40-F


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 40-F
 
o
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
OR
 
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
 
____________________________________________________________________________

Commission file number: 001-34152
 
 
WESTPORT INNOVATIONS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its charter)
 
Alberta
 
3537
 
N/A
(Province or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification
Code Number (if applicable))
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable))
 
1750 West 75th Avenue, Suite 101
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6P 6G2
(604) 718-2000
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
C T Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 590-9070
 
Copies to:
Gordon Caplan
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 728-8266
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including
area code) of agent for service in the United States)
 
 
____________________________________________________________________________

 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class:
 
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered:
Common Shares, no par value
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: N/A
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: N/A





 
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this form:
 
 
x Annual Information Form
 
x Audited Annual Financial Statements
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: As at December 31, 2015, 64,380,819 common shares of the Registrant were issued and outstanding.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý Yes o No
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
Westport Innovations Inc. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) is a Canadian issuer eligible to file its annual report pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 40-F pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system of the Exchange Act. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. Equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This annual report on Form 40-F and the exhibits attached hereto contain forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this annual report on Form 40-F, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or the Company’s management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this annual report on Form 40-F and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements pertaining to the following:
 
the merger (the “Merger”) with Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (“Fuel Systems”), including, but not limited to: the terms of the Merger; the timing and anticipated receipt of required shareholder approvals for the Merger; the ability of each of the Company and Fuel Systems to satisfy the conditions to, and to complete, the Merger; the anticipated timing of completion of the Merger; and the anticipated members of our management and board of directors following completion of the Merger;
our financing agreement with Cartesian Capital Group;
the future demand for Cummins Westport Inc. (“CWI”) products and Company products;
increasing penetration within our existing markets and expansion of those markets geographically;
continuing growth in the transportation sector and in the natural gas engine market;
the timing of and our ability to successfully launch new technology initiatives, including in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty markets;
our ability to exploit and protect our intellectual property;
our capital expenditure and investment programs;
the future desirability and use of natural gas as an alternative fuel;
commodity prices and the fuel price differential between natural gas and diesel;
ongoing relationships between us and our business and partners and the results of our development programs with such partners;
our ability to continue to compete with our competitors and their technologies;
the capital and operating costs of vehicles using our technologies relative to alternative technologies;
profit margins and production costs of engines incorporating our technologies;
the further development of infrastructure supporting the application of natural gas as an alternative fuel;





increasingly stringent environmental and emissions regulations in the future;
ongoing availability of government incentives and mandates for our technology;
our ability to attract and retain employees;
demand for engines incorporating our technologies;
the timing of commissioning of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) refueling stations;
production capacity methods for our methods for our LNG system;
increasing commercialization of our technologies;
expansion of our product offerings and markets;
our estimates and assumptions used in our accounting policies, and accruals, including warranty accruals, and financial condition;
our adoption, timing and ability to meet certain accounting standards;
the ability of our products to adapt to the use of biogas, renewable natural gas and manufactured fuels, including hydrogen, as fuels;
our compliance with environmental regulations; and
the alignment of our business segments.

Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and risks, including the risks described in this annual report on Form 40-F and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and other unforeseen risks, including, without limitation:
 
risks related to the Merger, including, but not limited to: failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger and to successfully integrate the Company and Fuel Systems; failure of Fuel Systems to secure necessary shareholder approval or of the Company or Fuel Systems to otherwise satisfy the conditions to completion of the Merger in a timely manner or at all; and the risk that the Merger may not be completed on the terms contemplated or at all;
risks related to the Cartesian Agreement, including, but not limited to: failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Cartesian Agreement;
market acceptance of our products;
product development delays and delays in contractual commitments;
changing environmental regulations;
the ability to attract and retain business partners;
the success of our business partners and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), with whom we partner;
future levels of government funding and incentives;
competition from other technologies;
price differential between compressed natural gas (“CNG”), LNG and liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) relative to petroleum-based fuels;
limitations on our ability to protect our intellectual property;
potential claims or disputes in respect of our intellectual property;
limitations in our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses;
limitations in the development of natural gas refueling infrastructure;
the ability to provide the capital required for research, product development, operations and marketing;
unforeseen claims made against us;
exposure to factors beyond our control through our international business operations, such as currency exchange rates, changes in governmental policy, trade barriers, trade embargoes and delays in the development of international markets for our products; and
those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Information Form (“AIF”) of the Company filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this annual report on Form 40-F.

You should not rely on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this annual report on Form 40-F, except as otherwise required by law.
 
CURRENCY
 
Unless specifically stated otherwise, all dollar amounts in this annual report on Form 40-F are in United States dollars. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars into United States dollars, based upon the closing rate of exchange on December 31, 2015 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars, was U.S.$1.00 = Cdn.$1.39.
 
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM





 
The Company’s AIF for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
 
AUDITED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, including the reports of the independent auditors with respect thereto, are filed as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
The Company’s management’s discussion and analysis is filed as Exhibit 99.3 and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.
 
TAX MATTERS
 
Purchasing, holding or disposing of securities of the Company may have tax consequences under the laws of the United States and Canada that are not described in this annual report on Form 40-F.
 
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, included as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on Form 40-F, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting”.
 
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, included as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on Form 40-F, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting — Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.
 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
See the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, including the reports of the independent auditors with respect thereto, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this annual report on Form 40-F, under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.
 
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, included as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on Form 40-F, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting — Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.
 

AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
Audit Committee
 
The Company has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(2). The Company’s Audit Committee is composed of Brenda J. Eprile, Dr. Dezsö Horváth, and Peter Yu and, all of whom, in the opinion of the directors, are independent (as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2)) and are financially literate. Please refer to the Company’s AIF attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this annual report on Form 40-F for details in connection with each of these members and their qualifications.
 
The members of the Audit Committee do not have fixed terms and are appointed and replaced from time to time by resolution of the directors.
 





The Audit Committee meets with the CEO, CFO and the Company’s independent auditors to review and inquire into matters affecting financial reporting, the system of internal accounting and financial controls, as well as audit procedures and audit plans. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors which independent registered public auditing firm should be appointed by the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors for approval the annual financial statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and undertakes other activities required by exchanges on which the Company’s securities are listed and by regulatory authorities to which the Company is held responsible.
 
The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is disclosed in the Company’s AIF, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F. The Audit Committee Charter is also available on the Company’s website at www.westport.com.
 
Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Brenda J. Eprile qualifies as a financial expert (as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) and is independent (as determined under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2)).
 
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES — INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Information about the Company’s principal accounting fees and services can be found under “External Auditors’ Service Fees” of the Company's AIF, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 40-F.

 

PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PROVIDED BY

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Audit Committee nominates and engages the independent auditors to audit the consolidated financial statements and approves all audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by the Company’s external auditors. Any services provided by the Company’s external auditors that are not specifically included within the scope of the audit must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to any engagement. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is permitted to pre-approve work undertaken by the Company’s external auditors between Audit Committee meetings. All such approvals must be formally affirmed at the next compliance meeting, or if not approved, the services must be cancelled immediately. The Audit Committee does not delegate to management its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Company’s external auditor.
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or relationships with unconsolidated special purpose entities.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code”) for all its directors, executive officers and employees. The Code is available on the Company’s website at www.westport.com.
 
All amendments to the Code, and all waivers of the Code with respect to any of the officers covered by it, will be posted on the Company’s website, furnished to the SEC under a Current Report on Form 6-K, and provided in print to any shareholder who requests them.
 
There have been no amendments, waivers or implicit waivers to the Code during the year ended December 31, 2015. Shareholders may submit a request online at the Company’s website www.westport.com for a free printed copy of the Code.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 





See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, included as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on Form 40-F, under the heading “Contractual Obligations and Commitments”.
 
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
 
There were no notices required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR that the Company sent during the year ended December 31, 2015 concerning any equity security subject to a blackout period under Rule 101 of Regulation BTR.
 
NASDAQ CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Our common shares are quoted for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol WPRT. Nasdaq Rule 5615(a)(3) permits a foreign private issuer to follow its home country practice in lieu of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements if such issuer, amongst other requirements, makes appropriate disclosure in its annual report filed with the SEC relating to each requirement of Rule 5600 that it does not follow including a brief statement of the home country practice it follows in lieu of such Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.
 
A description of the significant ways in which our governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to Rule 5600 of the Nasdaq Rules is as follows:
 
Rule 5620(c) requires that each listed company provide for a quorum for any meeting of the holders of the listed company’s common stock that is not less than 331/3% of the listed company’s outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote. The Company’s bylaws provide for a quorum of at least two persons present in person and holding or representing by proxy not less than 25% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting.
 
Rule 5605(d)(1)(D) requires that each listed company adopt a formal written compensation committee charter that specifies, among other things, the specific compensation committee responsibilities and authority set forth in Rule 5605(d)(3). The Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee Charter does not specify the specific compensation committee responsibilities and authority set forth in Rule 5605(d)(3).
 
The foregoing is consistent with the laws, customs and practices in Canada and the rules of The Toronto Stock Exchange.
 
UNDERTAKING
 
The Company undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the SEC’s staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the SEC staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
 
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
 
The Company previously filed an Appointment of Agent for Service of Process and Undertaking on Form F-X with the SEC on July 22, 2008, with respect to the class of securities in relation to which the obligation to file this annual report on Form 40-F arises.
 





EXHIBIT INDEX
 
The following exhibits have been filed as part of this annual report:
 
Exhibit
 
Description
 
 
 
Annual Information
99.1

 
Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
99.2

 
Audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 together with the reports of the independent auditors thereon
 
 
 
99.3

 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Certifications
99.4

 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
99.5

 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
99.6

 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
99.7

 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
Consents
99.8

 
Consent of KPMG LLP regarding the financial statements of the Company
 
 
 
99.9

 
Consent of Deloitte LLP regarding the financial statements of the Company
 
 
 
Exhibits
 
 
101.1

 
XBRL Interactive Data File
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
  
 
WESTPORT INNOVATIONS INC.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ David R. Demers
 
Name:
David R. Demers
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: March 29, 2016