As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2018

 

Registration No. 333-223755

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York   13-3641539
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. employer
identification no.)

 

P.O. Box 1541

One Blue Hill Plaza

Pearl River, NY 10965

Telephone: (845) 735-6000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Kevin J. Zugibe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Hudson Technologies, Inc.

P.O. Box 1541

One Blue Hill Plaza

Pearl River, NY 10965

Telephone: (845) 735-6000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Michael Grundei, Esq.

Wiggin and Dana LLP

Two Stamford Plaza

281 Tresser Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06901

Telephone: (203) 363-7600

Facsimile: (203) 363-7676

 

 

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:   ¨

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:   x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company  ¨
      Emerging growth company  ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.   ¨

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

$50,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

Units

 

 

500,000 Shares of Common Stock
Offered by the Selling Shareholders

 

From time to time, we may offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants or debt securities and/or any combination of securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The aggregate public offering price of the securities offered by us under this prospectus, sometimes referred to as the “shelf securities,” will not exceed $50,000,000.

 

In addition, the selling shareholders set forth in this prospectus under the heading “Selling Shareholders” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus may, from time to time, use this prospectus to sell in one or more offerings an aggregate of up to 500,000 shares of our common stock, sometimes referred to as “resale shares,” in the amounts and at the times determined solely by the selling shareholders.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we and the selling shareholders may offer in one or more offerings. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus.

 

You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and/or the applicable prospectus supplement, before you make your investment decision.

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “HDSN.” On April 26, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $4.33 per share.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

This prospectus may not be used by us to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

The securities offered by this prospectus may be sold directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through one or more underwriters or dealers or in other manners as set forth under the heading “Plan of Distribution.” Each time we offer shelf securities in a primary offering, or any selling shareholder offers resale shares in a manner other than as set forth in the Plan of Distribution, a supplement to this prospectus applicable to such offering will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution for such offering and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from any such primary offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the resale shares covered by this prospectus. We are bearing all of the expenses in connection with this registration statement, but all selling and other expenses incurred by the selling shareholders, including commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sale or disposition of the resale shares, will be borne by them.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is April 27, 2018.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
   
ABOUT HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1
   
RISK FACTORS 2
   
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 3
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 3
   
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS 4
   
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 5
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 10
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 16
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 16
   
LEGAL MATTERS 18
   
EXPERTS 18
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 19
   
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 19

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. You should rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or documents to which we otherwise refer you. We and the selling shareholders have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We and the selling shareholders are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted, and this document may only be used where it is legal to sell the securities described herein. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document in which such information is contained or such other date referred to in such document, regardless of the time of any sale or issuance of the securities.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, to register an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants and debt securities as may from time to time be offered for sale by us, either individually or in units, at indeterminate prices (up to an aggregate maximum offering price for all such securities of $50,000,000), and up to 500,000 shares of common stock by the selling shareholders, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we and the selling shareholders may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings the securities described in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus provides you with some of the general terms that may apply to an offering of our securities. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that specific offering, including the number and price per security (or exercise price) of the securities to be offered and sold in that offering and the specific manner in which such securities may be offered. We may also provide a prospectus supplement to the extent any selling shareholder offers resale shares in a manner other than as set forth in the Plan of Distribution in order to provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution for such offering. A prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus. If there is an inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

 

You should read carefully both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the additional information incorporated by reference herein as described under the heading “Information Incorporated by Reference,” before making an investment decision.

 

The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC web site (www.sec.gov) or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

ABOUT HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

We are a refrigerant services company providing innovative solutions to recurring problems within the refrigeration industry. Our products and services are primarily used in commercial air conditioning, industrial processing and refrigeration systems, including (i) refrigerant and industrial gas sales, (ii) refrigerant management services consisting primarily of reclamation of refrigerants and (iii) RefrigerantSide® Services performed at a customer's site, consisting of system decontamination to remove moisture, oils and other contaminants. In addition, RefrigerantSide® Services include predictive and diagnostic services for industrial and commercial refrigeration applications designed to predict potential catastrophic problems and identify inefficiencies in an operating system. Our Chiller Chemistry®, Chill Smart®, Fluid Chemistry, and Performance Optimization are predictive and diagnostic service offerings. As a component of our products and services, we also participate in the generation of carbon offset projects. In October 2017, we substantially expanded our business by purchasing all of the outstanding stock of Airgas-Refrigerants, Inc. We operate principally through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hudson Technologies Company and Aspen Refrigerants, Inc. (formerly Airgas-Refrigerants, Inc.). Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the "Company", "Hudson", "we", "us", "our", or similar pronouns refer to Hudson Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. Our executive offices are located at One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River, New York and our telephone number is (845) 735-6000.

 

1

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Any investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risk factors described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, including the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be revised or supplemented prior to the completion of this offering by more recently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, each of which is or upon filing will be incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, and those identified in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as other information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein before purchasing any of our securities. Each of these risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition. The additional risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.

 

Our existing and future debt obligations could impair our liquidity and financial condition.

 

Our existing revolving credit facility, which currently expires in October 2022, is secured by substantially all of our assets and contains formulas that limit the amount of our borrowings under the facility. Moreover, the terms of our revolving credit facility and our existing separate term loan facility also include negative covenants that, among other things, may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we violate any loan covenants and do not obtain waivers from our lenders, our indebtedness under both the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility would become immediately due and payable, and the lenders could foreclose on their security, which could materially adversely affect our business and future financial condition and could require us to curtail or otherwise cease our existing operations.

 

We may need additional financing to satisfy our future capital requirements, which may not be readily available to us.

 

Our capital requirements may be significant in the future. In the future, we may incur additional expenses in the development and implementation of our operations. Due to fluctuations in the price, demand and availability of new refrigerants, our existing revolving credit facility that expires in October 2022 may not in the future be sufficient to provide all of the capital that we need to acquire and manage our inventories of new refrigerant. As a result, we may be required to seek additional equity or debt financing in order to develop our RefrigerantSide® Services business, our refrigerant sales business, and our other businesses. We have no current arrangements with respect to, or sources of, additional financing other than our existing revolving credit facility and a delayed draw commitment for certain permitted acquisitions under our term loan facility. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Our inability to obtain financing, if and when needed, could materially adversely affect our business and future financial condition and could require us to curtail or otherwise cease our existing operations.

 

We will have broad discretion over the use of the proceeds to us from any primary offering and may apply the proceeds to uses that do not improve our operating results or the value of your securities.

 

We will have broad discretion to use the net proceeds to us from a primary offering, if any, and investors will be relying solely on the judgment of our board of directors and management regarding the application of these proceeds. Although we expect to use the net proceeds from a primary offering for general corporate purposes, including without limitation additions to our working capital, capital expenditures and potential acquisitions of, or investments in, companies and technologies that complement our businesses, or potentially for the repayment of indebtedness, we have not allocated these net proceeds for specific purposes. Investors will not have the opportunity, as part of their investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. Our use of any such proceeds may not improve our operating results or increase the value of the securities being offered hereby.

 

2

 

 

Future sales of shares of our common stock may cause the prevailing market price of our shares to decrease and could harm our ability to raise additional capital.

 

We have previously issued a substantial number of shares of common stock, which are eligible for resale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, or Securities Act, and may become freely tradable. We have also registered shares that are issuable upon the exercise of options. If holders of options choose to exercise their purchase rights and sell shares of common stock in the public market, or if holders of currently restricted common stock choose to sell such shares of common stock in the public market under Rule 144 or otherwise, or attempt to publicly sell such shares all at once or in a short time period, the prevailing market price for our common stock may decline. The sale of shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of our securities could also dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders. The market price of our common stock could drop due to sales of a large number of shares or the perception that such sales could occur. These factors also could make it more difficult to raise funds through future offerings of our securities.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our future financial position, performance and achievements, business strategy, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “future” and “intend” or the negative of these terms or other comparable expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties referred to under the caption “Risk Factors” above and elsewhere in this prospectus, including those described in documents incorporated by reference herein, and those described in any applicable prospectus supplement. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our view only as of the date they are made.

 

Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of shelf securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, including without limitation additions to our working capital, capital expenditures and, although we have no present understandings, commitments or agreements to do so, potential acquisitions of, or investments in, companies and technologies that complement our businesses. The prospectus supplement with respect to an offering of the shelf securities may identify different or additional uses for the proceeds of that offering. Pending any such uses, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds.

 

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of resale shares offered by the selling shareholders.

 

3

 

 

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

The resale shares offered under this prospectus may be sold from time to time for the account of the selling shareholders named in the following table. The table also contains information, to our knowledge, regarding each selling shareholder’s beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of April 18, 2018, and as adjusted to give effect to the assumed sale of all of the resale shares registered hereby. As of April 18, 2018, we had 42,403,140 shares of common stock outstanding. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by such person within 60 days from April 18, 2018. Accordingly, each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options that are held by such person (but not held by any other person) and which are exercisable within 60 days from April 18, 2018 have been exercised. Except as otherwise indicated, each person shown in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock listed next to his name. The address for each selling shareholder, unless otherwise noted, is c/o Hudson Technologies, Inc. at P.O. Box 1541, One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River, New York 10965.

 

    Beneficial Ownership of
Shares of Common Stock
          Shares Beneficially Owned
Assuming Sale of Shares
Registered
 
Name of Shareholder   Number of
Shares
    Percentage     Number of
Shares Registered
for Resale
    Number of
Shares
    Percentage  
Kevin J. Zugibe     4,697,287 (1)     10.8 %     250,000       4,447,287       10.2 %
Brian F. Coleman     1,084,837 (2)     2.5 %     100,000       984,837       2.3 %
Stephen P. Mandracchia     1,646,299 (3)     3.9 %     150,000       1,496,299       3.5 %
      7,428,423       16.7 %     500,000       6,928,423       15.6 %

 

(1) Includes (i) 78,000 shares which may be purchased at $1.26 per share; (ii) 23,980 shares which may be purchased at $4.17 per share; (iii) 526,020 shares which may be purchased at $3.79 per share; and (iv) 484,364 shares which may be purchased at $5.70 per share under immediately exercisable options. Mr. Zugibe is a Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson.

 

(2) Includes (i) 75,000 shares which may be purchased at $1.26 per share; (ii) 200,000 shares which may be purchased at $3.79 per share; and (iii) 314,818 shares which may be purchased at $5.70 per share under immediately exercisable options. Mr. Coleman is a Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hudson.

 

(3) Includes (i) 833,681 shares held of record in the name of Mr. Mandracchia’s wife, Theresa Mandracchia, over which Mr. Mandracchia has sole voting power and shared dispositive power, and 19,800 shares of record in the name of Mr. Mandracchia’s children; and (ii) the following shares which may be purchased by Mr. Mandracchia upon the exercise of options previously granted to him: (a) 58,000 shares which may be purchased at $1.26 per share; (b) 23,980 shares which may be purchased at $4.17 per share; (c) 126,020 shares which may be purchased at $3.79 per share; and (d) 141,818 shares which may be purchased at $5.70 per share under immediately exercisable options. Mr. Mandracchia is Vice President Legal and Regulatory, and Secretary, of Hudson.

 

4

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated by-laws and to the applicable provisions of New York law.

 

Common Stock

 

As of the date of this prospectus, Hudson is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock. As of April 18, 2018, there were 42,403,140 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors then up for election. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Hudson, the holders of common stock are entitled to share in all assets remaining which are available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision has been made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Holders of shares of common stock have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption provisions applicable to the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “HDSN.”

 

Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.

 

Preferred Stock

 

As of the date of this prospectus, Hudson is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of April 18, 2018, there were 150,000 shares of preferred stock designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Hudson has no intent to issue any shares of its Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

This section describes the general terms of our preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to any preferred stock to be offered by us in greater detail, and may provide information that is different from this prospectus. If the information in the prospectus supplement with respect to the particular preferred stock being offered differs from this prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. A copy of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, has been incorporated by reference from our filings with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation will specify the terms of any preferred stock being offered, and will be filed or incorporated by reference from a report that we file with the SEC.

 

Under our certificate of incorporation, as amended, we have the authority to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The authorized preferred stock can be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors has the power, without shareholder approval, to issue shares of one or more series of preferred stock, at any time, for such consideration and with such relative rights, privileges, preferences and other terms as the board may determine, including terms relating to dividend rates, redemption rates, liquidation preferences and voting, sinking fund and conversion or other rights. The rights and terms relating to any new series of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock or could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of Hudson.

 

5

 

 

The following description of our preferred stock, and any description of our preferred stock in a prospectus supplement, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, New York law and the actual terms and provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended from time to time.

 

Terms

 

Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the amendment to our certificate of incorporation relating to that series.  We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, the form of any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock.  This description of the preferred stock in the amendment to our certificate of incorporation and any applicable prospectus supplement may include:

 

·the number of shares of preferred stock to be issued and the offering price of the preferred stock;

 

·the title and stated value of the preferred stock;

 

·dividend rights, including dividend rates, periods, or payment dates, or methods of calculation of dividends applicable to the preferred stock;

 

·whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative, and if cumulative the date from which distributions on the preferred stock shall accumulate;

 

·the right to convert the preferred stock into a different type of security;

 

·voting rights, if any, attributable to the preferred stock;

 

·rights and preferences upon our liquidation or winding up of our affairs;

 

·terms of redemption;

 

·preemption rights, if any;

 

·the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;

 

·the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;

 

·any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

 

·the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);

 

·a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock, if material;

 

·the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend or other distribution rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;

 

·any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being offered as to distribution rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up or our affairs; and

 

6

 

 

·any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.

 

Rank

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, shares of our preferred stock will rank, with respect to payment of distributions and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and allocation of our earnings and losses:

 

·senior to all classes or series of our common stock, and to all of our equity securities ranking junior to the preferred stock;

 

·on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that these equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock; and

 

·junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that these equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock.

 

Distributions

 

Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding stock or series of stock, our preferred shareholders are entitled to receive distributions, when and as authorized by our board of directors, out of legally available funds, and share pro rata based on the number of shares of preferred stock, common stock and other equity securities outstanding.

 

Voting Rights

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, or otherwise required under New York law, holders of our preferred stock will not have any voting rights.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

Upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in our distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each series of our preferred stock are entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities, out of our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable supplement to this prospectus), plus an amount, if applicable, equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative distribution). Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. In the event that, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the legally available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all of our outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all of our stock of other classes or series of equity security ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then the holders of our preferred stock and all other such classes or series of equity securities will share ratably in the distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

If the liquidating distributions are made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of equity security ranking junior to the preferred stock upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares of stock.

 

7

 

 

Conversion Rights

 

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any series of preferred stock are convertible into other securities will be set forth in the applicable supplement to this prospectus. These terms will include the amount and type of security into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or us, the events, if any, requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions, if any, affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of that preferred stock.

 

Redemption

 

If so provided in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, our preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such supplement to this prospectus.

 

Anti-Takeover Considerations and Special Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-laws

 

A number of provisions of both our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated by-laws concern matters of corporate governance and the rights of our shareholders. Our board of directors is divided into two classes. Each class is to have a term of two years, with the term of each class expiring in successive years, and is to consist, as nearly as possible, of one-half of the number of directors constituting the entire board. Under certain circumstances, at least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, may be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. The classification of our board into two separate classes could discourage, delay, or prevent a takeover of us thereby preserving control by the current shareholders. In addition, provisions that grant our board of directors the ability to issue shares of preferred stock and to set the voting rights, preferences and other terms thereof may discourage takeover attempts that are not first approved by our board of directors, including takeovers which may be considered by some shareholders to be in their best interests. Certain provisions could delay or impede the removal of incumbent directors or the assumption of control by shareholders, even if such removal or assumption would be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, even if they could be favorable to the interests of shareholders, and could potentially depress the market price of our common stock. Our board of directors believes that these provisions are appropriate to protect our interests and the interests of our shareholders.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

General

 

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement, which may include a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

 

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We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to warrants being offered including:

 

·the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

·if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

·if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

·in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

·the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

·any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

·the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

·the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

 

·federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants, if material;

 

·the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

·any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We intend to set forth in any warrant agreement and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

 

Upon receipt of the required payment and any warrant certificate or other form required for exercise properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant or warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant or warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior or convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below we expect will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, forms of debt securities and/or any indentures containing the terms of the debt securities being offered. Any debt securities which we offer by this prospectus will be exempt under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, we may not use an indenture (and, thus a trustee) or, if we use an indenture, it may not fully comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

The documentation governing the debt securities may provide for an agent to act for and on behalf of the holders of the debt securities. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, supplemental forms of debt securities and/or indentures containing the terms of the debt securities being offered.

 

The following summaries of material provisions of the debt securities we may issue are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the documentation applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplements.

 

General

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the debt securities being offered, including:

 

·the title;

 

·the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

 

·any limit on the amount that may be issued;

 

·whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms and who the depositary will be

 

·the maturity date;

 

·the terms of the conversion rights;

 

·the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

·whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

·the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

·the place where payments will be payable;

 

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·if payment of principal and interest on the debt securities may be paid in our securities rather than, or in addition to, cash and the terms of any such rights;

 

·restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

·our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

·the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

 

·the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

 

·whether the debt securities will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our subsidiaries to:

 

·incur additional indebtedness;

 

·issue additional securities;

 

·create liens;

 

·pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock and the capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 

·redeem capital stock;

 

·place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;

 

·make investments or other restricted payments;

 

·sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

 

·enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

 

·engage in transactions with shareholders and affiliates;

 

·issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or

 

·effect a consolidation or merger;

 

·whether the debt securities will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

 

·a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

 

·information describing any book-entry features;

 

·provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

 

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·the applicability of the provisions in the debt securities on discharge;

 

·the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

·the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; and

 

·any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

We do not currently expect our debt securities to contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets may be required to assume all of our obligations under the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or securities of other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all or substantially all of our assets may be required to make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

 

Events of Default Under the Debt Securities

 

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities or the debt agreement or indenture governing the debt securities, the following are events of default with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

·if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

 

·if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;

 

·if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the debt securities agent or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series;

 

·if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and

 

·any other event of default provided in or pursuant to the applicable agreement or indenture, if any, or prospectus supplement with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

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The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the form of debt security and/or agreement or indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to such holders with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

Subject to the terms of the debt securities, if an event of default thereunder shall occur and be continuing, the debt securities agent will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such debt securities at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debt securities agent reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debt securities agent, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debt securities agent, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

·the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable debt securities; and

 

·the debt securities agent need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

 

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the debt securities or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

 

·the holder has given written notice to the debt securities agent of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

·the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debt securities agent to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

 

·the debt securities agent does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

 

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

 

We may periodically file statements with the debt securities agent regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the documentation regarding such debt securities.

 

Modification; Waiver

 

We and the debt securities agent may change the form of debt security and/or indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

 

·to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the documentation governing the debt securities;

 

·to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”

 

·to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the documentation governing such debt securities;

 

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·to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided under “Description of Debt Securities — General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

 

·to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor debt securities agent;

 

·to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

 

·to add to our covenants new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default; or

 

·to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series.

 

In addition, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debt securities agent with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the debt securities agent may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

·extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

 

·reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities; or

 

·reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

 

Discharge

 

The documentation governing the debt securities may provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

 

·register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

·replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

 

·maintain paying agencies;

 

·hold monies for payment in trust;

 

·recover excess money held by the debt securities agent;

 

·indemnify the debt securities agent; and

 

·appoint any successor debt securities agent.

 

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In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debt securities agent money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Subject to the terms of the debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

 

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

 

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

·issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

·register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

 

Information Concerning the Debt Securities Agent

 

The debt securities agent, if any, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the debt securities, may undertake to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable documentation for such debt securities. Upon an event of default under the debt securities, the debt securities agent must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debt securities agent is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the debt securities at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

 

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We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

All money we pay to a paying agent or the debt securities agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

 

Governing Law

 

The debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more of the following: shares of common stock and/or preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, or any combination of such securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

·the terms of the units and of any of our common shares, preferred shares, warrants or debt securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

 

·a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

·a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and

 

·if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We and the selling shareholders may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time. Registration of our securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities will necessarily be offered or sold.

 

We and the selling shareholders may sell the securities:

 

  · to or through one or more underwriters or dealers;

 

  · directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, in private or open market transactions; or

 

  · through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

We and the selling shareholders may distribute securities:

 

  · from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

 

  · at market prices prevailing at the times of sale;

 

  · at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

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  · at negotiated prices.

 

The method of distribution of the securities will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The selling shareholders may also sell resale shares under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us, or from the selling shareholders, as the case may be, or purchasers (as their agents in connection with the sale of the securities). In addition, underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they act as agent. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act. As a result, discounts, commissions, or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. Each applicable prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent, and describe any compensation received by them from us. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. We and the selling shareholders may use underwriters with whom we and the selling shareholders have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of the relationship in an applicable prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of resale shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA.

 

We and the selling shareholders may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us or the selling shareholders at the public offering price set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we and the selling shareholders must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

 

We and the selling shareholders may enter into agreements that provide for indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or for contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents and to reimburse these persons for certain expenses.

 

All shelf securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. If the shelf securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. Any underwriters may make a market in our securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for any new shelf securities. We have no current plans for listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to the preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any of our securities.

 

We and the selling shareholders may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of the securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Underwriters, broker dealers or agents and their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or the selling shareholders in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

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Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchase of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

 

Because selling shareholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including Rule 172 thereunder.

 

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling shareholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of common stock by the selling shareholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling shareholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that any of the foregoing activities may have on the price of our common stock or, if applicable, the price for any of our other securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay all expenses related to this registration statement, but all selling and other expenses incurred by the selling shareholders, including commissions and discounts, if any attributable to the sale or disposition of the resale shares, will be borne by them. We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Stephen P. Mandracchia and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Mr. Mandracchia currently holds the positions of Vice-President Legal and Regulatory and Secretary, of the Company and is a Hudson shareholder and a selling shareholder included in this prospectus.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Hudson as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2017 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 incorporated by reference herein have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The financial statements of Airgas Refrigerants, Inc. as of December 31, 2016, March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 and for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2016 and the years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file reports and other information with the SEC.

 

You may read and copy any of the reports, statements, or other information we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. In addition, the Nasdaq Stock Market maintains a Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com that contains reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us.

 

We make available free of charge, on or through our web site, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our internet address is www.hudsontech.com. Information contained on or that can be accessed through our web site is not part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and our securities we refer you to the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules. The registration statement may be inspected at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this section or on the SEC’s Web site. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document filed as an exhibit are not necessarily complete. In each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference.

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with them. This means that we may disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information we incorporate by reference into this prospectus is legally deemed to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Our SEC File Number for documents we file under the Exchange Act is 001-13412. The following documents filed by us with the SEC are hereby incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

 

·our annual report on Form 10-K (including the information incorporated by reference therein) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017;

 

·our current report on Form 8-K/A filed November 8, 2017 (Audited Financial Statements and Independent Auditors’ Report contained in Exhibit 99.1 only);

 

·our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018 and March 16, 2018; and

 

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·the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and all amendments or reports filed by us for the purpose of updating those descriptions.

 

All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial registration statement and before effectiveness of the registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering also shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part hereof from the dates of filing of such reports and other documents; provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any current report on Form 8-K.

 

We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. Requests for such copies should be directed to our corporate secretary, at the following address or by calling the following telephone number:

 

Hudson Technologies, Inc.

P.O. Box 1541

One Blue Hill Plaza

Pearl River, NY 10965

Telephone: (845) 735-6000

 

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HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

$50,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

Units

 

 

 

500,000 Shares of Common Stock Offered by the Selling Shareholders

 

PROSPECTUS

 

April 27, 2018

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering described in this registration statement

 

SEC registration fees   $ 6,566.75  
NASDAQ Capital Market Listing Fee   $ *  
Legal fees and expenses   $ *  
Accounting fees and expenses   $ *  
Printing fees and expenses   $ *  
Miscellaneous expenses   $ *  
Total   $ *  

 

*These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The New York Business Corporation Law (Sections 721 through 726) permits a corporation to indemnify any of its directors and officers for acts performed in their capacities, subject to certain conditions. Paragraph 3 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant provides that a director shall not be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for damages for any breach of duty in such capacity except for liability if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the director establishes that his or her acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or that the director personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled or that the director's acts violated Section 719 of the New York Business Corporation Law. Section 17 of Article III of the Registrant's Amended and Restated By-Laws provide for indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the New York Business Corporation Law.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

  

Number   Exhibit Title
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
4.1   Certificate of Incorporation and Amendment (1)
4.2   Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation, dated July 20, 1994 (1)
4.3   Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation, dated October 26, 1994 (1)
4.4   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated March 16, 1999 (2)
4.5   Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Amendment dated March 25, 1999 (2)
4.6   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated March 29, 1999 (2)
4.7   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated February 16, 2001 (3)
4.8   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated March 20, 2002 (4)
4.9   Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation dated January 3, 2003 (5)
4.10   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated September 15, 2015 (6)

 

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4.11   Amended and Restated By-Laws adopted July 29, 2011 (7)
4.12**   Form of Indenture
4.13*   Form of Warrant Agreement
4.14*   Form of Unit Agreement
5**   Opinion of Stephen P. Mandracchia
23.1   Consent of BDO USA, LLP
23.2   Consent of KPMG LLP
23.3**   Consent of Stephen P. Mandracchia (included in Exhibit 5)
24**   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement)

 

(1)Incorporated by reference to the comparable exhibit filed with the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 33-80279-NY).

 

(2)Incorporated by reference to the comparable exhibit filed with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

 

(3)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

(4)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

(5)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(6)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

 

(7)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3ii filed with the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

*If applicable, to be subsequently filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or other applicable report filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference.

 

**Previously filed

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(a)       To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)       to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

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(ii)       to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)       to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs a(i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(b)          That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)          To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(d)          That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i)         If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

 

(A)       Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B)       Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.  Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(e)           If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

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(f)            That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)          Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)          Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

 

(iii)         The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

(iv)        Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pearl River, State of New York, on the 27th day of April, 2018.

  

  HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
     
  By:  /s/ Kevin J. Zugibe
  Kevin J. Zugibe,
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Name   Title   Date
         
/s/ Kevin J. Zugibe       April 27, 2018
Kevin J. Zugibe   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Nat Krishnamurti       April 27, 2018
Nat Krishnamurti   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Vincent P. Abbatecola*       April 27, 2018
Vincent P. Abbatecola   Director    
         
/s/ Brian F. Coleman       April 27, 2018
Brian F. Coleman   Director and President and Chief Operating Officer    
         
/s/ Dominic J. Monetta*       April 27, 2018
Dominic J. Monetta   Director    
         
/s/ Otto C. Morch*       April 27, 2018
Otto C. Morch   Director    
         
/s/ Richard Parrillo*       April 27, 2018
Richard Parrillo   Director    
         
/s/ Eric A. Prouty*       April 27, 2018
Eric A. Prouty   Director

 

*By: /s/ Stephen P. Mandracchia      
  Stephen P. Mandracchia, Attorney-in-Fact    

  

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