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SCQ.P Sophia Capital Corp

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Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type
Sophia Capital Corp TSXV:SCQ.P TSX Venture Ordinary Share
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 0.00 -

Sophia Capital Corp. Announces Proposed Qualifying Transaction

29/09/2011 9:52pm

Marketwired Canada


Kirk Shaw, CEO of Sophia Capital Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SCQ.P) ("Sophia" or the
"Corporation"), is pleased to announce details concerning Sophia's proposed
qualifying transaction involving a business combination with Axsun Inc.
("Axsun"). Axsun is a leading transportation service provider, offering North
American intermodal, trucking, regionalized cartage, warehousing and global
freight forwarding services. Axsun's other services include short and long-term
warehousing, inventory control, warehouse management, fulfilment and container
de-stuffing and stuffing.


Sophia has entered into a letter agreement with Axsun dated September 21, 2011
(the "Letter Agreement"), pursuant to which Sophia and Axsun intend to complete
a business combination (the "Business Combination") by way of an amalgamation,
or such other method as the parties may determine, to form a new company
("Newco") called "Axsun Inc." Pursuant to the Business Combination it is
contemplated that: (i) each of the up to 29,000,000 issued and outstanding Axsun
Common Shares will be exchanged for one (1) common share of Newco (the "Newco
Common Shares") with a deemed value of $1.00 per share; and (ii) each two (2)
common shares of Sophia (the "Sophia Common Shares") shall be exchanged for one
(1) Newco Common Share and 0.3256 share purchase warrants of Newco exercisable
at a price of $1.25 per share for a period of five (5) years. In addition, each
outstanding Axsun Warrant and Axsun Agent's Option will be exchanged for one (1)
replacement warrant or replacement agent's option of Newco with identical terms.
In addition, each two (2) Sophia Stock Options and two (2) Sophia Agent's
Options (both defined below) will be replaced with one (1) replacement security
of Newco with adjusted terms.


It is intended that the Business Combination, when completed, will constitute
the qualifying transaction of the Corporation pursuant to Policy 2.4 of the TSX
Venture Exchange Inc. (the "TSX Venture") Corporate Finance Manual. The Business
Combination is subject to the policies of the TSX Venture relating to qualifying
transactions, as well as shareholder approval of Sophia and Axsun. 


About Axsun 

Axsun is a leading transportation service provider, offering North American
intermodal, trucking, regionalized cartage, warehousing and global freight
forwarding services. Axsun's other services include short and long-term
warehousing, inventory control, warehouse management, fulfilment and container
de-stuffing and stuffing.


Axsun has three divisions. 



1.  Axsun Logistics which ships door to door in North America, Alaska and
    Hawaii; 
2.  Axsun Transport & Distribution which handles primarily trucking,
    cartage, warehousing for finished goods, raw materials, food, paper,
    lumber, packaging and chemicals; and 
3.  Axsun Global which specializes in ocean and air freight forwarding to
    Asia, Europe and South America. 



Axsun is headquartered in St. Hubert, Quebec, and has additional Canadian
operations in Oakville, Ontario. It also has agents in Toronto, Ontario;
Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Mexico City, Mexico; and Queretaro, Mexico.



Industry Background

Axsun operates in the North American commercial freight transportation market.
This market includes trucking/highway (both for-hire and private carriers); rail
(including intermodal); water; and air. According to the American Trucking
Associations' ("ATA") United States freight transportation forecast, the market
totalled $694.2 billion in 2010 and is expected to grow to $1,151.6 billion in
2021, representing a 5.5% average annual growth rate. Axsun primarily operates
in the intermodal and trucking segments of this market. 


Intermodal

Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an
intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation (rail,
ship, and truck), without any handling of the freight itself when changing
modes. Intermodal transportation is primarily used for long-haul shipments
(typically 750 miles or more) where rail has a significant cost advantage over
trucking. This cost advantage is estimated at 10% to 40%, depending on the
length of haul and rail ramp proximity. The ATA estimated the intermodal market
to be $11.1 billion, or approximately 1.6% of the United States commercial
freight transportation market, in 2010. Future growth in this segment is
expected to result from the ongoing conversion of shipments to intermodal,
primarily due to cost advantages as well as trucking capacity issues due to
various factors, including chronic driver shortages and high fuel prices. The
ATA projects, on average, intermodal volumes will grow 6.6% and revenue will
grow 12.2% per year between 2011 and 2016.


Trucking/Highway 

The trucking/highway segment of the commercial freight transportation market is
divided into the (full) truckload ("TL") and less-than-(full) truckload ("LTL")
sectors, each of which is highly fragmented. Trucking enjoys an excellent
reputation among shippers for its history of on-time delivery, flexibility,
shorter transit times and GPS positioning. In short-haul routes, trucking
represents the least expensive mode of transportation. As a result, about 70% of
all truckload hauls are 750 miles or less. On longer hauls, trucking is often at
a cost disadvantage versus other modes of transportation, such as rail, due to
capacity limitations and high variable costs related to fuel and labour. 


Logistics

According to Armstrong & Associates, North American third-party logistics
service providers represented approximately $127.3 billion of shippers'
expenditures in 2010, an 18.9% increase over 2009, due to the economic rebound
from the Great Recession. This growth can be attributed to outsourcing of
logistics functions by shippers due to increasing supply chain complexity
through globalization and lean inventory techniques. Axsun believes this
outsourcing trend will continue as more shippers recognize the cost benefits of
outsourcing supply chain activities, increase their global trade and sourcing,
need more time-definite delivery of goods as well as automated shipment
tracking, shipment optimization and data processing that require sophisticated
information technology systems.


Axsun Corporate History and Structure 

Axsun was recently amalgamated under the Canada Business Corporations Act
("CBCA") on August 1, 2011. The head and registered office of Axsun is located
at 4900 Armand Frappier, St-Hubert, Quebec J3Z 1G5. Axsun has no subsidiaries.


Axsun has been recently reorganized under the CBCA and will have up to
29,000,000 common shares (the "Axsun Common Shares") issued and outstanding,
with the final number to be determined. Axsun will have no stock options,
warrants, anti-dilution or other rights to purchase Axsun Common Shares issued
or outstanding. We understand there are no shares of any other classes of Axsun
issued and outstanding. The Letter Agreement allows however the shareholders of
Axsun to carry out certain transactions prior to the Business Combination which
may result in a reorganization of Axsun capital stock and other classes of
shares to be issued which would be exchanged into Newco common Shares pursuant
to the Business Combination.


Axsun's three predecessor corporations, Axsun Logistics Inc., Axsun Global Inc.
and Axsun Transport & Distribution Inc. amalgamated on August 1, 2011 pursuant
to the Canada Business Corporations Act to form Axsun Inc.


The principal shareholders of Axsun are Steve Ramescu of Montreal, Quebec,
indirectly through Stavstan Inc. (a private company formed under the federal
laws of Canada) and Francis Longpre, of Montreal, Quebec; who own 64.4%, and
15.7%, respectively.


Financial Information of Axsun

Based on unaudited management prepared consolidated financial statements for the
nine months ended July 31, 2011, Axsun had revenue of $26,396,533, operating
expenses of $25,016,331, EBITDA of $1,380,202 and net income of $385,767. In
addition, as at July 31, 2011, Axsun had negative working capital of $1,294,230,
assets of $15,377,117 and liabilities of $13,116,324.


Based on unaudited management prepared consolidated financial statements for the
year ended October 31, 2010, Axsun had revenue of $26,779,746, operating
expenses of $25,517,251, EBITDA of $1,262,495 and net income of $329,207. In
addition, as at October 31, 2010, Axsun had negative working capital of
$770,481, assets of $12,478,007, and liabilities of $10,602,981.


Summary of the Proposed Qualifying Business Combination

Pursuant to the arm's length Letter Agreement, and subject to the terms and
conditions thereof, Sophia and Axsun have agreed to complete the Business
Combination.


Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the parties have agreed to use their
"commercially reasonable efforts" to cause Axsun to complete the Axsun Private
Placement of up to 7,500,000 units of Axsun (the "Axsun Units") at a price of
$1.00 per unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of a minimum of
$4,500,000 and a maximum of $7,500,000. Each Axsun Unit shall consist of one
Axsun Common Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant of Axsun
exercisable to purchase one Axsun Common Share at a price of $1.25 per share for
five (5) years (the "Axsun Warrants").


Axsun has engaged Avenue Capital Markets CPVC Inc. to act as agent and financial
advisor (the "Agent") on a "commercially reasonable efforts" basis for the Axsun
Private Placement and in connection therewith intends to pay a cash commission
of up to 9% (or 4.5% of the number of Units sold to purchasers identified by
Axsun). The Agents will also be granted agent's options (the "Axsun Agent's
Options") to purchase up to 9% of the number of Axsun Units sold under the Axsun
Private Placement (or 4.5% of the number of Units sold to purchasers identified
by Axsun), with each Axsun Agent's Option entitling the holder to purchase one
Axsun Unit at the Offering Price per share for a period of 24 months from the
closing of the Axsun Private Placement.


Axsun intends to use the net proceeds of the Axsun Private Placement for the
purchase of refrigerated units and establishment of offices in the United
States, as well as for general corporate purposes, working capital and
transaction costs to complete the Business Combination.


Summary of Proposed Directors and Officers

The board of Sophia will be replaced to consist of five (5) directors all of
whom are nominees of Axsun, namely, Steve Ramescu, Tom Craig, Robert Raich,
Andre Brosseau and another nominee to be determined by Axsun, provided TSX
Venture does not object to such nominations and such persons are eligible to act
as directors pursuant to the requirements of the Canada Business Corporations
Act. 


After the closing of the Business Combination, the officers of Newco will be
appointed by the Board of Directors of Newco and will include Steve Ramescu as
President and Chief Executive Officer, Francis Longpre as Chief Financial
Officer and Vice-President, Finance, and a Corporate Secretary to be determined
at the time of preparation of the information circular or filing statement for
the Business Combination.


Steve Ramescu, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Steve Ramescu has been the founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Axsun and its predecessors since its inception in 2003. He has been
in the transportation industry for almost 30 years specializing primarily in the
Intermodal Industry. During his career he has held various titles. From 1994 to
2003, he was Vice President of the newly formed Clarke Logistics, then a
Division of Clarke Inc. His responsibilities included responsibility for
Canadian Sales outside of Ontario, Development of Operations and Sales in Mexico
and Development with all United States Offices in cross border business
involving NAFTA freight. From 1983 to 1994, he was Director of National Sales
and was a shareholder of Sunac International Inc. He was also a Director and
President of various transportation associations, including 5 years working with
the Minister of Transportation (Quebec) on the Quebec Trucking Forum, which was
established to develop better trucking standards in the Province of Quebec.


Francis Longpre, Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President, Finance

Francis Longpre has been Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President, Finance
with Axsun and its predecessors since its beginning in 2004. Mr. Longpre has
been in the transportation industry for over 25 years. During his career he has
held various financial titles at Montship Inc., a full service freight forwarder
and liner representation company. He has developed an extensive knowledge in the
financial world of transportation in North America. Mr. Longpre studied at the
H.E.C. (Hautes Etudes Commerciales) in Montreal from 1987 to 1992.


Thomas D. Craig, Director

Thomas D. Craig, III has over thirty years of experience in multiple modes of
transportation, logistics and distribution spanning both United States domestic
and international markets. He is currently a consultant and advisor. From 2002
to 2006, he served as director for Intermodal/Automotive Sales and Marketing for
Kansas City Southern. From 1999 to 2001, he was the Director of Global Logistics
for Stride Rite Corporation and was responsible for global transportation,
distribution and consolidations in 11 countries. During the period from 1991 to
1999, he held various positions with APL, Ltd. which included Senior Account
executive; District Sales Manager, General Commodities and Vice-President, Sales
and Customer Support for APL Logistics (formerly ACS Logistics). Prior to eleven
years with Roadway Express, Inc. in various sales and operational positions, he
was regional Sales manager for CFI for two years. He holds a Bachelor in Science
and Business Administration from Babson College in Massachusetts.


Robert Raich, Director

Mr. Raich has been the Managing Partner of Spiegel Sohmer Inc. since 1985, a
Montreal law firm specializing in Tax, Business and Litigation law, which he
joined in 1976. A tax law specialist, he is also the partner in charge of the
firm's Tax Department. During his career, Mr. Raich has taught tax courses at
the college and university levels and he is currently teaching a tax course at
McGill University. He has also given courses to the C.I.C.A. and to other
professional bodies. He has also written extensively in the tax area and has
presented a number of papers to the Canadian Tax Foundation and has written in
tax publications. Mr. Raich has been recognized by "The Canadian Legal LExpert
Directory 2010" to be a leading practitioner in the fields of corporate tax and
estate and personal tax. Mr. Raich will also be listed in the 2012 edition of
"The Best Lawyers in Canada" in the fields of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. He
holds a law degree from McGill University in Montreal.


Andre Brosseau, Director

Mr. Andre Brosseau has been the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Operating Officer of ACM Modelcom Capital Partners Inc., a financial services
company, since 2011. He was President of Avenue Capital Markets Inc. from May
2010 to August 2011. Mr. Brosseau was President of Blackmont Capital Inc. in
Toronto, Ontario until June 2009 and Chairman of Quebec Capital Markets for
Blackmont until May 2010. For 13 years from 1994 to 2007, Mr. Brosseau was with
CIBC in different capacities mostly based in Toronto, most recently as Managing
Director, Head of Cash Equities and Co-Head of Global Cash Equities at CIBC
World Markets where he was involved in some of the most important capital market
transactions in Canada. Mr. Brosseau is a Director of Aptilon Inc., a technology
company based in Montreal, Quebec, and a Director of Midas Medici Inc. He is
also the Co-Chair of The Company Theatre, a not-for-profit organization located
in Toronto and member of the steering committee of Notman House. Mr. Brosseau
holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Science (Political and Economics) and a
Master's Degree in Science (Political Science) from the Universite de Montreal.


Information Concerning Sophia

Sophia is a capital pool company that completed its initial public offering and
the Sophia Common Shares are listed for trading on TSX Venture. Sophia currently
has outstanding 1,575,000 Sophia Common Shares and stock options to acquire
150,000 Sophia Common Shares at a price of $0.20 per share (the "Sophia Stock
Options") and agent's options to purchase 100,000 Sophia Common Shares at a
price of $0.20 per share (the "Sophia Agent's Options"). As at August 31, 2011,
Sophia had cash and near cash assets, net of liabilities, of approximately
$230,000.


Other Matters Concerning the Qualifying Business Combination

Concurrent with the closing of the Business Combination, the existing directors
of Sophia will transfer within escrow an aggregate of 500,000 Sophia Common
Shares at a price of $0.40 per share to Axsun, or as Axsun may direct or assign,
subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approval (the "Escrow
Transfer"). 


A finder's fee of $75,000 payable by the issuance of 75,000 Newco Common Shares
shall be payable at Closing to Devi Singh. A finder's fee of up to $290,000
shall be payable to the Agent and shall be payable at Closing of the issuance of
up to 290,000 Axsun Units. 


The completion of the Business Combination is subject to the approval of TSX
Venture and all other necessary regulatory approval. The completion of the
Business Combination is also subject to additional conditions precedent,
including completion of the Private Placement for gross proceeds of a minimum of
$4.5 million, shareholder approval of Sophia and Axsun, satisfactory completion
of due diligence reviews by the parties, board of directors approval of Sophia
and Axsun, completion of the Escrow Transfer, and certain other usual
conditions.


The Business Combination will be an arm's length transaction as none of the
directors, officers or insiders of Sophia own any interest in Axsun.


Sophia also announces it has reserved a price of $1.00 per Newco Common Share
for the grant of stock options to acquire up to 10% of the number of issued and
outstanding Newco Common Shares (the "Stock Options") in the event the Business
Combination and the Private Placement are completed. The grant of the Stock
Options is subject to regulatory approval. The Stock Options will be granted to
directors, officers, employees and consultants of Newco, concurrent with the
completion of the Business Combination.


Haywood Securities Inc., subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence,
has agreed to act as sponsor in connection with the Business Combination. An
agreement to act as sponsor should not be construed as any assurance with
respect to the merits of the Business Combination or the likelihood of
completion.


Trading of the Sophia Common Shares will not resume until all documents required
by the TSX Venture have been filed. Sophia will issue a further news release
when TSX Venture has received the necessary documentation and trading of the
Sophia Common Shares is to resume.


As indicated above, completion of the Business Combination is subject to a
number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX Venture acceptance and
shareholder approval. The Business Combination cannot close until the required
shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Business
Combination will be completed as proposed or at all.


Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Information Circular or
Filing Statement, as applicable, of the Corporation to be prepared in connection
with the Business Combination, any information released or received with respect
to the Business Combination may not be accurate or complete and should not be
relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered
highly speculative.


Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results
may differ materially. Neither Axsun nor Sophia will update these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect
financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sophia.


The securities of Sophia being offered have not been, nor will be, registered
under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be
offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit
of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S.
registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of
securities in the United States.


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