Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Related party transactions

v2.4.0.6
Related party transactions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related party transactions
Related party transactions
 
The Company has five affiliated companies, namely American DG Energy, EuroSite Power, GlenRose Instruments Inc., or GlenRose Instruments, Pharos LLC, or Pharos, and Levitronix Technologies LLC, or Levitronix. These companies are affiliates because several of the major stockholders of those companies, have a significant ownership position in the Company. American DG Energy, EuroSite Power, GlenRose Instruments, Pharos or Levitronix do not own any shares of the Company, and the Company does not own any shares of American DG Energy, EuroSite Power, GlenRose Instruments, Pharos or Levitronix. The business of GlenRose Instruments, Pharos and Levitronix is not related to the business of the Company.
 
American DG Energy, EuroSite Power, GlenRose Instruments, Pharos and Levitronix are affiliated companies by virtue of common ownership. The common stockholders include:
 
John N. Hatsopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer who is also: (a) the Chief Executive Officer and a director of American DG Energy and holds 10.8% of the company’s common stock; (b) the Chairman of EuroSite Power; (c) a director of Ilios and holds 7% of the company’s common stock; and (d) the Chairman of GlenRose Instruments and holds 15.7% of the company’s common stock.

Dr. George N. Hatsopoulos, who is John N. Hatsopoulos’ brother, and is also: (a) a director of American DG Energy and holds 14.3% of the company’s common stock; (b) an investor in Ilios and holds 3.1% of the company’s common stock; (c) an investor of GlenRose Instruments and holds 15.7% of the company’s common stock; (d) an investor of Pharos and holds 24.4% of the company’s common stock; and (e) an investor of Levitronix and holds 21.4% of the company’s common stock.

Additionally, the following related persons had or may have a direct or indirect material interest in our transactions with our affiliated companies:
 
Barry J. Sanders, who is: (a) the President and Chief Operating Officer of American DG Energy, (b) the Chief Executive Officer and a director of EuroSite Power and (c) the Chairman of Ilios.

Anthony S. Loumidis, the Company’s former Vice President and Treasurer who is: (a) the Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Treasurer of American DG Energy, (b) the Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Treasurer of EuroSite Power, (c) the Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Treasurer of GlenRose Instruments and (d) the Treasurer of Ilios.

American DG Energy has sales representation rights to the Company’s products and services in New England. Revenue from sales of cogeneration and chiller systems, parts and service to American DG Energy during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $3,795,666 and $713,267, respectively.
 
On October 20, 2009, American DG Energy, in the ordinary course of its business, signed a Sales Representative Agreement with Ilios to promote, sell and service the Ilios high-efficiency heating products, such as the high efficiency water heater, in the marketing territory of the New England States, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The marketing territory also includes all of the nations in the European Union. The initial term of this Agreement is for five years, after which it may be renewed for successive one-year terms upon mutual written agreement.
 
On September 24, 2001, the Company entered into subscription agreements with investors for the sale of convertible debentures. The primary investors were George N. Hatsopoulos, who subscribed for $200,000 of the debentures, and the John N. Hatsopoulos 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Mr. Hatsopoulos’ adult children, who subscribed for a total amount of $100,000 of the debentures. The debentures accrue interest at a rate of 6% per annum and are due on September 24, 2007. The debentures are convertible, at the option of George N. Hatsopoulos, and the John N. Hatsopoulos 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Mr. Hatsopoulos’ adult children, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.30 per share.
 
On September 24, 2007, George N. Hatsopoulos, and the John N. Hatsopoulos 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Mr. Hatsopoulos’ adult children agreed to extend the debenture term to September 24, 2011. On May 11, 2009, George N. Hatsopoulos converted a portion of the principal in the amount of $109,033 of the debentures and accrued interest in the amount of $90,967 into 400,000 shares of Common Stock in the Company’s newly formed subsidiary, Ilios, at $0.50 per share. Also, on May 11, 2009, John N. Hatsopoulos converted principal amount of $427,432 in demand notes payable and accrued interest in the amount of $72,567 into 1,000,000 shares of Ilios Common Stock at $0.50 per share. The difference between the Company’s purchase price of the Ilios shares and the amount of debt forgiveness was recorded as additional paid-in capital. 
 
On September 30, 2009, Joseph J. Ritchie elected to convert $30,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the debenture, plus accrued interest of $14,433, into 148,111 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.30 per share. On September 24, 2011, George N. Hatsopoulos, and the John N. Hatsopoulos 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Mr. Hatsopoulos’ adult children, agreed to extend their term to September 24, 2013 and requested that accrued interest in the amount of $72,959 be converted into the Company’s Common Stock at $0.50 per share (which was the average price of the Company’s stock from September 24, 2001 to September 24, 2011).

On September 30, 2012, the debentures, including accrued interest, were converted into 170,480 shares of Common Stock held in the JNH 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Nia Marie Hatsopoulos and 170,480 shares of Common Stock held in the JNH 1989 Family Trust for the benefit of Alexander J. Hatsopoulos for whom Mr. and Mrs. Paris Nicolaidis are the trustees. Mr. John N. Hatsopoulos disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by this trust.
 
On September 10, 2008 the Company entered into a demand note agreement with John N. Hatsopoulos, in the principal amount of $250,000 at an annual interest rate of 5%. On September 7, 2011 the Company entered in to an additional demand note agreement with John N. Hatsopoulos, in the principal amount of $750,000 at an annual interest rate of 6%. On November 30, 2012 the Company entered into an additional demand note agreement with John N. Hatsopoulos, in the principal amount of $300,000 at an annual interest rate of 6%. Unpaid principal and interest on the demand notes are due upon demand.
 
For additional disclosure on the Company’s debt see Note 7 – Demand notes payable and convertible debentures – related party.

John N. Hatsopoulos’ salary is $1.00 per year. On average, Mr. Hatsopoulos spends approximately 20% of his business time on the affairs of the Company; however such amount varies widely depending on the needs of the business and is expected to increase as the business of the Company develops.
 
On January 1, 2006, the Company signed a Facilities and Support Services Agreement with American DG Energy for a period of one year, renewable annually, on January 1st, by mutual agreement. That agreement was amended on July 1, 2012. Under this agreement, the Company provides American DG Energy with certain office and business support services and also provides pricing based on a volume discount depending on the level of American DG Energy purchases of cogeneration and chiller products. For certain sites, American DG Energy hires the Company to service its chiller and cogeneration products. The Company also provides office space and certain utilities to American DG Energy based on a monthly rate set at the beginning of each year. Also, under this agreement, American DG Energy has sales representation rights to the Company's products and services in New England.

The Company subleases portions of its corporate offices and manufacturing facility to sub-tenants under annual sublease agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company received $158,898 and $185,596, respectively, from American DG Energy, Levitronix LLC and Alexandros Partners LLC. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 the Company received from the same companies, $101,218 and $224,700, respectively, to offset common operating expenses incurred in the administration and maintenance of its corporate office and warehouse facility.

The Company’s headquarters are located in Waltham, Massachusetts and consist of 27,000 square feet of office and storage space that are shared with American DG Energy and other tenants. The lease expires on March 31, 2014. We believe that our facilities are appropriate and adequate for our current needs.
 
Revenue from sales of cogeneration and chiller systems, parts and service to American DG Energy during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $3,795,666 and $713,267, respectively. In addition, Tecogen pays certain operating expenses, including benefits and insurance, on behalf of American DG Energy. Tecogen was reimbursed for these costs. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the total amount due from American DG Energy was $70,811 and $299,739, respectively.
 
See Note 16 - Subsequent events for additional related party disclosure.