building
of approximately 23,000 square feet located on Albion Mills, Albion Road, Greengates Bradford, West
Yorkshire, England. The premises are leased pursuant to a lease with current annual rent of
£236,668, which mostly expires in June 2015. Gilchrist has additional office space of
approximately 950 square feet located at 12 Great Newport Street, London, England. The premises
are leased pursuant to a lease with a current annual rent of £57,000, which expires in August 2005.
The offices of Envoys 65% owned subsidiary, Parker Williams consist of approximately 3,400
square feet located at Voysey House, Barley Mow Passage,
London, England. The premises are leased pursuant to a lease with current annual rental costs
of £78,700, which expires in September 2011.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 23 -
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable
Item 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety
by, the Consolidated Financial Statements of Envoy and notes relating thereto included as item 17
in this Form 20-F. The information contained in this Item 5 refers to Financial Statements of
Envoy, which are presented in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
Canadian GAAP differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP
is set forth in Note 24 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Historical results
of operations, percentage relationships and any trends that may be inferred therefrom are not
necessarily indicative of the operating results of any future period.
Overview
Net Revenue. The Company presents as net revenue its net commission and fee income earned as
compensation for its services. Further, the balance sheet reflects the following:
(i) |
|
deferred revenue representing only fees billed and collected in advance of such fees being
earned; |
|
(ii) |
|
the reimbursable pass-through costs which are included in unbilled accounts receivable; and |
|
(iii) |
|
work in process represents costs incurred on projects for which revenue has not yet been
recognized for accounting purposes. |
Net revenue represents the Companys compensation for its non-agency services and is recognized
only when collection of such net revenue is probable. The Companys non-agency projects are
short-term in nature.
Fees earned for non-agency services are recognized either upon the performance of the
Companys services when the Company earns a per-diem fee, or in the case of a fixed fee, when the
Companys services are substantially complete and accepted by the client. Fees earned but not yet
billed are included in accounts receivable. Fees billed to clients in excess of fees recognized as
net revenue are classified as deferred revenue.
Operating Expenses. Salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy
costs represent our operating expenses. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee
benefits, incentive compensation,
contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are expensed as incurred. General and
administrative costs include business development, office costs,
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 24 -
technology, professional services
and foreign exchange. Occupancy costs represent the costs of leasing and maintaining company
premises.
Tax Matters. With respect to Envoys 2005 fiscal year, Envoy had tax loss carry forwards
sufficient to cover its Canadian income tax liabilities and has approximately $15.3 million in loss
carry forwards. Details on income taxes are set forth in Note 15 to the Notes to the audited
consolidated Financial Statements of Envoy.
A. Operating Results
OVERVIEW
Corporate
significant items
On November 10, 2004, Envoy, through its subsidiary ECG Holdings (UK) Limited (ECGH), agreed to
acquire 65% of the outstanding shares of Parker Williams Design Limited (PW, or Parker
Williams), a London, UK based packaging design and brand specialist company. The purchase price of
£1,818,000 was paid in cash on closing. The remaining 35% of the Parker Williams shares
(Management Shares) will continue to be held by senior management of PW (Management
Shareholders), subject to certain options described below. ECGH will have the option to acquire
from the Management Shareholders and the Management Shareholders will have the option to require
ECGH to purchase from them, at various stages over a period of 4 years following completion, the
Management Shares for a purchase price based on the profitability of PW for certain defined periods
following closing. The transaction was completed on February 28, 2005, and was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting. PW, whose clients include Sainsburys Supermarkets and Coop
Norden, is a specialist in the retail area and has revenues of approximately $5.0 million annually.
PW was formed in 1990 by designers Tamara Williams and Tony Parker who together have over 25 years
design experience in Europe, America and the Far East. Both companies believe the combined
expertise and focus within the retail arena will provide new opportunities across both Europe and
North America.
On January 15, 2005, Envoys Board of Directors approved the consolidation of the common shares on
the basis of 1 for 5. On January 21, 2005 Envoy filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its
common shares on the basis of 1 new common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. The number
of common shares outstanding prior to consolidation was 112,539,318 and post-consolidation was
22,507,864. Outstanding common shares and earnings per share figures for all periods presented
have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation. The effective date for the
post-consolidation trading of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock
Market was February 10, 2005.
Effective June 30, 2005, Envoy completed the sale of the shares of its John Street Inc. subsidiary
(John Street) and related assets to the management of
John Street for a gross sale price of $1.5 million. The purchase price for the shares was $1.2
million and for the related assets was $0.3 million. The balance
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 25 -
of the purchase price for the
shares of $1.1 million and for the related assets of $0.3 million is payable over a period of 5
years and, except for interest free periods totaling 12 months, carries interest at the rate of 8%
per annum. As at June 30, 2005, John Street was also indebted to Envoy in the amount of $0.7
million, on account of an inter-company loan. This loan is repayable over a period of 5 years and,
except for interest free periods totaling 12 months, carries interest at the rate of 8% per annum.
The sale transaction produced a net gain of approximately $1.8 million. Envoy believes that the
sale of John Street and the related assets was in the best interests of Envoy and its shareholders.
John Street was an investment that was no longer consistent with Envoys strategic direction
On August 19, 2005 Envoy announced acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) of its
notice of intention to purchase from time to time, if considered advisable, up to an aggregate of
2,013,702 common shares, representing approximately 10% of the public float of its common shares.
All purchases of the common shares will be effected through the facilities of the TSX and/or the
NASDAQ National Market (the NASDAQ). Purchases commenced on August 26, 2005 and will conclude on
the earlier of the date on which purchases under the normal course issuer bid have been completed,
and August 25, 2006. All shares purchased under this program will be cancelled. Envoy
Communications Group Inc. has also filed a notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid
with applicable Canadian Securities Regulators. Under the terms of this normal course issuer bid,
the Company had repurchased and cancelled 407,080 common shares for cash consideration of $1.1
million up to September 30, 2005. The average price of the shares repurchased during fiscal 2004
was $3.04 per share.
Pursuant to the terms of a normal course issuer bid which began on August 26, 2004 and ended on
August 25, 2005, the Company was authorized to repurchase and cancel up to 10% of the public float
of the shares. During fiscal 2004, under this normal course issuer bid, the Company repurchased
and cancelled 274,440 common shares for cash consideration of $0.8 million and during fiscal 2005
the Company repurchased and cancelled 2,040,337 common shares for cash consideration of $6.3
million.
The Board of Directors of Envoy Communications Group Inc. believes that the proposed purchases are
in the best interests of Envoy Communications Group Inc. and are a desirable use of corporate
funds. All common shares purchased by Envoy Communications Group Inc. will be cancelled.
In November 2005, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved the immediate
implementation of a restructuring plan. Accordingly, Envoy will incur a restructuring charge of
approximately $1.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. The annual savings in salaries,
benefits and other expenses associated with this restructuring is approximately $3.7 million. The
restructuring involved downsizing of staff and writing off redundant
fixed assets. The restructuring charge includes termination benefits, legal fees and
lease terminations. The Company has sufficient cash on hand to fund the restructuring charges.
Management believes that, by implementing the
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 26 -
restructuring plan now, Envoy will be better
positioned to remain profitable, if its clients historical spending patterns do not materialize in
the short term. At this time, we expect the net revenue will decrease by about $8.0 million in
fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005. Management will be pro-active in implementing other
initiatives to achieve organic sales growth, reduce operating expenses and improve efficiencies.
On September 21, 2005, Envoy advised its U.S. shareholders that it believes it will be
characterized under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC)
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, and may be a PFIC for subsequent fiscal years. This
determination was made following a preliminary review by Envoy of its financial position in
anticipation of its fiscal year end. Based on the year-end audited financial statements, this
analysis was updated and the Company confirmed that it will be characterized as a PFIC under the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
U.S. shareholders who held Envoys common shares during fiscal 2005 (or who hold Envoys common
shares during any subsequent fiscal year when it is a PFIC) may be able to mitigate certain tax
consequences of Envoys PFIC status by availing themselves of certain elections under the Internal
Revenue Code, including a qualified electing fund (QEF) election or a mark-to market
election. Envoy will complete the actions necessary, including providing the information necessary,
for U.S. shareholders to make a QEF election. The deadline for a U.S. shareholder to file a QEF
election or a mark-to market election is the due date of such U.S. shareholders federal income
tax return (including extensions) for the taxable year to which such election relates. Envoy
believes that this determination will not have any tax consequences to non-U.S. shareholders.
The application of the PFIC rules is complex. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax
advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of stock in a PFIC,
and about the advisability, procedure and timing of their making any of the available tax
elections, including QEF or mark-to-market elections.
U.S. shareholders who choose to make a QEF election should refer to the Envoy website at
www.envoy.to following Envoys fiscal year end in order to receive the necessary financial
information.
During fiscal 2004 through two public offerings, Envoy raised gross proceeds of $66.5 million and
net proceeds of $60.1 million. During fiscal 2004, Envoy successfully negotiated with its lenders
and retired substantially all outstanding loan indebtedness. The balance of the funds raised in
the public offerings will be used for general corporate purposes and potential acquisition and
investment opportunities that Envoy determines have potential to create value for its shareholders
and that either complements or provides an opportunity to diversify its current business.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 27 -
Operating
companies significant items
The Watt group of companies (Watt), Envoys branding business, has proven successful at creating
and executing private label programs and landmark store design, making Envoy a world authority in
brand strategy and design for the retail sector. Watts lengthy history of success and innovation
in the retail industry presents it with a spectrum of opportunities from overall brand strategy
to store design to private label program development with key customers like grocers, mass
merchants, pharmacies and home improvement companies.
Envoy continues to focus on its core strength, consumer and retail branding and has made a series
of announcements in fiscal 2005 that highlight the significant opportunities Envoy is pursuing.
During fiscal 2005, Envoy announced new customer wins and relationships. Watt announced that is
working with Carulla Vivero S.A. to re-define its private label program and to redesign their
supermarket chain. In the United Kingdom, Watt Internationals UK subsidiary, Gilchrist was
selected by Twinings to provide a blend of expertise in artwork, reprographics and workflow systems
(Odin), and to manage brand implementation programs across its range of beverages. Watt
International is working with Home Hardware to enhance the various formats and layouts of its
retail environment to create a more captivating, informative, convenient and service-oriented
shopping experience for customers.
Discussion of results
Net revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was $43.2 million, compared to $37.0
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $6.2 million. We had
originally expected to complete the acquisition of PW, and include their results from January 2005,
but this was delayed until March 2005. Envoy expects net revenue to decrease by 22% in fiscal 2006
over 2005 based on a review of client spending plans.
Although revenues remain strong, the Companys UKs margins have decreased, due to increased price
pressure. We believe that our proprietary software ODIN will allow Envoy to gain additional
efficiencies in the near future, thus improving profitability.
Salaries expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, was $28.7 million, compared to
$24.8 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $3.9 million, of which
$1.6 million was from the inclusion of Parker Williams. The labour to net revenue ratio for the
twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was 66.5%, compared to 67.2% in the twelve months ended
September 30, 2004. Subsequent to the year-end Envoy announced a restructuring plan which will
reduce salary expense in fiscal 2006. As a result, Envoy expects its labour to net revenue ratio
for fiscal 2006 to be approximately 67%, excluding the restructuring costs described earlier.
Occupancy costs increased to $3.0 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, from $2.7
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 28 -
increase of $0.3 million. The occupancy
cost to net revenue ratio was 7.0% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 7.4%
for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. Envoy expects its occupancy to net revenue ratio
for fiscal 2006 to be approximately 10%.
As a result of the early repayment in fiscal 2004 of the outstanding debentures and the conversion
of the remaining convertible debentures, Envoy was required to expense the unamortized value of the
warrants and the conversion value of the convertible debentures in fiscal 2004. Accreted interest
imputed on warrants and debentures was $2.6 million and interest expense and financing cost $1.0
million in fiscal 2004. Envoy has no expected future requirement for debt financing and,
therefore, there was no accreted interest, in fiscal 2005. Envoy earned $0.1 million on cash
balances during fiscal 2005.
Compared to our earnings guidance of $0.20 (excluding the net gain of $0.08 per share from the sale
of John Street in the third quarter) per share for the current fiscal year, our earnings per share
(including the net gain on the sale of John Street) was $0.27.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in Canada, which vary in certain significant respects from generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States. A description of the significant differences,
as applicable to the Company, is included in note 24.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 29 -
SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal |
|
Fiscal |
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
Net revenue |
|
$43.2 million |
|
$37.0 million |
|
$37.7 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations |
|
4.1 million |
|
(2.7) million |
|
2.5 million |
From discontinued operations |
|
1.8 million |
|
(0.4) million |
|
million |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$5.9 million |
|
($3.1) million |
|
$2.5 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
(0.16 |
) |
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 30 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 30, |
|
Sep 30, |
As at: |
|
Sep 30, 2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$83.0 million |
|
$88.9 million |
|
$38.0 million |
Total long-term financial liabilities |
|
$ 0.3 million |
|
$ 0.4 million |
|
$ 4.9 million |
Cash dividends declared |
|
$nil |
|
$nil |
|
$nil |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 31 -
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005, COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004
Net revenue Our net revenue represents our compensation for services. Our compensation from
non-agency or project related services is primarily generated from project fees and hourly
charges. Net revenue is net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf
of clients in acting as agent for them.
Net revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was $43.2 million, compared to $37.0
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $6.2 million, or 16.8%.
Net revenue by type of service and by customer location:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue for the twelve months |
|
|
|
ended September 30 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
By type of service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer and retail
branding |
|
$ |
43.2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
By customer location |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada |
|
$ |
5.7 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
|
$ |
2.1 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
United States |
|
|
14.5 |
|
|
|
34 |
% |
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
38 |
% |
Europe * |
|
|
23.0 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
|
|
20.7 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43.2 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Europe includes the United Kingdom and Continental Europe |
Net revenue by type of service:
Net revenue from consumer and retail branding services increased $6.2 million in the twelve months
ended September 30, 2005 compared to the twelve months ended
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 32 -
September 30, 2004 an increase of 16.8%. After a review of client spending plans, we expect net
revenue to decrease by about 22% in fiscal 2006.
Net revenue by customer location:
Net revenue from Canada increased $3.6 million, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005
compared to the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 175.5%. This increase in
revenue in fiscal 2005 was a result of previously deferred client spending being completed in the
year. As a result of the loss of a large client, we expect net revenue from Canada to decrease in
fiscal 2006.
Net revenue from the U.S. has increased $0.3 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005
compared to the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 2.5%.
Net revenue from Europe increased $2.3 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005,
compared to the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 10.6%, primarily as a result
of the net revenue from including our Parker Williams acquisition.
Operating Expenses Salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy costs
represent our operating expenses. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee
benefits, incentive compensation, contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are
expensed as incurred. General and administrative costs include business development, office costs,
technology, professional services and foreign exchange. Occupancy costs represent the costs of
leasing and maintaining company premises.
Operating expenses increased by 14.5% to $38.9 million for the twelve months ended September 30,
2005 from $33.9 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. Changes in operating
expenses are as follow:
Salaries and benefits expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 were $28.7 million,
compared to $24.8 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $3.9
million or 15.5%, of which $1.6 million relates to including Parker Williams expenses. Salaries
and benefits continue to be closely monitored to match expected revenues with labour costs.
Included in salaries and benefits is stock based compensation for the twelve months ended September
30, 2005 of $0.3 million, compared to $0.2 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2004.
Salaries and benefits expense as a percent of net revenue was 66.5% for fiscal 2005 compared to
67.2% for fiscal 2004. Envoy expects that salaries and benefits expense will be 67% of sales in
fiscal 2006.
General and administrative expenses for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 were $7.2
million, compared to $6.4 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of
12.5%. Included in general and administrative expenses is foreign exchange expense of $0.3 million
for fiscal 2005, compared
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 33 -
to $0.4 million for fiscal 2004. General and administrative expense as a percent of net revenue
was 16.6% for fiscal 2005 compared to 17.3% for fiscal 2004. Envoy expects that general and
administrative expenses will be 15% of sales in fiscal 2006 as a result of the Company reducing or
eliminating discretionary expenses.
Occupancy costs for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 were $3.0 million, compared to $2.7
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 9.7%. Occupancy costs as a
percent of net revenue was 7.0% for fiscal 2005 compared to 7.4% for fiscal 2004. Envoy expects
that occupancy expense will be 10% of sales in fiscal 2006. The expected increase is due primarily
to the Companys UK operations relocating to new premises in fiscal 2006, and to the expectation
that utilities costs will continue at higher levels than has been experienced recently.
Depreciation expense Depreciation expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was $2.6
million, compared to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004.
Interest (income) expense and financing costs and accreted interest Interest (income) expense and
financing costs and accreted interest for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was an income
amount of $0.1 million, compared to an expense of $3.5 million for the twelve months ended
September 30, 2004. During fiscal 2004, all of the outstanding bank indebtedness and debentures
were repaid from the proceeds of the public offering. Therefore, in fiscal 2005 there was no
interest expense and finance costs or accreted interest relating to these items.
Investment earnings Investment earnings for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005 was $2.8
million, compared to $0.4 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. Investment earnings
represent the income earned on the cash and marketable securities held in the investment portfolio.
We expect that our investment earnings will be in the range of approximately $3.5 to $4.5 million,
depending on the assets under investment, market conditions, bond yields, interest rates, dividend
yields and general economic factors, and as a result of changes in the mandate provided to the
portfolio manager. These changes allow the manager greater flexibility in selecting longer term
fixed income securities and high yielding securities, while still maintaining a high quality
portfolio.
Income from discontinued operations Effective June 30, 2005, after a review of the ongoing
viability, future prospects and cash requirements of our John Street advertising business, we sold
the business for proceeds of $1.2 million to the management of John Street. Certain equipment was
also sold for proceeds of $0.3
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 34 -
million to the same group. The income from discontinued operations reflects the operations of this
business during the periods presented, and the gain on sale of our investment in this business.
The income from discontinued operations, including the gain on sale of the business, was $1.8
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, compared to a loss of $0.4 million on the
sale of Communique Incentives Inc. (Communique), for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004.
Net earnings (loss) We had net earnings of $5.9 million for the twelve months ended September
30, 2005, compared to a loss of ($3.1) million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, an
increase of $9.0 million.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 35 -
ANALYSIS OF USE OF PROCEEDS FROM PUBLIC OFFERING
Through public offerings in fiscal 2004, Envoy raised $66.5 million gross proceeds ($60.1 million
net proceeds). In the short form prospectus issued with the public offerings, Envoy indicated that
the net proceeds of the offering would be used for general corporate purposes and potential
acquisition and investment opportunities that it determined have the potential to create value for
Envoy shareholders, and that either complement or provide an opportunity to diversify the current
business of Envoy. Envoy retained broad discretion in allocating the net proceeds of the public
offering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
Net proceeds from public offering |
|
$ |
60.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds were used to: |
|
|
|
|
Repay short-term debt |
|
|
6.9 |
|
Redeem outstanding shares |
|
|
0.8 |
|
Repay outstanding long-term debt |
|
|
5.2 |
|
Allocated to investment portfolio |
|
|
46.7 |
|
Other working capital changes |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total use of proceeds |
|
$ |
60.1 |
|
As a result of repaying the outstanding debt, Envoy has established financial flexibility and is
able to take advantage of acquisition and investment opportunities as they are identified.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 36 -
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q4 2005 |
|
|
Q3 2005 |
|
|
Q2 2005 |
|
|
Q1 2005 |
|
|
Net revenue |
|
$ |
11.9 million |
|
|
$ |
12.0 million |
|
|
$ |
10.2 million |
|
|
$ |
9.1 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing
operations |
|
$ |
0.9 million |
|
|
$ |
1.7 million |
|
|
$ |
0.8 million |
|
|
$ |
0.7 million |
|
Including
discontinued
operations |
|
$ |
0.9 million |
|
|
$ |
3.6 million |
|
|
$ |
0.8 million |
|
|
$ |
0.6 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing
operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
Including
discontinued
operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q4 2004 |
|
|
Q3 2004 |
|
|
Q2 2004 |
|
|
Q1 2004 |
|
|
Net revenue |
|
$ |
9.1 million |
|
|
$ |
10.0 million |
|
|
$ |
9.7 million |
|
|
$ |
8.2 million |
|
Net earnings (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing
operations |
|
($ |
0.3) million |
|
|
$ |
1.1 million |
|
|
($ |
3.0) million |
|
|
($ |
0.5) million |
|
Including
discontinued
operations |
|
($ |
0.3) million |
|
|
$ |
1.2 million |
|
|
($ |
3.6) million |
|
|
($ |
0.5) million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing
operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
($ |
0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
($ |
0.26 |
) |
|
($ |
0.06 |
) |
Diluted |
|
($ |
0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
($ |
0.26 |
) |
|
($ |
0.06 |
) |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 37 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q4 2004 |
|
|
Q3 2004 |
|
|
Q2 2004 |
|
|
Q1 2004 |
|
|
Including
discontinued
operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
($0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
($0.30 |
) |
|
|
($0.06 |
) |
Diluted |
|
|
($0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
($0.30 |
) |
|
|
($0.06 |
) |
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005, COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004
Net revenue Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was $11.9 million, compared
to $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $2.8 million, or
31.1%.
Net revenue by type of service and by customer location:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue for the three months |
|
|
|
ended September 30 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
By type of service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer and retail
branding |
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
9.1 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
By customer location |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada |
|
$ |
1.6 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
$ |
0.6 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
United States |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
29 |
% |
Europe * |
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
65 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
9.1 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Europe includes the United Kingdom and Continental Europe |
Net revenue by type of service:
Net revenue from consumer and retail branding services increased $2.8 million in the three months
ended September 30, 2005 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2004 an increase of
31.1%.
Net revenue by customer location:
Net revenue from Canada increased $1.0 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2005
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 186.8%. This increase in
revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 38 -
2005 compared to fiscal 2004 was a result of previously deferred client spending being completed in
the quarter.
Net revenue from the U.S. has increased $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 63.8%.
Net revenue from Europe increased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005,
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 1.9%.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by 17.1% to $10.7 million for the three months ended September 30,
2005 from $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Changes in operating
expenses are as follow:
Salaries and benefits expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2005 were $8.2 million,
compared to $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $1.7 million
or 25.3%. Salaries and benefits continue to be closely monitored to match expected revenues with
labour costs.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2005 were $1.8
million, the same as for the three months ended September 30, 2004.
Occupancy costs for the three months ended September 30, 2005 were $0.7 million, compared to $0.8
million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $0.1 million or 19.0%.
Depreciation expense Depreciation expense for the three months ending September 30, 2005 was $0.8
million, compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of
25.3%.
Interest (income) expense and financing costs Interest (income) expense and financing costs for
the three months ended September 30, 2005 and for the same period in fiscal 2004 was $0.0 million.
Investment earnings Investment earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was $0.8
million, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Investment
earnings represent the net income earned on the cash and marketable securities held in the
investment portfolio.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 39 -
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations Earnings from discontinued operations was $nil for
the three months ended September 30, 2005, and a loss of $0.2 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2004.
Net earnings (loss) Envoy had net earnings of $0.9 million for the three months ended September
30, 2005, compared to net loss of $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an
increase of $1.2 million.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
During
fiscal 2005, the Company paid one of its directors $57,500 (2004
$266,100; 2003
$312,589) for legal services.
At September 30, 2004, Envoy purchased from the executive officers of John Street the 30% of the
shares of John Street which it did not already own (see Note 23). Effective June 30, 2005, Envoy
completed the sale of the shares of John Street and related assets to the management of John Street
for a gross sale price of $1,500,000. The purchase price for the shares was $1,200,000 and for the
related assets was $300,000. The sale transaction produced a net gain of $1,801,507. As at June 30,
2005, John Street was also indebted to Envoy in the amount of $675,000 on account of an
inter-company loan. Both the unpaid purchase price and the inter-company loan are secured by a
pledge agreement and security agreement, respectively, are payable over a period of 5 years and,
except for interest free periods totaling 12 months, carry interest at the rate of 8% per annum. At
September 30, 2005, the amount of the outstanding indebtedness was $2,075,485.
During fiscal 2004, certain executives of the Company loaned the Company an amount of $100,000, and
a relative of a director loaned the Company an amount of $150,000. These debentures bore an
interest rate of 10% per annum and included warrants to purchase a total of 125,000 shares at $0.15
per share. During fiscal 2004, these debentures were repaid.
During fiscal 2003, relatives of the Chief Executive Officer loaned the Company $225,000 of which
$150,000 was outstanding at September 30, 2003. The loan bore an interest rate of 10% per annum
and was repayable on demand. During fiscal 2004, the loan was repaid.
During fiscal 2003, relatives of a director loaned the Company $75,000. The loan bore an interest
rate of 10% per annum and was repayable on demand. The loan was repaid prior to the fiscal 2003
year end.
During fiscal 2003, the Company borrowed from relatives of the Chief Executive Officer and a
director an amount of $1,850,000 and issued to them convertible debentures in respect of the loans.
Of the $1,850,000, an amount of $1,070,000
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 40 -
was outstanding at September 30, 2003. During fiscal 2004 all the convertible debentures were
converted into additional shares, as described in Note 10.
At January 1, 2004, the Company sold the operations of Communique to an executive of the subsidiary
(see Note 23).
Related party transactions are recorded at the exchange amount, being the amount agreed to by the
related parties.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND COMPARE TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
Net revenue for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004 was $37.0 million, compared to $37.7
million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2003, a decrease of $.08 million or 2%.
Revenue Mix by type of service and by client location:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
total |
|
By Type of Service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.1 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
Consumer and retail
branding |
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
34.3 |
|
|
|
91 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
37.7 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
total |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
total |
|
By Client Location |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada |
|
$ |
2.1 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
$ |
2.3 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
48 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe * |
|
|
20.7 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
|
|
17.3 |
|
|
|
46 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
37.7 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Europe includes the United Kingdom and Continental Europe |
Net revenue by type of service:
Approximately $0.3 million of the decrease in revenue in fiscal 2004 compared to fiscal 2003 is
related to our exit from our technology business. In the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the assets
of Devlin were sold and Sage was shut down.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 41 -
Net revenue from marketing has decreased by approximately $2.5 million. After a lengthy review of
all options available to us, Envoy closed its New York Agency in February 2003 (see Note 16 to the
Financial Statements). The $3.1 million decrease in net revenue from the closure of our New York
Agency was offset in part by growth in our Canadian advertising agency, which increased by $0.7
million.
Net revenue from consumer and retail branding services increased approximately $2.7 million, or
7.9%. There have been significant new business wins over the second half of fiscal 2004 which has
contributed to the improvement in net revenue. Revenue from these sources should continue to
improve in the coming year.
Net revenue by customer location:
Net revenue from Canada increased approximately $0.2 million, from $5.4 million in fiscal 2003 to
$5.6 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 4.5%. Net revenue from the US has decreased
approximately $3.7 million, a decrease of 20.6%. Approximately $3.1 of the decline is due to the
closure of our New York Agency. The remainder of the decline is due to reductions in business with
other US customers in our ongoing operations. Net revenue from Europe in our consumer retail
branding has increased approximately $3.4 million during fiscal 2004, an increase of 20.0%. We
expect continued growth and improvement from Europe in fiscal 2005.
Our three largest clients in fiscal 2004 accounted for 63% of our net revenue for fiscal 2004,
compared to 54% of our net revenue in fiscal 2003. In fiscal 2004, one client accounted for 37% of
our net revenue compared to fiscal 2003 when one client accounted for 26% of net revenue.
Operating Expenses Salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy costs
represent our operating expenses. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee
benefits, incentive compensation, contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are
expensed as incurred. General and administrative costs include business development, office costs,
technology, professional services and foreign exchange. Occupancy costs represent the costs of
leasing and maintaining company premises.
Operating expenses increased by 4% to $34.0 million for fiscal 2004 from $32.8 million in fiscal
2003. The primary reasons for the increase in operating expenses, were an increase in salaries and
benefits of $0.4 million and an increase in general and administrative expenses of $1.0 million
from fiscal 2003. Occupancy costs decreased $0.2 million in fiscal 2004.
Salaries and benefits expenses for fiscal 2004 were $24.8 million, compared to $24.4 million for
fiscal 2003, an increase of $0.4 million or 2%. We continue to closely monitor salaries and
benefits to ensure that our expected revenue matches our labour costs.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 42 -
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2004 were $6.0 million, compared to $5.5 million for
the previous year. This represents an increase of $0.5million, or 9%. Excluding the $0.1 million
foreign exchange gain in fiscal 2003 and the $0.3 million foreign exchange expense in fiscal 2004,
general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million in fiscal 2004.
Occupancy costs for fiscal 2004 were $2.7 million, compared to $2.9 million for fiscal 2003, a
decrease of 7%. We expect our annual occupancy expense going forward to be approximately $2.8
million as we continue to monitor these expenses.
Depreciation expense Depreciation expense for fiscal 2004 was $2.4M and in fiscal 2003 the amount
was $2.3 million.
Interest expense Interest expense is made up of interest expense and financing costs due to holders
of the outstanding debt of the company, and non-cash accreted interest imputed on warrants and
debentures. The non-cash accreted interest arose as a result of the amortization of the value
assigned to the warrants granted to the debentures issued in fiscal 2004, and the value assigned to
the conversion option of the convertible debentures issued in fiscal 2002 and 2003. The interest
expense and financing costs for fiscal 2004 was $1.0 million, compared to $2.0 million for fiscal
2003. As detailed in Notes 9, 10 and 11, the Company had obtained debt financing to meet the
ongoing cash requirements of the business. The debt was repaid from the proceeds of the public
offering detailed in Note 12(b). As a result of the early repayment of the debentures, and the
conversion of the remaining convertible debentures, the unamortized warrant value and unamortized
conversion value was charged to accreted interest in fiscal 2004.
Details of interest expense and accreted interest imputed on warrants and debentures.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we borrowed the amount of $4.5 million, of which $4.0
million was raised by way of secured debentures and $0.5 million by way of unsecured term notes.
As a condition of these loans, share purchase warrants to purchase 450,000 of our common shares
were transferred to the holders of the secured debentures and the unsecured term notes. In
addition, 10,000 warrants were transferred to the holder of the $0.5 million promissory note in
exchange for the renegotiation of the terms of the note. These 460,000 warrants were previously
issued to our bankers and were released by the bankers upon the condition that we raise additional
funds to further reduce our bank indebtedness.
We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to arrive at a value for the warrants based on an
analysis of the warrant exercise price, time to expiry and the volatility of our common share
price. The value assigned to the warrants is amortized over the life of the loan and a
corresponding periodic charge is made to interest expense. During the second quarter of fiscal
2004, the loans made by the holders of the warrants were repaid by Envoy and the remaining
unamortized
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 43 -
value of $2.3 million assigned to the warrants, has been charged to accreted interest imputed on
warrants and debentures. Included in interest expense and financing costs is a charge of $0.4
million paid to the holders of the secured debentures for the early repayment of their loans.
Investment earnings Investment earnings for fiscal 2004 was $0.4 million, compared to $nil for
fiscal 2003. Investment earnings are the income earned on the amounts invested in cash and cash
equivalents. We expect investment earnings of $1.5 million for fiscal 2005.
Loss from discontinued operations As detailed in Note 23 of the consolidated financial statements,
Envoy sold its shares of Communique effective January 1, 2004. The loss of $0.5 million for fiscal
2004 reflects the loss realized as a result of the sale, compared to income of less than $0.1
million for fiscal 2003, earned by Communique during that period.
Gain on Closure of Subsidiaries During the 2nd quarter of fiscal 2003, Envoy decided to
discontinue the operations of Hampel after conducting a review, in conjunction with Envoys banks,
of the ongoing viability, future prospects, cash needs and local debt situation of Hampel. As
Envoys banks held a first charge on the assets of Hampel, the net proceeds from the liquidation of
those assets were applied in reduction of Envoys debt obligations to the banks. Consequently,
there was not sufficient proceeds from the liquidation to make any payment to the unsecured
creditors of Hampel. Following the liquidation of the assets, the shares of Hampel were sold for a
nominal consideration. As Envoy has no obligation to pay the creditors of Hampel, the consolidated
accounts of Envoy reflect a gain on the shut-down of Hampel. We also successfully terminated the
real-estate lease commitments associated with Hampel. In the first quarter of fiscal 2003, we
ended our technology operations by disposing of Devlin and shutting down Sage.
As a result of the above, we experienced a gain on closure of subsidiaries of $2.5 million in
fiscal 2003.
Income taxes In 2004, our effective income tax rate, as a percentage of earnings (loss) before
income taxes, minority interest and discontinued operations, was 6.0% compared to the 2003 rate of
8.7%. Details are provided in Note 2(h) and Note 15 to the Financial Statements.
Goodwill In accordance with the accounting standards outlined in sections 1581 and 3062 of the
CICA Handbook, goodwill is no longer amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment. As
a result, there was no amortization of goodwill during fiscal 2004 or 2003. At September 30, 2004,
Envoy performed an impairment test on the Goodwill and determined that no write-down was required.
Net earnings (loss) Envoy experienced a net loss of ($3.1) million in fiscal 2004, compared to
net earnings of $2.5 million in fiscal 2003.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 44 -
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
As at September 30, 2005, Envoy had working capital of $35.9 million and a cash balance of $4.2
million, compared to September 30, 2004, when it had a working capital of $47.8 million and a cash
balance of $3.7 million. Included in working capital is an investment portfolio of marketable
securities, the current portion of which was $22.1 at September 30, 2005 and $36.1 million at
September 30, 2004. Working capital was used to repurchase 2,447,417 shares of the company for cash
consideration of $7.4 million pursuant to the normal course issuer bid. Also, it was used for the
acquisition of Parker Williams, in the amount of $4.8 million, less cash acquired of $0.7 million
as described in Note 7. The company also purchased capital assets in the amount of $4.4 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.6 million for the twelve months ended September
30, 2005 compared to $0.3 million used in operating activities for the twelve months ended
September 30, 2004. Cash provided from continuing operations was used to finance an increase in
receivables from clients related to significant increase in net revenue in the fourth quarter, and
was also used to reduce accounts payable.
Net cash used in financing activities was $7.7 million for the twelve months ended September 30,
2005, compared to $52.3 million provided by financing activities for the twelve months ended
September 30, 2004. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, Envoy raised $60.7 million
from a public share offering and the proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants, and also
raised $4.5 million from an issue of term loans and from debentures. During the same period, Envoy
used the proceeds to repay all significant outstanding borrowings, including the repayment of the
debentures issued in the period. Since August 26, 2004, Envoy has been engaged in a share buyback
program which has used cash of $7.4 million during the current fiscal year.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $6.5 million for the twelve months ended September
30, 2005, compared to net cash used in investing activities of ($48.0) million for the twelve
months ended September 30, 2004. The short term investment portfolio has been drawn down during
fiscal 2005 by $15.0, which was used as investing activities in the acquisition of Parker Williams
and for the purchase of capital assets. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, Envoy
invested $46.7 million of the proceeds of the public share offering in an investment portfolio
managed by an external adviser. All financial instruments held in the portfolio are traded in
active and liquid markets and the fair market value of the portfolio was determined by using the
closing market prices at September 30, 2005 of the individual financial instruments.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies used by Envoy in preparing its Financial Statements are
described in Note 2 to the Financial Statements and should be read to ensure a proper understanding
and evaluation of the estimates and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 45 -
judgements made by management in preparing those Financial Statements. Envoys Financial
Statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Envoy also prepared a reconciliation to United States generally accepted accounting principles,
which is included in Note 24 to the Financial Statements.
Inherent in the application of some of these policies is the judgement by management as to which of
the various methods allowed under generally accepted accounting principles is the most appropriate
to apply in the case of Envoy. As well, management must take appropriate estimates at the time the
Financial Statements are prepared.
Although all of the policies identified in Note 2 to the Financial Statements are important in
understanding the Financial Statements, the policies discussed below are considered by management
to be central to understanding the Financial Statements, because of the higher level of measurement
uncertainties involved in their application.
Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net
assets of the entities acquired at the respective dates of acquisition. Envoy assesses the
recoverability of the carrying value of its goodwill on an annual basis. As part of the evaluation,
Envoy considers several factors, including the operating results and trends, movement in major
clients and key client service personnel, changes in client relationships and general economic
conditions. Significant changes in these factors could result in an impairment of goodwill.
Goodwill is considered to be impaired if the future anticipated undiscounted operating cash flows
from the acquired businesses are less than the carrying value of the goodwill. These cash flow
projections require management to make certain assumptions regarding future revenue and expenses.
When impairment is determined, the related loss is charged to earnings and is measured by the
excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over its fair value based on estimated discounted
future operating cash flows.
Intangible assets To determine the value of intangible assets acquired in an acquisition, the
Company considers the expected impact on cash flows of the asset, the inherent uncertainty of
estimates, and the time value of money. The intangible assets are amortized over a period
considered to represent their useful life. Intangible assets are reviewed each year and if
circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable, a write-down would be
charged to operations in the period.
Income Taxes Envoy accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method,
future income taxes are recognized at the enacted or substantially enacted tax rate expected to be
applicable at the anticipated date of the reversal for all significant temporary differences
between the tax and accounting bases of assets and liabilities and for certain tax carryforward
items. Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized only to the
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 46 -
extent that, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the future income tax
assets will be realized. Future operating results and future tax rates could vary materially, and
accordingly the value of income tax assets and liabilities could change by material amounts.
Stock Based Compensation and Other Stock based Payments Effective October 1, 2003, Envoy adopted
the revisions to CICA handbook Section 3870 that required the use of the fair value method for all
stock-based compensation transactions. The application of this accounting methodology requires
management to estimate a number of variables, including the risk free rate, and the expected
volatility of the stock price. The amounts determined for these variables, which are detailed in
Note 12(e), have a significant impact on the values assigned to the stock options.
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED CANADIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
There has been no significant impact on fiscal 2005 results as a result of any recently issued
Canadian Accounting Standards.
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED UNITED STATES ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123R
(Revised), Share-Based Payment which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation. Statement No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Statement No.
123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options,
to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. In addition, public
companies using the fair value method will recognize compensation expense for the unvested portion
of awards outstanding as of the effective date based on their grant date fair value as calculated
under the original provisions of SFAS 123.
The pronouncement was to be effective at the beginning of the first interim or annual period
beginning after June 15, 2005, however, in April 2005, an amendment was issued to delay the
effective date to the first fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt
the new pronouncement effective October 1, 2005.
Forward Looking Statements
All statements in this MD&A that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements represent Envoys intentions, plans,
expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which
are beyond the control of Envoy. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from
such forward-looking statements. These factors include
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 47 -
but are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate
developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in our
industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in
the MD&A, in Envoys Annual Report or Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, or Envoys Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities. The
words believe, estimate, expect, intend, anticipate, foresee, plan, and similar
expressions identify certain of such forward looking statements, which are valid only as of the
date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future growth are forward
looking statements. Envoy disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Not applicable
D. Trend Information
Not applicable
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None
F. Commitments and Contractual Commitments (insert from MD&A)
Set out below is a summary of the amounts due and committed under contractual cash obligations at
September 30, 2005 (all amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due |
|
|
Due |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due in 1 |
|
|
between |
|
|
between |
|
|
Due |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year or |
|
|
years 2 |
|
|
years 4 |
|
|
after 5 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
less |
|
|
and 3 |
|
|
and 5 |
|
|
years |
|
Operating leases |
|
$ |
9,186 |
|
|
$ |
1,756 |
|
|
$ |
2,900 |
|
|
$ |
1,952 |
|
|
$ |
2,576 |
|
Long term debt |
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual
cash obligations |
|
$ |
9,546 |
|
|
$ |
1,865 |
|
|
$ |
3,153 |
|
|
$ |
1,952 |
|
|
$ |
2,576 |
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 48 -
Other Commitments
None
G. Safe Harbor
See Special Note Regarding forward-looking statements in section Item 3 of this Form 20-F.
Item 6. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors and senior managers
of Envoy as of November 30, 2005. Each director is elected at the annual meeting of shareholders
to serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positions |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Held with Envoy |
Geoffrey B. Genovese
|
|
51
|
|
President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
John H. Bailey
|
|
60
|
|
Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
David Hull1,2,3
|
|
49
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
Hugh Aird1,2,3
|
|
52
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
David Parkes1,2,3
|
|
59
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Gilbert
|
|
37
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
J. Joseph Leeder
|
|
51
|
|
Executive Vice President Mergers & Acquisitions |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Member of the Audit Committee. |
|
2 |
|
Member of the Compensation Committee. |
|
3 |
|
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Corporation |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 49 -
The principal occupations, business experiences and positions for the past five years
and, in certain cases, prior years of the directors and executive officers of Envoy are as follows:
Geoffrey B. Genovese. Mr. Genovese founded The Incentive Design Company Ltd., a business and
marketing communications company, in 1981. Envoy acquired IDC in July 1991. Mr. Genovese
currently serves as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Envoy Communications Group
Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Watt International Inc. Mr. Genovese was appointed Chairman in
September 2001. Mr. Genovese has been a Director of Envoy since July 1991.
John H. Bailey. Mr. Bailey is a barrister and a solicitor who has been in private practice
since 1973. Mr. Bailey earned a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the
University of Toronto, and a Master of Laws degree from York University. Mr. Bailey has been a
Director of Envoy since April 1994, Corporate Secretary since August 1997, and Executive
Vice-President since February 2004.
David Hull. Mr. Hull has been the President of Hull Life Insurance Agencies Inc. since May
1991. Hull Life Insurance Agencies Inc. specializes in estate planning and life and disability
insurance. Prior thereto, Mr. Hull served as Executive Vice President of Hull Life Insurance
Agencies Ltd. and Thomas I. Hull Insurance Ltd., members of The Hull Group of Companies. Mr. Hull
has been a Director of Envoy since January 1995.
Hugh Aird. Mr. Aird is the Director of Business Development of Blackmont Capital. Prior to
joining Blackmont Capital in 2005, Mr. Aird was a Senior Relationship Manager at Morgan Stanley
Canada. Mr. Aird was Vice President, Business Development, Mulvihill Capital Management Inc. Prior
to joining Mulvihill Capital Management Inc. in 2001, Mr. Aird was Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch
Canada Inc. (formerly Midland Walwyn Capital Inc.). Mr. Aird first became a director of Envoy on
August 20, 1997. As a result of personal commitments, Mr. Aird resigned as a director on April 1,
2003. On November 24, 2003, Mr. Aird was re-elected as a director of Envoy.
David Parkes Mr. Parkes is currently working for his Consulting Company David Parkes & Assoc.
Mr. Parkes was President and CEO of Freefone Inc. until 2005. Prior to joining Freefone Inc. in
2003, Mr. Parkes founded David Parkes & Assoc. in 2001. Mr. Parkes was President and CEO of Look
Communications Inc. until 2001 and President and CEO of TeleSpectrum Canada Inc. until 1999. Mr.
Parkes has been a Director of Envoy since October 2002.
Linda Gilbert,CA Ms. Gilbert joined Envoy in 1999 as Director of Finance. In 2003, Ms.
Gilbert was promoted to the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to
joining Envoy, Mrs. Gilbert was a manager of KPMG LLP in Canada, an accounting firm.
J. Joseph Leeder,CA Mr. Leeder joined Envoy in 1998 as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer. Prior to joining Envoy, Mr. Leeder was a partner of KPMG LLP in Canada, an accounting
firm, and an Executive Vice President of KPMG
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 50 -
Corporate Finance Inc., a subsidiary of KPMG LLP. Mr. Leeder left Envoy on May 30, 2003, and
joined USC Forest Group as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Leeder rejoined Envoy as Vice
President Mergers and Acquisitions on October 24, 2005.
The Ontario Business Corporations Act requires that a majority of Envoys directors be
Canadian residents. There are no arrangements or understandings between any director or executive
officer of Envoy with major shareholders, customers or others, pursuant to which he or she was
selected as such.
There are no family relationships between any of the persons named above.
B. Compensation
The following table sets forth in Canadian dollars all compensation for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005 paid to the Chief Executive Officer of Envoy and the four other most highly
compensated officers who served as executive officers of the Company (the Named Executive
Officers):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
Long Term Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Payouts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option/SA |
|
|
or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
Rs |
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
LTIP |
|
|
All Other |
|
Principal |
|
Salary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
Granted |
|
|
Share |
|
|
Payouts |
|
|
Compensation |
|
Position |
|
($) |
|
|
Bonus ($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
Units ($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
Geoffrey B.
Genovese,
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
218,750 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144,378 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda
Gilbert,
Chief Financial
Officer, Envoy |
|
|
187,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John H.
Bailey,
Executive Vice
President, and
Secretary |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul
Bean,
Managing
Director, Watt
Gilchrist Limited. |
|
|
72,600 |
|
|
|
48,750 |
|
|
|
23,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick
Rodmell
Managing Director,
Watt International
Inc. |
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 51 -
|
|
|
1 |
|
The amount was paid to a corporation related to Mr. Genovese as an annual management
fee. |
|
2 |
|
Mr. Genovese received taxable benefits for life insurance premiums paid by the
Corporation. |
There were no options granted under the Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive Officers of
the Company in the most recently completed fiscal year.
The following table sets forth options exercised under the Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive
Officers of the Company in the most recently completed fiscal year and the value of unexercised
options held by them as at the most recent fiscal year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options Exercised During 2005 Fiscal Year |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value Realized |
|
Unexercised Options at FY-End |
|
Money Options at FY-End ($) |
Name |
|
Exercise |
|
($) |
|
(#) Exercisable/Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable1 |
Geoff Genovese |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
80,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Gilbert |
|
1,667 |
|
$2,084 |
|
1,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Bean |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
6,667/3,333 |
|
9,534/4,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Rodmell |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
1,500/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,667/6,666 |
|
9,534/9,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John H. Bailey |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
4,000/ |
|
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000/ |
|
/ |
The Company does not provide any pension, retirement plan or other remuneration to its
directors or officers that constitutes an expense to the Company, nor are there any plans or
arrangements in respect of compensation received or that may be received by executive officers in
the Companys most recently completed or current fiscal year to compensate such officers in the
event of a termination of employment or a change in control of the Company.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 52 -
Employment Contracts and Termination Agreements
The Company and its subsidiaries, Watt International and Gilchrist have entered into
employment contracts with the Named Executive Officers.
Geoffrey B. Genovese has agreed to act as the Companys Chairman and President and Chief
Executive Officer at an annual base salary of $550,000, together with a discretionary bonus based
on the achievement of agreed upon criteria established from time to time by the Compensation
Committee. This agreement provides for a severance payment equivalent to $300,000 plus an amount
equal to three times the total remuneration and other compensation paid to Mr. Genovese and his
management company during the 12 month period preceding termination, if Mr. Genoveses employment
is terminated, without cause, by the Company or if there is a change of control of the Company and
Mr. Genovese elects to terminate his employment with the Company. In addition, if there is a
change of control of the Company, Mr. Genovese is entitled to receive, at the sole discretion of
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, a one-time bonus of up to a maximum of
$1,000,000. An annual fee of $300,000 is also payable to Mr. Genoveses management company pursuant
to a management agreement with the Company. The management agreement is automatically renewable on
September 30th of each year, unless terminated by either party.
Linda Gilbert has agreed to act as the Companys Chief Financial Officer at an annual salary
of $200,000. This agreement provides for a severance payment equivalent to her base salary for a
period of up to six months, if her employment is terminated, without cause, by the Company.
Paul Bean has agreed to act as the Managing Director of Gilchrist at an annual base salary of
72,600 pounds. This agreement provides for a severance payment equivalent to his base salary and
benefits for a period of twelve months, if his employment is terminated, without cause, by the
Company.
Patrick Rodmell has agreed to act as the Managing Director of Watt International at an annual
base salary of $225,000 together with an annual cash bonus based on the performance of Watt
International. This agreement provides for a severance payment equivalent to his base salary and
benefits for a period of up to four months, if his employment is terminated, without cause, by the
Company.
John H. Bailey was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company on February 1, 2004.
Pursuant to the terms of an agreement dated February 1, 2004 between the Company and Semper
Consulting Inc. (Semper), Semper agreed to provide certain financial advisory services as well as
general advice of a strategic nature, including the personal services of John H. Bailey. In
consideration for these services, the Company has agreed to pay Semper an annual fee of $300,000
and to reimburse Semper for all expenses incurred by it in the performance of its services. The
agreement has a term ending on May 31, 2010, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions
thereof. If the Company terminates the agreement for any reason, other than cause, or if there is
a change of control of the Company and Semper elects to terminate the agreement,
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 53 -
Semper is entitled to receive a payment equal to three times the fees paid to Semper during
the twelve month period ending on the month immediately preceding the month in which the agreement
is terminated. Semper is wholly-owned by the spouse of John H. Bailey.
Compensation of Directors
All non-executive directors of the Company or any of its affiliates are compensated for their
services as directors and members of a committee through a combination of annual and meeting
attendance fees. Messrs. Aird, Hull and Parkes are each entitled to receive an annual
directors/committee members fee of $30,000.00. As the Lead Director, Mr. Aird receives an
additional $50,000 per year. A non-executive director receives an additional annual fee of $10,000
for presiding over a committee of the Board (other than the Audit Committee). For his part, the
Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $40,000. In addition, each
director receives an attendance fee of $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. No
compensation is paid to the other directors, who are also executive officers, for their services as
directors. Directors are also entitled to participate in the Companys Stock Option Plan.
In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, Envoy paid approximately $57,500. to John H.
Bailey, Barrister & Solicitor, for legal services provided to Envoy.
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
The Company maintains liability insurance for the benefit of the directors and officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries against liability incurred by them in their respective capacities. The
current annual policy limit is $10,000,000. Under the policy, individual directors and officers are
reimbursed for losses incurred in their capacities as such, subject to a deductible of $250,000 for
claims arising in the United States and $150,000 for all other claims. The deductible is the
responsibility of the Company. The Company paid the annual premium of $232,797.
C. Board Practices
Corporate Governance
The Company is subject to a variety of corporate governance guidelines and requirements
enacted by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), The Nasdaq Stock
Market (NASDAQ) and by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
under its rules and those mandated by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During the
past year, there have been several changes to the corporate governance and corporate governance
disclosure requirements applicable to the Company. Specifically, the Canadian Securities
Administrators introduced in final form National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate
Governance Practices (NI 58-101) and National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines
(National Policy 58-201), both of which came into force on June 30, 2005 and effectively replaced
the Corporate Governance
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 54 -
Guidelines of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Also, amendments were made to Multilateral
Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees (MI
52-110).
The Company is required to disclose certain specified corporate governance information under
NI 58-101. The disclosure required addresses items such as the constitution and independence of
corporate boards, the functions to be performed by boards and their committees, the orientation and
education of directors, ethical business conduct and compensation matters. Set out below is a
description of certain corporate governance practices of the Company, as required by NI 58-101.
As new regulations come into effect, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the
Companys Board of Directors (the Board) will continue to review the Companys corporate
governance practices and make appropriate changes.
Board of Directors
The articles of the Company provide that there shall be a Board of not less than 3 or more
than 10 directors. There are currently five directors of the Company. National Policy 58-201
recommends that boards of directors of reporting issuers be composed of a majority of independent
directors (within the meaning of such term in NI 58-101).
The Board, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is
responsible for determining whether or not each director is independent. To achieve this, the Board
analyses all of the relationships each director has with the Company and its subsidiaries in light
of the concept of independence in NI 58-101 and director independence standards adopted by the
Board. These standards are available in the Governance section of the Companys website at
www.Envoy.to. In general, a director who meets these standards and who does not otherwise have a
material relationship with the Company would be considered independent. Based on the information
provided by each director, and having considered the independence standards mentioned above, the
Board determined that three of the Companys five directors are independent within the meaning of
such term in NI 58-101. Therefore, the Board is composed of a majority of independent directors.
The three independent directors are: Messrs. Hugh Aird, David Hull and David Parkes. Two
directors have material relationships with the Company and are therefore not independent. Mr.
Geoffrey Genovese, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is considered to have a
material relationship with the Company by virtue of his executive officer position. Mr. John
Bailey is considered to have a material relationship with the Company by virtue of his position as
Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company.
Currently, no directors serve on the boards of directors of other public companies.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 55 -
The current Chairman of the Board is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
and is not an independent director. Because the Chairman is an executive officer, the Board has
also adopted a policy that it have an independent lead director (Lead Director) who is charged
with the duty to ensure that the Board discharges its responsibilities effectively and
independently of management. The Lead Director chairs meetings of directors without management
present. The Board has determined that the Lead Director shall be appointed by the Board based on
the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. On September 22, 2004,
Hugh Aird was appointed the Lead Director.
Where appropriate, the directors meet without management following Board meetings and at
meetings of independent directors. The Board also meets without the President and Chief Executive
Officer when his performance and compensation are being discussed. Since October 1, 2004, the
independent directors have held four meetings without non-independent directors present.
Between October 1, 2004 and December 27, 2005, the Board held 22 meetings. The attendance of
the directors at such meetings was as follows:
|
|
|
Director |
|
Board Meetings |
|
|
Attended (1) |
Hugh Aird
|
|
22 of 22 |
John Bailey
|
|
22 of 22 |
Geoff Genovese
|
|
22 of 22 |
David Hull
|
|
22 of 22 |
David Parkes
|
|
20 of 22 |
|
|
|
Note: |
|
(1) |
|
In addition, Messrs. Aird, Hull and Parkes attended four meetings of the
independent directors, at which Messrs. Genovese and Bailey were not eligible to attend. |
Mandate of the Board
The Board has adopted a Board Mandate, under the title Envoy Communications Group Inc.
Corporate Governance Guidelines. A copy of this Board Mandate is available in the Governance
section of the Companys website at www.Envoy.to, and is attached as Exhibit 11.3 to this Form
20-F.
The Board has the responsibility for the overall stewardship of the Company, establishing the
overall policies and standards for the Company in the operation of its businesses, and reviewing
and approving the Companys strategic plans. In addition, the Board monitors and assesses overall
performance and progress in meeting the Companys goals. Day to day management is the
responsibility of the President and Chief Executive Officer and senior management.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 56 -
In addition to the Boards statutory responsibilities under the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario), the Boards stewardship responsibilities include the following: (a) assessing the
principal risks arising from or incidental to the business activities of the Company; (b)
appointing all senior executives of the Company and, through the Compensation Committee of the
Board, developing and implementing the executive compensation policies and reviewing the
performance of the President and Chief Executive Officer with reference to the Companys policies,
stated budget and other objectives; (c) overseeing the Companys policies regarding public
communications, investor relations and shareholder communications; and (d) monitoring and
assessing, through the Audit Committee of the Board, the scope, implementation and integrity of the
Companys internal information, audit and control systems.
Board Committees
The directors have established the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to focus resources and expertise in certain areas of
the Boards mandate.
(a) Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors, David Parkes (Chairman), Hugh Aird and
David Hull. All three members of the Audit Committee are independent directors of the Company.
Among other things, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Companys annual and
quarterly consolidated financial statements and reporting to the Board in connection therewith. On
September 22, 2004, the Audit Committee adopted a new Audit Committee Charter, which specifies the
auditors accountability to the Board and the authority and responsibilities of the Audit Committee
in compliance with MI 52-110. No changes to the Audit Committee Charter were required as a result
of the amendments to MI 52-110 which became effective on June 30, 2005. A copy of the Audit
Committee Charter is available in the Governance section of the Companys website at www.Envoy.to,
and is attached as Exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F.
(b) Compensation Committee
The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight
responsibilities relating to the compensation, nomination, evaluation and succession of the
executive officers of the Company; the administration of the Companys Stock Option/Stock
Appreciation Right Plan; and the review of executive compensation disclosure. The Compensation
Committee is comprised of three directors, David Hull (Chairman), David Parkes and Hugh Aird, all
of whom are independent directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available in the
Governance section of the Companys website at www.Envoy.to, and is attached as Exhibit 15.2 to
this Form 20-F.
(c) Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 57 -
The Board has delegated to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board
responsibility for co-ordinating and managing the process of recruiting, interviewing and
recommending candidates to the Board; developing and recommending standards of performance of the
Board as a whole, its committees and individual directors; assessing the effectiveness of the
Board as a whole and its committees and the contribution of individual directors; making
recommendations to the Board regarding the composition of committees of the Board; provide new
directors with an orientation program through a review of past Board materials and other public and
private documents concerning the Company; reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with
respect to developments in the area of corporate governance and the structure and practices of the
Board; and reviewing and assessing compliance by the Company with applicable corporate governance
rules and guidelines established by securities regulators and stock exchanges. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of three independent directors, David Hull (Chairman),
Hugh Aird and David Parkes. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is
available in the Governance section of the Companys website at www.Envoy.to, and is attached as
Exhibit 15.3 to this Form 20-F.
Position Descriptions
The Board has a broad responsibility for supervising the management of the business and
affairs of the Company. The Chair of the Board is responsible for establishing the Agenda for each
Board meeting and ensuring agenda items are dealt with. The Board has not found it necessary to
develop specific position descriptions for the Chair of Board committees. The Board is currently of
the view that the general mandates of committees on which such directors may sit are sufficient to
delineate the role and responsibilities of the Chair of each committee.
The Companys by-laws state that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall exercise
general supervision over the affairs of the Company. The Board has not found it necessary to
develop a specific position description for the Chief Executive Officer beyond this description.
Orientation and Continuing Education
New directors are given the opportunity to individually meet with members of senior management
to improve their understanding of the Companys business. All directors have regular access to
senior management to discuss Board presentations and other matters of interest.
The Company also gives directors a reference manual, which contains information about the
Companys history and current status, corporate governance materials, its investments and its
shareholders. This reference manual is updated regularly. It includes the Companys Code of
Business Conduct, which also applies to the directors, as well as governance and responsibilities
of the Board and its committees, and a description of the
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 58 -
duties and obligations of directors. As part of its mandate, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee is also responsible for providing orientation and continuing education for all
board members, including reimbursing costs of attending certain outside director education
programs. During their regular scheduled Board meetings, directors are given presentations on
various aspects of the Companys business.
Nomination of Directors
The members of the Companys Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are all independent
directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility for assessing
potential Board nominees, screening their qualifications and making recommendations for approval by
the Board of nominees for election or appointment to the Board. To help achieve this task, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee develops qualifications and criteria for the
selection of directors.
The Board aims to have a sufficient range of skills, expertise and experience to ensure that
it can carry out its responsibilities effectively. Directors are chosen for their ability to
contribute to the broad range of issues that the Board must deal with. The Board reviews each
directors contribution through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and determines
whether the Boards size allows it to function efficiently and effectively. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is mandated to review the size of the Board from time to time and
recommend changes in size when appropriate.
Each year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews how directors are
compensated for serving on the Board and its committees. It compares their compensation to that of
similar companies and recommends any changes to the Board. In 2004, the Board conducted a review
of the compensation of non-management directors. This was partly to address the risks and
responsibilities associated with being an effective director. As a result, a new compensation
arrangement was adopted for these non-management directors, which came into effect on October 1,
2004. All non-management directors of the Company are compensated for their services as directors
and members of a committee through a combination of annual and meeting attendance fees. Messrs.
Aird, Hull and Parkes are each entitled to receive an annual directors/committee members fee of
$30,000.00. As the Lead Director, Mr. Aird receives an additional $50,000 per year. A
non-management director receives an additional annual fee of $10,000 for presiding over a committee
of the Board (other than the Audit Committee). The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an
additional annual fee of $40,000. In addition, each director receives an attendance fee of $1,000
for each Board or committee meeting attended. No compensation is paid to the other directors, who
are also executive officers, for their services as directors. Directors are also entitled to
participate in the Companys Stock Option Plan.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 59 -
Other Board Committees
The Board has not established any committees other than the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Assessments
As part of its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is required to survey
every year all directors on the effectiveness and performance of the Board and the Boards
committees, as well as individual directors. This is done primarily by distributing questionnaires
to each director and will often include individual interviews with the Chairman of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Companys Board Mandate states that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
report to the Board annually on the evaluation of the performance of the Board, each of its
committees and that of individual directors, based on the results of the directors annual
questionnaire. In addition, the performance of the Lead Director is annually evaluated by the chair
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by means of formal interviews with each of the
directors.
Shareholder Communication
The objective of the Companys shareholder communication policy is to ensure open and timely
exchange of information relating to the Companys business, affairs and performance, subject to the
requirements of applicable securities legislation and other statutory and contractual obligations
limiting the disclosure of such information. Information material to the Companys business is
released through news wire services, the general media, telephone conferences and shareholder
mailings, thereby ensuring timely dissemination. Additionally, individual queries, comments or
suggestions can be made at any time directly to the Companys secretarial department located at its
head office.
D. Employees
As at November 30, 2005, Envoy had 109 full time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 2 based
in the United States, and 115 based in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Of this total,
219 in consumer and retail branding.
As at January 31, 2005, Envoy had 158 full time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 7 based in
the United States, 153 and based in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Of this total, 20
employees were engaged in marketing, and 326 in consumer and retail branding.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 60 -
As at January 31, 2004, Envoy had 154 full time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 12 based
in the United States, and 73 based in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Of this total, 17
employees were engaged in marketing, and 222 in consumer and retail branding.
As at January 31, 2003, Envoy had 175 full time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 31 based
in the United States, and 133 based in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Of this total,
29 employees were engaged in marketing, and 310 in consumer and retail branding.
E. Share Ownership
As of September 30, 2005, the options and other rights to purchase common shares of Envoy
consisted of stock options to purchase 401,950 common shares.
Options
Stock Option Plan
The Company has established a Stock Option Plan pursuant to which options to purchase Common
Shares and stock appreciation rights may be granted to directors, officers, employees or certain
consultants to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as determined by the Board, at prices to be
fixed by the directors, subject to limitations imposed by any Canadian stock exchange on which the
Common Shares are listed for trading and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction in such
matters. The Common Shares subject to each option shall become purchasable at such time or times
as may be determined by the directors. Stock appreciation rights (SARs) may only be granted in
conjunction with an option and, when exercised, entitle the holder to receive an amount equal in
value to the excess of the market value of the Common Shares over the price of the related option.
The excess amount is payable in Common Shares having a market value equal to such excess. Options
are non-assignable and non-transferable by the option-holder and shall be exercisable during the
option-holders lifetime only by the option-holder. Stock appreciation rights are non-transferable
and terminate when the related option terminates.
The maximum number of Common Shares currently reserved for issuance upon exercise of options
under the Stock Option Plan is 800,000 Common Shares. As at September 30, 2005 options to purchase
401,950 Common Shares have been granted and are outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. There are
no SARs outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. The aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for
issuance to any one individual under the Stock Option Plan may not exceed 5% of the issued and
outstanding Common Shares.
During fiscal 2003, the President of the Company, Geoffrey B. Genovese, elected to cancel his
stock options to purchase 950,000 Common Shares, being all of the options to purchase Common Shares
granted to Mr. Genovese under the Stock Option Plan. The cancellation of these stock options
resulted in an additional 950,000 Common Shares being available for grant, without increasing the
maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options under the Stock
Option Plan.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 61 -
The following table describes the options to acquire common shares that are outstanding
pursuant to the Stock Option Plan or otherwise as of November 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class of |
|
Shares Under |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
Optionee |
|
Options Granted |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Date of Expiry |
Geoffrey Genovese |
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
May 24, 2009 |
Linda Gilbert |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
May 24, 2009 |
Linda Gilbert |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
August 1, 2007 |
Paul Bean |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
October 27, 2007 |
Paul Bean |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
June 27, 2006 |
Patrick Rodmell |
|
|
13,333 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
October 27, 2007 |
Patrick Rodmell |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
May 24, 2009 |
Patrick Rodmell |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
August 1, 2007 |
John H. Bailey |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
May 24, 2009 |
John H. Bailey |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
June 27, 2006 |
Other |
|
|
26,667 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
October 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
May 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
May 24, 2009 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
June 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
August 1, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
401,950 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 62 -
The following table sets forth shares owned by the Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Envoy and the four other most highly compensated officers who served as
executive officers of the Company as of November 30, 2005 (the Named Executive Officers):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Common |
|
Percent of |
Identity of Person |
|
Shares Owned |
|
Outstanding Class |
Geoff Genovese |
|
|
1,465,551 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Gilbert |
|
|
733 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul Bean |
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Rodmell |
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John H. Bailey |
|
|
20,518 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Convertible Debentures
In April 2003, as part of the renegotiation of the debt facility existing at that
time, the Company amended the terms of the debentures issued on April 29, 2002 and September 12,
2002 as follows: the early repayment terms on the debentures were deferred to April 24, 2005; the
debentures became repayable in cash on maturity on April 24, 2008; both debentures were then
convertible into common shares at a price of $0.75 each, for a total of 5,066,667 common shares;
and, the warrants attached to the convertible debentures were cancelled.
On April 24, 2003, the Company issued $2,000,000 in 10% convertible debentures as part of the
refinancing plan, which had a maturity date of April 24, 2008. These debentures were convertible
into common shares at a price of $0.75 each for a total of 2,666,667 common shares. Holders also
had the right to require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their debentures on or after
April 24, 2005 at the issue price plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The debentures were bifurcated into a debt component, representing a yield to maturity of 25.6% per
annum over the five-year life, and an equity component with proceeds allocated $1,465,929 to
long-term debt and $534,071 to shareholders equity. That portion of offering expenses, related to
the debt component being $120,906 was recorded as deferred financing fees which were included in
prepaid expenses, with the remaining $44,049 applied to reduce the equity component.
During fiscal 2003, convertible debentures with a face value of $1,410,000 were converted into
1,880,000 common shares of the Company.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2004, convertible debentures with a face value of $2,420,000 were
converted into 3,226,667 common shares. During the second
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 63 -
quarter of fiscal 2004, the remaining convertible debentures, with a face value of $1,970,000, were
converted into an additional 2,626,667 common shares.
As at September 30, 2005, the aggregate debt component carrying values of all of the Companys
convertible debentures was $nil (2004 $nil).
Item 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
Ownership of Envoys securities are recorded on the books of its transfer agent in registered
form, however the majority of such shares are registered in the name of intermediaries such as
brokerage firms and clearing houses on behalf of their respective clients and in general Envoy does
not have knowledge of the beneficial owners thereof, except for the beneficial ownership by
officers and directors of Envoy. Envoy is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another
corporation or entity or by any foreign government. Envoy is not a party to any arrangement, and
does not know of any other arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in
a change in control of Envoy.
At a special meeting of the shareholders Envoy held on January 8, 2004, the shareholders
approved an amendment to the Articles of the Company to increase its authorized share capital from
10,000,000 common shares to 40,000,000.
As of November 30, 2005, Envoy had an authorized share capital of 40,000,000 common shares
without par value, of which 21,007,517 common shares were issued and outstanding.
On January 15, 2005, the Companys board of directors approved the consolidation of the common
shares (a reverse stock split) on the basis of 1 for 5. On January 21, 2005 the Company filed
Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new common share for every
5 common shares outstanding. The effective date for post consolidation trading of the shares was
February 10, 2005. Amounts shown for shares and earnings per share figures for all periods
presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of outstanding
common shares of Envoy as of November 30, 2005 with respect to each person known by Envoy to be the
owner either of record or beneficially of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares
of Envoy. As used in this table, beneficial ownership refers to the sole or shared power to vote
or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. A person is deemed
to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days from the date of this
Form 20-F through the exercise of any
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 64 -
option, warrant or right. Common shares subject to options, warrants or rights which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the
ownership percentage of the person holding such options, warrants or rights, but are not deemed
outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. To the best of our
knowledge, no significant change in the percentage ownership of any major shareholder of the
Company has taken place during the past three years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Identity of Person |
|
Number of Common |
|
Percent of |
or Group |
|
Shares |
|
Outstanding Class |
CDS & Co1
|
|
|
20,298,960 |
|
|
|
96.6 |
% |
NCI Account
P.O. Box 1038
Station A
25 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 1G5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cede & Co.1
|
|
|
631,555 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
P.O. Box 20
Bowling Green
Station
New York, NY 10274
USA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey B.
Genevose2 |
|
|
1,465,551 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
|
1 |
|
CDS & Co. and Cede & Co., respectively, are the record holders
of these shares and in general the ultimate beneficial owners of these shares
are not known to Envoy. |
|
2 |
|
Includes common shares held by family members. |
See also Item 6.E. Share Ownership for information regarding outstanding stock options to
purchase common shares.
As of November 30, 2005 there were 21,007,517 outstanding common shares of Envoy of which
20,317,338 were held of record by 6 Non-U.S. residents and 690,179 of which were held of record by
25 U.S. residents. The foregoing information regarding the number and the country of residence of
Envoys shareholders does not reflect those shareholders whose shares are being held of record by
brokerage clearing houses and in general the ultimate beneficial owners of these shares are not
known to Envoy. The Companys major shareholders do not have different voting rights.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 65 -
B. Related Party Transactions
As disclosed in Note 8 to the Financial statements, the following are transactions that took
place during fiscal 2005 that involved related parties:
During fiscal 2005, the Company paid one of its directors $57,500 (2004 -$266,100; 2003 -
$312,589; 2002 $265,936) for legal services.
At September 30, 2004, Envoy purchased from the executive officers of John Street the 30% of
the shares of John Street which it did not already own (see Note 23). Effective June 30, 2005,
Envoy completed the sale of the shares of John Street and related assets to the management of John
Street for a gross sale price of $1.5 million. The purchase price for the shares was $1.2 million
and for the related assets was $0.3 million. The balance of the purchase price for the shares of
$1.1 million and for the related assets of $0.3 million is payable over a period of 5 years and,
except for interest free periods totalling 12 months, carries interest at the rate of 8% per annum.
As of June 30, 2005, John Street was also indebted to Envoy in the amount $0.7 million, on account
of an inter-company loan. This loan is repayable over a period of 5 years and, except for interest
free periods totalling 12 months, carries interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The sale
transaction produced a net gain of approximately $1.8 million.
Related party transactions are recorded at the exchange amount, being the amount agreed to by
the related parties.
Except as disclosed above, no director or executive officer, and no relative or spouse of the
foregoing persons (or relative of such spouse) who has the same house as such person or is an
executive officer, or director, of any parent or subsidiary of Envoy, has, or during the last
fiscal year of Envoy had, any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transactions, or in any
proposed transaction, which in either such case has materially affected or will materially affect
Envoy.
Under the applicable Canadian provincial securities laws, insiders (generally officers and
directors of the Registrant and its subsidiaries) are required to file individual insider reports
of changes in their ownership in the Registrants securities within 10 days following any trade in
Envoys securities. Copies of such reports are available for public inspection at the offices of
the British Columbia Securities Commission, Suite 1100, 865 Hornby Street Vancouver, British
Columbia V6Z 21-14 (telephone 604/660-4800), at the offices of the Alberta Securities Commission,
410-300 5th Avenue, S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3C4 (telephone 403/297-6454), at the
offices of the Quebec Securities Commission, Stock Tower Exchange, 800 Victoria Square, Montreal,
Quebec M42 1G3 (telephone 514/940-2150) and at the offices of the Ontario Securities Commission, 20
Queen Street West, 18th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 358 (telephone 416/597-0681).
Item 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
See Item 17 Financial Statements.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 66 -
Item 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Price History
Envoys common shares are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol ECG and on Nasdaq
under the symbol ECGI. The common shares began trading on Nasdaq on June 6, 2000 and on the TSX
on September 3, 1997. From March 1984 until September 2, 1997 Envoys shares traded on the
Vancouver Stock Exchange.
On February 10, 2005, Envoys common shares had a 5-for-1 reverse stock split; the data
presented for periods priors to that are adjusted accordingly for comparability.
The following table sets forth the reported high and low sale prices in Canadian dollars for
the common shares on the TSX for the fiscal, quarterly and monthly periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
Fiscal 2001 |
|
|
43.75 |
|
|
|
10.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2002 |
|
|
14.50 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2003 |
|
|
8.35 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 |
|
|
10.75 |
|
|
|
2.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
|
4.50 |
|
|
|
2.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
7.95 |
|
|
|
4.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
10.75 |
|
|
|
4.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
|
7.50 |
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
|
4.25 |
|
|
|
2.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
4.50 |
|
|
|
2.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
|
2.96 |
|
|
|
2.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
2.36 |
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 67 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
For the month ending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2005 |
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
1.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 31, 2005 |
|
|
2.70 |
|
|
|
2.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2005 |
|
|
2.71 |
|
|
|
2.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 31, 2005 |
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 31, 2005 |
|
|
2.88 |
|
|
|
2.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
2.62 |
|
|
|
2.43 |
|
The following table sets forth the reported high and low sale prices in US dollars of trading
for the common shares as reported on NASDAQ for the fiscal, quarterly and monthly periods
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
Fiscal 2001 |
|
|
29.40 |
|
|
|
7.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2002 |
|
|
9.25 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2003 |
|
|
6.10 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 |
|
|
8.05 |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
6.15 |
|
|
|
3.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
8.05 |
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
|
5.55 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
|
3.20 |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
3.15 |
|
|
|
2.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
|
2.38 |
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
|
2.74 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 68 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
For the month ending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2005 |
|
|
1.87 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 31, 2005 |
|
|
2.10 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2005 |
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 31, 2005 |
|
|
2.74 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 31, 2005 |
|
|
2.31 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
1.97 |
|
On November 30, 2005 the closing price of the common shares as reported on the TSX was $2.43
and on Nasdaq was US $1.50.
See Item 6.E. with respect to Share Ownership for information regarding outstanding stock
options to purchase 401,950 common shares.
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable
C. Markets
See above Item 9.A.4. Price History for disclosure on Markets.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable
E. Dilution
Not applicable
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable
Item 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Not applicable
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
Envoys memorandum and articles of association were previously filed with our registration
statement on Form 20-F dated April 20, 2000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.
C. Material Contracts
None
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 69 -
D Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
There is no governmental law, decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or
import of capital, or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a
non-resident holder of common shares of Envoy, other than withholding tax requirement. See Item
10.E. Taxation.
There is no limitation imposed by the laws of Canada, the laws of Ontario or British Columbia
or by the charter or other constituent documents of Envoy on the right of a non-resident to hold or
vote common shares of Envoy, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (Canada) (the
Investment Act). The following discussion summarizes the material provisions of the Investment
Act which relate to the acquisition by a non-resident of common shares of Envoy. This summary is
not a substitute for independent advice from an investors own advisor, and it does not take into
account any future statutory or regulatory amendments.
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an
individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is
not a Canadian as defined in the Investment Act (a non-Canadian), unless after review the
minister responsible for the Investment Act (the Minister) is satisfied that the investment is
likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in common shares of Envoy by a non-Canadian,
other than a WTO investor (as defined in the Investment Act) at any time Envoy is not controlled by
a WTO investor, is reviewable under the Investment Act if the investment is to acquire control of
Envoy and the value of the assets of Envoy is over $5,000,000 for a direct acquisition and over
$50,000,000. for an indirect acquisition or if an order for review is made by the Federal Cabinet
on the grounds that the investment relates to Canadas cultural heritage or national identity. An
investment in common shares of Envoy by a WTO investor, or by a non-Canadian at any time Envoy is
controlled by a WTO investor, is reviewable under the Investment Act if the investment is to
acquire control of Envoy and the value of the assets of Envoy is not less than. $150,000,000 in
terms of constant 1992 dollars, which for 2005 is $177,000,000. A non-Canadian would acquire
control of Envoy for the purposes of the Investment Act if such investor acquired a majority of the
common shares of Envoy unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, Envoy was not
controlled in fact by the acquiror through the ownership of common shares.
Certain transactions relating to common shares of Envoy would be exempt from the Investment
Act including:
|
(a) |
|
an acquisition of common shares of Envoy by a person in the ordinary course of
that persons business as a trader or dealer in securities, |
|
|
(b) |
|
an acquisition of control of Envoy in connection with the realization of security
granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the
provision of the Investment Act, |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 70 -
|
(c) |
|
an acquisition of control of Envoy by reason of an amalgamation, merger,
consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or
indirect control in fact of Envoy through the ownership of common shares, remained
unchanged, |
|
|
(d) |
|
an acquisition of voting interests by any person in the ordinary course of a
business carried on by that person that consists of providing, in Canada, venture
capital on terms and conditions not inconsistent with such terms and conditions as may
be fixed by the Minister, and |
|
|
(e) |
|
an acquisition of control of a Canadian business for the purpose of facilitating
its financing and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act on
the condition that the acquirer divest itself of control within two years after it is
acquired or within such longer period as is approved by the Minister. |
E. Taxation
Certain Canadian Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is intended to be a general summary of certain material Canadian
federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of common shares described below and is not
intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular person, and
no opinion or representation with respect to income tax considerations is hereby given or made. It
does not take into account any particular partys individual circumstances and does not address
consequences peculiar to any party subject to special provisions of Canadian income tax law. Each
person should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment
in the common shares in their own particular circumstances.
The following summary is based upon the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the
ITA), and the regulations thereunder and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980) as
amended (the Convention), all proposed amendments to the ITA and the regulations thereunder and
the Convention publicly announced by the Department of Finance, Canada prior to the date hereof,
and the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Customs and
Revenue Agency. Except for the foregoing, this summary does not take into account or anticipate
any changes in the law or the Convention or the administrative policies or assessing practices of
the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action or
decision, and does not take into account or anticipate provincial, territorial or foreign tax
legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly from the Canadian federal income tax
considerations described herein.
The summary discusses the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the ITA
and the regulations thereunder generally applicable to purchasers of common shares who at all
times: (i) for purposes of the ITA,
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 71 -
are not, have not been and will not be or be deemed to be resident in Canada while they held
or hold common shares, deal at arms length with Envoy, are not affiliated with Envoy, hold their
common shares as capital property, do not use or hold, and will not and will not be deemed to use
or hold their common shares in, or in the course of carrying on a business in Canada, and are not
financial institutions for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules, and (ii) for purposes of the
Convention, are residents of the U.S. and not residents of Canada and will not hold their common
shares as part of the business property of, or so that their common shares are effectively
connected with, a permanent establishment in Canada or in connection with a fixed base in Canada (a
U.S. Holder).
Amounts in respect of common shares paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited as, on
account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends to a U.S. Holder will generally
be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax. Such withholding tax is levied at a rate of
25%, which may be reduced pursuant to the terms of the Convention. Under the Convention, the rate
of Canadian non-resident withholding tax on the gross amount of dividends beneficially owned by a
U.S. Holder is 15%. However, where such beneficial owner is a company which owns at least 10% of
the voting stock of Envoy, the rate of such withholding is 5%.
A U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the ITA in respect of any disposition of common
shares (other than a disposition to Envoy) unless at the time of such disposition such common
shares constitute taxable Canadian property of the holder for purposes of the ITA. If the common
shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange, for the purposes of the ITA, such as the TSX, at
the time they are disposed of, they will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of
the U.S. Holder at the time of a disposition of such shares unless at any time during the 60-month
period immediately preceding the disposition of the common shares, 25% or more of the issued shares
of any class or series of Envoy, or an interest therein or an option in respect thereof, was owned
by the U.S. Holder, by persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arms length or by the
U.S. Holder and persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arms length. The common shares
may also be taxable Canadian property in certain other circumstances. Under the Convention, gains
derived by a U.S. Holder from the disposition of common shares will generally not be taxable in
Canada unless the value of the common shares is derived principally from real property situated in
Canada. If the common shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange for the purposes of the
ITA at the time they are disposed of by a U.S. Holder, the U.S. Holder will generally not be
required to comply with the provisions of section 116 of the ITA, which requires notification to be
given to the Canada Revenue Agency when certain property is disposed of.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 72 -
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general discussion of certain material anticipated United States federal
income tax considerations relevant to U.S. Holders, defined below, of Envoys common shares who
hold such shares as capital assets (as defined in Section 1221 of the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)). This discussion is intended to be a general
description of the United States federal income tax considerations material to a purchase,
ownership and disposition of common shares. Readers are cautioned that this discussion does not
address all relevant tax consequences relating to an investment in the common shares, nor does it
take into account tax consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of United
States federal income tax law, such as financial institutions, persons actually or constructively
owning 10% or more of the voting power of Envoys stock entitled to vote, persons that hold common
shares through a partnership or other pass through entity, or persons that hold common shares that
are a hedge against, or that are hedged against, currency risk or that are part of a straddle or
conversion transaction, or persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar.
Therefore, investors should consult a tax advisor regarding the particular consequences of
purchasing common shares.
Except as otherwise described, this discussion applies to investors that are (i) citizens or
individual residents of the United States, (ii) corporations (or other entities taxable as
corporations), that are created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State
of the United States or the District of Columbia, (iii) estates, the income of which is subject to
federal income taxation, regardless of its source or (iv) trusts, if a court within the United
States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or
more United States persons as described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code has the authority to
control all substantial decisions of such trust (a U.S. Holder).
U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX
CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF
ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
The United States tax treatment of a holder of common shares that is a partnership (or other
entity taxable as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) generally will
depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships
holding common shares should consult their tax advisors about the United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common shares.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 73 -
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to U.S. Holders owning shares of a
passive foreign investment company (a PFIC). A non-United States corporation generally will be
classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which,
after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries,
either at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, or on average at least 50% of the
gross value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the
production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other
things, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive
assets. Envoy believes that it was a PFIC for the taxable year ended September 30, 2005, and
depending on its income, assets and activities, it may be a PFIC in the current taxable year and in
subsequent taxable years.
If Envoy is classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds common
shares, Envoy will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such holder in all succeeding
years, regardless of whether Envoy continues to meet the income or asset test described above.
However, under recently issued Treasury Regulations, such U.S. Holder will not be treated as
holding stock in a PFIC, if in a subsequent taxable year in which Envoy is not a PFIC, such holder
elects to recognize any unrealized gain in such common shares as of the last day of the last
taxable year during which Envoy qualified as a PFIC (a deemed sale election). Any gain so
recognized will be subject to the adverse ordinary income and any special interest charge
consequences described below. Any loss realized on the deemed sale is not recognized.
If a U.S. Holder holds common shares of Envoy in any year in which it is classified as a PFIC,
unless a U.S. Holder has a valid qualified electing fund (QEF) election or a mark-to-market
election, described below, in effect with respect to the common shares, the following income tax
consequences will result to the U.S. Holder:
|
1. |
|
Distributions with respect to Envoys common shares made by Envoy during the taxable
year to a U.S. Holder that are excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day
of the U.S. Holders holding period. The amounts allocated to the current taxable year and
to taxable years prior to the first year in which Envoy was classified as a PFIC are
included as ordinary income in a U.S. Holders gross income for that year. The amount
allocated to each other prior taxable year is taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax
rate in effect for the U.S. Holder in that prior year and the tax is subject to an interest
charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies in income taxes (the special interest
charge). |
|
|
2. |
|
The entire amount of any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of Envoys
common shares will be treated as an excess distribution made in the year of sale or other
disposition and as a consequence will be treated as ordinary income and, to the extent
allocated to years prior to the year of sale or disposition, will be subject to the interest charge described above. |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 74 -
QEF Election
A U.S. Holder that owns common shares may elect to have Envoy treated as a QEF, provided that
Envoy provides such person with certain information. A QEF election must be made by a U.S. Holder
before the due date (with regard to extensions) for such persons tax return for the taxable year
for which the election is made and once made, is effective for all subsequent taxable years of such
U.S. Holder unless revoked with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder that has a QEF election in
effect with respect to all years that such holder holds Envoys stock and Envoy is a PFIC is
referred to herein as an Electing U.S. Holder. Envoy [has made/intends to make] available to
U.S. Holders, in accordance with applicable procedures, the annual information statement currently
required by the IRS, which will include information as to the allocation of Envoys ordinary
earnings and net capital gain among the common shares and as to distributions on such common
shares. Such statement may be used by Electing U.S. holders for purposes of complying with the
reporting requirements applicable to the QEF election.
An Electing U.S. Holders gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of such common shares
generally will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term if
such Electing U.S. Holder had held the common shares for more than one year at the time of the
disposition. For non-corporate U.S. Holders, long-term capital gain is generally subject to a
maximum federal income tax rate of 15% for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008
(and a higher rate thereafter).
A U.S. Holder holding common shares with respect to which a QEF election is not in effect for
any taxable year in which Envoy is a PFIC may avoid the adverse ordinary income and special
interest charge consequences (described above) upon any subsequent disposition of such common
shares if such person elects to recognize any unrealized gain in such common shares as of the first
day in the first year that the QEF election applies to such common shares (a deemed sale
election). Any gain so recognized, however, will be subject to the adverse ordinary income and
special interest charge consequences described above.
In any year that Envoy is treated as a PFIC, an Electing U.S. Holder will be required to
include currently in gross income such U.S. Holders pro rata share of Envoys annual ordinary
earnings and annual net capital gains. Such inclusion will be required whether or not such U.S.
Holder owns common shares for an entire year or at the end of Envoys taxable year. The amount so
includable will be determined without regard to the amount of cash
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 75 -
distributions, if any, received from Envoy. Electing U.S. Holders will be required to pay tax
currently on such imputed income, unless, as described below, an election is made to defer such
payment. The amount currently included in income will be treated as ordinary income to the extent
of the Electing U.S. Holders allocable share of Envoys ordinary earnings and generally will be
treated as long-term capital gain to the extent of such U.S. Holders allocable share of Envoys
net capital gains. Such net capital gains ordinarily would be subject to a maximum 15% United
States federal income tax rate for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008 (and a
higher rate thereafter) in the case of non-corporate U.S. Holders, unless Envoy elects to treat the
entire amount of its net capital gain as ordinary income. No portion of such ordinary earnings
will be eligible for the favorable 15% United States federal income tax rate applicable to
so-called qualified dividend income.
If an Electing U.S. Holder demonstrates to the satisfaction of the IRS that amounts actually
distributed to him have been previously included in income as described above by such U.S. Holder
or a previous U.S. Holder, such distributions generally will not be taxable. An Electing U.S.
Holders tax basis in his common shares will be increased by any amounts currently included in
income under the QEF rules and will be decreased by any subsequent distributions from Envoy that
are treated as non-taxable distributions of previously-included income (as described in the
preceding sentence). For purposes of determining the amounts includable in income by Electing U.S.
Holders, the tax bases of Envoys assets, and Envoys ordinary earnings and net capital gains, will
be computed on the basis of United States federal income tax principles. Accordingly, it is
anticipated that such tax bases and such ordinary earnings and net capital gains may differ from
the figures set forth in Envoys financial statements.
An Electing U.S. Holder who sells his common shares prior to the end of Envoys taxable year
will be required to include in income, as of the last day of Envoys taxable year, a portion of
Envoys ordinary earnings and net capital gains attributable on a pro rata basis to the period
during which such common shares were held during such taxable year. However, the amount of such
U.S. Holders taxable gain on the sale should be reduced, or the amount of his taxable loss
increased, by the amount of such income inclusion. If an Electing U.S. Holder sells his common
shares in a taxable year of such U.S. Holder ending during Envoys then current taxable year, such
U.S. Holder may nevertheless have to include his proportionate share of Envoys ordinary earnings
and net capital gains in gross income for his taxable year which includes the last day of Envoys
above referred taxable year. While the matter is unclear, such U.S. Holder should be able to claim
a loss in his subsequent taxable year equal to the amount by which such holders tax basis in the
common shares would have increased to reflect the imputed income under the QEF rules.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 76 -
An Electing U.S. Holder may elect to defer, until the occurrence of certain events, payment of
the United States federal income tax attributable to amounts includable in income for which no
current distributions are received, but will be required to pay interest on the deferred tax
computed by using the statutory rate of interest applicable to an extension of time for payment of
tax.
Under temporary Treasury Regulations, an individual is required to include in income his
proportionate share of the investment expenses of certain pass-through entities. It is not clear
under such Treasury Regulations whether a PFIC for which a QEF election is in effect may be treated
as a pass-through entity. If these provisions were to apply to Envoy, each individual Electing
U.S. Holder would be required to include in income an amount equal to a portion of Envoys
investment expenses and would be permitted an offsetting deduction (if otherwise allowable under
the Code) to the extent that the amount of such expenses included in income, plus certain other
miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. Holder, exceed 2% of such U.S. Holders adjusted
gross income.
Generally, a QEF election that is made with respect to Envoy will remain in effect throughout
an Electing U.S. Holders holding period for Envoys shares, even if Envoy does not qualify as a
PFIC in every taxable year following the taxable year in which the election is made.
In any year in which Envoy is not treated as a PFIC, an Electing U.S. Holder will have the tax
consequences described below, under the heading, Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares if
Envoy is Not a PFIC.
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the United States federal
income tax consequences of holding and disposing of stock of a PFIC.
Market-to-Market Election
A U.S. Holder generally may make a mark-to-market election with respect to shares of
marketable stock of a PFIC. Under the Code and Treasury Regulations, the term marketable stock
includes stock of a PFIC that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market.
Because Envoys common shares are traded on a qualified exchange or other market, a
market-to-market election will be available with respect to the common shares.
As a result of a mark-to-market election, a U.S. Holder will generally be required to report
gain annually in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares at the
end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of the common shares at that time and will
generally be required to report loss annually in an amount equal to the excess of the
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 77 -
adjusted tax basis of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over the fair market
value of the common shares at that time, but only to the extent of any prior net market-to market
gains. Any gain under this computation and any gain on an actual sale or other disposition of the
common shares will be treated as ordinary income. Any loss under this computation will be treated
as ordinary loss. Any loss on an actual sale or other disposition will be treated as an ordinary
loss to the extent of the prior net mark-to-market gain and thereafter will be considered capital
loss. Thus, a U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election will be taxed on appreciation with
respect to the holders common shares even though such holder has no corresponding receipt of cash.
In addition, unlike the case of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder that has made a mark-to-market
election generally cannot obtain any favorably-taxed long-term capital gains with respect to the
common shares. The U.S. Holders tax basis in the common shares is adjusted for any gain or loss
taken into account under the mark-to-market election. Under Treasury Regulations, if a U.S. Holder
has made a QEF election and subsequently makes a mark-to-market election with respect to the same
stock, the mark-to-market election will automatically terminate the QEF election, and such U.S.
Holder may not make another QEF election with respect to the stock before the sixth taxable year
thereafter. Unless either (i) the mark-to-market election is made as of the first taxable year in
which Envoy is a PFIC during the U.S. Holders holding period for the common shares or (ii) a QEF
election has been in effect with respect to a holders common stock for all years in which Envoy
was a PFIC during such holders holding period, any mark-to-market gain for the election year
generally will be subject to the excess distribution rules applicable to dispositions described
above.
Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares if Envoy is Not a PFIC
U.S. Holders who do not hold common shares during any taxable year in which Envoy is
classified as a PFIC will not be subject to the rules described above, under the heading Passive
Foreign Investment Company Rules. Instead, such U.S. Holders will be required to include the
gross amount of any distribution on common shares (without reduction for Canadian tax withheld) in
their gross income as a taxable dividend, to the extent such distribution is paid out of Envoys
current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax
principles. U.S. Holders must include in income an amount equal to the United States dollar value
of such dividends on the date of receipt, based on the exchange rate on such date. Provided that
Envoy is not treated as a PFIC, described above, during any year in which a U.S. Holder holds
Envoys common shares in the case of a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including individuals, such
dividends generally will be eligible for a maximum rate of tax of 15% for dividends received before
January 1, 2009, provided certain conditions are satisfied. To the extent that dividend
distributions paid by Envoy exceed Envoys current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will
be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the shares,
and then as a gain from the sale or exchange of the shares.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 78 -
U.S. Holders will generally be entitled to a foreign tax credit, or deduction, for United
States federal income tax purposes, in an amount equal to the Canadian tax withheld from a
distribution on common shares. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2006,
dividends paid by Envoy generally will constitute foreign source passive income or financial
services income for foreign tax credit purposes, which could reduce the amount of foreign tax
credit that a U.S. Holder may claim. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, such
dividends generally will be treated as passive category income or general category income, for
United States foreign tax credit purposes. The Code applies various limitations on the amount of
foreign tax credit that may be claimed by a United States taxpayer. Because of the complexity of
those limitations, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the amount of
foreign taxes they may claim as a credit. Dividends paid by Envoy on the common shares will not
generally be eligible for the dividends received deductions.
A U.S. Holder that sells common shares will generally recognize a gain or loss in an amount
equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale and the U.S. Holders
adjusted tax basis in the shares. Unless Envoy is treated as a PFIC during any year in which the
U.S. Holder holds Envoys common shares (described above), any gain or loss recognized upon the
sale of shares held as capital assets will be a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss,
depending on whether the common shares have been held for more than one year. Such gain or loss
generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax
credit purposes.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to
certain payments to certain non-corporate holders of the common shares. Information reporting
generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or disposition of,
common shares by a payor within the United States to a U.S. Holder (if such person is other than an
exempt recipient, including a corporation, not a United States person that provides an appropriate
certification, or certain other persons).
A payor within the United States will be required to withhold tax (currently at a rate of 28%)
on any payments made to a common shareholder (if that common shareholder is other than an exempt
recipient) consisting of dividends on, or proceeds from the sale or disposition of, the common
shares, if the selling common shareholder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number
on United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish
an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. Moreover, a payor or middleman may
rely on a certification provided by a payee that is not a United States person only if such payor
or middleman does not have actual knowledge or a reason to know that
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 79 -
any information or certification stated in such certificate is incorrect. Investors will be
allowed a refund or a credit equal to any amounts withheld under the United States backup
withholding tax rules against their United States federal income tax liability, provided that they
furnish the required information to the United States Internal Revenue Service.
F. Dividend and Paying Agents
Not applicable
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable
H. Documents on Display
Any statement in this Annual Report about any of our contracts or other documents is not
necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report, the
contract or document is deemed to modify our description. You must review the exhibits themselves
for a complete description of the contract or document.
The Company is subject to the informational reporting requirement of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and files reports and other information with
the SEC. You may examine all reports and other information filed by Envoy with the SEC, including
the documents that are exhibits to this Annual Report, without charge, at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. For more
information on the public reference rooms, call the SEC at 1.800.SEC.0330. Envoys reports and
other information filed with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document
retrieval services and the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Except as described below, Envoy may have a material position or exposure with respect to any
market risk sensitive instruments (as defined in Item 11 in Form 20-F).
Market risk Market risk is the risk of loss of value in Envoys portfolios resulting from
changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates,
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 80 -
credit spreads, and equity prices. The Company mitigates this risk by employing a professional
investment manager and by ensuring that the portfolio is well diversified.
Foreign Currency Risk The Company is subject to currency risk through its activities in the
United States and the United Kingdom. Unfavourable changes in exchange rate may affect the
operating results of the Company. The Company does not actively use derivative instruments to
reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk. However, dependent on the nature, amount and timing
of foreign currency receipts and payments, the Company may enter into foreign currency contracts to
mitigate the associated risks. As at September 30, 2005 there were no foreign currency contracts
outstanding.
Item 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable
PART II
Item 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDENDS ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
A. There has been no material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking or purchase
fund installment or any other material default relating to the indebtedness of the Company or any
of its significant subsidiaries.
B. There is no preferred stock of Envoy or any of its significant subsidiaries and accordingly
there has been no material arrearage in the payment of dividends or any other material delinquency
not cured within 30 days, with respect to any class of preferred stock of Envoy or any of its
significant subsidiaries.
Item 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
A. There have been no material modifications in the constituent instruments defining any
class of registered securities of Envoy.
B. There has been no material limitation or qualification of the rights evidenced by any
class of registered securities of Envoy by the issuance or modification of any other class of
securities of Envoy.
C. There has been no material withdrawal or substitution of assets securing any class of
registered securities of Envoy.
D. Not applicable
E. Not applicable
Item 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the
information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 81 -
in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. After evaluating the effectiveness of the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a 15(e) and
15d-15(e)) as of September 30, 2005, the our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
have concluded that as of such date, the Companys disclosure controls and procedure were adequate
and effective.
There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could
significantly affect these disclosure controls and procedures during the 2005 fiscal year,
including any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses of internal controls that would
require corrective action.
Item 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Companys Board of Directors has determined that David Parkes, an independent director of the
Company, is an audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee has determined that all three
members of the Audit Committee are Financially Literate. Financially Literate means that a member
has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and
level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and
complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Companys financial
statements. David Parkes was determined to be Financially Literate based on his experience as the
President and CEO of a number of telecommunications companies where he was responsible for
supervising the preparation of financial statements of a similar breadth and complexity to the
Companys financial statements, where he was responsible for making judgments and decisions related
to accounting matters on behalf of management and where he was accountable for internal controls
and financial reporting procedures. Hugh Aird was determined to be Financially Literate based on
his experience as an investment banker where he analyzed and evaluated financial statements of a
similar breadth and complexity to the Companys financial statements and based on his experience as
a director and senior officer of other companies where he has been responsible for overseeing
management and the preparation of financial statements in his capacity as a director and senior
officer. David Hull was determined to be Financially Literate based on his experience as the
President of an insurance agency where he has been responsible for supervising the preparation of
financial statements and where he has been responsible for making judgments and decisions related
to accounting matters on behalf of management and where he was accountable for internal controls
and financial reporting procedures. The particulars of each members experience can be found in the
biographies under Item 6A.
Item 16B. CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct (the Code). All of the Companys employees,
directors and officers must follow the Code, which provides
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 82 -
guidelines for ethical behaviour. A copy of the Code is available in the Governance section of
the Companys website at www.Envoy.to, and is attached as Exhibit 11.1 to this Form 20-F.
The Code sets out in detail the principles and general business tenets and ethics and
compliance policies applicable to the Companys business and activities. The Code addresses topics
such as: honest and ethical conduct and conflicts of interest; compliance with applicable laws and
Company policies and procedures; business integrity and fair dealing; public disclosure; use of
corporate property and opportunities; confidentiality; compliance with insider trading and other
legal requirements; and records and document retention.
The Board expects all employees at all levels of the companies within its group, as well as
officers, directors, customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors and partners, to read, understand
and comply with the Code. If any employee is uncertain about a situation, the employee is expected
to refer the matter to a supervisor or Human Resources representative. All employees are also
expected to report in good faith any violations or potential violations of the Code and to
co-operate in internal investigations about a reported violation. Supervisors are expected to
answer employee questions about the Code or direct them to the right source of information; provide
timely advice and guidance to employees on ethics and compliance concerns; handle all employee
reports promptly and confidentially; encourage employees to ask questions and get advice before
they act; and report in good faith any violations of the Code or situations that could result in
violations to the Companys Chief Legal Officer. In addition to employees and supervisors
responsibilities detailed above, senior management has the responsibility to continuously promote
ethical business conduct, in line with the Companys values and general business principles.
No material change report has been filed since October 1, 2004 that pertains to any conduct of
a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the Code.
In addition to the Code, the Company has also developed procedures for the receipt, retention
and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls, auditing matters or evidence
of an activity that may constitute corporate fraud or violation of applicable law and for the
confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. The complete Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters is
available in the Governance section of the Companys website at www.Envoy.to, and is attached as
Exhibit 11.2 to this Form 20-F.
Directors and officers of the Company are required under the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) to disclose any material interest in any material contract or transaction with the
Company and refrain from voting with respect thereof, subject to certain exceptions.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 83 -
Item 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
(a) |
|
AUDIT FEES were $355 in 2005 and $598 in 2004. These fees include year end audit
work, consents, reviews and assistance with regulatory filings. |
|
(b) |
|
AUDIT RELATED FEES were $64 in 2005, and $43 in 2004. These fees include
assistance with due diligence and accounting research. |
|
(c) |
|
TAX FEES were $108 in 2005, and $71 in 2004. These fees include tax compliance
services and tax advice. |
|
(d) |
|
All OTHER FEES were $nil in 2005, and $nil in 2004. |
|
(e) |
|
In accordance with the Companys Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee
ensures the independent auditor submits a formal written statement delineating all
relationships between the independent auditor and the Company and pre-approves all audit
fees and non-audit services to be provided to the Company or any subsidiary by the
independent auditor. All services provided to the Company after the adoption of the
Audit Committee Charter were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. |
Item 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not Applicable
Item 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Pursuant to the terms of a normal course issuer bid which began on August 26, 2004 and ended
on August 25, 2005, the Company was authorized to repurchase and cancel up to 10% of the
public float of the shares. During fiscal 2005, under this normal course issuer bid, the
Company repurchased and cancelled 2,040,337 common shares for cash consideration of
$6,342,681. During fiscal 2004 the Company repurchased and cancelled 274,440 common shares
for cash consideration of $816,549 under this normal course issuer bid.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 84 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
(a) Total Number |
|
|
(b) Average |
|
|
(c)Total |
|
|
(d) Maximum |
|
|
|
of Shares (Or |
|
|
Price Paid |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number (or |
|
|
|
Units) Purchased |
|
|
per Share |
|
|
Shares (or |
|
|
Approximate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(or Units) |
|
|
Units) |
|
|
Dollar Value) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased as |
|
|
of Shares (or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Part of |
|
|
Units) that |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Publicly |
|
|
May Yet Be |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announced |
|
|
Purchased |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plans or |
|
|
Under the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programs |
|
|
Plans or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programs |
|
August 26, to
August 31, 2004 |
|
|
37,740 |
|
|
$ |
3.14 |
|
|
|
37,740 |
|
|
|
2,297,336 |
|
September 1, to
September 30, 2004 |
|
|
236,700 |
|
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
|
236,700 |
|
|
|
2,060,636 |
|
October 1, to
October 31, 2004 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.68 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
1,910,636 |
|
November 1, to
November 30, 2004 |
|
|
337,256 |
|
|
$ |
3.13 |
|
|
|
337,256 |
|
|
|
1,573,380 |
|
December 1, to
December 31, 2004 |
|
|
266,480 |
|
|
$ |
3.13 |
|
|
|
266,480 |
|
|
|
1,306,900 |
|
January 1, to
January 2005 |
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.56 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
1,151,900 |
|
February 1, to
February 28, 2005 |
|
|
322,100 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
|
322,100 |
|
|
|
829,800 |
|
March 1, to March
31, 2005 |
|
|
237,400 |
|
|
$ |
2.96 |
|
|
|
237,400 |
|
|
|
592,400 |
|
April 1, to April
30, 2005 |
|
|
265,500 |
|
|
$ |
2.79 |
|
|
|
265,500 |
|
|
|
326,900 |
|
May 1, to May 31,
2005 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.73 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
316,900 |
|
June 1, to June 30,
2005 |
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
nil |
|
|
|
|
|
July 1 to July 31,
2005 |
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
$ |
2.57 |
|
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
|
234,400 |
|
August 1, to August
31, 2005 |
|
|
214,100 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
|
214,000 |
|
|
|
20,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,314,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 85 -
Pursuant to the terms of a normal course issuer bid which began on August 26, 2005 and will
end on August 25, 2006, the Company is authorized to repurchase and cancel up to 10% of the
public float of the shares. Under this normal course issuer bid, up to September 30, 2005,
the Company had repurchased and cancelled 407,080 common shares for cash consideration of
$1,100,229.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
(a) Total |
|
(b) Average |
|
(c)Total |
|
(d) Maximum |
|
|
Number of |
|
Price Paid per |
|
Number of |
|
Number (or |
|
|
Shares (Or |
|
Share (or |
|
Shares (or |
|
Approximate |
|
|
Units) |
|
Units) |
|
Units) |
|
Dollar Value) |
|
|
Purchased |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased as |
|
of Shares (or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Part of |
|
Units) that |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Publicly |
|
May Yet Be |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announced |
|
Purchased |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plans or |
|
Under the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programs |
|
Plans or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programs |
August 26, to
August 31, 2005 |
|
|
6,700 |
|
|
|
2.67 |
|
|
|
6,700 |
|
|
|
2,007,002 |
|
September 1, to
September 30, 2005 |
|
|
400,380 |
|
|
|
2.71 |
|
|
|
400,380 |
|
|
|
1,606,622 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
407,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
407,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 86 -
PART III
Item 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
Envoy Communications Group Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Auditors Report on the financial statements for the year
ended September 30, 2005
|
|
F-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments by Auditor for U.S. Readers On Canada-U.S.
Reporting Difference |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auditors Report on the financial statements for the year
ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at September 30, 2005 and
2004
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
September 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings (Deficit)
for the years ended September 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
September 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
F-6 |
Item 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Envoy has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 17.
Item 19. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
1.1 **
|
|
Articles of Incorporation and By-Law No. 1 (as amended on May
2, 2000) of Envoy Communications Group Inc., as currently in
effect. |
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
List of Significant Subsidiaries (contained in Item 4C hereof) |
|
|
|
11.1
|
|
Code of Business Conduct |
|
|
|
11.2
|
|
Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters |
|
|
|
11.3
|
|
Board Mandate |
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
12.2
|
|
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
13.1
|
|
Certifications of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
15.1
|
|
Audit Committee Charter |
|
|
|
15.2
|
|
Compensation Committee Charter |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- 87 -
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
15.3
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter |
|
|
|
17
|
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
|
** |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on May 15,
2000 (Commission File No. 000-30082 |