UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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OR
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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OR
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Commission file number: 0-29360
RiT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Israel
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)
Moti Antebi, CFO
RiT Technologies Ltd.
24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: +972-3- 7664249
Fax: +972-3- 6455162
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
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Ordinary Shares,
NIS 0.8 par value per share
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NASDAQ Capital Market
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
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 of December 31, 2011, 5,209,122 ordinary shares (excluding 2,125 ordinary shares held as treasury shares).
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
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Yes
x
No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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Yes
x
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x
Yes
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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 reports).
x
Yes
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No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
x
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
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If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statements the registrant has elected to follow:
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Item 17
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Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
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Yes
x
No
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unless indicated otherwise by the context, all references in this annual report to:
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"we", "us", "our", "RiT", the "Registrant" or the "Company" refer to RiT Technologies Ltd. and its wholly- owned subsidiaries;
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"dollars" or "$" are to United States Dollars;
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“NIS” are to New Israeli Shekels, the currency of the State of Israel;
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"Companies Law" or the "Israeli Companies Law" are to the Israeli Companies Law, 5759-1999, as amended;
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"SEC" are to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
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“STINS” or “STINS COMAN” are to STINS COMAN Incorporated, a Russian corporation headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and which is our largest shareholder;
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"Convertible Loan Agreement" or "Convertible Loan" are to the Convertible Loan Agreement between RiT and STINS COMAN, dated June 11, 2009, as amended on June 17, 2009, February 17, 2010, April 14, 2011, December 8, 2011 and April 17,2012;
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"Enterprise" and "carrier" relate to the sectors we formerly identified as "datacom" and "telecom," respectively;
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"
DCIM" are to data center infrastructure management, which includes our Enterprise line of products;
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“APAC” are to Asia Pacific;
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"R&D" are to research and development; and
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“NGN” are to Next Generation Networks.
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On April 27, 2012, the exchange rate between the NIS and the dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Israel, was NIS 3.757 to $1.00. Unless indicated otherwise by the context, statements in this annual report that provide the dollar equivalent of NIS amounts or provide the NIS equivalent of dollar amounts are based on such exchange rate.
Statements made in this annual report concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of such contracts, agreements or documents and are not complete descriptions of all of their terms. If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to this annual report or to any registration statement or annual report that we previously filed, you may read the document itself for a complete description of its terms,
and the summary included herein is qualified by reference to the full text of the document which is incorporated by reference into this annual report.
Trademarks
Unless indicated otherwise by the context, trade names, trademarks and/or service marks appearing throughout this annual report are trademarks of RiT, its subsidiaries and/or its affiliates and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.
Share Split
On August 24, 2009, we effected a one-for-eight reverse split of our ordinary shares, and accordingly the par value of our ordinary shares was changed to NIS 0.8 per share. Unless indicated otherwise by the context, all ordinary share, option and per share amounts in this annual report have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock split for all periods presented.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this annual report that are not statements of historical or current facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and/or financial results.
We urge you to consider that statements which use the terms "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this annual report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in "Item 3.D. – Risk Factors", that could cause our actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Unless we are required to do so under U.S. federal securities laws or other applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
3.A.
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Selected Financial Data
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We have derived the following selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the selected consolidated operating data for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. We have derived the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 and the selected consolidated operating data for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
You should read the following selected consolidated financial data together with "Item 5. - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this annual report
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Operating Data
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Year Ended December 31,
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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(in thousands, except per share data)
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Sales
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$
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13,720
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$
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11,400
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$
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8,655
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$
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22,556
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$
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23,369
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Cost of sales
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7,489
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6,319
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4,710
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11,080
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14,156
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Gross profit
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6,231
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5,081
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3,945
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11,476
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9,213
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Operating expenses:
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Research and development, gross
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1,871
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1,976
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3,158
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3,781
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4,722
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Less - royalty-bearing participation
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-
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73
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206
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104
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110
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Research and development, net
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1,871
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1,903
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2,952
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3,677
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4,612
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Sales and marketing
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5,684
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4,581
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5,268
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6,351
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7,633
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General and administrative
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2,463
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2,012
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2,065
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2,718
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2,334
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Total operating expenses
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10,018
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8,496
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10,285
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12,746
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14,579
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Operating loss
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(3,787
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(3,415
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(6,340
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(1,270
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(5,366
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Financial income (loss), net
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(102
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(71
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(110
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52
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64
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Other income
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32
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-
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-
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-
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-
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Net loss for the year
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$
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(3,857
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$
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(3,486
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$
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(6,450
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$
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(1,218
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$
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(5,302
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Year Ended December 31,
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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(in thousands, except per share data)
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Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share
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$
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(0.88
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$
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(1.10
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$
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(2.48
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$
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(0.59
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$
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(2.89
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Weighted average number of ordinary shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share
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4,378,942
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3,171,124
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2,604,428
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2,060,697
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1,833,772
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Balance Sheet Data
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As of December 31,
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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(in thousands
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Working capital
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$
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5,375
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$
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4,361
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$
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4,528
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$
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8,975
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$
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6,143
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Total assets
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10,501
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9,683
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9,555
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16,836
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14,795
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Share capital and additional paid-in capital
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46,668
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40,707
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37,352
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37,213
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32,942
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Shareholders' equity
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$
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5,035
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$
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2,931
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$
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3,062
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$
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9,373
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$
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6,320
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3.B.
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Capitalization and Indebtedness
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Not applicable.
3.C.
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Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
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Not applicable.
Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to the other information contained elsewhere in this annual report, before investing in our ordinary shares. The following risk factors are not the only risk factors facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. In that case, the value of our ordinary shares could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a history of operating and net losses. Although we plan to begin implementing a new strategic plan, we expect to incur additional losses in 2012.
We incurred operating and net losses in each of the last five fiscal years and there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve or sustain profitable operations in the future. In particular, as part of a multi-year strategic plan to realign activities and accelerate our future growth, or the Strategic Plan approved in early May 2012 by our board of directors and more fully described below, we intend to undertake significant rearrangement of our sales, marketing and product development activities. We expect that the increased expenses associated with implementing our Strategic Plan
will result in operating and net losses in 2012, even if our revenues increase as planned. Even if our implementation of the Strategic Plan allows us to achieve profitability, we may not succeed in sustaining or increasing it on a quarterly or annual basis and we cannot assure that future net income will offset our cumulative losses, which, as of December 31, 2011, were $41.7 million.
Global economic conditions have materially impacted our business in the past and may do so again in the future.
Our business and financial condition is affected by global economic conditions. Starting in late 2008 and lasting through much of 2009, a steep downturn in the global economy sparked by uncertainty in credit markets and deteriorating consumer confidence, reduced technology spending by many organizations. More recently, credit and sovereign debt issues have destabilized certain European economies as well and thereby increased global macroeconomic uncertainties. Uncertainty about current global economic conditions continues to pose a risk as customers may postpone or reduce spending in response to restraints on credit. Should the economic slowdown resume and/or companies in our target markets reduce capital expenditures, it may cause our customers to reduce or postpone their technology spending significantly, potentially resulting in reductions in sales of our products, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
To support our Strategic Plan, we will need to raise additional financing in 2012. If we are unsuccessful, we will not be able to carry out our strategy as planned.
On March 31, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately
$0.8
million.
Although we anticipate that our existing capital resources, including availability under the Convertible Loan, will be adequate to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure requirements until at least April 2013, we will need to raise funds during 2012 to support the execution of our Strategic Plan. If we are unsuccessful in raising such financing on acceptable terms, we will not be able to carry out our plan and our operations and growth strategy will be materially adversely affected.
In addition, if these funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities or conversion of loans into equity, the percentage ownership of existing shareholders could be significantly diluted.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control during 2011 over financial reporting.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes certain duties on us. Our efforts to comply with the management assessment requirements of Section 404 have resulted in increased general and administrative expenses and a devotion of management time and attention to compliance activities, and we expect them to continue to require the commitment of significant resources. As disclosed in Item 15 of this annual report, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to our revenue recognition process. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of this material weakness, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2011. We have already implemented a remediation plan designed to address this material weakness. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weakness or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results. In addition, our internal control over financial reporting has not and is not required to be audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. Our inability to assert that our internal controls are effective could cause our investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could also result in investigation and/or sanctions by regulatory authorities and could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results, investor confidence in our reported financial information, and the market price of our ordinary shares.
We may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly financial performance.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, including the size, timing and shipment of orders; customer budget cycles and budgetary freezes; the timing of introductions of new products or product upgrades (both ours and those of our competitors); customer order deferrals in anticipation of new products or product upgrades; the mix of product sales; software and hardware development problems; product quality problems; product pricing; our effective provision of customer support; and the relatively low level of general business activity during the summer months in the European market. In addition, because our customers typically request delivery within two to four weeks of order placement (which generally follows extensive sales efforts that take place over an extended period of time), a majority of our quarterly sales derive from orders placed in that quarter and, consequently, changes in the timing of expected large orders can significantly impact our operating results for that quarter.
For the foregoing reasons, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and that our operating results for any particular quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Also, in some future quarter our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In such event, it is likely that the price of our ordinary shares would be materially adversely affected.
Since our order backlog is limited, we have a limited ability to project our future sales.
Since we have a limited order backlog, our revenues for any specific quarter are dependent primarily on orders received and delivered during that same quarter. A delay in the recognition of revenue, even from one customer, may have a significant negative impact on our results of operations for a given period. We base our decisions regarding our operating expenses on anticipated revenue trends, and our expense levels are relatively fixed, or require some time for adjustment. Because only a small portion of our expenses varies with our revenues, if revenue levels fall below our expectations, our earnings will decrease.
We depend upon independent distributors, representatives and strategic alliance partners for a significant portion of our sales.
Our sales strategy relies primarily upon sales through independent distributors, resellers/integrators, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and other strategic alliance partners with major cabling companies. While we are highly dependent upon acceptance of our products and solutions by such third parties and their active marketing and sales efforts relating to our products and solutions, most of our OEMs and distributors are not obligated to deal with us exclusively, and are not contractually subject to minimum purchase requirements. In addition, some of our distributors may sell competing products or solutions. As a result, our distributors may give higher priority to products or services of our competitors or their own products and solutions, thereby reducing their efforts to sell our products and services.
There can be no assurance that such distributors, representatives or strategic alliance partners will act as effective sales agents for us, that they will remain our partners, or that, if we terminate or lose any of them, we will be successful in replacing them. Any such disruption in our distribution channels could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our carrier products generally have long sales cycles. This increases the cost of obtaining orders and reduces the predictability of our earnings.
The sale of our carrier solutions to telephone companies, commonly referred to as telcos, is characterized by a lengthy sales cycle, sometimes years (as measured from the commencement of marketing efforts to the consummation of an actual transaction), and may involve significant expenditures that may not be offset by revenues. In the past, delays in the expected sale of carrier products have also caused significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, reducing the predictability of our earnings.
To remain competitive, we must develop new products and enhancements to existing products on a timely and cost-effective basis.
Our target markets are characterized by rapidly changing technology, changing customer requirements, relatively short product lifecycles, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The dynamism that characterizes our target markets is both an opportunity and a challenge for RiT. However, changes in technologies, customer requirements and industry standards and new product introductions by our existing competitors or by new market entrants could reduce the markets for our products or require us to develop new products and we cannot guarantee that we will emerge as the market leaders. Therefore, our ability to correctly anticipate changes in technology and customer requirements and to secure timely access to information concerning the emergence of new industry standards, as well as our ability to develop, manufacture and market new and enhanced products successfully and on a timely basis, are significant factors in our ability to remain competitive.
We are currently developing a number of new products and technologies. However, there can be no assurance that our products will be successful or profitable, or that we will not encounter technical or other difficulties that could delay the introduction of these or other new or enhanced products in the future.
In addition, it often takes several months before the development and manufacturing costs of new products stabilize, which may adversely affect operating results during such period. If we are unable to introduce new or enhanced products on a timely and cost-effective basis and to gain market acceptance for such products, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We operate in exceedingly competitive markets.
The markets for our products and solutions are very competitive, and we expect that they will become more competitive in the future. Increased direct and indirect competition could adversely affect our revenues and profitability, whether through pricing pressure, loss of market share and/or other factors. Many of our competitors are far larger, have substantially greater resources (including financial, technological, manufacturing and marketing and distribution capabilities) and are much more widely recognized than we are. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against existing or new competitors as the market for our products and solutions evolves and the level of competition increases. Moreover, there can be no assurance that we will be able to differentiate our products and solutions from the products and solutions of our competitors or to develop or introduce successfully new products and solutions that are less costly or offer better performance than those of our competitors or that competition will not have a material adverse effect on our future revenues and, consequently, on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We plan to grow rapidly during the next several years, and the growth process will include many challenges that must be managed correctly.
Our Strategic Plan calls for a significant rearrangement of our organization in the areas of sales, marketing, product development and logistics. All or a portion of the expenses associated with such expansion will be incurred prior to the generation of any associated revenues. Consequently, if we are unable to efficiently manage this expansion, or if we do not succeed in achieving the expected increase in our sales, then the higher expenses associated with such expansion could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We are dependent, to some extent, on our suppliers.
Certain components used in our products and solutions are presently available from, or supplied by, only one source, and certain other components are available only from limited sources. Although we do not have long-term supply contracts with some of our existing suppliers, we have generally been able to obtain supplies of components in a timely manner under acceptable terms, and we also working to establish dual suppliers for all products. However, there can be no assurance that delays in key component or product deliveries will not occur in the future due to shortages resulting from the limited number of suppliers, the financial condition or other difficulties of such suppliers. Any inability to obtain sufficient key components or to develop alternative sources for such components, if and as required in the future, could result in delays, interruptions or reductions in product shipments, which could have a material adverse effect on our customer relationships and, in turn, on our business and results of operations.
Our success depends on our ability to attract, train and retain highly qualified R&D, technical, sales and management personnel.
Our future performance, including the successful implementation of our Strategic Plan, depends in large part on the continued service of our key R&D, technical, sales and management personnel and our ability to attract skilled personnel in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting, training, assimilating or retaining, on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost, all the personnel that we may require, or that we will not encounter difficulties as we integrate new personnel into our operations. Our inability to integrate such personnel into our operations or to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to risks relating to proprietary rights and risks of infringement.
We are dependent upon our proprietary technology and we rely upon a combination of patents, patent applications, contractual rights, trade secrets, copyrights, non-disclosure agreements and technical measures to establish and protect our proprietary rights in our products, systems and technologies. In addition, we enter into nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements with our employees
and with certain suppliers and customers with access to sensitive information. There can be no assurance that the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or independent development or sale by others of our technology or of products or solutions with features based upon, or otherwise similar to, our own. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights as fully as do the laws of the United States. We cannot be certain that our means of protecting our proprietary rights in the United States or abroad will be adequate or that our competition will not independently develop similar technology.
In addition, although we believe that our technology has been independently developed and that none of our technology or intellectual property infringes on the rights of others, there can be no assurance that we do not and will not so infringe or that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us in the future, resulting in a material adverse impact on our business. In the case of infringement, we would, under certain circumstances, be required to modify our products or intellectual property or obtain a license to permit their continued use. There can be no assurance that we would be able to do either in a timely manner or upon acceptable terms and conditions, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations
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If future litigation were to become necessary to protect trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary rights owned by us, to defend ourselves against claimed infringement of the rights of others, or to determine the scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others, such litigation could result in substantial cost to us and diversion of our management's attention. Adverse determinations in any such litigation or proceeding also could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties and could prevent us from manufacturing, selling or using certain of our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that we will have the resources to defend or prosecute a proprietary rights infringement action.
Our international sales may expose us to additional risks
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We currently market our products and solutions in numerous countries and are subject to many risks associated with international sales, including limitations and disruptions resulting from the imposition of government controls, local taxes, national standardization and certification requirements, export license requirements, economic or political instability, trade restrictions, changes in tariffs, currency fluctuations and difficulties in managing international operations. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our ability to deliver our products, solutions and services on a competitive and timely basis, or to collect payments from customers in these countries and on our results of operations. For example, we are required to comply with European Union Directives with respect to environmental standards. There is no assurance that we will not encounter difficulties in connection with the sale of our products and solutions in the future or that one or more of these factors will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We may be subject to warranty claims from our customers.
Our product warranties permit customers to return any products deemed to be defective for repair or replacement. It is our policy to grant a warranty for the hardware components of our products for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months. This policy does not apply to our cabling systems solutions, which, when installed by a certified cabling installer, are granted between 20-years to 25-years system warranties, depending on the relevant warranty. These warranty periods are customary in the structured cabling industry, but significantly longer than product warranties generally offered in other industries. We protect our exposure to potential material warranty claims through insurance coverage we believe to be appropriate. However, we cannot assure that such claims would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Changes in exchange rates between currencies may negatively impact our costs.
Most of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars or dollar-linked. We collect a portion of our revenues in Europe in Euros. Most of our purchases of materials and components, and most of our marketing costs, are denominated in dollars or dollar-linked. However, a material portion of our expenses, including salaries and personnel expenses paid in Israel, are denominated in New Israeli Shekels, or NIS. As a result, we are exposed to several risks, including that either the NIS or the Euro may increase in value relative to the dollar. If either of such events occurs, the dollar cost of our operations in Israel or Europe will increase and our dollar-measured operating results will be adversely affected.
Changes in our senior management may cause uncertainty in, or be disruptive to, our business.
During recent years, we have experienced significant changes in our senior management. In February 2012, Mr. Vadim Leidernam was appointed our new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mr. Eran Ayzik who served as our Chief Executive Officer since August 2010. In addition, Mr. Moti Hania was appointed our Deputy CEO and Mr. Erez Ben Eshay was appointed our Chief Technology Officer. The difficulties inherent in transitioning the Company under the leadership of new management, particularly a new Chief Executive Officer, and assimilating new management personnel into our corporate culture, may be disruptive to our business, and, during the transition period, there may be uncertainty among investors, vendors, employees and others concerning our future direction and performance.
Risks Related to our Relationship with STINS COMAN
STINS COMAN beneficially owns 78% of our ordinary shares and may therefore be able to control the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval.
As of April 27, 2012, STINS COMAN beneficially owned approximately 78% of our outstanding shares. Accordingly, STINS COMAN has, subject to special approvals required by Israeli law for transactions involving controlling shareholders, sufficient voting power to elect all of our directors (subject to the provisions of the Companies Law with regard to outside directors), control our management and approve or reject any merger or similar transaction. Mr. Sergey Anisimov, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, is the President of, and owns a majority interest in, STINS COMAN. This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent proxy contests, mergers, tender offers, open-market purchase programs or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then prevailing market price for our ordinary shares. It could also adversely affect our share price. In addition, the market price of our ordinary shares may be adversely affected by events relating to STINS COMAN that are unrelated to us.
We may be affected by transactions with STINS COMAN.
We are engaged and may in the future engage in transactions with STINS COMAN or its affiliates. In particular, STINS COMAN has been our non-exclusive distributor in the Commonwealth of Independent States market, or CIS market, for our enterprise products since 1994 and for our carrier products since the end of 2008. We believe that such transactions are beneficial to us and are, or will be, conducted upon terms that are no less favorable to us than would be available to us from unaffiliated third parties. However, you should be aware that STINS COMAN could, subject to compliance with provisions of Israeli law concerning related-party transactions, exercise its influence over our affairs in its own interest.
Some members of our Board of Directors may have conflicts of interest with us.
Mr. Sergey Anisimov, the Chairman of our board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), and Mr. Boris Grabnovsky, a member of our Board of Directors, are executive officers and directors of STINS COMAN. In addition, Mr. Anisimov owns a majority interest in STINS COMAN and Mr. Grabnovsky owns a minority interest in STINS COMAN. Accordingly, these individuals may occasionally have conflicts of interest with respect to business opportunities and similar matters that may arise in the ordinary course of RiT’s and STINS COMAN’s businesses.
Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares
Our share price has fluctuated significantly over the years and could continue to be volatile.
Our ordinary shares have experienced significant market price and volume fluctuations in the past and may experience significant market price and volume fluctuations in the future. There can be no assurance that the volatility of our share price and trading volume will not continue. A substantial decrease in market price of our ordinary shares and low trading volumes could frustrate our efforts to raise funds through both debt and equity, discourage potential customers and partners from doing business with us, and could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Market fluctuations could also adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares.
We may not satisfy the NASDAQ Capital Market's requirements for continued listing. If we cannot satisfy these requirements, NASDAQ could delist our ordinary shares
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Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol RITT. To continue to be listed on NASDAQ, we are required to satisfy a number of conditions, including a minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share, a market value of our publicly held shares, or MVPHS, of at least $1 million and stockholders' equity of at least $2.5 million. In past years, we defaulted on several of these requirements and regained compliance only after we carried out several transactions, including a reverse stock split on August 24, 2009.
While we currently satisfy the NASDAQ listing requirements, we cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to satisfy the minimum bid, MVPHS, shareholders' equity or other NASDAQ listing requirements in the future. If we are delisted from NASDAQ, trading in our ordinary shares may be conducted, if available, on the "OTC Bulletin Board Service" or, if available, via another market. In the event of such delisting, an investor would likely find it significantly more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the value of our ordinary shares, and our ability to raise future capital through the sale of our ordinary shares could be severely limited.
In addition, if our ordinary shares were delisted from NASDAQ, our ordinary shares could be considered a "penny stock" under the U.S. federal securities laws. Additional regulatory requirements apply to trading by broker-dealers of penny stocks that could result in the loss of an effective trading market for our ordinary shares.
The sale of a substantial number of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the expectation thereof, could materially adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and our ability to raise capital through an offering of securities
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As of April 27, 2012, we had approximately 5.2 million ordinary shares issued and outstanding and
0.2 million
of additional ordinary shares which are issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and STINS COMAN, our controlling shareholder, may further exercise its right to convert the outstanding Convertible Loan into approximately 0.6 million ordinary shares (see “Item 7.B. – Related Party Transactions”). Sales of the ordinary shares previously issued in private placements or issuable upon exercise of options or conversion of the Convertible Loan, or even the prospect of such sales, could materially adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and our ability to raise capital through our offering of securities at acceptable prices. A substantial decrease in the market price of our ordinary shares could also discourage potential customers and partners from doing business with us, and could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We do not intend to pay dividends.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance operations and to expand our business and, therefore, do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Risks Related to Operating In Israel
Security, political and economic instability in the Middle East may harm our business.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, and our principal offices and R&D facilities are located in Israel. Accordingly, security, political and economic conditions in the Middle East in general, and in Israel in particular, directly affect our business.
Over the past several decades, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors and a state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel. Since late 2000, there has also been a high level of violence between Israel and the Palestinians which has strained Israel’s relationship with its Arab citizens, Arab countries and, to some extent, with other countries around the world. Terrorist attacks and hostilities within Israel as well as tensions between Israel and Iran, have also heightened these risks. In addition, since early 2011, riots and popular uprisings in various countries in the Middle East have led to severe political instability in those countries. This instability may lead to deterioration of the political and trade relationships that exist between the State of Israel and these countries. In addition, this instability may affect the global economy and marketplace. Any armed conflicts or political instability in the region, including acts of terrorism or any other hostilities involving or threatening Israel, would likely negatively affect business conditions and could make it more difficult for us to conduct our operations in Israel, which could increase our costs and adversely affect our financial results.
Furthermore, some neighboring countries, as well as certain companies and organizations, continue to participate in a boycott of Israeli firms and others doing business with Israel or with Israeli companies. Restrictive laws, policies or practices directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses could have an adverse impact on the expansion of our business. In addition, we could be adversely affected by the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners, a significant increase in the rate of inflation, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel.
Our operating results may be negatively affected by the obligation of some of our key personnel to perform military service.
Some of our executive officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform military reserve duty annually. In addition, they may also be further subject to being called to active duty at any time under emergency circumstances and could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time. This could disrupt our operations and harm our business.
Reduction or termination of our tax and other benefits from government programs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We are entitled to receive certain tax benefits under Israeli law for investment programs in our production facilities that are designated as "Approved Enterprises". To maintain our eligibility for these tax benefits, we must continue to meet several conditions. If we fail to comply with these conditions in the future, the tax benefits received could be cancelled. The termination or reduction of the tax benefits for these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. To date, we have not utilized such benefits. For more information about Approved Enterprises, see "Item 10.E. – Israeli Tax Considerations – Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959" below and Note 7(B) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Because we have received grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist, we are subject to on-going restrictions.
We have received grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, known as the Chief Scientist, for R&D programs and intend to apply for further grants in the future. In order to maintain our eligibility for these grants, we must meet specified conditions, including the payment of royalties with respect to grants received. If we fail to comply with these conditions in the future, sanctions (such as the cancellation of grants) might be imposed on us, and we could be required to refund any payments previously received under these programs. Any products developed with funds provided by these grants are required to be manufactured in Israel, unless we obtain prior approval from a governmental committee and we pay increased royalties. In addition, the terms of the Chief Scientist’s grants limit our ability to transfer know-how developed under an approved R&D program outside of Israel. The Government of Israel has reduced the grants available under the Chief Scientist's program in recent years, and this program may be discontinued or curtailed in the future. If we do not receive these grants in the future, we will be required to allocate other funds to product development at the expense of other operational costs. For more information about grants from the Chief Scientist, see "Item 5.C. – Research and Development, Patents and Licenses" below.
It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors and our auditors, or to assert U.S. securities law claims in Israel.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel. Service of process upon us, our directors and officers, substantially all of whom reside outside the United States, may be difficult to obtain within the United States. Furthermore, because the majority of our assets and investments, and substantially all of our directors and officers are located outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us or any of them may not be collectible within the United States.
We have been informed by our legal counsel in Israel, that it may be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities law because Israel is not the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing these matters.
Subject to specified time limitations and legal procedures, under the rules of private international law currently prevailing in Israel, Israeli courts may enforce a U.S. final judgment in a civil matter, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws and including a monetary or compensatory judgment in a non-civil matter, provided that:
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the judgment is enforceable in the state in which it was given;
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adequate service of process has been effected and the defendant has had a reasonable opportunity to present his arguments and evidence;
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the judgment and its enforcement are not contrary to the law, public policy, security or sovereignty of the State of Israel;
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the judgment was not obtained by fraud and does not conflict with any other valid judgment in the same matter between the same parties; and
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an action between the same parties in the same matter is not pending in any Israeli court at the time the lawsuit is instituted in the U.S. court.
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Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or make difficult a change of control and therefore depress the price of our stock.
Provisions of Israeli corporate and tax law may have the effect of delaying, preventing or making an acquisition of our company more difficult. For example, under the Companies Law, upon the request of a creditor of either party to a proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of the merger the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. These provisions could cause our ordinary shares to trade at prices below the price for which third parties might be willing to pay to gain control of us. Third parties who are otherwise willing to pay a premium over prevailing market prices to gain control of us may be unable or unwilling to do so because of these provisions of Israeli law. See “Item 10.B. - Additional Information — Memorandum and Articles of Association — Anti-Takeover Provisions; Mergers and Acquisitions.”
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
4.A.
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History and Development of the Company
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Corporate History and Details
RiT Technologies Ltd. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel in 1989 as a company limited by shares. Our main offices are located at 24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719, Israel, telephone number +972-77-2702720. Our address on the Internet is http://www.rittech.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
Our agent in the United States is RiT Technologies, Inc., which was incorporated in 1993 under the laws of the State of New Jersey and is located at 900 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430, telephone number +1-201-512-1970. Our U.S. subsidiary is primarily engaged in the selling and marketing of our products in the United States.
We became a publicly-traded company on the NASDAQ Global Market (formerly known as the NASDAQ National Market), traded under the symbol RITT, upon our initial public offering on July 22, 1997. The listing of our shares was transferred to the NASDAQ Capital Market (formerly knows as the NASDAQ SmallCap Market) on January 12, 2004, and our ordinary shares are still traded under the symbol RITT.
In June 2008, STINS COMAN became our principal shareholder after finalizing the purchase of approximately 41.9% of our outstanding shares, primarily from the previous major shareholders.
Recent Major Business Developments
On April 17, 2012, the Convertible Loan Agreement was amended by increasing the maximum loan amount we can draw from STINS COMAN to $20 million (following a previous increase from $10 million to $14 million- made according to an Amendment made on December 8, 2011). In addition, pursuant to the Amendment made on December 8, 2011, the term for loan withdrawals was extended by an additional 12 months, i.e., until June 11, 2013. As of April 27, 2012, we have drawn an aggregate of approximately $10.9 million under the Convertible Loan Agreement, such that, assuming that we remain in compliance under the Convertible Loan Agreement, we will be able to draw up to an additional $9.1 million under the Convertible Loan Agreement.
Further, pursuant to the Convertible Loan Agreement, STINS COMAN has the right to convert any outstanding principal amount of the loan and the interest accrued thereon into our ordinary shares at a conversion price per share equal to the market price of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ on the day we receive loan funds, plus a premium of 10% thereon. In June 2010, September 2010, March 2011, June 2011 and December 2011, we issued to STINS COMAN 615,485 ordinary shares, 687,128 ordinary shares, 408,787 ordinary shares, 177,006 ordinary shares and 636,874 ordinary shares, respectively, in connection with the conversion of approximately $1.5 million, $1.5 million, $1.2 million, $1.0 million, and $3.2 million, respectively, of the Convertible Loan. As a result of such issuances, as of April 27, 2012 STINS COMAN owns 4,063,302 ordinary shares, representing approximately 78% of our outstanding shares.
For more information, see “Item 7.B. – Related Party Transactions.”
In February 2012, Mr. Vadim Leidernam was appointed our new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moti Hania was appointed our Deputy CEO and Mr. Erez Ben Eshay was appointed our Chief Technology Officer. In connection therewith, our new management team
has finalized our strategic plan to realign activities and accelerate our future growth, or the Strategic Plan, which includes rearrangement of our sales, marketing and investment in our product development activities. As part of the plan, we are also currently completing feasibility studies regarding an innovative new wireless communications technology in cooperation with an Israeli private company affiliated with STINS COMAN. If the technology proves to be feasible, we may exercise an option to acquire and further develop this technology as a promising complementary focus area for our business. For more information, see "Item 7.B.-Related Party Transactions."
For a discussion of other important events in the development of our business, see below under “Item 4.B. - Business Overview.”
Principal Capital Expenditure and Divestitures
During 2011, our capital expenditures totaled approximately $0.1 million (compared to $0.1 million during each of 2010 and 2009), all of which was used for machinery, computers and R&D equipment purchases. Other than future capital expenditures of the types and consistent with the amounts described above, we have no significant capital expenditures in progress.
We did not make any significant divestitures in the past three years.
Overview
We are a leading provider of intelligent solutions for data center infrastructure management (DCIM). Our advanced “one-stop shop” DCIM solutions are designed to provide all of the hardware and software components and capabilities needed by the data center staff to centrally manage all data center infrastructure assets and network components. They enable full command and control of network connectivity, service status, asset utilization, environment and power management. As such, our DCIM solutions place infrastructure management at the center of the organization, helping the data center staff maximize utilization, reliability and physical security while decreasing downtime. In addition, they are used for automating provisioning/deployment and asset tracking applications.
Our DCIM solutions have been deployed successfully by top-tier customers throughout the world, including by the headquarters, data centers and branch offices of government agencies, healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
Products
DCIM Solutions
More than a decade ago, we introduced an entirely new concept to the enterprise information technology (IT) world: Intelligent Infrastructure Management (IIM). The underlying premise of this concept was to bring intelligent “self awareness” to the physical network infrastructure, thereby enabling it to be automatically mapped, monitored and centrally controlled. As proven in deployments by leading enterprises throughout the world, the use of our systems improves planning and operations while reducing downtime, increasing the efficiency of the IT staff, enhancing network continuity, improving security and reducing overall data center cost-of-ownership.
In early 2012, we took our IIM offerings for the enterprise market to the next level with the introduction of our CenterMind™ DCIM solution, a single, comprehensive solution for managing the data center from the cabling infrastructure
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environmental conditions and power usage. As a robust infrastructure command and control center, CenterMind™ enables the data center staff to achieve full command and control of network connectivity, service status, asset utilization, environment and power management, and to automatically maintain an up-to-date map of the locations of all IP-based equipment. It is designed to provide an holistic view of the entire data center, bringing together network infrastructure, people and processes in an integrated IT operation that is aligned with business goals, thereby reducing both operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX).
Our DCIM solutions currently include the following key products:
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CenterMind™ DCIM solution
: RiT’s CenterMind works online and in real time to deliver intuitive visualization and control of all IT assets wherever they are located. Its use automates laborious provisioning, network planning, implementation and operational activities, helping to streamline costs, reduce downtime, improve service and maximize the use of data center resources. In addition, CenterMind’s power and environment management capabilities help minimize power consumption and improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) while enhancing sustainability. The full CenterMind DCIM solution includes the advanced RiT Software Solution, CenterMind G+ environment management solution, CenterMind P+ power management solution and RiT’s industry-leading PatchView™ Hardware, and integrates seamlessly with RiT’s extensive line of SMART™ cabling components.
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RiT Software Solution:
The centerpiece of our CenterMind DCIM, the RiT Software Solution is a robust, highly versatile platform for intelligently managing every aspect of the data center with maximum ease, efficiency and productivity. Through a single, intuitive interface, RiT Software Solution allows the IT staff to manage all data center assets, automate provisioning and moves, adds and changes (MACs), improve fault management, monitor and control network connectivity and manage power usage and environmental aspects (e.g. temperature, humidity, air pressure) . In addition, it provides comprehensive, fully-accurate documentation of all network and infrastructure components, as well advanced IP-device detection and alert capabilities. The RiT Software Solution can be used as part of a comprehensive DCIM solution or for the IIM of other work spaces.
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CenterMind G+ Environment Monitoring Solution:
Our CenterMind G+ Environment Monitoring Solution (CenterMind G+) is an intelligent, proactive environment parameters (e.g. temperature, humidity) monitoring solution that helps data centers reduce power consumption, contain carbon emissions and enhance an organization’s overall environmental performance. Implementation of the solution helps increase the life-span of network equipment while preventing downtime associated with overheating, resulting in additional substantial savings.
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The CenterMind G+ solution gives the IT staff real-time visibility into the state of the computer room or data center environment at all times, and sends out automatic alerts if conditions deviate from defined parameters for temperature, humidity, air pressure or other environmental characteristics. CenterMind G+ can be used to provide provisioning recommendations during the process of deploying new data center equipment, thus helping to optimize the utilization of data center resources.
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CenterMind P+ Intelligent Power Management Solution:
Our CenterMind P+ Intelligent Power Management Solution (CenterMind P+) solution offers a wide choice of power distributing units (PDUs) suited to the varied requirements of data centers and computer rooms, together with an option for efficient remote power management via the RiT Software Solution. Using CenterMind P+, the IT staff can easily monitor and manage the power consumption of all devices in the data center at any time and from any location. The availability of accurate power usage information for both onsite and offsite facilities enables data center management to reduce power expenses, improve the “green performance” of the data center, optimize provisioning and prevent disasters.
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SMART Cabling System:
Our SMART Cabling System
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is an end-to-end structured network infrastructure solution designed for both copper and fiber cabling environments that integrates seamlessly with all CenterMind solution modules. Included within this product line is CLASSix, our Category 6 cabling product line, the Category 7 STP cabling solution, our SMARTen Category 6A cabling solution, and our Xlight fiber-optic cabling product line.
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PatchView™:
PatchView™ is our IIM system, a broad line of products used to secure real-time connectivity information with respect to the data network's connectivity infrastructure. Use of the system significantly enhances the control, maintainability and visibility of communications networks, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership. The system consists of intelligent network components for gathering connectivity data from the network, and the PV4E software solution which uses the data for a diverse range of applications. Through interaction with sensors throughout the network, PV4E is able to identify the connectivity of all network resources in real time, extending from physical connectivity components to switches, servers and PCs to other active and passive network components. The system then utilizes this accurate data as the basis for Guided MACs, network troubleshooting, automated provisioning, asset tracking and more.
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Carrier Solutions
We offer a number of tools for helping telcos to carry out access network mass verification and qualification programs. The major products in this product line include:
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PairQ™
: A tool for mass-qualifying the ability of a telco’s copper infrastructure to support digital subscriber line, or xDSL services, PairQ™ performs real wideband tests and measurements to pre-qualify hundreds of lines at a time, and then, using highly sophisticated, proprietary algorithms, predicts the potential data rate package that can be supported by each specific phone line; and
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PairView Sharp™
: An automated outside plant mapping and documentation system that enables telcos to achieve greater operational efficiencies by automatically identifying, recording and testing the connectivity routing of local loop pairs (the telephone lines), and then using the information to automatically update the physical plant database.
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Other
Acculize™
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We are currently in the final stages of developing a technology for an advanced laser-based camera to be used by traffic officials to instantaneously measure and document the speed of cars in all types of traffic environments. There can be no assurance regarding the product’s ability to pass associated safety regulations or the exact timing of product launch. We do not have previous experience in this line of products, and even if we overcome the technological barriers, it is difficult to forecast what the market response will be to this new product.
Our Strategy
As described above, our new management team has finalized a multi-year strategic plan to realign activities and accelerate our future growth, or the Strategic Plan. The key elements of the plan focus on:
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Build Upon our Product Leadership
. We intend to leverage our positioning as a “one-stop shop” in highly usable, flexible, fast-return on investment (ROI) DCIM solutions.
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Expand and Enhance our Products.
The data center market has undergone an exponential growth over the past several years. We believe our existing product offerings and channels represent a strong platform for addressing this growing market and we will propose investment to continue extending and broadening all of our data center-oriented product lines.
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Expand Our Selling Capabilities
. We will propose the strengthening of our competitive positioning through realignment of sales and marketing, possibly through the establishment of regional subsidiaries with local direct sales and support capabilities as well as engaging additional representatives.
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Expand and Leverage our Strategic Relationships
. We believe that a significant market opportunity exists to sell our solutions with the complementary products and services provided by other organizations. We plan to extend our existing strategic relationships and develop new alliances with leading global providers in order to extend the functionality of our solutions and increase sales. We intend to leverage the sales and marketing capabilities of our alliance partners and facilitate the wider adoption of our solutions.
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Increase Efficiency
. We will also continue to focus on improving the efficiency and professional management of all of our operations.
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The Market Opportunity and Our Solutions
Data Centers
Data centers are “all-in-one” facilities that physically house and execute the full range of data management and communication services, including (1) storage, management, process and exchange of digital data and information, while (2) providing application services and management of various data processing such as web hosting Internet, intranet, telecommunications and information technology.
Whether the data center is a private/enterprise facility or a public/Internet facility, the functions are generally the same. The data center physically houses various equipment, such as multiple servers (web servers, application servers, database servers), data storage devices, computers, switches and routers, load balancers, wire cages or closets, vaults, racks and related equipment. These devices consume significant quantities of power and generate heat which must be dissipated. Key concerns include reliability (ideally zero or minimal downtime); effective disaster recovery solutions; security (physical safety) protection against intruders damaging or stealing the data or equipment and general safety while operating physical connections; full control capabilities for customers over network components; and flexibility and transparency in quantifying performance, billing architectures and efficiency.
Driven by the proliferation of cloud computing and Internet-based applications, investment in data centers have been growing significantly for a number of years. According to a study published by Gartner, a leading independent market research firm, on October 13, 2011, global spending on data center hardware reached nearly $100 billion in 2011, a 12.7% increase as compared with 2010, and will grow to more than $125 billion in 2015. This growth is being generated in both developed and emerging regions (especially China and other areas of the Far East).
Recognizing the ability of specialized hardware and software systems to significantly reduce operating costs and improve data center operational efficiency, data centers have begun deploying DCIM systems in increasing numbers. According to a study issued by the 451 Group, a leading independent market research firm, on December 2011, expenditures on DCIM systems are expected to grow by approximately 40% per year, from $323 million in 2012 to $1.27 billion in 2015. Similarly, in a report published in March 2010, Gartner predicted that DCIM tools and processes would grow from 1% penetration into data centers worldwide in 2010 to 60% in 2014.
DCIM systems are being adopted to improve data center utilization and use-of-space, reduce energy consumption and improve business operations. Their use enhances the IT staff’s ability to identify and manage network assets, carry out capacity planning, manage change and projects.
We believe that our DCIM solutions respond to market needs by offering a comprehensive solution (fully integrated from hardware components and sensors through management software and applications), an advantage that positions us to pursue a status as a unique “one-stop-shop” provider. In addition, we intend to leverage our vast experience and track record as a pioneer and leading provider of IIM systems, having developed expertise in the deployment of complex IIM systems with numerous clients throughout the world.
Carrier Solutions
Our primary target markets for our carrier solutions are telcos in developing regions, such as Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. Our primary value proposition for these customers is the provision of solutions that enable telcos to delay their deployment of new fiber technologies by better utilizing their existing copper assets. In this environment, we believe our solutions offer a clear and rapid return on investment.
Sales and Marketing
Historically, our sales strategy has relied primarily upon sales through independent distributors, resellers/integrators, OEMs and other strategic alliance partners with major cabling companies. During 2011, we began to increase our sales and support capabilities with the addition of offices in a number of target markets, including in Africa, Singapore and South America. Our Strategic Plan, includes an even more significant realignment of our sales and marketing capabilities, including the establishment of sales and support capabilities in a number of other strategic target markets.
Most of our customers do not have a contractual obligation to purchase products from us. In 2011, 2010 and 2009, there was no customer that accounted for more than 10% of our total sales. See Note 8B.1(c) to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
For additional details regarding the breakdown of our revenues by geographical distribution and by activity, see Item 5.A “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Operating Results – Results of Operations”.
DCIM Solutions
The sales and marketing strategy utilizes the following channels:
|
·
|
Distrubutors
: Our distributor network includes a broad variety of distributors as well as value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators and installers, in regions throughout the world. As a general rule, our distributors sign non-exclusive International Distributor Agreements. In the United States, we sell our products through our wholly-owned subsidiary, RiT Technologies, Inc., which sells our products primarily through independent manufacturers’ representatives, distributors and system integrators. Most of our distributors are not bound to deal with us exclusively nor contractually subject to minimum purchase requirements with respect to our products or solutions. In the CIS market, we have designated STINS COMAN, our principal shareholder, as our non-exclusive distributor. Our distributors serve as an integral part of our marketing and service network around the world.
|
We invest significant sales, technical and marketing resources on our distributors, providing them with ongoing training, communications and support. Our employees regularly visit distributors’ sites, and we organize meetings, focused events and technical seminars, and participate in industry conferences and trade shows periodically to further advance our relationships and to familiarize distributors with our products. In addition, in co-operation with our distributors, we advertise in local publications, contribute editorials to journals and prepare direct mailings (both print and electronic) focusing on our products.
|
·
|
OEM Partners
: Our OEM partners sell our products under their own brands as a component of the complete solutions that they provide to their customers. In some regions, we also have local OEM partners. We support our OEM partners with training, sales materials and technical support and in some cases, we carry out joint marketing and sales activities with such partners.
|
In addition, our sales force is responsible for large projects and strategic accounts as well as carrying out marketing and sales activities through existing channels. We maintain a representative office in Moscow, Russia, which coordinates our CIS sales and marketing activities, as well as in Beijing and Shanghai, China. In addition, we retain local representatives for technical support and sales support in London, U.K.; Prague, Czech Republic; Sao Bernardo Do Campo, Brazil, Singapore; Johannesberg, South Africa; and Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkatta and Chennai in India.
In 2011, distributors and OEM partners accounted for approximately 85% of our total
DCIM/
enterprise sales, compared to 77% in 2010.
Carrier Solutions
We market our carrier solutions directly to telcos with the aid of local agents and distributors.
The completion of a
PairView
or
PairQ™
sale typically involves a lengthy approval process, resulting in a sales cycle that takes approximately 18-36 months or longer.
In both 2010 and 2011, none of our carrier customers generated more than 10% of our total revenues.
Seasonality
Historically, the purchases of our direct end-customers have been lower in the first and third quarters than in the second and fourth quarters. However, in recent years, we have not identified any specific seasonality trends.
Manufacturing
In general, we use sub-contractors to manufacture our products, reserving the use of our limited manufacturing facilities located in Tel Aviv, Israel for final assembly, testing and quality control of materials, subassemblies and systems. The majority of our products are manufactured, assembled and tested by subcontractors according to our designs and specifications.
Certain components used in our products and solutions are presently available from, or supplied by, only one source, and certain other components are available from a limited number of sources. Although we generally do not have long-term supply contracts with our component suppliers, we have generally been able to obtain supplies of components and products in a timely manner. However, in the event that certain of our suppliers or contract manufacturers were to experience financial or other difficulties that result in a reduction or interruption in supply to us, our results of operations would be adversely affected until such time as we established alternate sources.
In addition, the components used in our products may be subject to significant volatility in prices for raw materials and components. Significant volatility in prices for raw material and components may result in a required increase in prices that, if we are unable or fail to apply, may adversely affect the results of our operations.
Customer Service and Support
We believe the provision of a high level of customer service and support to our end-user customers is essential to the success and acceptance of our products and solutions. As such, we operate a technical support help desk to support our distributors worldwide, and support our customers via phone, fax, e-mail and on-site visits. We also publish application and technical notes for distributors, integrators, manufacturers’ representatives and end-users to assist them in using our products more efficiently. In certain territories, we maintain local customer support personnel.
DCIM Solutions
In addition to our direct service and support activities for our DCIM (including enterprise) solutions, our worldwide OEMs, distributors and representatives provide sales, service and technical support functions (first and second level support) for our products and solutions to end-user customers in their respective territories. They offer technical support in the end-user's language, attend to customer needs during local business hours, translate our product and marketing literature into the local language and conduct user programs and seminars.
We conduct periodic technical seminars in Israel and other countries to qualify and further advance the technical knowledge of our distributors and installers in the use of our products and solutions. We also conduct technical seminars for staff of our OEM partners in various parts of the world.
We provide a 12-to-36 month warranty on all of our hardware products except for SMART Cabling System components, which, when installed by a certified cabling installer registered with us, is granted a 20-to-25 year warranty for system performance.
We offer second and third level maintenance and support services for our software products to OEMs and distributors and first, second and third level maintenance and support services to our direct customers.
Carrier Solutions
We provide direct service and support activities to our end distributors and end customers in various levels of support. We provide a 12-to-36 month warranty on our carrier products and upon termination of the warranty period for carrier solutions, we offer a maintenance and support program to our customers.
Proprietary Rights
We rely upon a combination of patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, contractual restrictions and technical measures to establish and protect our proprietary rights in our products, systems and technologies. Patents for our
PatchView
and
PairView
technologies and some of our cabling products expire in 2025, 2015 and 2024, respectively. During 2011, we obtained several new trademarks, patents and provisional patents on several other products in a number of jurisdictions. In addition, we enter into nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements with our employees and with certain partners, suppliers and customers with access to proprietary information. Although we cannot assure that the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or independent development and sale by others of software products with features based upon, or otherwise similar to, those of our products and solutions, we intend to vigorously pursue those who commit infringement in order to protect our proprietary technology.
Given the rapid pace of technological development in the communications industries, we cannot assure that certain aspects of our products and solutions do not or will not infringe on existing or future proprietary rights of others. Although we believe our technology has been independently developed and that none of our technology or intellectual property infringes on the rights of others, third parties could assert infringement claims against us in the future. If such infringement is found to exist, we may attempt to receive the requisite licenses or rights to use such technology or intellectual property. However, we cannot assure that such licenses or rights can be obtained under acceptable terms or obtained at all.
In addition, the laws of the foreign jurisdictions in which we sell and seek to sell our products may afford little or no protection of our intellectual property rights. We cannot assure that the protection provided to our intellectual property rights by the laws and courts of foreign nations will be substantially similar to the remedies available under U.S. law. We also cannot assure that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us based on foreign intellectual property rights and laws that are different from those established in the United States.
Competitive Position
DCIM Solutions
Competition in the DCIM market is intense. Many companies, including, among others, nLyte, Emerson Trellis (consolidation of Aperture, Avocent and Emerson systems), Raritan (dcTrack), iTRACS, Rackwise and Virtual Data Center, develop and sell products that directly or indirectly compete with our DCIM products.
We believe that the principal competitive factors in this market are product price-performance ratio, brand name recognition, technical features, quality, price, and customer service and support. We cannot assure that we will be able to compete successfully in the future with existing or anticipated competitors. Many of our existing and potential competitors have or are likely to have more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution capabilities (including direct sales forces) and greater financial, technological and personnel resources than we do. Moreover, we cannot assure that we will be able to differentiate our products from the products of our competitors or to develop or successfully introduce new products which are less costly or offer better performance than those of our competitors. In addition, our existing and prospective competitors may have established, or may in the future establish, relationships with our existing and potential customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete.
However, we are differentiated by our positioning as a “one-stop-shop” for comprehensive DCIM solutions, by the strength of our technologies, the depth of our product portfolio and the breadth of our experience in this marketplace as well as competitive prices. Although many vendors offer various aspects of a DCIM solution, relatively few currently offer a broad portfolio of products ranging from fully-featured, end-to-end systems with an in-depth visibility of connectivity, utilization, power consumption and environmental parameters, like our comprehensive DCIM solutions.
Our SMART cabling products compete with Commscope (SYSTIMAX division), TE Connectivity, Panduit, Ortronics, and Siemon, each of which develops and sells products that directly or indirectly compete with our structured cabling infrastructure.
We are aware of a number of products currently in the market that compete directly with our IIM solution: the iTRACS Infrastructure Manager system produced by the iTRACS Corporation; Quareo by Tyco Electronics; MapiT by Siemon; MIIM by Molex; PanView IQ by Panduit; and the iPatch System produced by Systimax Solutions.
Carrier Solutions
Our carrier solutions compete with products provided by Fluke, Teradyne, Porta Systems and Spirent, and with local solutions provided by specialty operators in selected markets. However, we believe that our carrier solutions are generally competitive in price and features and have certain advantages as compared to competitors’ products.
In general, any increase in competition, whether direct or indirect, could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability through pricing pressure, loss of market share and other factors. We cannot assure that we will not be subject in the future to such factors, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Government Regulations
General
Israel has the benefit of a free trade agreement with the United States that, generally, permits tariff-free access into the United States for products produced by us in Israel. In addition, as a result of an agreement entered into by Israel with the European Union, or the EU, and countries remaining in the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA, the EU and EFTA have abolished customs duties on Israeli industrial products.
Approved Enterprise
See Item 10E. “Additional Information – Taxation – Israeli Tax – Tax Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959.”
Grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist
See Item 5C. “Research and Development, Patents and Licenses -
Grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist
.”
Environmental Regulation
Our European activities require us to comply with European Union Directives with respect to product quality assurance standards and environmental standards. Directive 2002/95/ec of the European Parliament on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, also known as the RoHS Directive, provides that producers of electrical and electronic equipment may not place new equipment containing lead, mercury and certain other materials deemed to be hazardous, in amounts exceeding the set maximum concentration values, on the market in the European Union. European Directive 2002/96/EC on waste, electrical and electronic equipment, known as the WEEE Directive, makes manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment financially responsible for specified collection recycling, treatment and disposal of past and future covered products.
We require our suppliers for components and sub-system modules to comply with these requirements, and some of our products have been modified to meet these directives. Complying with these directives imposes some additional costs and administrative burden on us. To our knowledge, compliance with environmental laws and regulations has had no material effect on our operations to date. However, we could incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party damages or personal injury claims, if we were to breach environmental laws, if our products were found not to comply with environmental laws or if we become subject to newly enacted environmental laws and regulations in the markets in which we operate.
4.C.
|
Organizational Structure
|
Our wholly-owned subsidiary in the United States, RiT Technologies, Inc., was incorporated in 1993 under the laws of the State of New Jersey and is primarily engaged in the selling and marketing of our products in the United States.
In 1997, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Israel, RiT Tech (1997) Ltd., which was intended to make various investments, including in our securities. RiT Tech (1997) Ltd. is inactive but holds 2,125 ordinary shares, representing 0.05% of our outstanding shares. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the shares held by our subsidiary bear no voting rights.
4.D.
|
Property, Plants and Equipment
|
Israel
: We lease an aggregate of 15,758 square feet of office and manufacturing premises in Tel Aviv, Israel and we lease 6,545 square feet of warehousing premises in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel. Aggregate annual lease payments in 2011 for the Tel Aviv and Rosh Ha'ayin premises were approximately $381,000 ($332,000 in 2010).
Other Locations
: We lease approximately 1,140 square feet of office premises for our representative office in Beijing, China; 408 square feet of office premises for our representative office in Moscow, Russia; and approximately 1,888 square feet of office premises for our United States subsidiary in Mahwah, New Jersey. The annual rent for all of these premises was approximately $79,000 in 2011 ($71,000 in 2010).
We do not own any real property. See also Notes 5B and 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
We believe that our facilities are suitable and adequate for our operations as currently conducted and as currently foreseen. In the event that additional facilities are required, we believe that we could obtain such facilities at commercially reasonable rates.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in "Item 3.D.–Risk Factors."
Overview
We commenced operations in 1989. We are a leading provider of intelligent solutions for data center infrastructure management (DCIM) used in data centers, communication rooms and workspace environments to help ensure maximum utilization, reliability, decreased downtime, physical security, automated deployment, asset tracking, and troubleshooting. Our solutions have been deployed successfully by top-tier customers throughout the world, including by the headquarters, data centers and branch offices of government agencies, healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
In February 2012, the Board of Directors recruited a new management team led by Vadim Leiderman, our CEO, with the goal of growing our business to a new level, and instructed management to create a new strategic plan, or the Strategic Plan. The plan, which was approved by our Board of Directors in early May 2012, calls for us to realign activities and accelerate our penetration of global DCIM markets and to enhance our positioning as a “one-stop-shop” for flexible, effective DCIM solutions as needed by various customers. The plan includes investment in the expansion of our new product development activities. As part of the plan, we are also currently completing feasibility studies regarding an innovative new wireless communications technology in cooperation with an Israeli private company affiliated with STINS COMAN (see "Item 7.B.-Related Party Transactions"). If the technology proves to be feasible, we may exercise an option to acquire and further develop this technology as a promising complementary focus area for our business.
2011 Financial Highlights
Revenues:
2011 revenues totaled $13.7 million, a 20% increase compared with $11.4 million in 2010
.
The increase was attributable primarily to the increase in our enterprise solutions sales in North America and Europe. In 2011, the sales of our enterprise solutions increased by 21% compared with 2010, due mainly to the increase in sales to in North America and Europe. Sales of carrier solutions during 2011 decreased by 1% compared with 2010.
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues in 2011 remained at the same level as in 2010.
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses for 2011 totaled $10.0 million, an 18% increase compared with $8.5 million in 2010. The increase derived primarily from investments in the Company’s sales organizations made in line with its strategy for growing the company.
Net loss:
Net loss for 2011 was $3.9 million, a 11% increase compared with $3.5 million in 2010. The increase in net loss was related primarily to the increased investment in sales and marketing.
Cash and cash equivalents:
Our cash and cash equivalents decreased from $1.4 million as of December 31, 2010 to approximately $0.9 million as of December 31, 2011. To date, we had drawn a total principal amount of approximately $10.9 million under the STINS COMAN Convertible Loan Agreement. As such, we may borrow up to an additional $9.1 million from STINS under the Convertible Loan Agreement.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on a regular basis and may revise our estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently, actual results may differ from those estimates. For any given individual estimate, judgment or assumption made by us, there may be alternative estimates, judgments or assumptions, which are also reasonable. The following sections include references to certain critical accounting policies that are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These policies are also discussed in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from our estimates, judgments and assumptions, such as changes in the economic environment and competition. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in “Item 3.D.–Risk Factors” herein.
We believe that the following significant accounting policies are the basis for the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Revenue recognition
We follow very specific and detailed guidelines for the measurement of revenue, several of which are discussed below. However, such guidelines may require the exercise of certain judgments, estimates and assumptions.
Contracts and customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. We assess whether the fee is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. We assess collectability based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks and analysis, as well as the customer's payment history. When the sale arrangement includes customer acceptance provisions, revenue is not recognized before we have demonstrated that the criteria specified in the acceptance provisions have been satisfied, including a written approval received from the customer.
We apply the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 605 “Revenue Recognition” to determine if the contract or arrangement contains more than one unit of accounting, as defined in ASC Topic 605, and, if applicable, the allocation of the arrangement consideration to such units of accounting.
All of our contracts include a warranty period and some also include training services. We have no obligation to provide installation services or customer service and support with sales of our products. In some cases, we offer support agreements as separate items with their own prices and sales terms.
We believe that in the future these services/features may be sold separately, after the delivery of the systems.
We sell most of our products and solutions through distributors, strategic alliance partners, value-added resellers, system integrators, OEMs and installers. We generally recognize revenue at the time of shipment to such distribution channels.
Amounts received from customers prior to product shipment are classified as advances from customers.
We generally do not grant the right to return except for replacement of defective products, for which a warranty allowance is recorded at the time of shipment.
Allowances for product warranties
We provide a 12-to-36 month warranty on all of our hardware products except for SMART Cabling System components, which, when installed by a certified cabling installer registered with us, is granted a 20-to-25 year warranty for system performance. The balance sheet provision for warranties for all periods through December 31, 2011 is determined based upon our experience regarding the relationship between sales and actual warranty expenses incurred. See Note 2L to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. This determination may require the exercise of certain judgments, estimates and assumptions.
The warranty for our products is a basic manufacturer warranty accounted for under ASC “Topic 450 Contingencies” and is not a portion of multiple element revenue. Besides the warranty period, we have no obligation for continuing customer service and support.
Our provision for warranty is calculated for sales of carrier and enterprise systems (PairQ, PairView and our PatchView products). The formula that we use to estimate the warranty provision for the systems being sold for each period takes into consideration, among others, the following variables:
number and nature of systems sold;
price;
remaining warranty period; and
elements related to the customer’s history and traits (e.g., sales region, number of systems bought, past warranty claims experience).
Our provision for warranty claims is calculated on a quarterly basis for sales of enterprise and carrier systems. Based on past years’ experience, the calculation of the enterprise product warranty provision is based on a fixed percentage of the sales of this product. The provision for the carrier products is calculated separately for each of those products to appropriately take into consideration any differences in product or customer characteristics (e.g., professionalism of the customer work force, environmental conditions and working conditions in the field).
Allowances for doubtful accounts
Our financial statements include an allowance that we believe adequately reflects the potential loss inherent in existing receivables for which collection is in doubt. In determining the adequacy of the allowance, we base our estimate on information-at-hand regarding the financial situation of debtors, the volume of their operations, the age of the balance owed, evaluation of security received from them or their guarantors and the existence of credit insurance policies and the terms of payment. If there is a major deterioration in a major customer's credit worthiness, or if actual defaults are higher than our historical experience, our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could be adversely affected. This would result in an increase in our allowance for bad and doubtful debts, resulting in an increase in our general and administrative expenses and a decrease in our trade receivables.
The balance sheet allowance for doubtful debts for all the periods through December 31, 2011 is determined as a specific amount for all accounts for whom collection is uncertain. In performing this evaluation, significant judgments and estimates are involved based upon the factors that affect a debtor's ability to pay, all of which can change rapidly and without advance warning.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. In respect of work-in-process and finished products, the cost of raw materials and components is determined using the moving average basis and labor costs, and the cost of overhead components is determined on the basis of actual manufacturing costs. In determining inventory value, we make assumptions as to the market value of inventory. If there is a sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products or there is a higher risk of inventory obsolescence because of a rapidly changing technology and customer requirements, we may be required to increase our inventory write–downs and our gross margin could be adversely affected. In addition, we add the overhead from our manufacturing process to the cost of our inventory items. The amount of overhead allocated to cost of revenues is reviewed and updated periodically. Our write-offs of inventory in 2011 were $0.1 million, unchanged from their level in 2010.
Accounting for Stock-based Compensation
On December 31, 2011, we had several employee compensation plans, which are more fully described in “Item 6.E.- Share Ownership”. Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of ASC Topic 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC Topic 718”), and related interpretations as permitted by ASC Topic 718. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition method detailed in ASC Topic 718 using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of ASC Topic 718, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black - Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
·
|
The current price of the share is the fair market value of such shares at the date of issuance.
|
·
|
Dividend yield of zero percent for all relevant periods.
|
·
|
Risk free interest rates are as follows:
|
Year ended December 31
,
|
Interest Rate (%)
|
2011
|
0.8
|
2010
|
-
|
2009
|
1.87
|
·
|
In 2011, grants of options totaled 217,850.
|
·
|
In 2010, there were no grants of options.
|
·
|
Expected term of 4 years for each option granted.
|
·
|
Expected volatility of 127.24% and 88.54% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2009, respectively.
|
Most of our option awards are generally subject to graded vesting over a service period. In those cases, we recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
With respect to non-employees, we apply the fair value-based method of accounting set forth in ASC Topic 718 and ASC Topic 505 Equity, to account for stock-based compensation to non-employees. Using the fair value method, the total compensation expense is computed based on the fair value of the options on the date the options are fully vested.
Accounting for Income Taxes
As of January 1, 2007, we adopted ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes, which contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process requires us to estimate our actual current tax exposure and make an assessment of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, for tax and accounting purposes. We have recorded a valuation allowance of 12.9 million as of December 31, 2011, which relates primarily to the value of the deferred tax asset consisting of our net operating loss carry-forwards. This indicates our management’s current determination that because we have yet to generate taxable income, we cannot determine that it is more likely than not that we will be able to use this asset in the future. For the year ending December 31, 2011, we did not generate any taxable income. In the event that we generate taxable income in the future, we may be required to adjust our valuation allowance.
While we believe the resulting tax balances as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are appropriately accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 740, ASC Topic 450 Contingencies and ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes as applicable; the ultimate outcome of such matters could result in favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our consolidated financial statements. We believe that we adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to tax audits and settlement. However, our future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved, audits are closed or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial data expressed in dollars (U.S. dollars in thousands) and as a percentage of total revenue:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
$
|
13,720
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
11,400
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
8,655
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
7,489
|
|
|
|
54.6
|
|
|
|
6,319
|
|
|
|
55.4
|
|
|
|
4,710
|
|
|
|
54.4
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
6,231
|
|
|
|
45.4
|
|
|
|
5,081
|
|
|
|
44.6
|
|
|
|
3,945
|
|
|
|
45.6
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development, gross
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
13.6
|
|
|
|
1,976
|
|
|
|
17.3
|
|
|
|
3,158
|
|
|
|
36.5
|
|
Less – royalty-bearing participation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(73
|
)
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
(206
|
)
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
Research and development, net
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
13.6
|
|
|
|
1,903
|
|
|
|
16.7
|
|
|
|
2,952
|
|
|
|
34.1
|
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
5,684
|
|
|
|
41.4
|
|
|
|
4,581
|
|
|
|
40.2
|
|
|
|
5,268
|
|
|
|
60.8
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
18.0
|
|
|
|
2,012
|
|
|
|
17.6
|
|
|
|
2,065
|
|
|
|
23.9
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
10,018
|
|
|
|
73.0
|
|
|
|
8,496
|
|
|
|
74.5
|
|
|
|
10,285
|
|
|
|
118.8
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(3,787
|
)
|
|
|
(27.6
|
)
|
|
|
(3,415
|
)
|
|
|
(30.0
|
)
|
|
|
(6,340
|
)
|
|
|
(73.2
|
)
|
Financial income (loss), net
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
(71
|
)
|
|
|
(0.6
|
)
|
|
|
(110
|
)
|
|
|
(1.3
|
)
|
Other income
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
2. 0
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net loss for the year
|
|
|
(3,857
|
)
|
|
|
(28.1
|
)
|
|
|
(3,486
|
)
|
|
|
(30.6
|
)
|
|
|
(6,450
|
)
|
|
|
(74.5
|
)
|
Comparison of 2011, 2010 and 2009
Sales.
Sales consist of gross sales of products less discounts and refunds. For additional details regarding the manner in which we recognize revenues, see the discussion under the caption “
Critical Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition
” above.
The following table provides a breakdown of our revenues by type of revenues and relative percentages of our total revenue during the last three fiscal years (U.S. dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
2011 vs. 2010
|
|
|
%
Change
2010 vs. 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enterprise Solutions
|
|
$
|
13,160
|
|
|
$
|
10,833
|
|
|
$
|
8,129
|
|
|
|
21
|
%
|
|
|
33
|
%
|
Other Solutions
|
|
|
560
|
|
|
|
567
|
|
|
|
526
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
Total
|
|
$
|
13,720
|
|
|
$
|
11,400
|
|
|
$
|
8,655
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
The following table provides a breakdown of our revenues by geographical area (including maintenance and services revenues) and relative percentages of our total revenue during the last three fiscal years (U.S. dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
1,360
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
$
|
546
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
$
|
1,723
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Europe
|
|
|
5,660
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
4,699
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
3,461
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Israel
|
|
|
2,137
|
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
1,966
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
1,155
|
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
Latin America
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
599
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Asia Pacific
|
|
|
3,654
|
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
|
3,395
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
1,494
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
|
509
|
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
$
|
13,720
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
$
|
11,400
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
$
|
8,655
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
*
Sales are attributed to geographical areas based on location of customers.
Sales increased to approximately $13.7 million in 2011 from approximately $11.4 million in 2010, primarily due to an increase of 21% in our enterprise solutions revenues, mainly due to increased sales of such systems in North America and Europe. Our carrier business revenues in 2011 decreased by 1% compared with 2010.
Cost of Sales.
Cost of sales consists primarily of materials, sub-contractors expenses, warranty expenses, compensation costs attributable to employees, write-down of inventory and overhead expenses related to our manufacturing operations.
Cost of sales was approximately $7.5 million in 2011 compared with $6.3 million in 2010. This increase resulted mainly from the costs associated with increased sales and the mix of our enterprise sales during the year. Our inventory write-down charge in 2011 was $0.1 million compared with $0.1 million in 2010.
Gross Margin.
Gross margin increased from 44.6% in 2010 to 45.4% in 2011, mainly due to the mix of our enterprise sales during the year, as described above.
Operating Expenses
. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our operating expenses for the
periods indicated:
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
2011 vs. 2010
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
Research and development, gross
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
1,976
|
|
|
|
3,158
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)%
|
|
|
(37
|
)%
|
Selling and marketing
|
|
|
5,684
|
|
|
|
4,581
|
|
|
|
5,268
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
(13
|
)%
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
2,463
|
|
|
|
2,012
|
|
|
|
2,065
|
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
|
|
(3
|
)%
|
Total
|
|
|
10,018
|
|
|
|
8,569
|
|
|
|
10,491
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and Development Expenses.
R&D expenses consist primarily of compensation costs attributable to employees engaged in ongoing R&D activities, development-related raw materials and sub-contractors, and other related costs.
Gross R&D expenses were approximately $1.9 million in 2011 compared with $2.0 million in 2010 and $3.2 million in 2009. As a percentage of sales, gross R&D expenses decreased to 13.6% of sales in 2011 from 16.7% of sales in 2010, resulting mainly from increase in sales during 2011.
Grants from the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist were approximately $0.1 million in 2010.
Sales and Marketing Expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of costs relating to compensation attributable to employees engaged in sales and marketing activities, promotion, advertising, trade shows and exhibitions, sales support, travel, commissions and related expenses.
Sales and marketing expenses were approximately $5.7 million in 2011 compared with approximately $4.6 million in 2010. The increase is mainly related to the recruitment of new personnel for the sales and marketing department.
General and Administrative Expenses.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs for administration, finance and general management personnel, office maintenance and administrative costs and doubtful debt expenses.
General and administrative expenses were approximately $2.5 million in 2011 compared with approximately $2.0 million in 2010.
Financing Income (Loss) Net.
Net financing loss was approximately $0.1 million in 2011 compared with net financing loss of approximately $0.1 million in 2010.
Net loss:
Net loss for 2011 was $3.9 million, a 11% increase compared with $3.5 million in 2010. The increase in net loss is mainly related to the increased investment in sales and marketing.
Impact of Currency Fluctuations and of Inflation
Our financial results may be negatively impacted by foreign currency fluctuations. Our non-U.S. operations are generally transacted through our international sales distributors/resellers and as a result, these sales and related expenses are denominated in currencies other than the dollar. Because our financial results are reported in dollars, our results of operations may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the dollar and other currencies.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (1) devaluation or appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the most significant currencies for our business, i.e., the NIS and the Euro; and (2) inflation as reflected in changes in the Israeli consumer price index.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Israeli Shekel (NIS)
|
|
|
9.9
|
%
|
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.7
|
%
|
|
|
6.4
|
%
|
|
|
(7.7
|
)%
|
Euro
|
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
|
(5.3
|
)%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
Israeli Consumer Price Index
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
2.2
|
%
|
A devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar during 2011 contrary to revaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar, as was the case in 2007 through 2010 has the effect of decreasing the dollar amount of any of our expenses or liabilities which are payable in NIS (unless such expenses or payables are linked to the dollar). Such devaluation also has the effect of decreasing the dollar value of any asset, which consists of NIS or receivables payable in NIS (unless such receivables are linked to the dollar). Conversely, any increase in the value of the NIS in relation to the dollar, has the effect of increasing the dollar value of any unlinked NIS assets and the dollar amounts of any unlinked NIS liabilities and expenses.
In the past few years, the rate of inflation in Israel did not have a material impact on our financial results.
For additional details, see Item 11 "Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk" below.
Impact of Related Party Transactions
We have entered into a number of agreements with our principal shareholder or its affiliates. See “Item 7.B. – Related Party Transactions” below.
We believe the terms of these related party transactions are beneficial to us and no less favorable than terms which might be available to us from unaffiliated third parties. Our management reviewed the pricing and other items of such transactions and confirmed that they were not materially different than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties, or that, in a few cases, the specific circumstances of the transaction made it advantageous to RiT despite differences in terms.
Under the Companies Law and NASDAQ rules, certain transactions and arrangements with interested parties require approval by our Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and, in some cases, shareholders.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
In January 2010, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (T
opic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements," which provides additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Levels I and II and for activity in Level III. This ASU also clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements including level of desegregation and disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques. The provisions of the ASU are effective for annual or interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. In the period of initial adoption, the reporting entity shall not be required to provide the disclosures required for any previous periods presented for comparative purposes. We adopted the provisions of the ASU in 2010, except for the requirements to provide the Level 3 activity for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which were adopted in 2011. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. See note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, "Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities." ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position, [and to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The new standards are effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Retrospective application is required. The Company will implement the provisions of ASU 2011-11 as of January 1, 2013.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS." ASU 2011-04 does not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or U.S. GAAP. For U.S. GAAP, most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align [with IFRS. A nonpublic entity is required to apply the ASU prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2011-04 in 2012 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-13, "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements" (EITF Issue No. 08-1, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”). ASU 2009-13 amends FASB ASC Subtopic 605-25, "Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements," to eliminate the requirement that all undelivered elements have vendor specific objective evidence of selling price (VSOE) or third party evidence of selling price (TPE) before an entity can recognize the portion of an overall arrangement fee that is attributable to items that already have been delivered.
ASU 200913 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 200913 in 2011 did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
5.B.
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
In the past few years, we financed our operations through cash generated from operations, R&D and marketing grants from the Government of Israel, short-term bank borrowing and loans from our major shareholder STINS COMAN and conversion thereof into ordinary shares.
As described below in more detail, most recently, in December 2011 and April 2012, we reinforced our capital resources by amending the Convertible Loan Agreement, such that we currently have the right to draw an additional $9.1 million of the loan amount (up to a maximum amount of $20 million), until June 11, 2013.
Principal Financing Activities
Our principal financing activities during the past three years were:
|
·
|
In June 2009, we entered into a Convertible Loan Agreement with STINS COMAN, according to which STINS COMAN agreed to extend to us a loan of up to $10 million at an annual interest rate of 2.47%. According to an amendment to the Convertible Loan Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2011, the maximum amount that can be drawn under the Convertible Loan Agreement (the “Maximum Amount”) was increased from $10 million to $14 million, and the term to draw such loan was extended until June 11, 2013. According to an additional amendment signed on April 17, 2012, the Maximum Amount was further increased to $20 million. . As of April 27, 2012, we had drawn approximately $10.9 million of the principal of the loan under the Convertible Loan Agreement, which we received in installments, such that we still have available withdrawals of up to $9.1 million.
|
Part of the outstanding loans from STINS COMAN were already converted and fully repaid as follows: (1) in May 2010, approximately $1.5 million, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, were converted pursuant to a share purchase agreement into 615,485 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.465 per share, (2) in September 2010, approximately $1.5 million, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, were converted pursuant to a share purchase agreement into 687,128 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.214 per share (3) in March 2011, approximately $1.2 million, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, were converted pursuant to a share purchase agreement into 408,787 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.876 per share, (4) in June 2011, approximately $1 million, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, were converted pursuant to a share purchase agreement into 177,006 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $5.68 per share, and (5) in December 2011, approximately $3.2 million, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, were converted pursuant to a share purchase agreement into 636,874 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $5.09 per share. Accordingly ,as of April 27, 2012 the principal outstanding loan is approximately $ 2.5 million.
See “Item 7.B. – Related Party Transactions.”
|
·
|
Effective as of November 26, 2009, we entered into a short-term loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Newcon International Ltd., a Canadian corporation affiliated with STINS COMAN (“Newcon”). Under such Loan Agreement, Newcon agreed to lend us a sum of $250,000 for a maximum term of three months. The loan amount bore no interest during the term and was fully repaid to Newcon in January 2010. See “Item 7.B. – Related Party Transactions.”
|
Working Capital and Cash Flows
On December 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.9 million, compared with $1.4 million on December 31, 2010.
Net cash used for operating activities was $4.6 million in 2011 compared to $3.2 million in 2010 and $6.4 million in 2009. Net cash used for operating activities increased in 2011 primarily as a result of an increase in our accounts payable.
Net cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million in 2011, $0.1 million in 2010 and $0.1 million in 2009. Our principal investing activity in 2011, 2010 and 2009, was the purchase of property and equipment.
Our contractual and contingent obligations and commitments on December 31, 2011, primarily consisted of obligations associated with our future operating lease obligations, our suppliers’ obligations and a contingent liability to the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist. See Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report and “Item 5.F.-Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”.
Outlook
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents together with cash generated from operations as well as the availability of an additional loan of up to $9.1 million from STINS COMAN pursuant to the Convertible Loan, will be sufficient to finance our operations for at least the next 12 months. However, we cannot assure you that our actual cash requirements will not be greater than we currently expect. In early May 2012, the Strategic Plan was approved by our Board of Directors and calls for additional investment in product development and realignment of sales and marketing activities. . We intend to seek to raise additional funds to meet the financial requirements of the Strategic Plan.
5.C.
|
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
|
We believe that our future success will require the continued enhancement of our existing products and solutions as well as the continuous introduction of innovative new commercially-viable products and solutions on a timely basis. During 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, we recruited additional R&D employees, and expect to recruit additional R&D employees during the remainder of 2012 as needed to carry out our Strategic Plan.
As of December 31, 2011, we employed 19 persons in R&D. Our gross R&D expenses were approximately $1.9 million in 2011, $2.0 million in 2010 and $3.2 million in 2009 (13.6%, 17.3% and 36.5%, respectively, of our total sales). To date, all R&D expenses have been charged to operating expense as incurred. Aggregate R&D expenses funded by the Chief Scientist were approximately $0.1 million in 2011, $0.1 million in 2010 and $0.2 million in 2009.
Grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist
In the past, we have benefited from grants provided by the Israeli Government through the Office of Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, or the Chief Scientist, and we intend to apply for additional grants in the future. However, we cannot presently predict the amounts of any future grants that we may receive, if at all.
The Government of Israel encourages research and development projects through the Chief Scientist pursuant to the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 5744 - 1984, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or the R&D Law. Generally, grants from the Chief Scientist constitute up to 50% of qualifying R&D expenditures for particular approved projects. Under the terms of these Chief Scientist projects, a royalty of 3% to 5% is due on revenues from sales of products and related services that incorporate know-how developed, in whole or in part, within the framework of projects funded by the Chief Scientist. Royalty obligations are usually 100% of the dollar-linked amount of the grant, plus interest. The royalty rate applicable to our programs is 3.5
%.
The R&D Law provides that know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to another person or entity in Israel without the approval of the research committee. Such approval is not required for the sale or export of any products resulting from such research or development. The R&D Law further provides that the know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to another person or entity outside Israel, except in certain special circumstances and subject to prior approval. Generally, the Chief Scientist may approve the transfer of Chief Scientist-funded know-how outside Israel in the following circumstances: (a) the grant recipient pays to the Chief Scientist a portion of the sale price paid in consideration for such Chief Scientist-funded know-how (according to certain formulas); (b) the grant recipient receives know-how from a third party in exchange for its Chief Scientist-funded know-how; or (c) such transfer of Chief Scientist-funded know-how arises in connection with certain cooperative in research and development activities.
The R&D Law imposes reporting requirements with respect to certain changes in the ownership of a grant recipient. The law requires that the grant recipient and its controlling shareholders and foreign interested parties notify the Chief Scientist of any change in control of the recipient or a change in the holdings of the means of control of the recipient that results in a non-Israeli becoming an interested party directly in the recipient. The law further requires that the new interested party to undertake to the Chief Scientist to comply with the R&D Law. In addition, the rules of the Chief Scientist may require additional information or representations in respect of certain such events. For purposes of the R&D Law, "control" is defined as the ability to direct the activities of a company other than any ability arising solely from serving as an officer or director of the company. A person is presumed to have control if such person holds 50% or more of the means of control of a company. "Means of control" refers to voting rights or the right to appoint directors or the chief executive officer. An "interested party" of a company includes a holder of 5% or more of its outstanding share capital or voting rights, its chief executive officer and directors, someone who has the right to appoint its chief executive officer or at least one director, and a company with respect to which any of the foregoing interested parties owns 25% or more of the outstanding share capital or voting rights or has the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors. Accordingly, any non-Israeli who acquires 5% or more of our ordinary shares will be required to notify the Chief Scientist that it has become an interested party and to sign an undertaking to comply with the R&D Law.
On December 31, 2011, our unrecognized contingent liability, including interest, to the Chief Scientist in respect of grants received, was approximately
$1.3
million.
Macro-Economic Environment:
Since the second half of 2010, we have seen signs indicating that our target markets are recovering from the worldwide recession that began in 2008. However, the recovery process in much of the developed world has been slower than expected, and we witnessed large infrastructure projects continue to be delayed and/or minimized to the lowest possible investment. In contrast, the economies of a number of emerging regions, including Latin America, India, China, Africa and certain others, have been growing at an accelerated rate. However, there can be no assurance regarding the future continuity of these trends or their effects on our business and operating results.
Technological Trends:
We see a growing number of data center projects and a significant ongoing investment in data center infrastructure. One of the key drivers of this trend is the fact that a data center must demonstrate reliability of 99.995% availability to be classified as a Tier 4 facility. In order to achieve this challenging target, data centers are investing in reliable, technologically advanced equipment, including physical network infrastructure components and increasingly, in advanced infrastructure management tools. As such, sales of DCIM management solutions are growing at an accelerated rate. In a report published in March 2010, Gartner predicted that DCIM tools and processes would grow from 1% penetration into data centers worldwide in 2010 to 60% in 2014.
RiT is one of a few DCIM solution companies whose portfolio contains both physical network infrastructure components and comprehensive infrastructure management tools. To support data center needs for high quality foundation components, we continue to expand our portfolio of structured cabling offerings, especially in the fiber-optic segment. The use of fiber-optic infrastructure components in data centers is expanding due to their superior ability to support higher bandwidth and massive data traffic. The industry is currently discussing the transition to provide support for 40G and 100G data rates, and future directions may be even higher. We expect this will be achieved by using multi-fiber connections, such as MPO, in which RiT intends to invest in the future. Given increasing data center investment in high-end solutions, we provide state-of-the-art solutions for both fiber-optic and copper environments and assure that all of our products exceed the requirements established by industry standards.
5.E.
|
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
|
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined under Item 5.E of the instructions to Form 20-F, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
5.F.
|
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
|
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations related to our long-term debt, operating leases and accrued severance pay, as of December 31, 2011:
|
|
Total
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
Less than 1 year
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
1-3 years
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
3-5 years
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
|
More than 5 years
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
Contractual Obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leases on Premises
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating Lease Obligations
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Purchase Obligations
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Liability in respect of employees' severance benefits*
|
|
|
1.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
|
Principal shareholder convertible loan
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5.20
|
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.30
|
|
*Severance pay obligations to our Israeli employees, as required under Israeli labor law, are payable only upon termination, retirement or death of the respective employee.
On December 31, 2011, our unrecognized contingent liability to the Chief Scientist in respect of grants received was approximately $1.3 million including interest. See Note 5A to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. We are required to repay this liability in the form of royalties based on revenues derived from products developed with funding from these grants.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
6.A.
|
Directors and Senior Management
|
The following table sets forth, as of April 30, 2012, the name, age and position of each of our directors and executive officers:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Sergey Anisimov
|
|
57
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
Boris Granovsky
|
|
44
|
|
Director
|
Israel Frieder (1)(2)(3)(4)
|
|
62
|
|
Director
|
Roman Govorov (1)(3)(4)
|
|
34
|
|
Director
|
Galia Druker (1)(2)(3)
|
|
64
|
|
Director
|
Vadim Leiderman
|
|
49
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Moti Hania
|
|
53
|
|
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
|
Erez Ben Eshay
|
|
49
|
|
Chief Technology Officer
|
Moti Antebi
|
|
53
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Amos Simantov
|
|
49
|
|
Vice President Sales
|
Meron Leibovich
|
|
38
|
|
Vice President Sales Carrier
|
Alex Shar
|
|
52
|
|
Vice President Research and Development
|
Aram Lavi
|
|
56
|
|
Vice President Operations
|
Ben Carmi
|
|
33
|
|
Vice President Product Management & Business Development
|
Julia Geva
|
|
37
|
|
Associate Vice President Marketing
|
___________________
(1) Designated as “Independent Director” under NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
(2) External Director (as defined in the Israeli Companies Law).
(3) Member of the Audit Committee.
(4) Member of the Nomination Committee.
Mr. Sergey Anisimov
has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since June 2008. In 1992, Mr. Anisimov founded STINS COMAN Incorporated, a Russian holding company which is engaged, through its group companies, in IT system distribution, integration, training and service and other fields of operation, and since then has served as its president. Mr. Anisimov has over 30 years of experience in various positions in the information technology business. He received an engineer diploma from the Moscow Institute of Aviation Technology and holds a Ph.D. in technologies from Moscow State Technical University N.A. N.E. Bauman.
Mr. Boris Granovsky
has served as a director since June 2008. He has served as Vice President of STINS COMAN Incorporated
since 2009 and was its CEO since 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Granovsky served as a sales manager and thereafter as Vice President of Sales of STINS COMAN since 1995. Mr. Granovsky received a diploma in engineering in automated control systems from the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation and a BBA degree in management from Business School of the Open University of United Kingdom.
Mr. Israel Frieder
has served as an external director since January 2002. Mr. Frieder is Co-Chairman of IXI Mobile Inc., Chairman of A.A. Pearl Investments, and serves as a director of several other companies. Mr. Frieder's previous positions include serving as the Chairman and CEO of Israel Technology Acquisition Corp Inc., CEO of Kardan Communications Ltd., Corporate VP of Business Development & Strategic Planning of ECI Telecom, President of ECI Telecom, Inc., and President of Network Systems of Tadiran Telecommunication Ltd. (Tadiran). While at Tadiran, Mr. Frieder served as a director of RRSAT Ltd. , Teledata Ltd., Tadiran Telecommunications Canada, Inc., ECI - Tadiran Synchronous System Limited Partnership, Tadiran Telecommunications Public Switching Ltd., Tadiran Telecom (Kunming) Co. Ltd. (Joint Venture), Tadiran Telecommunication UK Ltd., and TNN - Tadiran Newbridge Networks Ltd. Mr. Frieder also served as the President of Elisra Tadiran, Public Switching Ltd. and served as a director of Motorola Tadiran Cellular Ltd. (PelePhone). Mr. Frieder holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion and an M.B.A. in Operational Research from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Mr. Roman Govorov
has served as a director since August 2008. He has served as a Managing Director of IBRG Capital, a private equity fund, since September 2007. From 2006 to 2007, he served as a senior associate and deputy head of the M&A department of Columbus Nova, a private equity fund. From 2004 to 2006, he served as an associate and analyst at Aton Capital, a Russian investment bank. From 2000 to 2004, he served as an analyst at United Financial Group, an investment bank that was acquired by Deutsche Bank in 2004. Mr. Govorov is a graduate (major: finance and credit) of the Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics and a graduate (major: applied mathematics) of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.
Ms. Galia Druker
has served as an external director since September 2009. From 2005 to 2009, she served as deputy manager of Bank Hapoalim in Geneva, Switzerland, and from 2003 to 2005 as the head of the East European desk of Bank Hapoalim in Zurich, Switzerland. From 2002 to 2003, Ms. Druker served as the head of foreign trade at Bank Otsar Hachayal’s head office. Between 1972 and 2002, Ms. Druker was employed by Bank Hapoalim in a variety of managerial positions. Ms. Druker holds an MA degree in English Philology from the Vilnius State University and a banking diploma obtained through Bank Hapoalim’s internal school.
Dr. Vadim Leiderman
joined RiT as CEO and President in February, 2012. Previously, he served from 2008 to 2011 as the Defense Attaché and Representative of the Israel Ministry of Defense to the Russian Federation. Prior thereto, he served for more than 20 years in the Israeli Air Force in various commanding and engineering positions, from which he retired as a Colonel. Dr. Leiderman holds a B.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering from The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Mr. Moti Hania
joined RiT as Deputy CEO in February 2012.
Mr. Hania has completed 30 years as a high ranked operational officer in the Israeli Air Force (Colonel Ret.). This followed by several senior positions in the high-tech industry. This included VP Special Projects & Operations, Star Defense Systems Ltd. This followed by co-founding and acting as the CEO of BNM Technologies Ltd. BNM was partially acquired by Starling Advanced Communication Systems Ltd, where Mr Hania held a COO position till Starling activity was acquired by Panasonic aviation and Mr. Hania held director of operation position. Mr Hania holds an EMBA from Tel-Aviv University Business School.
Dr. Erez Ben Eshay
joined RiT as Chief Technology Officer in February 2012. Mr. Ben Eshay came to RiT after 25 years of experience managing large, complex R&D and business development organizations, including most recently as CTO of American Unmanned Systems (2010-2011),
BNM Technologies
(2008-2012)
and SDS (__?__). Dr. Ben Eshay holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Rochville University.
Mr. Moti Antebi
joined RiT as Chief Financial Officer in August 2010 after 30 years of business and managerial experience in leading Israeli and international companies. Prior to joining RiT, from 1993 to 2009 Mr. Antebi held various positions in Hadera-Paper and Kimberly-Clark, as CFO in FCD, a subsidiary of Hadera-Paper, and also served as CFO of KCC-Turkey, a subsidiary of Kimberly-Clark. Prior to that, he served as Controller of Hogla-Kimberly, Israel’s largest marketer of disposable consumer products. Mr. Antebi holds an MBA in Integrative Management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Mr. Amos Simantov
joined RiT in May 2011 bringing over 20 years of business experience. Prior to RiT, Mr. Simantov served in a variety of senior managerial positions in Edge Medical Devices Ltd., ADI Video Technologies Ltd. and Lognet Systems Ltd. Mr. Simantov also serves as a director for several high-tech companies. Mr. Simantov holds an MBA degree from Bar-Ilan University and a BA degree in Economics and Computer Science from Tel-Aviv University.
Mr. Meron Leibovich
served in various positions at RiT Technologies including Presale Manager, Customer Support Manager and Regional Sales Director. Mr. Leibovich was promoted to Vice President Sales, Carrier in July 2010. In 2006-2007, Mr. Leibovich served as a Presale Manager at Optibase Ltd. Mr. Leibovich holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Open University, Israel.
Mr. Alex Shar
has served as our VP Research and Development since August 2010. Mr. Shar joined RiT in 1995 and held various R&D positions, leading the Hardware Development department before being promoted to the VP R&D position. With over 30 years in the private and government sectors, he brings RiT vast experience in the development of intelligent electronic systems for air industry corporations and telecommunications companies in Israel and abroad. Mr. Shar holds a M. Sc. degree in Electronics Engineering from Ufa University of Aeronautics, Russia.
Mr. Aram Lavi
has served as our Vice President Operations since October 2010. He brings over 30 years of experience in purchasing and manufacturing. Prior to rejoining RiT, Aram served as VP Operations at InkSure Technologies Ltd. Between 1993 and 2006, Aram built the purchasing department and served as Purchasing Manager in RiT. Prior to that, Aram held various of management positions in operations at several high-tech companies in Israel
.
Mr. Ben Carmi
has served as our VP Product Management & Business Development since October 2010 after serving in various positions in Product Management and Operations at RiT, including as VP Operations since 2008. Mr. Carmi holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and an MA in Public Policy, both from Tel Aviv University.
Ms. Julia Geva
has served as our Associate VP Marketing since 2006, after serving as our Marketing Manager from 2005 to 2006. Prior to joining RiT, Mrs. Geva served as Marketing Manager at Creo, and PR Manager at CreoScitex. Mrs. Geva holds an MA in Linguistics from Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University and an MBA from Tel Aviv University.
Additional Information
There are no family relationships between any of the directors or members of senior management named above.
Our articles of association provide for a Board of Directors of not fewer than three nor more than seven members. The Board of Directors is currently composed of five directors (including two external directors). Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, subject to the terms of any agreement between the officer and RiT.
General
The aggregate direct remuneration paid to all our directors and officers as a group (consisting of 15 persons in 2011) for the year ended December 31, 2011, was approximately $1.4 million compared with $1.5 million in
2010
(the group consisted of
13
persons in
2010
). This includes amounts expended by us for automobiles made available to our officers and other fringe benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel and approximately $0.2 million which was set aside or accrued to provide retirement annuities or similar benefits. The amount does not include any expenses (including business travel, professional and business association dues and expenses) reimbursed to officers.
For the contribution of Mr. Eran Ayzik, our former CEO, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved on February 2, 2012, a severance package that includes three months’ salary (in addition to Mr. Ayzik’s contractual right for three months’ salary as an adjustment period). In addition, an extension of the exercise period of Mr. Ayzik’s vested options, until the end of March 2014, was also approved as part of his severance package.
As of March 6, 2008, our non-employee directors receive amounts consistent with the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law regarding compensation to external directors. The regulations mandate, among other things, that Israeli public companies, such as RiT, provide external directors with minimum cash compensation. Consistent with the aforesaid, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors have determined to set the annual compensation paid to our external directors at NIS 71,300 (approximately $19,106) and at NIS 3,470 (approximately $930) per board meeting or per board committee meeting, all linked to the Israeli consumer price index, effective March 6, 2008. All other independent directors of the Company (namely Roman Govorov) receive the same compensation as the external directors.
Equity Incentives
During 2011, we granted a total of 210,500 options to our executive officers (excluding 110,000 options granted to Eran Ayzik, our former CEO, which expired in accordance with their terms). In addition, on February 2, 2012 we granted 140,646 options to our officers, of which: (i) 62,509 options (equivalent to 1.2% of our outstanding shares) were granted to our new CEO, Vadim Leiderman (with vesting of three years, one third at the end of each year); (ii) 52,091 options (equivalent to 1% of our outstanding shares) were granted to our new Deputy CEO, Moti Hania, (with vesting of three years, one third at the end of each year from his start of work on April 1, 2012), and (iii) 26,046 options (equivalent to 0.5% of our outstanding shares) were granted to our new CTO, Erez Ben Eshay (with vesting of three years, one third at the end of each year), all as part of their employment terms. No options were granted to any of our directors during 2011 and as of the current date of this report. See also "Item 6.E. - Directors, Senior Management and Employee – Share Ownership – Share Option Plans.”
We are subject to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder. In addition, as a NASDAQ-listed company, we are also subject to certain corporate governance standards adopted by NASDAQ, or NASDAQ rules. For further information, see “Item 16G – Corporate Governance.”
Introduction
Our Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three and not more than seven directors. Currently, our Board of Directors consists of five members.
According to the Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association, the oversight of the management and determination of the policy of our business is vested in our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may exercise all powers and may take all actions that are not specifically granted to our shareholders. As part of its powers, our Board of Directors may cause us to borrow or secure payment of any sum or sums of money for our purposes, at times and upon terms and conditions as it determines, including the grant of security interests in all or any part of our property.
Our directors are elected by the shareholders, except in certain cases where directors are appointed by the Board of Directors, such as filling vacancies, and their appointment is subject to ratification by the shareholders at the next annual or extraordinary meeting of shareholders. Except for external directors (as described below), directors elected by the shareholders hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders, which is required to be held at least once during every calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last preceding meeting. Directors may be removed earlier from office by resolution passed at a general meeting of our shareholders.
External Directors
Under the Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of Israel whose shares are listed for trade on a stock exchange or have been offered to the public in or outside of Israel, such as RiT, are required to appoint at least two external directors. The Companies Law provides that a person may not be appointed as an external director if the person or the person’s relative, partner, employer or any entity under the person's control, has, as of the date of the person’s appointment to serve as external director, or had, during the two years preceding that date, any “affiliation” with, in our case, the company (i.e., RiT), any entity controlling the company (i.e., STINS COMAN) or any entity controlled by the company or by its controlling entity. The term affiliation includes:
|
·
|
an employment relationship;
|
|
·
|
a business or professional relationship;
|
|
·
|
service as an "office holder."
|
Until the lapse of two years from termination of office, a company or its controlling shareholder may generally not give any direct or indirect benefit to the former external director or his relatives.
The Companies Law defines the term “office holder” of a company to include a director, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and any officer of the company who is directly subject to the chief executive officer.
Pursuant to the Companies Law, (1) each external director must have either accounting and financial expertise or professional qualifications (as such terms are defined in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law) and (2) at least one of the external directors must have accounting and financial expertise. We have determined that both our external directors, Mr. Israel Frieder and Ms. Galia Druker, have the requisite accounting and financial expertise.
External directors are to be elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either:
|
·
|
at least a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor of the election; or
|
|
·
|
the total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders voted against the election of the external director does not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company.
|
The initial term of an external director is three years and he or she may be reelected for up to two additional three-year terms. Thereafter, our external directors may be reelected by our shareholders for additional periods of up to three years each only if the audit committee and the Board of Directors confirm that, in light of the external director’s expertise and special contribution to the work of the Board of Directors and its committees, the reelection for such additional period is beneficial to the Company. Reelection of an external director may be effected through one of the following mechanisms: (1) the Board of Directors proposed the reelection of the nominee and the election was approved by the shareholders by the majority required to appoint external directors for their initial term as described above; or (2) a shareholder holding 1% or more of the voting rights proposed the reelection of the nominee, and the reelection is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the company, excluding the votes of controlling shareholders and those who have a personal interest in the matter as a result of their relations with the controlling shareholders; provided that the aggregate votes cast in favor of the reelection by such non-excluded shareholders constitute more than 2% of the voting rights in the company.
External directors may be removed from office only by the same percentage of shareholders as is required for their election, or by a court, only if the external directors cease to meet the statutory qualifications for their appointment or if they violate their duty of loyalty to the company.
Each committee of a company's board of directors is required to include at least one external director, except that the audit committee is required to include all the external directors. An external director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations adopted under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with such service.
Independent Directors
Under NASDAQ rules, a majority of the members of an issuer’s board of directors are required to be "independent," as defined thereunder, except where the issuer is a “controlled company,” a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company. Although we are a controlled company by virtue of STINS COMAN’s shareholdings in us, we currently satisfy this requirement as three of the five members of our Board of Directors, Mr. Israel Frieder, Ms. Galia Druker and Mr. Roman Govorov, were determined by our Board of Directors to qualify as independent directors under NASDAQ rules.
Committees
Audit Committee
Pursuant to applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules, we are required to have an Audit Committee of at least three members, each of whom must satisfy the independence requirements of the SEC and NASDAQ. In addition, pursuant to NASDAQ rules, all of the members of the Audit Committee must be financially literate and at least one member must possess accounting or related financial management expertise. The Audit Committee must also have a written charter specifying the committee’s duties and responsibilities, which include, among other things, the selection and evaluation of our independent auditors.
Under the Companies Law, our Board of Directors is required to appoint an Audit Committee, which must be comprised of at least three directors, include all of the external directors, a majority of its members must satisfy the independence standards under the Companies Law, and the chairman is required to be an external director. The duties of the Audit Committee under the Companies Law include, among others, examining flaws in the business management of the company and suggesting remedial measures to the board, assessing the company's internal audit system and the performance of its internal auditor, and as more fully described under Item 10.B. below, approval of certain interested party transactions.
Our Audit Committee consists of Mr. Roman Govorov, Mr. Israel Frieder and Ms. Galia Druker and satisfies the requirements of the Companies Law, the SEC and NASDAQ rules. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Israel Frieder is an Audit Committee financial expert, as defined by applicable SEC regulations, and that he also has the requisite financial expertise, as defined under the NASDAQ rules.
Our Audit Committee adopted a written charter specifying the committee's duties and responsibilities, which include, among other things, the selection and evaluation of our independent auditors.
Pursuant to applicable NASDAQ rules, the compensation payable to a company’s chief executive officer and other executive officers must be approved either by a majority of the independent directors on the board or a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors, subject to certain exceptions, including where the issuer is a controlled company. Until July 28 2011, our Nominations Committee also functioned as our Compensation Committee with respect to compensation of executive officers. Starting on July 28, 2011 compensation payable to our chief executive officer and other executive officers is approved by our Audit Committee, thereby satisfying the applicable Companies Law requirements and, while not required (due to us being controlled by STINS COMAN), also the NASDAQ requirements.
Our Audit Committee also functions as our Qualified Legal Compliance Committee, or the QLCC. In its capacity as the QLCC, the Audit Committee is also responsible for administering the confidential receipt, retention and consideration of any report of a material violation of federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violations by the Company or any officer, director, employee or agent of the Company
Nominations Committee
Pursuant to applicable NASDAQ rules, director nominees must be selected or recommended for the board’s selection either by a nominations committee composed solely of independent directors or by a majority of independent directors, subject to certain exceptions, including where the issuer is a controlled company. Although we are a controlled company by virtue of STINS COMAN’s shareholdings in us, we maintain a Nominations Committee which consists of Messrs. Roman Govorov and Israel Frieder and satisfies the requirements of the NASDAQ rules relating to nomination of directors.
Internal Auditor
Under the Companies Law, the Board of Directors of a public company must also appoint an internal auditor proposed by the Audit Committee. The duty of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, whether the Company’s conduct complies with applicable law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may not be an interested party, an office holder, or an affiliate, or a relative of an interested party, an office holder or affiliate, nor may the internal auditor be the company’s independent accountant or its representative.
Starting in October 2011, our internal auditor is Shmuel Rosenblum, CPA, of the accounting firm of Resenblum-Holtzman, CPAs. Mr. Rosenblum replaced Doron Cohen, CPA, of the accounting firm of Fahn Kanne Control Management Ltd.
Directors’ Service Contracts
Except as set forth in Item 6.B. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Compensation,” there are no arrangements or understandings between us and any of our current directors for benefits upon termination of service.
For information on the duties of directors, officers and shareholders and requirements for the approval of related-party transactions, please see Item 10.B - “Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
The following table details certain data on the workforce (including temporary employees) of RiT and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Approximate numbers of employees by geographic location
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
Europe, Far East
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
United States
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Total workforce
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
Approximate numbers of employees by category of activity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Management and administrative
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Total workforce
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
The increase in our workforce from 2010 to 2011 relates to recruitments in the areas of sales, marketing and R&D to support our growth strategy.
We consider our relations with our employees to be excellent and have never experienced a labor dispute, strike or work stoppage. Substantially all of our employees have employment agreements and none are represented by a labor union.
We maintain an incentive plan for our marketing and sales personnel, pursuant to which monthly remuneration is based, in part, upon sales and margin quotas. In addition, marketing and sales personnel occasionally receive bonuses for special achievements.
Our Israeli employees are not party to any collective bargaining agreement. However, we are subject to certain provisions of collective bargaining agreements among the Government of Israel, the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Coordinating Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Industrialists' Association) that are applicable to our Israeli employees by virtue of expansion orders of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. In addition, Israeli labor laws are applicable to all of our employees in Israel. Those provisions and laws principally concern the length of the workday, minimum daily wages for workers, procedures and restrictions regarding dismissal of employees, severance payments, certain social contributions and other conditions of employment.
Pursuant to Israeli law, we are legally required to pay severance upon the retirement or death of an employee or the termination of employment of an employee without due cause. The Company partially funds this liability by the purchase of managers' insurance policies. The current redemption value of such insurance policies is included in the balance sheet as assets held for severance benefits. This policy provides a combination of savings plans, insurance and severance pay, if legally entitled, upon termination of employment. The remaining part of this obligation is presented in our balance sheet as “liability in respect of employee severance benefits”. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Typically, the employment agreements provide for employees in Israel to receive contributions for pension, severance and disability insurance to an insurance policy known as “managers' insurance” and/or to pension funds and a savings fund for professional enrichment.
All Israeli employers are required to provide certain salary increases as partial compensation for increases in the Consumer Price Index. The specific formula for such increases varies according to agreements reached among the Government of Israel, the Manufacturers' Association and the Histadrut. Israeli employees and employers also are required to pay pre-determined sums (which include a contribution to national health insurance) to the Israel National Insurance Institute, which provides a range of social security benefits.
The employees of our subsidiaries are subject to local labor laws, regulations and/or collective bargaining agreements that vary from country to country.
The following table details the number of our ordinary shares beneficially owned (including the shares underlying options or warrants held by such person that are exercisable within 60 days), by our directors and members of our senior management, as of April 27, 2012:
Name
|
|
Title/Office
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned (1)
|
|
|
Percentage of Outstanding
Ordinary Shares (2)
|
|
Sergey Anisimov (3)
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
4,068,252
|
|
|
|
78.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boris Granovsky (4)
|
|
Director
|
|
|
4,063,302
|
|
|
|
78
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel Frieder
|
|
Director
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roman Govorov
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galia Druker
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vadim Leiderman (5)
|
|
CEO and President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moti Hania (5)
|
|
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erez Ben Eishay (5)
|
|
Chief Technology Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moti Antebi
|
|
CFO
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amos Simantov
|
|
Vice President Sales
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meron Leibovich
|
|
Vice President Sales Carrier
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alex Shar
|
|
Vice President Research and Development
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aram Lavi
|
|
Vice President Operations
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Carmi
|
|
Vice President Product Management & Business Development
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julia Geva
|
|
Associate Vice President Marketing
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (consisting of 15 persons) (6)
|
|
|
|
4,107,760
|
|
|
|
%
|
* Less than 1%
(1)
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Ordinary shares relating to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
|
(2)
|
The percentages shown are based on 5,209,122
shares issued and outstanding as of April 27, 2012.
|
(3)
|
Includes (i) 4,063,302 ordinary shares held by STINS COMAN, and (ii) 4,950 ordinary shares held by an Israeli private company named Quartz (Israel) Commerce and Investments Ltd. with which he may be affiliated due to his wife being a director and manager of Quartz Ltd. Excludes any possible future conversion by STINS COMAN of its outstanding loan amount into 0.6 of RiT’s ordinary shares.
|
(4)
|
Held through STINS COMAN. Mr. Granovsky disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. See Item 7A.
|
(5)
|
Excludes options’ granted to such officer (for entering into employment relationship with the Company), with future vesting schedule. See Item 6B above
|
(6)
|
Includes outstanding options exercisable, within 60 days as of April 27, 2012, into 39,508 ordinary shares at exercise prices that range between $4 to $22.56 per ordinary share and with expiration dates that range between July 2013 and October 2017.
|
Share Option Plans
In July 2003, we adopted the RiT Technologies Ltd. 2003 Share Option Plan, or the 2003 Plan, which is currently administered by our Board of Directors. The purpose of the 2003 Plan is to provide incentives to our employees, directors, consultants and contractors, or any subsidiary thereof, by providing them with opportunities to purchase our ordinary shares. The exercise price and vesting schedule of options granted under the 2003 Plan are approved by the Board of Directors, as specified in the grant letter issued by us to the grantee. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the options fully vest on the third anniversary following their grant, vesting in three equal shares annually. We have reserved 704,583 ordinary shares for the grant of options under the 2003 Plan, of which, as of April 27, 2012, we have outstanding options to purchase 360,112 ordinary shares at a weighted exercise price of $6.2 per ordinary share.
In addition, in May 1999, we adopted the RiT Technologies, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan, or the RiT Inc. Plan, pursuant to which options to purchase our ordinary shares may be granted to the employees of RiT Technologies, Inc. The RiT Inc. Plan is administered by the Board of Directors which designates the optionees, dates of grant and the exercise price of the options. We have reserved 27,000 ordinary shares for the grant of options under the RiT Inc. Plan, of which, as of April 27, 2012, we have outstanding options to purchase 8,405 ordinary shares at a weighted exercise price of $ 7.1 per ordinary share. This plan expired in May 2009.
See Item 6B above with respect to grants of options to our directors and executive officers.
The following table summarizes information about all stock options outstanding as of April 18, 2012:
Rates of exercise prices in US$
|
|
|
Number of options unexercised as of April 18, 2012
|
|
|
Weighted average remaining contractual life
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in years)
|
|
3.8-4.8
|
|
|
|
202,949
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
5.12-5.44
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
3.26
|
|
7.5-8.96
|
|
|
|
124,501
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
9.6-9.84
|
|
|
|
3,063
|
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
10.24-11.84
|
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
12.8
|
|
|
|
19,813
|
|
|
|
0.35
|
|
14.88
|
|
|
|
9,316
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
20.64-22.56
|
|
|
|
5,125
|
|
|
|
2.77
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
368,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of April
27, 2012 (except as noted below) by each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Name
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Owned Excluding Options and Warrants
|
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned as Percent of Total Shares
(1)
|
|
Sergey Anisimov
(2)
|
|
|
4,068,252
|
|
|
|
4,068,252
|
|
|
|
78.1
|
%
|
Boris Granovsky
(3)
|
|
|
4,063,302
|
|
|
|
4,063,302
|
|
|
|
78
|
%
|
(1)
|
Based on 5,209,122 ordinary shares outstanding as of April 27, 2012. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Ordinary shares relating to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
|
(2)
|
Mr. Anisimov is the President of, and owns a majority interest in, STINS COMAN. Based on a Schedule 13D/A report filed with the SEC on January 13, 2012, jointly by STINS COMAN, Sergey Anisimov and Boris Granovsky (the “13D/A Report”), the figure includes (i) 4,063,302 ordinary shares held by STINS COMAN, and (ii) 4,950 ordinary shares held by Quartz (Israel) Commerce and Investments Ltd. (“Quartz”), an Israeli private company with which Anisimov may be affiliated due to his wife being a director and manager of Quartz. The figure excludes possible future conversion by STINS COMAN of its outstanding loan into 607,850 of RiT’s ordinary shares.
|
(3)
|
Based on the 13D/A Report, Mr. Granovsky is the Vice President of, and owns a minority interest in, STINS COMAN. Consequently, Mr. Granovsky may be deemed the beneficial owner, and to share the power to vote and dispose of the shares held by STINS COMAN. Mr. Granovsky disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. The figure excludes possible future conversion by STINS COMAN of its outstanding loan into 607,850 of RiT’s ordinary shares.
|
Significant Changes in the Ownership of Major Shareholders
In June 2010, we issued 615,485 ordinary shares to STINS COMAN (in addition to the 1,538,023 ordinary shares they owned immediately prior thereto, which represented approximately 59.1% of our outstanding shares at that time) in connection with the conversion of approximately $1.5 million of the Convertible Loan made by STINS COMAN. In September 2010, we issued an additional 687,128 ordinary shares to STINS COMAN in connection with the conversion of approximately $1.5 million of the Convertible Loan. In March 2011, we issued an additional 408,787 ordinary shares to STINS COMAN in connection with the conversion of approximately $1.2 million of the Convertible Loan. In June 2011, we issued an additional 177,006 ordinary shares to STINS COMAN in connection with the conversion of approximately $1.0 million of the Convertible Loan. In December 2011, we issued an additional 636,874 ordinary shares to STINS COMAN in connection with the conversion of approximately $3.2 million of the Convertible Loan. Following such issuances, STINS COMAN owns, as of April 27 , 2012, 4,063,302 ordinary shares, representing approximately 78% of our outstanding shares.
Major Shareholders Voting Rights
Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share and none of our major shareholders has any different voting rights than any other shareholder.
Record Holders
Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer
agent, as of April 24, 2012, there were 15 holders of record of our ordinary shares, of which record holders, holding approximately 50% of our ordinary shares, had registered addresses in the United States. These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our shares nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders reside since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees (including one U.S. nominee company, CEDE & Co.).
Change of Control
As described above, we are controlled by Mr. Sergey Anisimov (through STINS COMAN). To our knowledge, we are not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any foreign government. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which, may at a subsequent date result in a change of our control.
7.B.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
Distributor Agreement – Enterprise
STINS COMAN, which became our largest shareholder in June 2008, has served as our distributor in Russia for our enterprise products since 1994 and has worked with us consistently since that date. In May 2005, more than three years before STINS COMAN became a principal shareholder of RiT, we entered into an International Distributor Agreement with STINS Corp., a subsidiary of STINS COMAN, whereby STINS Corp. was appointed as our non-exclusive distributor of enterprise products in Russia. The term of the Distributor Agreement is until July 14, 2012 (the “Term”). Such Term shall, subject to applicable law, automatically renew for additional one-year terms at the conclusion of each period, unless terminated by either party.
Under the Distributor Agreement, STINS Corp. undertook a series of obligations, including to maintain an adequate and aggressive sales organization to distribute and procure sales, to actively promote and create a demand for our products, and to assure adequate advisory, installation and support services. We also undertook a series of obligations, including to supply STINS Corp., at no cost, with such aids and technical assistance as we deem necessary to aggressively pursue product sales. The prices at which STINS Corp. is entitled to buy our products is, like most of our distributors, at a 50% discount to the recommended price list existing at the time we accept each purchase order.
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, we generated approximately $383,000, $595,000 and $306,000, respectively, in revenues from orders placed by STINS COMAN under the Distributor Agreement.
Employment
. Mr. Sergey Anisimov is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and is the founder and President of STINS COMAN. In July 2008, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved the employment of Mr. Anisimov's son in the quality assurance department at a monthly gross salary of approximately NIS 12,000 (approximately $3,400), and additional social benefits in accordance with our policy. Our Audit Committee and Board of Directors also approved, subject to shareholder approval, a framework arrangement pursuant to which any modifications or amendments to be made in Mr. Anisimov’s son’s employment terms or position by our officers in the future are approved; provided that any such modification or amendment is conditioned upon the following: (i) any increase in the gross salary will not exceed 20% per year, (ii) any bonus will not exceed the equivalent of one monthly salary per year, (iii) any change in position is permitted as long as he is not appointed as one of our office holders; and (iv) the further approval by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. Our shareholders approved the foregoing compensation and framework arrangement at the annual meeting held in August 2008. In September 2010, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved a raise of Mr. Anisimov’s son salary by 20% for 2008 and 20% for 2009, i.e., an aggregate of 44% raise of salary, as well as a change of position to work in our support department.
Distributor Agreement – Carrier.
In September 2008, we entered into an International Distributor Agreement with STINS Corp., a subsidiary of STINS COMAN, whereby STINS Corp. was appointed as our non-exclusive distributor of carrier products in the CIS market until, initially, September 2009, with automatic renewals for additional one year terms, unless terminated by either party. We refer to this agreement as the Carrier Distributor Agreement. The Carrier Distributor Agreement is an umbrella agreement that provides a framework for future deals in the carrier market, the terms of each of which would require further approval of our Audit Committee and Board of Directors and, if required under Israeli law, our shareholders. The prices at which STINS Corp. is entitled to buy carrier products is at the recommended price list existing at the time we accept the purchase order, unless otherwise agreed by the parties with respect to each deal, on a case-by-case basis which would require further approval of our Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
2009 Convertible Loan Agreement
. On June 11, 2009, we entered into a Loan Agreement with STINS COMAN, our controlling shareholder. On June 17, 2009, we entered into an Addendum to the Loan Agreement (the Loan agreement and the Addendum together, the "Convertible Loan Agreement"). On June 17, 2009, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved the Loan Agreement and the Addendum thereto, which were approved by our shareholders at our annual general meeting held on September 14, 2009.
Pursuant to the Convertible Loan Agreement, STINS COMAN agreed to extend to the Company an unsecured loan, originally of up to $10 million (the “Maximum Amount”) at an annual interest rate of 2.47%. According to an amendment signed on December 8, 2011, the Maximum Amount was increased by $4 million to be $14 million, and according to additional amendment signed on April 17, 2011, the Maximum Amount was further increased to $20 million. At any time commencing October 1, 2009 through June 11, 2013, we may call and receive any portion of the loan from STINS COMAN, but no more than $5 million at a time (up to the said Maximum Amount of $20 million) and at intervals of at least 30 days between each call request. During this extended period, RiT may call for any additional portion of the loan up to the Maximum Amount.
Under the Convertible Loan Agreement, we are required to repay the outstanding principal amount and the interest accrued thereon after 36 months from receipt of each part of the funds respectively. STINS COMAN has the right to convert any outstanding principal amount of the loan and the interest accrued thereon, in whole or in part, into our ordinary shares at a conversion price per share equal to the market price of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ on the day we received the funds from STINS COMAN, plus a premium of 10% thereon. The conversion is subject to 30 days prior notice and to the execution of a definitive purchase agreement to be substantially similar to the Securities Purchase Agreement entered between the parties on September 11, 2008.
As of April 27, 2012, we had drawn approximately $ 10.9 million of the principal of the loan under the Convertible Loan Agreement, which we received in installments. The market price of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ on the day we received each part of the funds from STINS COMAN ranged between $3.01 and $6.65 (the "Base Price”):
|
·
|
On June 9, 2010, STINS COMAN converted approximately $1.5 million loan amount, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, into 615,485 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.465 per share (i.e., with a 10% premium on the Base Price of each part of the funds received) pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between us and STINS COMAN, dated May 17, 2010.
|
|
·
|
On September 30, 2010, STINS COMAN converted approximately $1.5 million loan amount, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, into 687,128 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.214 per share (i.e., with a 10% premium on the Base Price of each part of the funds received), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between us and STINS COMAN, dated September 13, 2010.
|
|
·
|
On March 31, 2011, STINS COMAN converted approximately $1.175 million loan amount, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, into 408,787 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $2.876 per share (i.e., with a 10% premium on the Base Price of each part of the funds received), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between us and STINS COMAN, dated March 15, 2011.
|
|
·
|
On June 30, 2011, STINS COMAN converted approximately $1.0 million loan amount, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, into 177,006 of our ordinary shares reflecting an average conversion price of $5.68 per share (i.e., with a 10% premium on the Base Price of each part of the funds received), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between us and STINS COMAN, dated June 15, 2011.
|
|
·
|
On December 29, 2011, STINS COMAN converted approximately $3.2 million loan amount, representing principal and interest accrued until such date, into 636,874 of our ordinary shares, reflecting an average conversion price of $5.09 per share (i.e., with a 10% premium on the Base Price of each part of the funds received), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between us and STINS COMAN, dated December 8, 2011.
|
IntElorg
. In June 2009, the Company entered into a Representative Agreement with IntElorg Pte Ltd., a Singapore company affiliated with STINS COMAN ("IntElorg"). Under the Representative Agreement, IntElorg agreed to act as our sales agent in Singapore and other countries in Asia where we do not have a local presence, in consideration for a monthly retainer fee of 8,531 Singapore Dollars and a commission on sales of products in the amount of 5.0% of the net invoice price of such products. The initial term of the Representative Agreement is one year and, thereafter, the agreement is automatically renewed for additional one year terms, unless terminated by either party, for any reason, upon 30 days notice. The Representative Agreement was mutually terminated on October 10, 2010.
2009 Short-Term Loan
. Effective as of November 26, 2009, we entered into an additional short term loan agreement with Newcon International Ltd., (“Newcon”), a Canadian corporation affiliated with STINS COMAN. Under the short term loan agreement, Newcon agreed to lend us a sum of $250,000, for a maximum term of three months. The loan amount bears no interest during the term and was fully repaid to Newcon in January 2010. In light of the relationship between Newcon and STINS COMAN, our Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved the agreement.
Product Alliance Agreement
. On February 19, 2010, we entered into a Product Alliance Agreement with STINS COMAN (the "Product Alliance Agreement"). The Product Alliance Agreement provides for cooperation between STINS COMAN and RiT with regard to a laser speed camera (the “Product”) developed by STINS COMAN, for a term of three years, unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties. Pursuant to the Product Alliance Agreement, STINS COMAN will grant us the exclusive rights to, primarily: (a) manufacture the Product in accordance with the Manufacturing File (as defined therein) furnished to us by STINS COMAN and (b) sell the Product worldwide, except for Russia and the CIS countries. Additional key terms of the Product Alliance Agreement include the following:
|
o
|
Our obligation to pay STINS COMAN part of the Product’s sales proceeds, equal to 50% of an amount equal to the excess of (i) the proceeds from sales of the Product over (ii) the costs of manufacturing the Product. Such payments to STINS COMAN are to be paid not later than three years after our actual receipt of the sales proceeds.
|
|
o
|
STINS COMAN has the option to convert any money due to it under the Product Alliance Agreement into our ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to the NASDAQ market price of our ordinary shares on the last day prior to the signing of a definitive share purchase agreement for the issuance and sale of our ordinary shares upon such conversion.
|
|
o
|
We have the right to purchase the Product at an agreed-upon purchase price amount equal to the excess of (a) $4 million over (b) the then aggregate money amount due to STINS COMAN under the Product Alliance Agreement.
|
|
o
|
STINS COMAN undertook to indemnify us in respect of all damages actually incurred or suffered by us as a result of claims by third parties that the use or sale of the Product infringes a valid patent, trademark, copyright or other intellectual property right.
|
Following the execution of the Product Alliance Agreement, due to a need for further research and adjustment of the Manufacturing File (and the products based on it), we entered into a services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with STINS COMAN, dated July 28, 2011. Under the Services Agreement, RiT will provide STINS COMAN with R&D services for improving the Manufacturing File as aforesaid, and STINS COMAN will reimburse RiT for the costs and expenses incurred for such services, up to $300,000. In addition, STINS COMAN will compensate RiT for the Services granted to it (as defined in the Services Agreement), in an amount equal to 15% of the total costs incurred for employees and contractors hired for the services (i.e., costs of labor + 15%).
Optical Wireless Communication
. On July 29, 2010, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with Quartz, a private company incorporated in the state of Israel held by the wife of RiT’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sergey Anisimov. The MOU relates to an evaluation of the feasibility of certain optical wireless communication technology owned by Quartz (the "Technology"), and the ultimate creation of a prototype system designed to demonstrate the qualities, specification and limitations of such Technology (the "Feasibility Check" and the “Project”, respectively). Under the MOU, we agreed to assign specific RiT R&D professionals to work on a part-time basis (under agreed-upon limitations) with Quartz on the Project, while Quartz would recruit and hire specific experts. Quartz further undertook to compensate RiT's designated employees for their part-time employment for Quartz during the term of the Project.
In addition, under the MOU, RiT was granted an option to purchase the Technology, at RiT’s sole discretion and following the results of the Feasibility Check, at a purchase price equal to the sum of (a) Quartz’s actual and direct costs incurred for the Project during the Term (herein “Quartz Costs”), plus (b) 25% of Quartz Costs (the “Purchase Price”). The Purchase Price is supplemented with an additional revenue-sharing right for Quartz, equal to 3% of the proceeds actually received by RiT in return for any future sale of the Technology and/or any future sale of additional products using the Technology. The option exercise (when and if applicable), was subjected in the MOU to a definitive agreement to be negotiated and further approved by RiT's Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and, if required, shareholders.
On May 12, 2011, we entered into an Addendum to the MOU with Quartz, in which the term for carrying out the Project (originally six months), was extended until the actual completion of the Project. In addition, said Addendum provided for a reimbursement provision, obligating Quartz to reimburse RiT for contractors hired by RiT for the Project.
Training services for related company.
On October 26, 2011 we entered into a services agreement with the Academy of Informational Systems (“AIS”), an entity related to STINS COMAN, for the provision of training services in Russia for our enterprise products (the “AIS Services Agreement”). As discussed above, STINS Corp., a subsidiary of STINS COMAN, is RiT’s distributor of enterprise products in Russia. To educate STINS Corp.’s personnel/customers regarding RiT’s products, from time to time STINS Corp. arranges seminars and training workshops that are carried out by AIS in AIS facilities in Russia.
Under the AIS Services Agreement, RiT will provide AIS with higher level training and teaching services for RiT’s products in AIS facilities (the “Services”), as requested from time to time. AIS undertook to pay for the Services in accordance with RiT’s regular services’ price list, existing at the time of any Services given as well as to reimburse RiT for the costs and expenses incurred by RiT and any of its personnel in carrying out the Services.
We believe that the terms of the transactions in which we have engaged and are currently engaged with STINS COMAN and/or its affiliates are beneficial to us and no less favorable to us than terms which might be available to us from unaffiliated third parties.
7.C.
|
Interests of Experts and Counsel
|
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
8.A.
|
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
|
Financial Statements
See the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in Item 18 “Financial Statements” of this annual report.
Export Sales
See "Item 4.B. –Sales and Marketing."
Legal Proceedings
During 2011, we were named a defendant (among other defendants) in a lawsuit filed in Tel Aviv, Israel by a former employee claiming damages for alleged illness caused due to unsuitable-work-conditions. We have refered the defense of such lawsuit to our insurance company and do not believe the lawsuit against us has any merits. However, the lawsuit is still pending and it is premature to estimate the outcome of this matter.
We may, from time to time, be named as a defendant in certain routine litigation incidental to our business. However, other than as disclosed above, we are currently not, and have not been in the recent past, a party to any legal proceedings which may have or have had in the recent past significant effects on our financial position or profitability.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance our operations and to expand our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future prospects and other factors the board of directors may deem relevant.
See also "Item 10.B. - Memorandum and Articles of Association - Dividends."
Except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report, no significant change has occurred since December 31, 2011.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our ordinary shares as reported on NASDAQ (in U.S. dollars).
[are these post split figures? Better say it
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
2007 Full Year
|
|
|
14.72
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
2008 Full Year
|
|
|
7.52
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
2009 Full Year
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
|
|
1.81
|
|
2010 Full Year
|
|
|
12.94
|
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
First Quarter 2010
|
|
|
2.69
|
|
|
|
1.74
|
|
Second Quarter 2010
|
|
|
2.29
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
Third Quarter 2010
|
|
|
2.35
|
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
Fourth Quarter 2010
|
|
|
12.94
|
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
2011 Full Year
|
|
|
12.94
|
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
First Quarter 2011
|
|
|
8.12
|
|
|
|
4.33
|
|
Second Quarter 2011
|
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10.18
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3.01
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Third Quarter 2011
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8.25
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3.01
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Fourth Quarter 2011
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4.73
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2.69
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January 2012
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3.99
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3.00
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February 2012
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4.07
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3.56
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March 2012
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3.06
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3.20
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April 2012 (through April 27, 2012)
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3.95
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3.25
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On April 27, 2012, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ was $3.46 per share.
9.B.
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Plan of Distribution
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Not applicable.
Our ordinary shares were traded on the NASDAQ Global Market from our initial public offering in 1997 until January 2004. Effective January 2004, our ordinary shares were transferred from the NASDAQ Global Market (formerly, NASDAQ National Market) to the NASDAQ Capital Market (formerly NASDAQ SmallCap Market). Our ordinary shares are currently traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, under the symbol “RITT.”
9.D.
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Selling Shareholders
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Not applicable.
Not applicable.
9.F.
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Expenses of the Issue
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Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Not applicable.
10.B.
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Memorandum and Articles of Association
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Set out below is a description of certain provisions of our Amended Memorandum of Association ("Memorandum of Association") and Amended and Restated Articles of Association ("Articles of Association" or the "Articles"), and of the Israeli Companies Law related to such provisions. This description is only a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Memorandum and Articles, which are filed as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference, and to Israeli law.
General
We were first registered under Israeli law on July 16, 1989 as a private company. In August 1997, we became a public company. We are registered with the Registrar of Companies in Israel under number 520043357.
Objects and Purposes
Pursuant to Section 2 of our Memorandum of Association, the principal object for which we are established is to manufacture, market, sell, import, export, acquire, rent to, lease to, rent from, lease from and engage in any manner whatsoever in computer equipment.
The Powers of the Directors
Under our Articles, in general, the oversight of the management of our business is vested in the board of directors, which may exercise all such powers, including the power to borrow or secure the payment of any sum of money for our purposes, and may secure or provide for repayment of such sum, in such manner as it thinks fit.
There is no requirement under our Articles or Israeli law for directors to retire on attaining a specific age. Our Articles do not require directors to hold our ordinary shares to qualify for election.
Share Capital
General; Voting Rights
. Our share capital is divided into two classes of shares:
(i) ten million (10,000,000) ordinary shares, NIS 0.8 par value per share, which entitle their holders to notice of and to participate in and to vote one vote per ordinary share at shareholder meetings, the right to receive dividends upon the declaration of dividends by the board of directors and the right to participate in the distribution of our assets upon liquidation; and (ii) twenty thousand two hundred and thirty (20,230) deferred shares, NIS 0.1 par value per share, which entitle their holders no rights other than the right to their par value upon our liquidation. The shares do not entitle their holders to preemptive rights.
Dividend Rights.
Dividends on our ordinary shares may be paid only out of profits, as defined in the Companies Law, as of the end of the most recent fiscal year or as accrued over a period of two years, whichever is higher. Our board of directors is authorized to declare dividends, provided that there is not reasonable concern that the dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends may be paid with the approval of a court, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of the dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Profits, for purposes of the Israeli Companies Law, means the greater of retained earnings or earnings accumulated during the preceding two years, after deduction of previous distributions that were not already deducted from the surpluses, as evidenced by financial statements prepared no more than six months prior to the date of distribution.
In general, our board of directors is entitled to invest or utilize the unclaimed amount of dividend in any manner to our benefit until it is claimed and, if after seven years since a dividend has been declared, it is still unclaimed, it is forfeited. We are not obligated to pay interest on an unclaimed dividend.
Rights to Share in Profits.
Our holders of ordinary shares have the right to share in our profits distributed as a dividend and any other permitted distribution. See above under "Dividend Rights.”
Rights to Share in Surplus in Liquidation.
In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of our outstanding shares in proportion to the nominal value of their holdings. This right may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.
Redemption Rights; Sinking Fund
. Our ordinary shares are not redeemable and do not entitle their holders to preemptive rights.
Liability to Capital Calls by the Company.
Under our Articles and the Israeli Companies Law, the liability of our shareholders is limited to the unpaid amount of the par value of the shares held by them.
Limitations on Existing or Prospective Major Shareholder.
See below under "Approval of Specified Related Party Transactions Under Israeli Law.”
Changing Rights Attached to Shares.
The rights attached to any class may be modified or abrogated by a simple majority of the voting power represented at a shareholder meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting thereon, subject to the approval of a majority of the shares of such class present and voting at a separate class meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, changes to the rights of our deferred shares, the creation of a new class of shares and an increase of authorized share capital, are subject to the approval of the shareholders by the holders of at least 75% of the votes of shareholders present by person or by proxy and voting in the shareholders meeting.
Shareholder Meetings
Shareholder Meetings
. An annual shareholder meeting is required to be held once every calendar year, within a period not to exceed 15 months after the last preceding annual meeting. The Board of Directors, whenever it thinks fit, may convene an extraordinary shareholder meeting and, pursuant to the Companies Law, must convene a meeting upon the demand of two directors or one quarter of the directors in office or upon the demand of the holder or holders of at least 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares and 1% of the voting rights, or one or more shareholders holding in the aggregate at least 5% of the voting rights in the company.
Prior Notice Requirements
. Under our Articles, we are required to give prior notice of a shareholder meeting as required by law or applicable stock exchange rules, but in any event not less than seven (7) days. Under the Companies Law, shareholder meetings generally require prior notice of not less than 21 days or, with respect to certain matters, such as election of directors and affiliated party transactions, prior notice of not less than 35 days.
Quorum.
Two or more shareholders, present in person or by proxy and holding at least 35% of our outstanding voting power constitute a quorum. If there is no quorum within an hour of the time set, the meeting is postponed until the following week, or any other time that the chairman of the board of directors and the shareholders present agree to. At the postponed meeting, any two shareholders will constitute a quorum.
Resolutions
. Unless otherwise required by the Companies Law, resolutions at shareholder meetings are deemed adopted if approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon.
Limitation on Rights to Own Shares
Neither our Memorandum of Association or our Articles of Association nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership or voting of ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel, except with regard to subjects of countries which are in a state of war with Israel who may not be recognized as owners of ordinary shares.
Approval of Specified Related Party Transactions under Israeli Law
Fiduciary Duties of Office Holders
The Companies Law imposes a duty of care and a duty of loyalty on all office holders (as defined under the Companies Law, see "Item 6.C. – Board Practices") of a company. Each person listed in the table under "Directors and Senior Management" above is an office holder.
The duty of care requires an office holder to act with the level of care with which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the same circumstances. The duty of care of an office holder includes a duty to use reasonable means to obtain:
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information on the advisability of a given action brought for his or her approval or performed by him or her by virtue of his or her position; and
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all other important information pertaining to these actions.
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The duty of loyalty of an office holder includes a duty to:
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refrain from any conflict of interest between the performance of his or her duties in the company and the performance of his or her other duties or his or her personal affairs;
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refrain from any activity that is competitive with the company;
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refrain from exploiting any business opportunity of the company to receive a personal gain for himself or herself or others; and
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disclose to the company any information or documents relating to a company's affairs which the office holder has received due to his or her position as an office holder.
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Under the Companies Law, directors and officers’ compensation arrangements in public companies, such as ours, generally require the approvals of the audit committee, the Board of Directors and, in the case of directors, the shareholders as well, in that order.
Disclosure of Personal Interests of an Office Holder
The Companies Law requires that an office holder of a company disclose to the company any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. The disclosure is required to be made promptly and in any event no later than the board of directors meeting in which the transaction is first discussed.
A personal interest of an office holder includes an interest of a company in which the office holder is, directly or indirectly, a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which the office holder has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. In the case of an extraordinary transaction, the office holder's duty to disclose applies also to a personal interest of the office holder’s relative, which term is defined in the Companies Law to include the person's spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouse's descendants and the spouses of any of the foregoing.
Under the Companies Law, an extraordinary transaction is a transaction:
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other than in the ordinary course of business;
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otherwise than on market terms; or
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that is likely to have a material impact on the company's profitability, assets or liabilities.
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Under the Companies Law, once an office holder complies with the above disclosure requirement, the board of directors may approve the transaction, unless the articles of association provide otherwise. Nevertheless, a transaction that is adverse to the company’s interest may not be approved.
If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, approval of both the audit committee and the board of directors is required. Under specific circumstances, shareholder approval may also be required.
A director who has a personal interest in a matter which is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee generally may not be present at this meeting or vote on this matter, unless a majority of members of the board of directors or the audit committee, as the case may be, has a personal interest in the matter. If a majority of the members of the board of directors has a personal interest, shareholder approval is generally also required.
Duties of Shareholders
Under the Companies Law, the disclosure requirements, which apply to an office holder, also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder is a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, including a shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights in the company, but excluding a shareholder whose power derives solely from his or her position as a director of the company or any other position with the company.
Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the engagement of a controlling shareholder as an office holder or employee, generally require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders of the company, in that order. The shareholder approval must be by majority vote, provided that either:
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at least a majority of the shares of shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction and are present and voting, in person, by proxy or by written ballot, at the meeting, vote in favor; or
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the shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction who vote against the transaction do not represent more than two percent of the voting rights in the company.
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In addition, any such extraordinary transaction whose term is longer than three years may require further shareholder approval every three years, unless, where permissible the Israeli Companies Law, the audit committee approves that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances.
It should be noted that under regulations promulgated under the Companies Law Israeli Companies Regulations (Relief for Interested Party Transactions), 2000 (the “Relief Regulations”), the aforesaid shareholder approval of extraordinary transactions is not required in certain instances, including without limitation, where the audit committee and board of directors determine that the transaction is solely to the benefit of the company, and in any case provided that a shareholder(s) holding at least 1% of the company’s outstanding shares or voting power may demand such shareholder approval by sending a written notice within 14 days following announcement of the transaction’s approval relying on the Relief Regulations.
For information concerning the direct and indirect personal interests of certain of our office holders and principal shareholders in certain transactions with us, see "Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions."
In addition, under the Companies Law, each shareholder has a duty to act in good faith in exercising his rights and fulfilling his obligations toward the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, such as in shareholder votes. In addition, specified shareholders have a duty of fairness toward the company. These shareholders include any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder who, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint or to prevent the appointment of an office holder or any other power toward the company.
Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Office Holders
Exculpation of Office Holders
Under the Companies Law, an Israeli company may not exempt an office holder from liability for breach of his duty of loyalty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for a breach of his duty of care (except in connection with distributions), provided that the articles of association of the company allow it to do so. Our Articles of Association allow us to exempt our office holders from liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Insurance of Office Holders
Our Articles of Association provide that, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability of any of our office holders with respect to an act performed in his or her capacity as an office holder, for:
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a breach of his or her duty of care to us or to another person;
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a breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us, provided that the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable cause to assume that his act would not prejudice our interests; or
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a financial obligation imposed upon him or her in favor of another person.
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Indemnification of Office Holders
Our Articles of Association provide that, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may indemnify an office holder with respect to an act performed in his capacity as an office holder, retroactively (after the liability has been incurred) or in advance, provided that our articles of association allow us to do so, against the following:
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a financial liability imposed on him in favor of another person by any judgment, including a settlement or an arbitration award approved by a court; such indemnification may be approved (i) after the liability has been incurred or (ii) in advance, provided that our undertaking to indemnify is limited to events that our board of directors believes are foreseeable in light of our actual operations at the time of providing the undertaking and to a sum or criterion that our board of directors determines to be reasonable under the circumstances.
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reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney's fees, expended by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or proceeding concluded without the filing of an indictment against him and either (A) concluded without the imposition of any financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings or (B) concluded with the imposition of a financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings but relates to a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent; and
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reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney's fees, expended by the office holder or charged to him by a court, in proceedings we institute against him or instituted on our behalf or by another person, a criminal indictment from which he was acquitted, or a criminal indictment in which he was convicted for a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent.
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Limitations on Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification
The Companies Law provides that a company may not exculpate or indemnify an office holder nor enter into an insurance contract that would provide coverage for any monetary liability incurred as a result of any of the following:
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a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of loyalty, unless, with respect to insurance coverage or indemnification, the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;
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a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of care if the breach was done intentionally or recklessly, unless the breach was done negligently;
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any act or omission done with the intent to derive an illegal personal benefit; or
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any fine imposed against the office holder.
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In addition, under the Companies Law, exculpation and indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for, the office holders must be approved by our audit committee and board of directors and, if the beneficiary is a director, by our shareholders.
Indemnity and Insurance
We have undertaken to indemnify our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by law by providing them with an Indemnification Agreement, substantially in the form approved by our shareholders in 2009. We currently maintain directors and officers liability insurance with a per-claim and aggregate coverage limit of $10 million including legal costs incurred.
Anti-Takeover Provisions; Mergers and Acquisitions
There are no specific provisions of our Memorandum or Articles that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us or that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving us. However, certain provisions of the Companies Law may have such effect.
The Companies Law includes provisions that allow a merger transaction and requires that each company that is a party to a merger have the transaction approved by its board of directors and a vote of the majority of its shares. For purposes of the shareholder vote of each party, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if shares representing a majority of the voting power present at the shareholders meeting and which are not held by the other party to the merger, or by any person who holds 25% or more of the voting power or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other party, vote against the merger. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of the merger the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. In addition, a merger may not be completed unless at least (i) 50 days have passed from the time that the requisite proposals for approval of the merger have been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies by each merging company and (ii) 30 days have passed since the merger was approved by the shareholders of each merging company.
The Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a "special tender offer" if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company and there is no existing 25% or greater shareholder of the company. An acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 45% or greater shareholder of the company, unless there is already a 45% or greater shareholder of the company. These requirements do not apply if, in general, the acquisition (1) was made in a private placement that received shareholder approval, (2) was from a 25% or greater shareholder of the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, or (3) was from a 45% or greater shareholder of the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 45% or greater shareholder of the company. The tender offer must be extended to all shareholders, but the offeror is not required to purchase more than 5% of the company's outstanding shares, regardless of how many shares are tendered by shareholders.
If, as a result of an acquisition of shares, the acquirer will hold more than 90% of a company's outstanding shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a "full tender offer" for all of the outstanding shares. In general, if less than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in the tender offer and more than half of the offerees who have no personal interest in the offer tendered their shares, all the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to it. Shareholders may request appraisal rights in connection with a full tender offer for a period of six months following the consummation of the tender offer, but the acquirer is entitled to stipulate that tendering shareholders will forfeit such appraisal rights.
Finally, Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock acquisitions exchanges between an Israeli company and another company less favorably than does U.S. tax law. For example, Israeli tax law may, under certain circumstances, subject a shareholder who exchanges his ordinary shares for shares in another corporation, to taxation prior to the sale of the shares received in such stock-for-stock swap.
Several of our related party agreements may be deemed "Material Contracts" including: The Convertible Loan Agreement with STINS COMAN; the Product Alliance Agreement with STINS COMAN and the MOU we entered into with Quartz Ltd. See Item 7.B. “Related Party Transactions”, and Item 19 “List of Exhibits”.
Israeli law and regulations do not impose any material foreign exchange restrictions on non-Israeli holders of our ordinary shares. In May 1998, a new “general permit” was issued under the Israeli Currency Control Law, 1978, which removed most of the restrictions that previously existed under such law, and enabled Israeli citizens to freely invest outside of Israel and freely convert Israeli currency into non-Israeli currencies. However, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.
Non-residents of Israel who purchase our ordinary shares will be able to convert dividends, if any, thereon, and any amounts payable upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as well as the proceeds of any sale in Israel of our ordinary shares to an Israeli resident, into freely repatriable dollars, at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of conversion, provided that the Israeli income tax has been withheld (or paid) with respect to such amounts or an exemption has been obtained.
Israeli Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of the current tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us and certain Israeli Government programs benefiting us. The following also contains a discussion of the material Israeli tax consequences to persons purchasing our ordinary shares. To the extent that the discussion is based on tax legislation, which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure you that the tax authorities or the courts will accept the views expressed in the discussion in question.
The following summary does not discuss all the aspects of Israeli tax law that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of his or her personal investment circumstances or to some types of investors subject to special treatment under Israeli law. Prospective purchasers of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors as to Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares.
General Corporate Tax Structure
Israeli companies are generally subject to corporate tax on their taxable income at the rate of 24% for the 2011 tax year and 25% for the 2012 tax year. Following an amendment to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, 1961 (the "Tax Ordinance"), which came into effect on January 1, 2012, the corporate tax rate is scheduled to remain at the rate of 25% for future tax years.
Israeli companies are generally subject to capital gains tax at the corporate tax rate. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company that derives income from an approved enterprise (as defined below) may be considerably less, as further discussed below.
Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959
Pursuant to the above Law, the Company was entitled to tax benefits relating to investments in "Approved Enterprises" in accordance with letters of approval received.
The period of benefits in respect of the Company's production facilities terminated in 2011. Due to tax losses the Company did not utilize the benefits granted to "Approved Enterprises".
Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969
According to the Industry Encouragement Law, an "Industrial Company" is a company resident in Israel, 90% or more of the income of which in any tax year, other than of income from defense loans, capital gains, interest and dividends, is derived from an
"Industrial Enterprise" owned by it. An "Industrial Enterprise" is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production.
The following corporate tax benefits are available to Industrial Companies, among others:
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deduction of the cost of purchased know-how and patents over an eight-year period for tax purposes;
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accelerated depreciation rates on equipment and buildings;
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under specified conditions, an election to file consolidated tax returns with additional related Israeli Industrial Companies; and
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deduction over a three-year period of expenses involved with the issuance and listing of shares on a recognized stock market.
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Eligibility for the benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority.
No assurance can be given that we qualify or will continue to qualify as an "Industrial Company" or that the benefits described above will be available in the future.
Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations
On November 29, 2006, Income Tax Regulations (Determination of Market Terms), 2006, promulgated under Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance, came into force (the “TP Regs”). Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance and the TP Regs generally require that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties will be conducted on an arm’s length principle basis and will be taxed accordingly.
Capital Gains Tax
Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets in Israel including our ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence provides otherwise. The law distinguishes between the inflationary surplus and the real gain. The inflationary surplus is a portion of the total capital gain which is equivalent to the increase of the relevant asset’s purchase price that is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index or, in certain circumstances, a foreign currency exchange rate, between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus.
As of January 1, 2012, the tax rate generally applicable to capital gains derived from the sale of shares, whether listed on a stock market or not, is 25% for Israeli individuals, unless such shareholder claims a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares, in which case the gain will generally be taxed at a rate of 30%. Additionally, if such shareholder is considered a "significant shareholder" at any time during the 12-month period preceding such sale (i.e. such shareholder holds directly or indirectly, including jointly with others, at least 10% of any means of control in the company), the tax rate will be 30%. However, the foregoing tax rates will not apply to dealers in securities and shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement). Israeli companies are subject to the corporate tax rate on capital gains derived from the sale of listed shares.
The tax basis of shares acquired by individuals prior to January 1, 2003, will be determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.
Non-Israeli residents are generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock market outside of Israel (such as the NASDAQ), provided however that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to the issuer’s initial public offering (in which case a partial exemption may be available). In addition, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) are the beneficiaries of or are entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.
Application of the U.S.-Israel Income Tax Treaty to Capital Gains Tax
Pursuant to the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with Respect to Taxes on income, as amended (the "the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty"), the sale of shares by a person who qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the treaty and who is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to a resident by the treaty will not be subject to Israeli capital gains tax. This exemption does not apply if (i) the person holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the 12-month period preceding the applicable sale; or (ii) the capital gains from such sale can be allocated to a permanent establishment in Israel. A sale, exchange or disposition of our ordinary shares by a Treaty U.S. Resident who held, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power at any time during the 12-month period preceding the sale, exchange or disposition will be subject to Israeli capital gains tax, to the extent applicable. However, the person would be permitted to claim a credit for the capital gains tax paid in Israel against the U.S. federal income tax imposed with respect to the applicable sale, subject to the limitations in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to state or local taxes.
Tax on Dividends
Non-residents of Israel are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. These sources of income include passive income such as dividends. On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock dividends, income tax is applicable at the following rates: (i) 25%, or 30% for a shareholder that is considered a significant shareholder at any time during the 12-month period preceding such distribution; (ii) 15%, if the income out of which the dividend is being paid is attributable to an Approved Enterprise (or Benefited Enterprise). A different rate may be provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence. Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of our ordinary shares who is a U.S. resident is 25% or 15% if the dividends are from income generated by an Approved Enterprise (or a Benefited Enterprise); however if the income out of which the dividend is being paid is not attributable to an Approved Enterprise, and not more than 25% of our gross income consists of interest or dividends, then the maximum tax is 12.5% for a shareholder who is a U.S. corporation holding at least 10% of our issued voting power during the part of the taxable year preceding the date of payment of the dividend and during the whole of the prior taxable year (and additional conditions under the U.S. -Israel Tax Treaty are met).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in our ordinary shares. This summary deals only with ordinary shares held as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and does not address tax considerations of holders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as dealers or traders in securities or currencies, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, life insurance companies, individual retirement and tax-deferred accounts, persons holding the ordinary shares as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, or persons who have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders who own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more of our outstanding voting stock. The discussion below is based upon the Code, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable administrative rulings and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a holder of ordinary shares that is: (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if either (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person (a person described in (1) through (4) above is referred to herein as a "U.S. holder"). Except to the limited extent discussed below, this summary does not consider the U.S. tax consequences to a person that is not a U.S. holder (a "non-U.S. holder"). In addition, the tax treatment of persons who hold ordinary shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. The tax consequences to such a partner or partnership are not considered in this summary and partners and partnerships should consult their tax advisors with respect to tax consequences. In addition, this summary does not consider the possible application of U.S. federal gift or estate taxes or any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
This summary does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of its personal circumstances. Each shareholder is therefore advised to consult such person's own tax advisor with respect to the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to such person of purchasing, holding or disposing of the ordinary shares, as well as the effect of any state, local or other tax laws.
To comply with Internal Revenue Service Circular 230, readers are hereby notified that any discussion of federal tax issues in this report is not intended or written by the Company to be used, and cannot be used by any person or entity (A) for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code or (B) in connection with the promotion or marketing to another party any transactions or matters addressed herein.
Distributions on Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion under the heading "Passive Foreign Investment Companies", U.S. holders are required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on ordinary shares to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits attributable to the distribution, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A non-corporate U.S. Holder that meets certain eligibility requirements may qualify for a 15% or lower rate of U.S. federal income taxation on dividends paid in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012 if we are a "qualified foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We generally will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if we are not a passive foreign investment company (please see discussion below) and (i) we are eligible for benefits under the United States-Israel income tax treaty or (ii) our ordinary shares are listed on an established securities market in the United States (which includes the NASDAQ Capital Market). We believe that we currently are treated as a qualified foreign corporation, and we generally expect to be a qualified foreign corporation during all taxable years before 2013. However, no assurance can be given that a change in circumstances will not affect our treatment as a qualified foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year. In addition, a non-corporate U.S. Holder will not be eligible for the reduced rate if (a) such U.S. Holder has not held the ordinary shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period starting on the date which is 60 days before, and ending 60 days after the ex-dividend date, (b) to the extent the U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related payments on substantially similar or related property or (c) with respect to any portion of a dividend that is taken into account by the U.S. Holder as investment income under Section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Code. Any days during which the U.S. Holder has diminished its risk of loss with respect to the ordinary shares (for example, by holding an option to sell the ordinary shares) are not counted towards meeting the 61-day holding period. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning whether dividends received by them qualify for the reduced rate of tax.
The amount of a distribution which exceeds our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the U.S. holder’s tax basis for the ordinary shares to the extent thereof, and then as capital gain. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable for U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts. Corporate holders generally will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received from us.
The amount of a distribution with respect to our ordinary shares equals the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property distributed plus the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom. The amount of any cash distributions paid in NIS equals the U.S. dollar value of the NIS on the date of distribution based upon the exchange rate in effect on such date, and U.S. holders who include such distribution in income on such date will have a tax basis in such NIS for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to such U.S. dollar value.
Pursuant to the United States-Israel income tax treaty, the maximum rate of Israeli withholding tax on dividends paid to a U.S. holder is 25 percent. U.S. holders may generally be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction in an amount equal to the Israeli tax withheld on distributions on the ordinary shares. Distributions paid by us will generally be foreign source passive income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. The Code applies various limitations on the amount of foreign tax credits that may be available to a U.S. holder. Because of the complexity of these limitations, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent they would be entitled to such credit.
Disposition of Shares
Subject to the discussion under the heading "Passive Foreign Investment Companies," upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. The gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder held the shares for more than one year as of the time of disposition. Any gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares generally will be treated as from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, except for certain losses which will be treated as foreign source to the extent certain dividends were received by the U.S holder within the 24-month period preceding the date on which the U.S. holder recognized the loss. The deductibility of capital losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes is subject to limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
We will be a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") if: (1) 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of our assets (averaged over the year and generally determined based upon value) in a taxable year are held for the production of passive income. Certain "look-through" rules apply in making this determination. Passive income generally consists of dividends, interest, rents, royalties, annuities, income from certain commodities transactions and from notional principal contracts and gains from the disposition of passive assets. An asset will generally be characterized as passive if it has generated (or is reasonably expected to generate in the reasonabley foreseeable future) “passive income” in the hands of the foreign corporation. If we are a PFIC, each U.S. holder who has not elected to be taxed under one of the alternative regimes described below would, upon receipt of certain distributions by us and upon disposition of the ordinary shares at a gain, be liable to pay tax at the then prevailing highest tax rates on ordinary income plus interest on the tax, as if the distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the U.S. holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares.
Certain elections are available to U.S. holders of shares that may serve to alleviate some of the adverse tax consequences of PFIC status. If we agreed to provide the necessary information, you could avoid the interest charge imposed by the PFIC rules by making a qualified electing fund, or a QEF election, which election may be made retroactively under certain circumstances, in which case you generally would be required to include in income on a current basis your pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and your pro rata share of our net capital gains as long-term capital gain. We do not expect to provide to U.S. holders the information needed to report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election, and we make no undertaking to provide such information in the event that we are a PFIC.
Under an alternative tax regime, a U.S. holder of PFIC stock which is regularly traded on certain U.S. stock exchanges (including the NASDAQ Capital Market) or on certain non-U.S. stock exchanges, could elect to mark the stock to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the PFIC stock and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the PFIC stock. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the U.S. holder under the election for prior taxable years. If the mark-to-market election were made, then the rules set forth above would not apply for periods covered by the election.
PFIC status is an annual determination that is based on tests that are factual in nature and our status for any year will depend on our income, assets, and activities for such year. Therefore there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for a taxable year. Based on certain estimates of our gross income and gross assets and the nature of our business, we do not belive we were a PFIC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. However, due to legal and factual uncertainties such conclusion is not free from doubt and no assurances can be given in this regard. U.S. holders who hold ordinary shares during a period when we are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC, subject to certain exceptions for U.S. holders who made a mark-to-market or QEF election. U.S. holders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors about the PFIC rules, including the eligibility, manner and consequences to them of making a mark-to-market or QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares in the event that we qualify as a PFIC.
If we were a PFIC, a holder of ordinary shares that is a U.S. holder must file United States Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 for each tax year in which the U.S. holder owns the ordinary shares. In addition, recently enacted legislation creates an additional annual filing requirement for U.S. persons who are shareholders of a PFIC. The legislation does not describe what information will be required to be included in the additional annual filing, but rather grants the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury authority to decide what information must be included in such annual filing. If we were a PFIC for a given taxable year, then you should consult your tax advisor concerning your annual filing requirements.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
A U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding and information reporting requirements with respect to cash dividend payments and proceeds from a disposition of ordinary shares. In general, backup withholding will apply only if a U.S. holder fails to comply with certain identification procedures. Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to certain exempt recipients, such as corporations and tax-exempt organizations. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. holder, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Legislation enacted in 2010 requires individual U.S. holders to report information to the IRS with respect to their investment in stock or securities issued by a person other than a United States person, if certain conditions are met. Investors who are individuals and fail to report required information could become subject to penalties. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implication of this new legislation on their investment in our ordinary shares.
Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares
Except as provided below, a non-U.S. holder of ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares.
A non-U.S. holder may be subject to U.S. income tax on dividend received on ordinary shares or upon the receipt of income from the disposition of ordinary shares if (1) such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States and, in the case of a resident of a country which has an income tax treaty with the United States, such item is attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business in the United States; (2) the individual non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met; or (3) the non-U.S. holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of the U.S. tax law applicable to U.S. expatriates.
Non-U.S. holders may be subject to backup withholding on the payment of dividends on ordinary shares, or the proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares made in the United States or by a U.S. related person, unless the non-U.S. holder provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies to its foreign status, or otherwise establishes an exemption. A U.S. related person for these purposes is a person with one or more specified relationships with the United States. In general, non-U.S. holders will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to the payment of proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares by a foreign office of a broker.
The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
The above discussion is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences applicable to your particular situation.
10.F.
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Dividends and Paying Agents
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Not applicable.
10.G
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Statement by Experts
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Not applicable.
10.H.
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Documents on Display
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We are subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as applicable to “foreign private issuers” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith, we file annual and interim reports and other information with the SEC.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from reporting and the “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we furnish reports with the SEC on Form 6-K containing unaudited financial information for the first three quarters of each fiscal year and we solicit proxies and furnish proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders, a copy of which proxy statement is furnished promptly thereafter with the SEC under the cover of a Current Report on Form 6-K.
This annual report and the exhibits thereto and any other document we file pursuant to the Exchange Act may be inspected without charge and copied at prescribed rates at the following SEC public reference rooms: 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549; and on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) and on our website http://www.rittech.com. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Exchange Act file number for our SEC filings is 0-29360.
The documents concerning our company which are referred to in this annual report may also be inspected at our offices located at 24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719, Israel.
10.I.
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Subsidiary Information
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Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk, including movements in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Our primary market risk exposure occurs because we generate most of our revenues in U.S. dollars and Euros and incur a portion of our expenses in NIS. To date, we are not engaged in any hedging transactions and/or derivative financial instruments. If we were to determine that it was in our best interests to enter into any hedging transactions in the future, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so or that such transactions, if entered into, will materially reduce the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on our results of operations.
Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
Most of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars or are U.S. dollar-linked. We collect a portion of our revenues in Europe in Euros while most purchases of materials and components, and most marketing costs, are denominated in U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-linked. The currency of the primary economic environment in which our operations are conducted is, therefore, the U.S. dollar, which is our functional currency.
Since we pay the salaries of our Israeli employees in NIS, the U.S. dollar cost of our operations is influenced mainly by the extent to which inflation in Israel is (or is not) offset (or is offset on a lagging basis) by a devaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. dollar. Inflation in Israel will have a negative effect on our profits from contracts under which we are to receive payment in U.S. dollars or are U.S. dollar-linked NIS while incurring expenses in NIS, unless such inflation is offset on a timely basis by a devaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. dollar.
For some time, until 1997, inflation in Israel exceeded the devaluation of the NIS against the U.S. dollar and we experienced increases in the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel. This trend was reversed in 1997 and has continued in reverse for every year thereafter until the present. In 2011, on an average yearly basis, there was a decrease of approximately 4% in value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the NIS (from 3.733 to 3.578) and there was an increase of approximately 5% in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Euro (from 0.754 to 0.719). These changes in the U.S. dollar rate had an immaterial effect on our results in 2011. We cannot assure you that we will not be materially affected in the future from currency exchange rate fluctuations or the rate of inflation in Israel. If the value of the NIS or the Euro starts to rise in value relative to the U.S dollar, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.
The effects of foreign currency re-measurements are reported in our financial statements as financial income or expense.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents are held substantially in New Israeli Shekels and in U.S. dollars. We place our cash and cash equivalents with major financial banks. For purposes of specific risk analysis, we use a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact that market risk exposure may have on the financial income derived from our cash and cash equivalents. The potential loss to us over one year that would result from a hypothetical change of 10% in the LIBOR rate would be immaterial, as we do not have any borrowings linked to LIBOR.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
None.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, including our chief executive officer, or CEO, and our chief financial officer, or CFO, are responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures (within the meaning of Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We evaluated these disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of our CEO and CFO as of December 31, 2011. Based upon that evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2011 were not effective due to the material weakness described below.
Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that was designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
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pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
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·
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provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
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·
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provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Our management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of
human error and the circumvention or override of internal control
. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 based on the
framework for Internal Control-Integrated Framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on such evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2011 was not effective due to the material weakness described below.
Material Weakness and Related Remediation Efforts
During the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011, we identified discrepancies in connection with the sales process and supporting documentation of several transactions executed during the second half of 2011 that raised doubts as to recognition of such transactions in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Consequently, in consultation with the audit committee of the Board of Directors and our independent registered accounting firm, we requested that our internal auditor examine these and several other transactions executed during 2011.
Following the internal auditor's report, and in consultation with the audit committee of the Board of Directors and our independent registered accounting firm, we determined that (1) during 2011 we lacked an efficient internal control over financial reporting pertaining to revenue recognition policies under U.S. GAAP, due to inefficient execution of controls over our revenue recognition process , during 2011 (2) our revenue recognition process for the examination of sales transactions and verification that they are in accordance with our revenue recognition policies under U.S. GAAP and associated documentation supporting those controls were not sufficient to address such issues during 2011 and (3) we lacked an appropriate control over several of our sales representatives pertaining to required work in accordance with our sales procedures.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The deficiencies we discovered during the said internal review caused us to over-report revenues in the third quarter of 2011 by approximately
$144,000
, or 3.6% of the total revenues we reported for that quarter. In addition, we determined that revenues from
two
transactions that were initially recorded could not be recognized in our financial statements for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. In light of the above, we have concluded that the deficiencies we identified in our internal controls constituted a material weakness as of the valuation date of December 31, 2011.
In order to remediate the material weakness described above, we have already expanded our revenue recognition policy to assist in the understanding and consistent application of U.S. GAAP and implemented new procedures and controls (1) with respect to the examination of sales transactions and verification as to the proper application of our revenue recognition policy, (2) to strictly apply such procedures in order to avoid any revenue recognition malfunction, including by establishing an internal Revenue Recognition Committee for actually applying such expanded and new procedures and (3) to improve our controls over our sales representatives with regard to required work in accordance with our sales procedures. While we believe such remediation activities have already adequately addressed the material weakness we identified, we intend to consider and implement additional measures to further upgrade and enhance our internal control over financial reporting. For a discussion of the risks associated with such weakness, please see above under Item 3.D – "Risk Factors."
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
However, based on our findings that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2011, we have and are taking steps to improve our internal controls and procedures, as described above.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Israel Frieder is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by applicable SEC regulations. Mr. Frieder is "independent," as that term is defined under NASDAQ rules.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and all other employees. Our code of ethics is publicly available on our website at
www.rittech.com
. If we make any amendment to the code of ethics or grant any waivers, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the codes of ethics, which applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
In the annual meeting held on December 5, 2011, our shareholders re-appointed Somekh Chaikin, Certified Public Accountants (Isr.), a member of KPMG International, or KPMG, to serve as our independent registered accounting firm until the next annual meeting. The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees paid or payable to KPMG for the period indicated.
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Audit Fees (1)
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$
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76,000
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$
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85,000
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Tax Fees (2)
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$
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5,000
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$
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5,000
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All Other Fees
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-
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-
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Total
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$
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81,000
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$
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90,000
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(1)
Audit fees consist of services that have been provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including services that generally only the independent accountant can reasonably provide.
(2)
Tax fees relate to services performed by the tax division for tax compliance and advice.
The audit committee of our board of directors approves all audit, audit-related, tax and other services to be provided by KPMG prior to any engagement.
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
None.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
None.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We are a foreign private issuer whose ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. As such, we are required to comply with U.S. federal securities laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the NASDAQ rules, including the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements. The NASDAQ rules provide that foreign private issuers may follow home country practice in lieu of certain qualitative listing requirements subject to certain exceptions and except to the extent that such exemptions would be contrary to U.S. federal securities laws, so long as the foreign issuer discloses that it does not follow such listing requirement and describes the home country practice followed in its reports filed with the SEC. Below is a concise summary of the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from the corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ applicable to domestic U.S. listed companies:
The NASDAQ rules require that an issuer have a quorum requirement for shareholders meetings of at least one-third of the outstanding shares of the issuer’s common voting stock. We have chosen to follow home country practice with respect to the quorum requirements of an adjourned shareholders meeting. Our articles of association, as permitted under the Israeli Companies Law and Israeli practice, provide that the quorum requirements for an adjourned meeting are the presence of a minimum of two shareholders present in person. In addition, we have chosen to follow our home country practice in lieu of the requirements of NASDAQ Rule 5250(d)(1), relating to an issuer’s furnishing of its annual report to shareholders. However, we post our Annual Report on Form 20-F on our web site (www. rittech.com) as soon as practicable following the filing of the Annual Report on Form 20-F with the SEC.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company has elected to furnish financial statements and related information specified in Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Index to Financial Statements
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F - 2
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F - 3
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F - 4
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F - 5
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F - 6
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F - 7
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ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
List of Exhibits
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1.1
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Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association (1)
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1.2
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Amended and Restated Articles of Association (2)
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2.1
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Amended Form of Share Certificate Representing Ordinary Shares (3)
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4.1
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Amended RiT Technologies Ltd. 2003 Share Option Plan (4)
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4.2
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Form of Indemnification Agreement (5)
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4.3
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MOU between the Registrant and Quartz Ltd., dated July 1, 2010* Addendum to the MOU dated May 12, 2011*
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4.4
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Product Alliance Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated February 19, 2010 (6) Services Agreement between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated July 28, 2011 (7)
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4.5
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Convertible Loan Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated June 11, 2009 (8)
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4.6
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Addendum to the Convertible Loan Agreement, dated February 17, 2010 (9) Addendum to the Convertible Loan Agreement, dated April 14, 2011 (10) Amendment to the Convertible Loan Agreement, dated December 8, 2011(11) and Amendment to the Convertible Loan Agreement, dated April 17, 2012 (12)
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4.7
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Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated May 17, 2010 (13)
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4.8
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Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated September 13, 2010 (14)
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4.9
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Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated March 15, 2011 (15).
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4.10
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Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated June 15, 2011*
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4.11
|
Securities Purchase Agreement, between the Registrant and STINS COMAN, dated December 8, 2011*
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8.1
|
List of Subsidiaries (16)
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12.1
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
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12.2
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
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13.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
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13.2
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
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15.1
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Consent of Somekh, Chaikin, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*
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_____________________
(1)
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Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
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(2)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
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(3)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
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(4)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
|
(5)
|
Incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant’s Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 11, 2009.
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(6)
|
Incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC on May 17, 2010.
|
(7)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2011.
|
(8)
|
Incorporated by reference to Annex B of Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 11, 2009.
|
(9)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2010.
|
(10)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 18, 2011.
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(11)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on December 19, 2011.
|
(12)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 24, 2012.
|
(13)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on June 29, 2010.
|
(14)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
|
(15)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2011.
|
(16)
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2005.
|
SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
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RiT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
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By:
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/s/
Vadim Leiderman
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Vadim Leiderman
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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May 10, 2012