China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.: Form S-3 - Prepared by TNT Filings Inc.

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2008

Registration No.  333-          


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


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FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


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CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)


98-0509431

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower, Shennan Road

Futian District, Shenzhen, China 518034

(86) 755-8351-0888

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


Guoshen Tu

Chairman and CEO

13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower Shennan Road

 Futian District, Shenzhen, China  518034

(86) 755-8351-0888

(Names and addresses, including zip codes, and telephone numbers, including area codes, of agents for service)


With copies to:


Louis A. Bevilacqua, Esq.

Thomas M. Shoesmith, Esq.

Joseph R. Tiano, Jr., Esq.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

2300 N Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C.  20037

(202) 663-8000


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer Q
     
Non-accelerated filer    ¨   Smaller reporting company ¨


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each class of
securities to be registered

Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price

Amount of
registration fee

Common stock, $0.0001 par value

$125,000,000(1)

$4,913(2)


(1)

There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as shall have an aggregate offering price not to exceed $125,000,000. This registration statement shall also cover such additional number of shares of China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. common stock as are issued or issuable as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.

   

(2)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, which permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities listed.

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


 

 

 


The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

Subject to completion, dated November 4, 2008

$125,000,000

CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.


Common Stock


We may offer, issue and sell shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001, from time to time in one or more issuances. This prospectus provides a general description of offerings of common stock that we may undertake.


Each time we sell shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of such offering in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference,” before you make your investment decision.


This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our common stock and/or warrants to purchase common stock unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The information contained or incorporated in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, or such prospectus supplement, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our common stock.


Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CSR.” On October 31, 2008, the last reported per share sale price of our common stock was $10.47.


We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, through agents, or directly to purchasers.  The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering.  For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.


You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 5 of this prospectus and set forth in the documents incorporated by reference herein before making any decision to invest in our common stock.


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



The date of this prospectus is                       , 2008

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 2
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 3
   
RISK FACTORS 5
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 19
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 19
   
LEGAL MATTERS 21
   
EXPERTS 21



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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS


This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell shares of common stock described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $125,000,000. Each time we offer our common stock, we will provide you with a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the common stock we offer. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to this offering. Please read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.”


You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of common stock described in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front of those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement .

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information about us and the common stock and/or warrants being offered by this prospectus. This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you should consider prior to investing in our common stock and/or warrants. You should carefully read the entire document, including the risk factors, the financial statements and the documents incorporated by reference.

 

Use of terms

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this prospectus to “CSR,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” or “the Company” are to China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, and, in each case, does not include any of the selling stockholders. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to

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Our Company

 

We are a Delaware holding company whose China-based operating subsidiaries are primarily engaged in manufacturing, distributing, installing and servicing security and surveillance products and systems and developing security and surveillance related software in China.  We are headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Our customers primarily comprise (i) governmental entities (including, but not limited to, customs agencies, courts, public security bureaus and prisons), (ii) non-profit organizations (including, but not limited to, schools, museums, sports arenas and libraries) and (iii) commercial entities (including, but not limited to, airports, hotels, real estate, banks, mines, railways, supermarkets and entertainment venues). These account for approximately 39.96%, 0.49% and 59.55% of revenues, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

We generate revenues within three primary operating segments: our systems installation business, our manufacturing of security and safety products business and our distribution of security and safety products business. Because a majority of our revenues are derived from system installations, they are generally non-recurring.  Our revenues are not concentrated within any one customer or group of related customers.  

 

Our sales network covers most of China’s populated areas and we do not rely on any particular region for our business.  Our subsidiaries collectively have more than 150 branch offices and distribution points.  

 

We were incorporated in the BVI on April 8, 2002 under the name “Apex Wealth Enterprises Limited” as a corporation under the International Business Companies Ordinance of 1984.  In November 2006, we changed our domicile from the BVI to Delaware by merging the BVI corporation into a newly incorporated Delaware corporation China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.  Prior to our reverse acquisition of Safetech in September 2005, we were a development stage enterprise and had not yet generated any revenues.  From and after the reverse acquisition, our business became the business of our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Golden and the newly acquired subsidiaries Cheng Feng, Hongtianzhi, HiEasy, Minking, Tsingvision, Stonesonic, Longhorn, Guanling and Jin Lin.  Golden is a corporation incorporated in the PRC which is engaged in the business of manufacturing, distributing, installing and maintaining security and surveillance systems.  Golden was organized in the PRC in January 1995.  In 2006, we acquired Cheng Feng, which is engaged in the business of manufacturing, marketing and sales of security and surveillance related hardware as well as the development and integration of related software.  On April 2, 2007, we acquired 100% of the equity of Chain Star Investments Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Hongtianzhi, a manufacturer of digital camera. On May 11, 2007, we acquired 100% of the equity of Link Billion Investment Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of HiEasy, a software developer.  On June 4, 2007, we acquired 100% of the equity of Allied Rich Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Minking, a manufacturer of high speed dome cameras. On July 2, 2007, we acquired 100% the equity of Ocean Pacific Technology Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Tsingvision which is engaged in the business of researching, developing, manufacturing and selling computer software and digital audio and video products.  On April 2, 2008, we purchased 100% ownership of Kit Grant Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Stonesonic which is a monitoring equipment solutions provider in China that has a broad array of large flat panel display equipment.  On April 2, 2008, we acquired 100% ownership of Sincere On Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Longhorn which specializes in the manufacture and installation of security alarm systems in China. On April 21, 2008, we acquired 100% ownership of Sharp Eagle (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Guanling which is the appointed sales agent of Panasonic, Axis Communications and Samsung in China, for closed-circuit surveillance systems, public broadcasting equipments and plasma TV.  On July 7, 2008, we acquired 100% ownership of Long Top Limited, a Hong Kong corporation and the holding company of Jin Lin which is engaged in professional intelligent security monitoring systems and intelligent transportation system product development.

Principal Executive Offices

Our corporate headquarters are located at 13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower, Shennan Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China, 518034.  Our telephone number is (86) 755-8351-0888.  We maintain a website at www.csst.com that contains information about our Company, but that information is not a part of this prospectus.

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following factors in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest in our common stock.  The risks described below are material risks of which we are currently aware; however, they may not be the only material risks we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently view as immaterial may also impair our business operations.  Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  In that case, you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

 

Due to the nature of our business, we do not have significant amounts of recurring revenues from our existing customers and we are highly dependent on new business development.

 

Most of our revenues derive from the installation of security and surveillance systems which are generally non-recurring. Our customers are primarily governmental entities, non-profit organizations and commercial entities, such as airports, customs agencies, hotels, real estate developments, banks, mines, railways, supermarkets, and entertainment enterprises. We manufacture and install security systems for these customers and generate revenues from the sale of these systems to our customers and, to a lesser extent, from maintenance of these systems for our customers. After we have manufactured and installed a system at any particular customer site, we have generated the majority of revenues from that particular client. We would not expect to generate significant revenues from any existing client in future years unless that client has additional installation sites for which our services might be required. Therefore, in order to maintain a level of revenues each year that is at or in excess of the level of revenues we generated in prior years, we must identify and be retained by new clients. If our business development, marketing and sales techniques do not result in an equal or greater number of projects of at least comparable size and value for us in a given year compared to the prior year, then we may be unable to increase our revenues and earnings or even sustain current levels in the future.

 

In order to grow at the pace expected by management, we will require additional capital to support our long-term business plan. If we are unable to obtain additional capital in future years, we may be unable to proceed with our long-term business plan and our operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

We will require additional working capital to support our long-term business plan, which includes identifying suitable targets for horizontal or vertical mergers or acquisitions, so as to enhance the overall productivity and benefit from economies of scale. Our working capital requirements and the cash flow provided by future operating activities, if any, may vary greatly from quarter to quarter, depending on the volume of business during the period and payment terms with our customers. We may not be able to obtain adequate levels of additional financing, whether through equity financing, debt financing or other sources. Additional financings could result in significant dilution to our earnings per share or the issuance of securities with rights superior to our current outstanding securities. In addition, we may grant registration rights to investors purchasing our equity or debt securities in the future. If we are unable to raise additional financing, we may be unable to implement our long-term business plan, develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures on a timely basis, if at all. In addition, a lack of additional financing could force us to substantially curtail our operations.


We sometimes extend credit to our customers. Failure to collect the trade receivables or untimely collection could affect our liquidity.

 

We extend credit to a large number of our customers while generally requiring no collateral. Generally, our customers pay in installments, with a portion of the payment upfront, a portion of the payment upon receipt of our products by our customers and before the installation, and a portion of the payment after the installation of our products and upon satisfaction of our customer. Sometimes, a small portion of the payment will not be paid until after a certain period following the installation. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and generally have no difficulties in collecting our payments. However, if we encounter future problems in collecting amounts due from our clients or if we experience delays in the collection of amounts due from our clients, our liquidity could be negatively affected.

 

5


 

If our subcontractors fail to perform their contractual obligations, our ability to provide services and products to our customers, as well as our ability to obtain future business, may be harmed.

 

Many of our contracts involve subcontracts with other companies upon which we rely to perform a portion of the services that we must provide to our customers. There is a risk that we may have disputes with our subcontractors, including disputes regarding the quality and timeliness of work performed by those subcontractors. A failure by one or more of our subcontractors to satisfactorily perform the agreed-upon services may materially and adversely impact our ability to perform our obligations to our customers, could expose us to liability and could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete for future contracts and orders.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain senior management and qualified technical and sales personnel, our operations, financial condition and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our future success depends in part on the contributions of our management team and key technical and sales personnel and our ability to attract and retain qualified new personnel. In particular, our success depends on the continuing employment of our CEO, Mr. Guoshen Tu, our CFO, Mr. Terence Yap and our Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Daiyou Qian. There is significant competition in our industry for qualified managerial, technical and sales personnel and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our key senior managerial, technical and sales personnel or that we will be able to attract, integrate and retain other such personnel that we may require in the future. If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel in the future, our business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our growth strategy includes making acquisitions, which could subject us to significant risks, any of which could harm our business.

 

Our growth strategy includes identifying and acquiring or investing in suitable candidates on acceptable terms. During 2007 and 2008, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Hongtianzhi, HiEasy, Minking, Tsingvision, Stonesonic, Longhorn, Guanling and Jin Lin.  In addition, we established an exclusive cooperation relationship with Chuang Guan and DM. We have also entered into letters of intent to acquire or enter into exclusive cooperation relationship with several other companies.

 

Over time, we may acquire or make investments in other providers of products that complement our business and other companies in the security industry. The successful integration of these companies and any other acquired businesses require us to:

Our operating philosophy is to let the acquired businesses operate in autonomous manner subject to corporate oversight but integrating and rationalizing duplicative functions to achieve revenue and cost synergies.  Acquisitions involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including:

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Moreover, performance problems with an acquired business, technology, product or service could also have a material adverse impact on our reputation as a whole. Any acquired business, technology, product or service could significantly under-perform relative to our expectations, and we may not achieve the benefits we expect from our acquisitions. Geographic distance between business operations, the compatibility of the technologies and operations being integrated and the disparate corporate cultures being combined also presents significant challenges. Acquired businesses are likely to have different standards, controls, contracts, procedures and policies, making it more difficult to implement and harmonize company-wide financial, accounting, billing, information and other systems. If we cannot overcome these challenges, we may not realize actual benefits from past and future acquisitions, which will impair our overall business results.

 

Our acquisition strategy also depends on our ability to obtain necessary government approvals, as described under “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— we may be unable to complete a business combination transaction efficiently or on favorable terms due to complicated merger and acquisition regulations which became effective on September 8, 2006.”

 

Due to our rapid growth in recent years, our past results may not be indicative of our future performance so evaluating our business and prospects may be difficult.

 

Our business has grown and evolved rapidly in recent years as demonstrated by our growth in sales revenue from approximately $32.7 million in 2005 to $107.0 million in 2006, and $240.2 million in 2007. We may not be able to achieve similar growth in future periods, and our historical operating results may not provide a meaningful basis for evaluating our business, financial performance and prospects. Therefore, you should not rely on our past results or our historical rate of growth as an indication of our future performance.

 

Our limited ability to protect our intellectual property may adversely affect our ability to compete.

 

We rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. A successful challenge to the ownership of our technology could materially damage our business prospects. Our competitors may assert that our technologies or products infringe on their patents or proprietary rights. We may be required to obtain from others licenses that may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Problems with intellectual property rights could increase the cost of our products or delay or preclude our new product development and commercialization. If infringement claims against us are deemed valid, we may not be able to obtain appropriate licenses on acceptable terms or at all. Litigation could be costly and time-consuming but may be necessary to protect our technology license positions or to defend against infringement claims.

 

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and any determination that we violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations, agreements with third parties and make sales in China, which may experience corruption. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of the employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors of our Company, even though these parties are not always subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors of our Company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

 

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Safetech is a BVI company, and our other subsidiaries are Hong Kong corporations and PRC corporations, and all of our officers and directors reside outside the United States. Therefore, certain judgments obtained against our Company by our shareholders may not be enforceable in the BVI, Hong Kong or China.

 

Safetech is a BVI company and our other subsidiaries are Hong Kong corporations and PRC corporations. Except for Robert Shiver, all of our officers and directors reside outside of the United States. All or substantially all of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our Company or such persons or to enforce against it or these persons the United States federal securities laws, or to enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY

 

Seasonality affects our operating results.

 

Our sales are affected by seasonality. Our revenues are usually higher in the second half of the year than in the first half of the year because fewer projects are undertaken during and around the Chinese spring festival.

 

Our success relies on our management’s ability to understand the highly evolving surveillance and security industry.

 

The Chinese surveillance and security industry is nascent and rapidly evolving. Therefore, it is critical that our management is able to understand industry trends and make good strategic business decisions. If our management is unable to identify industry trends and act in response to such trends in a way that is beneficial to us, our business will suffer.

 

If we are unable to respond to the rapid changes in our industry and changes in our customer’s requirements and preferences, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

If we are unable, for technological, legal, financial or other reasons, to adapt in a timely manner to changing market conditions or customer requirements, we could lose customers and market share. The electronic security systems industry is characterized by rapid technological change. Sudden changes in customer requirements and preferences, the frequent introduction of new products and services embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices could render our existing products, services and systems obsolete. The emerging nature of products and services in the electronic security systems industry and their rapid evolution will require that we continually improve the performance, features and reliability of our products and services. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to:

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The development of additional products and services involves significant technological and business risks and requires substantial expenditures and lead time. If we fail to introduce products with new technologies in a timely manner, or adapt our products to these new technologies, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that even if we are able to introduce new products or adapt our products to new technologies that our products will gain acceptance among our customers. In addition, from time to time, we or our competitors may announce new products, product enhancements or technological innovations that have the potential to replace or shorten the life cycles of our existing products and that may cause customers to refrain from purchasing our existing products, resulting in inventory obsolescence.

 

We may not be able to maintain or improve our competitive position of strong competition in the security and surveillance industry, and we expect this competition to continue to intensify.

 

The Chinese security and surveillance industry is highly competitive. There are about 15,000 companies in China that engage in the business of manufacturing, designing and building surveillance and security products. In addition, since China joined the World Trade Organization, or WTO, we also face competition from international competitors. Some of our international competitors are larger than us and possess greater name recognition, assets, personnel, sales and financial resources. These entities may be able to respond more quickly to changing market conditions by developing new products and services that meet customer requirements or are otherwise superior to our products and services and may be able to more effectively market their products than we can because they have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. They may also be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of their products. Increased competition could require us to reduce our prices, result in our receiving fewer customer orders, and result in our loss of market share. We cannot assure you that we will be able to distinguish ourselves in a competitive market. To the extent that we are unable to successfully compete against existing and future competitors, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our business and reputation as a manufacturer of high quality security and surveillance products may be adversely affected by product defects or performance.

 

We believe that we offer high quality products that are reliable and competitively priced. If our products do not perform to specifications, we might be required to redesign or recall those products or pay substantial damages. Such an event could result in significant expenses, disrupt sales and affect our reputation and that of our products. In addition, product defects could result in substantial product liability. We do not have product liability insurance. If we face significant liability claims, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

Our product offerings involve a lengthy sales cycle and we may not anticipate sales levels appropriately, which could impair our profitability.

 

Some of our products and services are designed for medium to large commercial, industrial and government facilities desiring to protect valuable assets and/or prevent intrusion into high security facilities in China. Given the nature of our products and the customers that purchase them, sales cycles can be lengthy as customers conduct intensive investigations and deliberate between competing technologies and providers. For these and other reasons, the sales cycle associated with some of our products and services is typically lengthy and subject to a number of significant risks over which we have little or no control. If sales in any period fall significantly below anticipated levels, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

 

RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA

 

Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could impede the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products and damage our business.

 

We conduct substantially all of our operations and generate most of our revenue in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:

 

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As the PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy, the PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. While these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative effect on us.

 

Although the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over economic growth in China through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and imposing policies that impact particular industries or companies in different ways.

 

Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth and the level of security and surveillance investments and expenditures in China, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.

 

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to you and us.

 

We conduct substantially all of our business through our operating subsidiaries in China. Our operating subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to foreign-invested enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions may be cited for reference, but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, a series of new PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, since the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to you and us. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. In addition, all of our executive officers and all but one of our directors are residents of China and not of the United States, and substantially all the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the United States or to enforce a judgment obtained in the United States against our Chinese officers, directors and subsidiaries.

 

The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities.

 

The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.

 

Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties or joint ventures.

 

Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our sales revenue effectively.

 

Most of our sales revenue and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. Under PRC law, the Renminbi is currently convertible under the "current account," which includes dividends and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment and loans. Currently, our PRC operating subsidiaries may purchase foreign currencies for settlement of current account transactions, including payments of dividends to us, without the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC government authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future. Since a significant amount of our future revenue will be denominated in Renminbi, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside China that are denominated in foreign currencies.

 

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Foreign exchange transactions by PRC operating subsidiaries under the capital account continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of or need to register with PRC government authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if our PRC operating subsidiaries borrow foreign currency through loans from us or other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE, and if we finance the subsidiaries by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by certain government authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce, or their respective local counterparts. These limitations could affect our PRC operating subsidiaries’ ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing.

 

Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident stockholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.

 

In October 2005, SAFE issued a public notice, the Notice on Relevant Issues in the Foreign Exchange Control over Financing and Return Investment Through Special Purpose Companies by Residents Inside China, or the SAFE Notice, which requires PRC residents to register with the competent local SAFE branch before using onshore assets or equity interests held by them to establish offshore special purpose companies, or SPVs, for the purpose of overseas equity financing. Under the SAFE Notice, such PRC residents must also file amendments to their registration in connection with any increase or decrease of capital, transfer of shares, mergers and acquisitions, equity investment or creation of any security interest in any assets located in China to guarantee offshore obligations. Moreover, if the SPVs were established and owned the onshore assets or equity interests before the implementation date of the SAFE Notice, a retroactive SAFE registration is required to have been completed before March 31, 2006. If any PRC resident stockholder of any SPV fails to make the required SAFE registration and amended registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that SPV may be prohibited from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV. Failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could also result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

 

Because of uncertainty over how the SAFE Notice will be interpreted and implemented, and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, we cannot predict how it will affect our business operations or future strategies. For example, our present and prospective PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as the remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with the SAFE Notice by our PRC resident beneficial holders. In addition, such PRC residents may not always be able to complete the necessary registration procedures required by the SAFE Notice. We also have little control over either our present or prospective direct or indirect stockholders or the outcome of such registration procedures. A failure by our PRC resident beneficial holders or future PRC resident stockholders to comply with the SAFE Notice, if SAFE requires it, could subject these PRC resident beneficial holders to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

 

We may be unable to complete a business combination transaction efficiently or on favorable terms due to complicated merger and acquisition regulations which became effective on September 8, 2006.

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission or CSRC, promulgated the Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, which became effective on September 8, 2006. This new regulation, among other things, governs the approval process by which a PRC company may participate in an acquisition of assets or equity interests. Depending on the structure of the transaction, the new regulation will require the PRC parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to the government agencies. In some instances, the application process may require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the target business and evaluations of the acquirer, which are designed to allow the government to assess the transaction. Government approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed and reported to the government agencies. Compliance with the new regulations is likely to be more time consuming and expensive than in the past and the government can now exert more control over the combination of two businesses. Accordingly, due to the new regulation, our ability to engage in business combination transactions has become significantly more complicated, time consuming and expensive, and we may not be able to negotiate a transaction that is acceptable to our stockholders or sufficiently protect their interests in a transaction.

 

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The new regulation allows PRC government agencies to assess the economic terms of a business combination transaction. Parties to a business combination transaction may have to submit to the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant government agencies an appraisal report, an evaluation report and the acquisition agreement, all of which form part of the application for approval, depending on the structure of the transaction. The regulations also prohibit a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the PRC business or assets and in certain transaction structures, require that consideration must be paid within defined periods, generally not in excess of a year. The regulation also limits our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited. Therefore, such regulation may impede our ability to negotiate and complete a business combination transaction on financial terms that satisfy our investors and protect our stockholders’ economic interests.

 

In addition to the above risks, in many instances, we will seek to structure transactions in a manner that avoids the need to make applications or a series of applications with Chinese regulatory authorities under these new M&A regulations. If we fail to effectively structure an acquisition in a manner that avoids the need for such applications or if the Chinese government interprets the requirements of the new M&A regulations in a manner different from our understanding of such regulations, then acquisitions that we have effected may be unwound or subject to rescission. Also, if the Chinese government determines that our structure of any of our acquisitions does not comply with these new regulations, then we may also be subject to fines and penalties.

 

Under the New EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.

 

China passed a new Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the New EIT Law, and its implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008.  Under the New EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes.  The implementing rules of the New EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.  Because the New EIT Law and its implementing rules are new, no official interpretation or application of this new “resident enterprise” classification is available. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.

 

If the PRC tax authorities determine that China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow.  First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on offering proceeds and non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes.  Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares. We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the 2008 tax year and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.

 

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If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the U.S. and China, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax.

 

Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

 

The value of our common stock will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and the Renminbi and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. Because substantially all of our earnings and cash assets are denominated in Renminbi and the net proceeds from this offering will be denominated in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Renminbi will affect the relative purchasing power of these proceeds, our balance sheet and our earnings per share in U.S. dollars following this offering. In addition, appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue after this offering that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars and earnings from, and the value of, any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.

 

Since July 2005, the Renminbi has no longer been pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future the PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market.

 

Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currencies.

 

Currently, some of our raw materials, components and major equipment are imported. In the event that the U.S. dollars appreciate against Renminbi, our costs will increase. If we cannot pass the resulting cost increases on to our customers, our profitability and operating results will suffer. In addition, since our sales to international customers are growing rapidly, we are increasingly subject to the risk of foreign currency depreciation.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

 

Although publicly traded, the trading market in our common stock has been substantially less liquid than the average trading market for a stock quoted on the New York Stock Exchange and this low trading volume may adversely affect the price of our common stock.

 

Our common stock started trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CSR” on October 29, 2007.  The trading market in our common stock has been substantially less liquid than the average trading market for companies quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. Reported average daily trading volume in our common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2008, was approximately 508,861shares. Limited trading volume will subject our shares of common stock to greater price volatility and may make it difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a price that is attractive to you.

 

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of us or changes in our management and, therefore depress the trading price of the common stock.

 

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Delaware corporate law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or changes in its management that our stockholders may deem advantageous. These provisions:

In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally limits our ability to engage in any business combination with certain persons who own 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or any of our associates or affiliates who at any time in the past three years have owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of entrenching our management team and may deprive you of the opportunity to sell your shares to potential acquirers at a premium over prevailing prices. This potential inability to obtain a control premium could reduce the price of our common stock.

 

The market price of our common stock is volatile, leading to the possibility of its value being depressed at a time when you want to sell your holdings.

 

The market price of our common stock is volatile, and this volatility may continue. For instance, between November 1, 2007 and October 30, 2008, the closing bid price of our common stock, as reported on the markets on which our securities have traded, ranged between $8.41 and $26.30. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. These factors include:

Securities class action litigation is often instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs to us and divert our management’s attention and resources. Moreover, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons unrelated to operating performance of particular companies. For example, in late February 2007, the securities markets in the United States, China and other jurisdictions experienced the largest decline in share prices since September 2001. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock and other interests in our company at a time when you want to sell your interest in us.

 

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The number of shares of our common stock that could be available for sale in the future could cause the stock price of our common stock to decline.

 

All of the shares registered for sale on behalf of the selling stockholders are “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.  We have filed this registration statement to register these restricted shares for sale into the public market by the selling stockholders.  These restricted securities, if sold in the market all at once or at about the same time, could depress the market price during the period the registration statement remains effective and also could affect our ability to raise equity capital.  In addition, in connection with our acquisition strategy, we may issue shares of our common stock as consideration in certain acquisition transactions.  No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common stock will have on the trading price of our common stock.

 

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our board deems relevant.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR RECENT HIGH YIELD AND CONVERTIBLE NOTES

 

Covenants in our debt instruments restrict or prohibit our ability to engage in or enter into a variety of transactions.

 

On February 16, 2007, we entered into a notes purchase agreement with Citadel Equity Fund Ltd., or “Citadel,” as well as indentures and an investor rights agreement, relating to the purchase and sale of $60 million Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2012. On April 24, 2007, we entered into another notes purchase agreement with Citadel, as well as indentures and an amended and restated investor rights agreement, relating to the purchase and sale of $50 million Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2012. The two convertible notes are referred herein as the “Notes.”

 

The two indentures governing the Notes contain various covenants that may limit our discretion in operating our business. In particular, we are limited in our ability to merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of our assets, issue stock of subsidiaries, incur additional debts and create liens on our assets to secure debt. In addition, if there is default, and we do not maintain certain financial covenants or we do not maintain borrowing availability in excess of certain pre-determined levels, we may be unable to incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments (including paying cash dividends on our capital stock) or redeem or repurchase our capital stock.

 

The indentures governing the Notes require us to maintain certain financial ratios and limit our ability to make capital expenditures. These covenants and ratios could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition or other corporate opportunities and to fund our operations. Any future debt could also contain financial and other covenants more restrictive than those imposed under the indenture governing the Notes.

 

The Notes and their corresponding debt could have significant consequences to investors. For example, they could:

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Under the indentures, if the Notes are not converted before their respective maturities, the Notes will be redeemed by us on the maturity date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes then outstanding plus an additional amount such that the total amount represents to the holders thereof a gross yield (including the paid or any accrued and unpaid interest) of 15.0% per annum, calculated on a quarterly compounded basis, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. If Citadel chooses not to convert the notes or is not forced to convert the notes under the mandatory conversion provisions as contained in the indentures, then we will incur significant debt obligations.

 

In addition, our ability to make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance, cash flows, and capital resources, which in turn depend upon prevailing economic conditions and certain financial, business, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional capital, restructure our debt, or declare bankruptcy. In the event that we are required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations, the value realized on such assets or operations will depend on market conditions and the availability of buyers. Accordingly, we may be forced to sell at an unfavorable price.


A covenant in our indentures with Citadel may obligate us to repurchase the Notes from the holders of such notes, at a time when we may not have sufficient liquid assets to do so.


Pursuant to the indentures with Citadel, if our chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Guoshen Tu, ceases to be the beneficial owner of at least twenty percent of our outstanding capital stock, we will be obligated to submit an offer to the holders of the Notes to repurchase the Notes within in 30 days, in whole or in part at the discretion of the individual note holders, at a price determined by the terms of the indentures.  


On January 11, 2008, Whitehorse Technology Limited, or “Whitehorse,” a company organized in the British Virgin Islands and which is wholly owned by Mr. Tu, issued and sold $50,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2012, or the “Whitehorse Notes,” to a third party investor, or the “Investor,” not affiliated with us.  In connection with this transaction, Whitehorse and Mr. Tu pledged 8,750,000 shares of our common stock that are directly and indirectly beneficially owned by Whitehorse and Mr. Tu, respectively, to secure the Whitehorse Notes.


We are not a party to any of the Whitehorse Note agreements and did not make any representations, warranties or covenants in connection with the Whitehorse Notes.  However, Whitehorse and  Mr. Tu agreed to pledge their shares of our common stock to secure their obligations under the Whitehorse Notes. In addition, pursuant to the Whitehorse Notes, if the market price of the 8,750,000 shares pledged by Whitehorse and Mr. Tu falls below $150,000,000, Whitehorse and Mr. Tu are obligated to pledge such number of additional shares in order to increase the aggregate value of all of the pledged shares to $150,000,000.  Failure on the part of Whitehorse and Mr. Tu to meet their obligations under the Whitehorse Notes agreements may trigger a default under the Whitehorse Notes and would permit the Investor to accelerate the Whitehorse Notes and foreclose on the shares of our common stock that were pledged by Whitehorse and Mr. Tu.  Since our financing arrangement with Citadel provides for an acceleration of the amounts owed by us to Citadel if Mr. Tu does not, directly or indirectly through Whitehorse, maintain a specified ownership percentage in our outstanding capital stock, such a foreclosure by the Investor could potentially trigger the acceleration of our payment of the Citadel loan.  If that occurs, our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock offered in this offering.  This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement.  For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement and to the attached exhibits.  With respect to each such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved.

 

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You may inspect our registration statement and the attached exhibits and schedules without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain copies of all or any part of our registration statement from the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement, are also available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain of the information we file with the SEC. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that has been filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and will modify and supersede the information included in this prospectus to the extent that the information included as incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes the existing information. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

 Form

 

Filed On

 

 

 

8-K

 

January 7, 2008

8-K

 

January 25, 2008

8-K

 

January 31, 2008

8-K

 

February 5, 2008

8-K

 

February 20, 2008

8-K

 

March 24, 2008

8-K

 

April 2, 2008

8-K

 

April 8, 2008

8-K

 

April 25, 2008

8-K/A

 

April 28, 2008

8-K

 

May 9, 2008

8-K

 

July 11, 2008

8-K

 

July 29, 2008

8-K

 

August 4, 2008

8-K

 

August 11, 2008

8-K

 

August 18, 2008

8-K

  

October 28, 2008

  

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Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual document. You may obtain a copy of any document summarized in this prospectus and any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus at no cost by writing or calling us at our mailing address and telephone number: Samuel Lo, China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc., 13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower Shennan Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China 518034, telephone: (86) 755-8351-0888. Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.

 

You may read and copy all materials that we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, all reports and documents that we have filed with the SEC can be obtained from the SEC’s Internet Site at http://www.sec.gov, or by visiting the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.csst.com.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


This prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are management’s beliefs and assumptions. In addition, other written or oral statements that constitute forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and statements may be made by or on our behalf. Words such as “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.

 

We describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our business, including our financial condition and results of operations, under “Risk Factors” and may update our descriptions of such risks, uncertainties and assumptions in any prospectus supplement. We base our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should be careful about relying on any forward-looking statements. Reference is made in particular to forward-looking statements regarding growth strategies, financial results, product development, competitive strengths, intellectual property rights, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, market acceptance or continued acceptance of our products, accounting estimates, financing activities, ongoing contractual obligations and sales efforts. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.


 

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other capital.  Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the shares of common stock being offered by us in this prospectus (a) through underwriters or dealers, (b) directly to purchasers, (c) through agents or (d) through a combination of any of these methods. We and our agents and underwriters may sell the securities being offered by us in this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions in and outside the United States:

The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

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We may engage in at the market offerings.


We may solicit directly offers to purchase securities. We may also designate agents from time to time to solicit offers to purchase securities. Any agent that we designate, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such agent at the time of resale.


If we use underwriters to sell securities, we would enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The names of the underwriters would be set forth in the prospectus supplement which would be used by them together with this prospectus to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities offered, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. Underwriters may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities. Underwriters may also use dealers to sell securities. If this happens, the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters in connection with the offering of the securities offered in this prospectus, and discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, would be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.


Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.


Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers, or other persons to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date or dates. The obligations of any purchaser under these contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement would set forth the price to be paid for securities pursuant to those contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of the contracts.


Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing and syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M of the Securities Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim selling concessions from dealers when the securities originally sold by such dealers are purchased in covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions. These transactions may cause the price of the securities sold in an offering to be higher than it would otherwise be. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.


Our common stock currently is traded on the NYSE. Any shares of our common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement also will be traded on the NYSE or on an exchange on which our common stock offered is then listed, subject (if applicable) to official notice of issuance. We are not obligated to maintain our listing on the NYSE. Any underwriters to whom we sell shares of common stock for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities that they purchase, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.


The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered hereby will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offering.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Washington, D.C.


EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by GHP Horwath, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference (which report (1) express an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, and (2) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting). Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

INDEMNIFICATION


Our bylaws provide for the indemnification of our present and prior directors and officers or any person who may have served at our request as a director or officer of another corporation in which we own shares of capital stock or of which we are a creditor, against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense of any actions, suits or proceedings in which they, or any of them, are made parties, or a party, by reason of being or having been director(s) or officer(s) of us or of such other corporation, in the absence of negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duties.  This indemnification policy could result in substantial expenditure by us, which we may be unable to recoup.

 

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and  controlling persons pursuant to provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted.  We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification.



 

21


$125,000,000

CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Common Stock

PROSPECTUS




                    , 2008



22


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following is a statement of estimated expenses, to be paid solely by us, in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby:

 

Amount to be Paid*

SEC Registration Fee

$4,913

Printing Fees and Expenses

$5,000

Legal Fees and Expenses

$10,000

Accounting Fees and Expenses

$10,000

Miscellaneous

$2,000

Total

$31,913

___________________

*

All amount shown herein, except the SEC registration fee, are estimated and may vary based upon, among other things, the number of issuances and amount of securities offered. We will pay all of these expenses.


Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.


Our bylaws provide for the indemnification of our present and prior directors and officers or any person who may have served at our request as a director or officer of another corporation in which we own shares of capital stock or of which we are a creditor, against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense of any actions, suits or proceedings in which they, or any of them, are made parties, or a party, by reason of being or having been director(s) or officer(s) of us or of such other corporation, in the absence of negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duties.  This indemnification policy could result in substantial expenditure by us, which we may be unable to recoup.


Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted.  We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification.


Item 16.  Exhibits.


The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index to this prospectus is incorporated herein by reference.


II-1



Item 17.  Undertakings.


The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

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

(i)

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

(ii)

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

(iii)

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

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

(2)

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

(3)

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

(4)

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

(i)

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

(ii)

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

(5)

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

II-2


(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)

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

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7)

To file, if applicable, an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

II-3


 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Shenzhen, China on November 4, 2008.

 
China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.
 
By: /s/ Guoshen Tu

Guoshen Tu

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Guoshen Tu and Terence Yap and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering which this Registration Statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


*****


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on November 4, 2008.


SIGNATURE

TITLE


/s/ Guoshen Tu                         
Guoshen Tu

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Terence Yap                         

Terence Yap

Chief Financial Officer and Director

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Runsen Li                             

Runsen Li

Director

/s/ Peter Mak                            

Peter Mak

Director

/s/ Robert Shiver                     

Robert Shiver

Director

   


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Description

   

1.1

Underwriting Agreement.+

   

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-137752), filed with the SEC on October 3, 2006).

   

3.2

By-laws of the registrant (incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-137752), filed with the SEC on October 3, 2006).

   

5.1

Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.*

   

23.1

Consent of GHP Horwath, P.C.*

   

23.3

Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).*

   

24

Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).


* Filed herewith.

+ To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.