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FWDIForward Industries

Crypto · Financial Services · Nasdaq
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When the SEC's staff reviews a filing, it writes to the company with numbered questions, and the company answers each one in a letter. SEC publishes the exchange once the review is over, at least 20 business days later. Below: what the staff asked FWDI, and the company's answer to each question, quoted from the letters. A question is not an accusation; most reviews end with the company adding detail to its next filing.

Forward Industries, Inc. · Preliminary Proxy Statement · Filed November 20, 2014 · File No. 001-34780

2014-04-15 to 2014-12-02 · 31 questions · 8 letters from the SEC, 3 from the company
No closing letter
Liquidity and cashLeasesResults discussion (MD&A)DebtGoodwill and impairment
SEC letter of 2014-04-15 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
Costs of Solicitation, page 3
SEC asked (1)
We note that proxies may be solicited by mail, in person or by telephone. Please be advised that all written soliciting materials, including any scripts to be used in soliciting proxies over the telephone or any e-mail correspondence and any information posted on the Internet must be filed under the cover of Schedule 14A. Refer to Rule 14a-6(b) and (c). Please confirm your understanding in your response letter.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Proposal One: Election of Directors, page 5
SEC asked (2)
Please provide the dates of employment for each of Mr. Garrett, Jr.’s jobs during the past five years.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Proposal One: Election of Directors, page 5
SEC asked (3)
We note your disclosure in the last paragraph of page 6 that you may introduce substitute or additional nominees. Please confirm for us that you will file an amended proxy statement that (1) identifies the substitute nominees, (2) discloses whether such nominees have consented to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected and (3) includes the disclosure required by Items 5(b) and 7 of
Rest of the question

Schedule 14A with respect to such nominees.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Reasons for Voting FOR The Company Nominees, page 7
SEC asked (4)
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief. Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis. We note the following examples that must be supported:
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

 that the company “has stabilized financially and strengthened its industry position.” · Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control, page 19
SEC asked (5)
Please revise this section to define “change in control,” to clarify whether the election of the Wise Group’s nominees would constitute such a change in control under the agreements and quantify the payments due Mr. Garrett and Mr. McKenna, if any, following such a change in control.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

 that the company “has stabilized financially and strengthened its industry position.” · Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control, page 19
SEC asked (6)
On a related note, disclose whether the election of the Wise Group’s nominees would result in any other obligations of the company being due (i.e., debt acceleration, option vesting acceleration, other change of control payments).
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

SEC letter of 2014-06-17 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
Soliciting Materials Filed June 13, 2014
SEC asked (1)
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief. Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis. Please provide us the support for the following:  your statement that Mr.
Rest of the question

Wise intends to “gain ‘creeping control’ of [the] Company without paying a premium.”  your statement that Mr. Wise intends to “perpetuate and enhance the cash flows from his multi-million dollar related party arrangement, which he fears the Board may terminate.”  your description of Mr. Johnson’s acclaim and history of creating value.  your statement that Mr. Wise has a “play for control” and is attempting to “seize and control this value for himself while the shareholder receive nothing.”

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Soliciting Materials Filed June 13, 2014
SEC asked (2)
Please note that the participant information required by Rule 14a-12(a)(1)(i) should be filed pursuant to the rule in connection with the current solicitation. The rule contemplates that the information be provided in a previously filed communication related to the current solicitation or a separate statement filed as Rule 14a-12 material. See Section II.C.1.b of SEC Release No. 33-7760.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

SEC letter of 2014-06-23 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
Soliciting Materials Filed June 13. 2014
SEC asked (1)
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis. Please provide us the support for the following: • your statement that Mr.
Rest of the question

Wise intends to "gain 'creeping control' of [the] Company without paying a premium." Forward believes its statement that Mr. Wise intends to gain "creeping control" of the Company is self-evident by virtue of his recent nomination of a slate of director candidates for election at the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") and his significant ownership position in the Company. As discussed in Forward's press release issued on June 13, 2014 (the "Press Release"), Mr. Wise has publicly announced his intention to nominate a slate of four director candidatesconsisting of himself and three other individualsfor election at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors of Forward (the "Board") is currently comprised of seven directors. Accordingly, if the dissident slate is elected at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Wise will obtain majority representation on the Board. In addition, as the beneficial owner of just under 20% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of Forward, Mr. Wise is already the largest shareholder of the Company. See excerpt from Amendment No.3 to Schedule 13D filed by Mr. Wise on June 6, 2014 attached hereto as Exhibit A. Accordingly, if Mr. Wise's slate of director candidates is elected at the Annual Meeting, he will effectively obtain control of Forward by virtue of his control over a majority of the Board coupled with his status as a significant, and the single largest, shareholder of the Company. The Staffis also advised on a supplemental basis that one day before the issuance of the Press Release, Mr. Wise sent a communication to the other Board members threatening to nominate additional directors in order to obtain absolute control of the Board, further evidencing Mr. Wise's intent to obtain creeping control of the Board. OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP WWW.OLSHANLAW.COM https:/ /www .edgar. sec. gov I AR/Display Document. do ?step=docOnly &accessionN umber=O ... 11/3/2015 Forward also believes its statement that Mr. Wise is seeking control "without paying a premium" is self-evident. If Mr. Wise sought to obtain control of Forward by paying a premium, he would make an offer to acquire the Company by way of a merger, tender offer or similar transaction that would result in consideration being paid to the other shareholders in exchange for their shares. Mr. Wise has never made such an offer to acquire the Company, even after being asked by other Board members whether he intends to make such an offer. To the contrary, Mr. Wise is seeking control of the Company by obtaining majority representation on the Board in a hostile election contest. If Mr. Wise were to succeed in electing all his director candidates at the Annual Meeting, he will obtain control of the Company without any of the other shareholders receiving a premium for their shares. • your statement that Mr. Wise intends to "perpetuate and enhance the cash flows from his multi-million dollar related party arrangement, which he fears the Board may terminate. " As discussed in the Press Release, Mr. Wise is a party to a multi-million dollar related-party transaction through his wholly­ owned company Forward Industries (Asia-Pacific) Corporation (the "Wise Affiliate") under which it acts as Forward's exclusive buying agent and supplier of certain products in the Asia Pacific region. See excerpt from Form 10-Q filed by Forward on May 15, 2014 attached hereto as Exhibit B. The contract was set to expire on March 11, 2014, subject to renewal. Forward believes Mr. Wise intends to leverage this related-party arrangement for his sole benefit and that he fears the Board may tem1inate it based on the negotiations between the Company and Mr. Wise with respect to the contract renewal. During these negotiations, the Board (excluding Mr. Wise) expressed concerns regarding the high cost structure of this arrangement and raised the issue of whether the contract should be terminated due to these high cost levels. Mr. Wise sought to double the amount to be paid to the Wise Affiliate during the renewal negotiations although the ultimate increase, while substantial, was less than Mr. Wise initially sought. The Board ultimately determined to renew the contract for an additional year as it believed terminating it in March could have caused harm to the Company. As discussed in the Press Release, had Mr. Wise had his way with the amount of the increase, more than the entire operating profit of the Company would be paid to the Wise Affiliate. In light of Mr. Wise's understanding that the Company was considering terminating the related­ party arrangement, his attempts to increase the fees being paid to him despite the other Board members' concerns and his nomination of a majority-slate shortly thereafter, Forward believes it has a reasonable basis for its assertion that Mr. Wise intends to "perpetuate and enhance" his related-party arrangement and that he "fears" it may be terminated by the Board. https://www.edgar.sec.gov/ AR!DisplayDocument.do ?step=docOnly &accessionNumber=O... 11/3/2015 • your description of Mr. Johnson's acclaim and history of creating value. See various news articles published by Bloomberg, Barron's and others attached hereto as Exhibit C, which provide factual support for Forward's statement that Mr. Johnson has been "acclaimed" by the press. Forward believes it has a reasonable basis to state that Mr. Johnson has a "history of creating value for shareholders." As discussed in the Press Release, Mr. Johnson was a board member of publicly traded 1-800-Contacts where he pushed for the closing of a money-losing division and ultimate sale of the business. The day prior to 1-800-Contacts' announcement of the appointment of Mr. Johnson to its board of directors in a press release issued on November 7, 2006, the shares closed at a price of$13.70 per share. See Exhibit D attached hereto. In September 2007, 1-800-Contacts was sold for approximately $350 million, or $24.25 per share, representing a 77% increase in share price. See Exhibit E attached hereto. • your statement that Mr. Wise has a "play for control" and is attempting to "seize and control this value for himself while the shareholders receive nothing. " Forward believes its statement that Mr. Wise has a "play for control" of the Company is self-evident by virtue of his recent nomination of a majority-slate of director candidates at the Annual Meeting and his significant ownership position in the Company. Reference is made to the first paragraph of the response under the first bullet above for a discussion on Forward's basis for this belief. Forward also believes its statement that Mr. Wise is attempting to "seize and control this value for himself while the shareholders receive nothing" is self-evident as Mr. Wise is not seeking to acquire the Company for value and the shareholders will not receive a premium for their shares if he succeeds in obtaining majority representation on the Board. Reference is made to the second paragraph of the response under the first bullet above for a discussion on Forward's basis for this belief. https://www.edgar.sec.gov/AR/DisplayDocument.do?step=docOnly&accessionNumber=O... 11/3/2015

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

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SEC asked (2)
Please note that the participant information required by Rule 14a-12(a)(l)(i) should be filed pursuant to the rule in connection with the current solicitation. T7le rule contemplates that the information be provided in a previously filed communication related to the current solicitation or a separate statement filed as Rule 14a-12 material. See Section fl. C. l.b of SEC Release No. 33-7760.
Rest of the question

Forward acknowledges the Staffs comment and confirms its understanding that the participant information required by Rule 14a-12(a) (1 )(i) should be filed pursuant to the rule in connection with the current solicitation. * * * * * In connection with responding to the Staffs comments, a certificate signed by Forward containing the three acknowledgments requested by the Staff is attached hereto. The Staff is invited to contact the undersigned with any comments or questions it may have. We would appreciate your prompt advice as to whether the Staff has any further comments.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

SEC asked
We reissue prior comment 1 as it relates to the following:  with respect to the statement referenced in our first bullet point, please ensure that you disclose, when referring to any control gained by Mr. Wise, the fid uciary duties with which any directors have to comply and not simply imply or state that Mr. Wise’s nominees will act as he directs them to act.
Rest of the question

 similarly, with respect to the statement referenced in our second bullet point, clarify that any changes to the related party arrangement the company has with Mr. Wise will be subject to the company’s board determination, taken in comp liance with the board’s fiduciary duties.  confirm that any future reference to Mr. Johnson’s acclaim and history of creating value will be accompanied by context, including the fact that his “acclaim” dates back several years (in this respect, we note that one of your supporting documents is from 2001) and a clarification of whether Mr. Johnson acted alone in each instance (i.e., was he the only director at 1 -800-Contacts? Was he the only individual who conducted operations and made trading decisions at his fund?).  with respect to your statement that Mr. Wise is attempting to “seize and control this value for himself while the shareholders receive nothing,” it remains unclear what authority Mr. Wise would gain, through board membership, to control any company value for himself and what value you are referring to: if the company is not sold, would Mr. Wise or any other shareholder be entitled to any control value?

FWDI answered
The Staff is advised that shortly after the filing of Forward’s response to the initial comment letter, Mr. Wise submitted a second nomination letter notifying the Company of his intent to nominate three additional individuals for election to the Board of Directors of the Company at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”). Accordingly, instead of seeking to elect a majority-slate, Mr. Wise is now seeking to replace the entire Board with himself and his designees.
Rest of the answer

Forward believes this pattern of events clarifies and supports its view, discussed in further detail in the initial response letter, that Mr. Wise is seeking control of the Company. In addition, given the escalation of Mr. Wise’s campaign and his seeking control of the full Board, Forward believes it is reasonable for it to imply that Mr. Wise’s nominees may act as he directs them to act. Mr. Wise is free to rebut this implication in his communications to shareholders, and in doing so Forward believes it would be more appropriate for him to direct shareholders that his nominees will be subject to fiduciary duties if elected at the Annual Meeting.

O L S H A N F R O M E W O L O S K Y L L P

WWW.OLSHANLAW.COM similarly, with respect to the statement referenced in our second bullet point, clarify that any changes to the related party arrangement the company has with Mr. Wise will be subject to the company’s board determination, taken in compliance with the board’s fiduciary duties.

The sourcing agreement with Mr. Wise is Forward’s largest, most important agreement in terms of operational significance and dollar amount. As discussed in the initial response letter, Mr. Wise has a tremendous personal monetary interest in this related-party arrangement and he nominated a slate of directors shortly after he was unsuccessful in more than doubling his fee in the contract renewal negotiations. In light of the foregoing and the recent escalation of Mr. Wise’s campaign to replace the entire Board instead of just a majority, Forward believes it is reasonable for it to state that Mr. Wise may intend to perpetuate, protect and increase this related-party arrangement. Mr. Wise is free to rebut this assertion in his communications to shareholders, and in doing so Forward believes it would be more appropriate for him to direct shareholders that his nominees will be subject to fiduciary duties when making any decisions with respect to the related-party arrangement.

confirm that any future reference to Mr. Johnson’s acclaim and history of creating value will be accompanied by context, including the fact that his “acclaim” dates back several years (in this respect, we note that one of your supporting documents is from 2001) and a clarification of whether Mr. Johnson acted alone in each instance (i.e., was he the only director at 1-800-Contacts? Was he the only individual who conducted operations and made trading decisions at his fund?).

Forward acknowledges the Staff’s comment and confirms that it will provide appropriate context when making similar statements in the future.

with respect to your statement that Mr. Wise is attempting to “seize and control this value for himself while the shareholders receive nothing,” it remains unclear what authority Mr. Wise would gain, through board membership, to control any company value for himself and what value you are referring to: if the company is not sold, would Mr. Wise or any other shareholder be entitled to any control value?

As discussed in the responses under the first two bullets above and in the initial response letter, Forward believes it is reasonable for it to imply, particularly now that Mr. Wise has nominated a full slate of nominees, that Mr. Wise is seeking greater control of the Company. In light of Mr. Wise’s affiliate being a party to the sourcing agreement and his history of seeking to more than double the amounts paid by Forward to his affiliate, Forward believes it is reasonable to consider that if Mr. Wise’s nominees are elected, he may again seek significant increases in the sourcing fee which would benefit him personally to the detriment of all shareholders. Forward believes the escalation of Mr. Wise’s campaign to replace the entire Board instead of just a majority further clarifies and supports this belief.

* * * * *

The Staff is invited to contact the undersigned with any comments or questions it may have. We would appreciate your prompt advice as to whether the Staff has any further comments.

Read in the reply ↗
SEC letter of 2014-07-02 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
SEC asked
We disagree with your analysis as it relates to the first, second and fourth bullet points in comment 1 of our June 27, 2014 comment letter and we reissue the comment.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Soliciting Materials Filed July 1, 2014
SEC asked (1)
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief. Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis.
Rest of the question

Please provide us the support for the following:  your statement that “through its past actions, the Board has lost credibility with shareholders and lacks the mandate to continue to serve as stewards of the shareholders’ capital ahead of the 2014 Annual Meeting.”  your belief that the company’s investment with LaGrange Capital Administration and the associated strategy “is an unreasonable and inappropriate use of corporate funds that benefits Mr. Johnson at the expense of Forward’s shareholders.”  your references to Mr. Johnson’s “relentless self-dealing” and Mr. Garrett’s “weak management.”  your belief that management “may undertake a dilutive capital raise, or other extraordinary action to disenfranchise shareholders…”

FWDI answered
While Forward respectfully disagrees with the Staff’s comment, it will disclose the fiduciary duties with which any such nominees will need to comply when referring to any control gained by Mr. Wise.

* * * * *

The Staff is invited to contact the undersigned with any comments or questions it may have. We would appreciate your prompt advice as to whether the Staff has any further comments. Read in the reply ↗
Soliciting Materials Filed July 1, 2014
SEC asked (2)
With a view toward revised future disclosure, please tell us the basis upon which you believe that diluting current security holders or raising capital prior to the annual meeting would “constitute a willful neglect of fiduciary duties.”
FWDI answered

No numbered answer found in the reply. Read the reply ↗

SEC letter of 2014-11-21 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
Cover Letter
SEC asked (1)
Please revise your proxy statement to provide consistent disclosure about the number of individuals you are nominating as well as the number of seats on the company’s board.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Cover Letter
SEC asked (2)
We note that the company has asserted you failed to comply with the company’s bylaws in submitting your nominations and has filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment to that effect. Please disclose here, and highlight, this disagreement, the filing of the court action by the company and the consequences of a court decision on your ability to solicit proxies and on the votes being valid.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Cover Letter
SEC asked (3)
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief. Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis.
Rest of the question

We note the following examples that must be supported:  that there are “significant concerns over a number of highly-questionable related party transactions and poorly conceived corporate strategies being pursued by the Company that [you] believe have obstructed the realization of shareholder value.”  that the board “as currently constituted is not taking the proper action to unlock this value for the benefit of all stockholders.”  your disclosure in each of the four bullet points under the heading “Related Party Transactions” on pages 11-12.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Cover Letter
SEC asked (4)
Avoid issuing statements that directly or indirectly impugn the character, integrity or personal reputation or make charges of illegal, improper or immoral conduct without factual foundation. Provide us with the factual support for these assertions. In this regard, please note that the factual foundation offered must be reasonable. See Rule 14a-9.
Rest of the question

We note the following statements:  that it is your intent to “ensure that the best interests of stockholders are the first and foremost consideration in all Board decisions and that the Board has established appropriate governance procedures determining and evaluating any significant Board action.”  that the board “has been misusing Forward’s resources and funds for its own purposes, having failed to either provide or enact a strategic vision that enhances stockholder value at Forward.”

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Reasons for the Solicitation, page 11
SEC asked (5)
Please refer to the third bullet point in this section. With a view toward revised disclosure, please tell us whether any other terms of the referenced lease changed along with the rental charges. For example, was the space leased increased? Were there any additional amenities?
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Proposal No. 1, page 13
SEC asked (6)
Please disclose the business experience for Mr. Fine for the past five years.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Proposal No. 2, page 15
SEC asked (7)
Please disclose for each proposal how unmarked proxy cards will be voted in the proxy statement and in the proxy card.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Solicitation of Proxies, page 18
SEC asked (8)
We note the multiple methods by which proxies will be solicited. Please be advised that all written soliciting materials, including any scripts to be uses in soliciting proxies must be filed under the cover of Schedule 14A on the date of first use. Please confirm your understanding.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Additional Participant Information, page 18
SEC asked (9)
We note your disclosure in the last paragraph on page 20 that you may introduce substitute or additional nominees. Advise us, with a view towards revised disclosure, whether the participants are required to identify or nominate such substitute nominees in order to comply with any applicable company advance notice bylaw.
Rest of the question

In addition, please confirm for us that should the participants lawfully identify or nominate substitute nominees before the meeting, the participants will file an amended proxy statement that (1) identifies the substitute nominees, (2) discloses whether such nominees have consented to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected and (3) includes the disclosure required by Items 5(b) and 7 of Schedule 14A with respect to such nominees.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Incorporation by reference, page 21
SEC asked (10)
We note that you refer security holders to the company’s proxy statement for certain specified disclosure. You are required to provide information that will be contained in the company’s proxy statement for the annual meeting unless it is your intent to rely on Exchange Act Rule 14a-5(c). If you intend to rely on Rule 14a-5(c), please disclose that fact.
Rest of the question

Also, please be advised that we believe reliance on Rule 14a-5(c) before the company distributes the information to security holders would be inappropriate. Alternatively, if you determine to disseminate your proxy statement prior to the distribution of the company’s proxy statement, you must undertake to provide the omitted information to security holders. Please advise as to your intent in this regard.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Schedule II
SEC asked (11)
Please update this section from January 2014.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Background to the Solicitation, page 6
SEC asked (1)
Please revise the May 28, 2014 entry (page 7) to include the entire text of the certificate of amendment to the bylaws as filed under cover of Form 8-K on May 28, 2014.
FWDI answered
We note that proxies may be solicited by mail, in person or by telephone. Please be advised that all written soliciting materials, including any scripts to be used in soliciting proxies over the telephone or any e-mail correspondence and any information posted on the Internet must be filed under the cover of Schedule 14A. Refer to Rule 14a-6(b) and (c).
Rest of the answer

Please confirm your understanding in your response letter.

O L S H A N F R O M E W O L O S K Y L L P

WWW.OLSHANLAW.COM

Forward confirms that all written soliciting materials, including any scripts to be used in soliciting proxies over the telephone or any e-mail correspondence and any information posted on the Internet must be filed under the cover of Schedule 14A.

Read in the reply ↗
Related Party Transactions, page 11
SEC asked (2)
Refer to your disclosure that “over the past two years, a subset of the Board (from which Howard Morgan and [Mr. Wise] have been excluded) has overseen and approved a number of transactions that we disagreed with…” Disclose whether Mr. Wise and/or Mr. Morgan approved the creation of a committee of the board and whether Mr. Wise and/or Mr. Morgan voted against each related party transaction described in this section.
FWDI answered
Please provide the dates of employment for each of Mr. Garrett, Jr.’s jobs during the past five years.

Mr. Garrett’s biographical extract has been updated to disclose the start and end dates of each of his employment positions during the past five years. See page 7 of the Schedule 14A. Read in the reply ↗
Related Party Transactions, page 11
SEC asked (3)
We reissue prior comment 3 as it relates to the bullet point captioned “Issuance of New 6% Senior Convertible Stock.” Your response does not provide support for the statement that the “private placement was made without any input from or (prior notice to)” Mr. Wise or Mr.
Rest of the question

Gordon, that the issuance “constitutes a material impairment to Forward’s existing shareholders” and that it was “intended only to dilute Forward’s common shareholders’ economic and voting power.”

FWDI answered
We note your disclosure in the last paragraph of page 6 that you may introduce substitute or additional nominees. Please confirm for us that you will file an amended proxy statement that (1) identifies the substitute nominees, (2) discloses whether such nominees have consented to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected and (3) includes the disclosure required by Items 5(b) and 7 of Schedule 14A with respect to such nominees.

Forward confirms that to the extent it introduces substitute or additional nominees, it will file an amended Schedule 14A that (1) identifies
Rest of the answer

the substitute nominees, (2) discloses whether such nominees have consented to being named in the revised Schedule 14A and to serve if elected and (3) includes the disclosure required by Items 5(b) and 7 of Schedule 14A with respect to such nominees.

Read in the reply ↗
Related Party Transactions, page 11
SEC asked (4)
We note your response to prior comment 3 as it related to the bullet point captioned New dilutive issuance of convertible preferred stock.” Disclose that the basis for your stated beliefs is the allegations made by Mr. McKenna in his lawsuit against the company.
FWDI answered
Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be clearly characterized as such, and a reasonable factual basis must exist for each such opinion or belief. Support for opinions or beliefs should be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy statement or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis. We note the following examples that must be supported:

· that you have “increased efficiencies throughout the company.”

Forward believes a reasonable factual basis exists for making this statement based on various cost-cutting initiatives taken by management, including transitioning from an
Rest of the answer

in-house to a third-party sourcing operation. As a result, during the period from FY2011 to FY2013, Forward reduced its sourcing costs by $0.5 million, or 29%, and improved gross margins by 4%, partially neutralizing the negative impact on margins the Company experienced due to competitive pricing pressures. During this period, operating expenses were reduced by $1.5 million, or 21%, to $5.7 million from $7.2 million. The disclosure has been revised to include these financial metrics in support of this statement. See pages 8-9 of the Schedule 14A.

that the company “has stabilized financially and strengthened its industry position.”

Forward believes a reasonable factual basis exists for making this statement based on its improved financial performance, including the return to profitability in FY2013 which is already disclosed in this section of the Schedule 14A, as well as the improved efficiencies discussed in the response in the prior paragraph. In addition, during the period from FY2011 to FY2013, revenues increased by $8.1 million, or 35%, to $30.9 million from $22.8 million. Forward also improved its operating results by $2.8 million, by generating a $0.7 million operating profit for FY2013 as compared to a $2.1 million operating loss in FY2011. The disclosure has been revised to include these financial metrics in support of this statement. See pages 8-9 of the Schedule 14A.

See Exhibit A for a Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2013 and 2011 providing support for the foregoing financial metrics.

Read in the reply ↗
Related Party Transactions, page 11
SEC asked (5)
We note your response to prior comment 5. Please tell us whether Mr. Wise or Mr. Morgan, as directors, have access to the lease agreement and related documentation besides the publicly filed documents.
FWDI answered
Please revise this section to define “change in control,” to clarify whether the election of the Wise Group’s nominees would constitute such a change in control under the agreements and quantify the payments due Mr. Garrett and Mr. McKenna, if any, following such a change in control.

The disclosure has been revised to include the definition of “change in control” under Mr.
Rest of the answer

Garrett’s employment agreement, to clarify that the election of the Wise Group’s nominees would constitute a “change in control” under his agreement and to describe and quantify the payments that would be due to him under certain circumstances following such a “change in control” under his agreement. See pages 20-21 of Schedule 14A.

As already disclosed in the Schedule 14A, Forward terminated the employment of Mr. McKenna on August 19, 2014. Mr. McKenna’s employment agreement was terminated in connection therewith. Therefore, Mr. McKenna is not entitled to any “change in control” payments. Accordingly, Forward believes this comment is inapplicable as it relates to Mr. McKenna.

Read in the reply ↗
Proposal No. 2, page 15
SEC asked (6)
We reissue prior comment 7. Please disclose at the end of each proposal in the proxy statement how unmarked proxy cards will be voted.++
FWDI answered
On a related note, disclose whether the election of the Wise Group’s nominees would result in any other obligations of the company being due (i.e., debt acceleration, option vesting acceleration, other change of control payments).

The disclosure has been revised to state that the election of the Wise Group’s nominees could result in the redemption of the Company’s Convertible Preferred Stock. Forward is not aware of any other obligations that would be triggered as a result of the election of the Wise Group’s nominees.
Rest of the answer

See page 24 of Schedule 14A.

* * * * *

In connection with responding to the Staff’s comments, a certificate signed by Forward containing the three acknowledgments requested by the Staff is attached hereto.

The Staff is invited to contact the undersigned with any comments or questions it may have. We would appreciate your prompt advice as to whether the Staff has any further comments.

Read in the reply ↗

Form 10-K for the Year Ended September 30, 2012

2013-02-08 to 2013-05-21 · 13 questions · 4 letters from the SEC, 3 from the company
Review closed 2013-05-21
Executive payChina
SEC letter of 2013-02-08 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR
Business, page 5 · Corporate History
SEC asked (1)
In light of your disclosure that you are exiting the global retail business, with a view towards future disclosure, please explain to us the statement that as part of your strategy to develop a global retail distribution capability, you are reinvesting in both staff and infrastructure at Forward Switzerland.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

In its next report

First report after the SEC's letter of 2013-02-08: 10-Q filed 2013-02-14 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Product Supply, page 8 · Suppliers, page 8
SEC asked (2)
We note, among other things, that one of your suppliers has accounted for more than half of your product purchases in both fiscal years 2011 and 2012. In future filings please disclose, to the extent material, the names of your principal suppliers. See Item 101(h)(4)(v) of Regulation S-K.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

General
SEC asked (1)
We note that your Form 10-K states that information required by Part III will be incorporated by reference to your 2012 definitive proxy statement. As the definitive proxy statement was not filed within 120 days of the end of your fiscal year, please amend your Form 10-K to include the required Part III information. For guidance, please see General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.
FWDI answered
The Company filed an amendment to its Form 10-K on March

7, 2013. Read in the reply ↗
Product Supply, page 8 · Suppliers, page 8
SEC asked (2)
We note that in response to comment two of our letter dated February 8, 2013 you state that your suppliers are “independent suppliers in China, with names generally unknown and not material to investors.” Please explain why you believe that the names of your principal suppliers would not be material to investors in light of your disclosure that you purchased 90% of your OEM products from four suppliers in fiscal
Rest of the question

years 2011 and 2012, and that one such supplier has accounted for more than half of your purchases in both fiscal years. If you claim that disclosing the names of principal suppliers, as required by Item 101(h)(4)(v) of Regulation S-K, may result in substantial competitive harm, please note that absent unusual circumstances, you may not seek confidential treatment of disclosure required by Regulation S-K or any other applicable disclosure requirements, regardless of the availability of an exemption under FOIA. We may have additional comments following the review of your response. For guidance, please refer to Section II.B.2 of Legal Staff Bulletin No.1 (with Addendum) dated February 28, 1997.

FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff's comment with respect to the identification of our suppliers. In our future filings on Form 10-K, we propose to expand this disclosure under Item 1 with regard to our suppliers by providing information that identifies each supplier by a reference such as Supplier A or Supplier B, without providing each supplier’s name.
Rest of the answer

We believe the names of our suppliers are not material in that they are small, local, independent companies in China which are unknown to

United States’ investors, and as such, the names of local factories in China would not be meaningful to United States’ investors. We believe providing additional information by referencing each supplier as Supplier A, Supplier B, and so forth, will provide the information that is material to investors.

The Company acknowledges that:

the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings;

staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to these filings; and the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

The Staff is invited to contact the undersigned with any comments or questions it may have. We would appreciate your prompt advice as to whether the Staff has any further comments.

Read in the reply ↗
General
SEC asked (1)
We note that on March 7, 2013 you filed an amendment to your Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012; however, you did not include the certifications of your principal executive officer and principal financial officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act. Please re-file the amendment to your Form 10-K, to include also such certifications.
Rest of the question

Given the nature of the reasons for the amendment, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 may be omitted from the certifications that are filed with the amendment. For guidance, please see Question 161.01 of the Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations for Exchange Act Rules.

FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff’s comment regarding the certifications of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer required by Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act. We have re-filed the amendment to the Form 10-K to include such certifications with paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 omitted. Read in the reply ↗
Product Supply, page 8
SEC asked (2)
We note your response to comment two in our letter dated March 1, 2013. In addition we also note your disclosure that Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation, a related party, acts as your exclusive buying agent and supplier of your products in accordance with the terms of the March 12, 2012 Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (Exhibit 10.9 to your annual report).
Rest of the question

Please confirm that the procurement of all of your products from the Chinese suppliers, including the one supplier which accounted for approximately 54% and 58% of your OEM product purchases in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, is done by Forward Industries Asia-Pacific as your exclusive agent and supplier responsible for sourcing, manufacturing and exportation of your products in the Asia Pacific Region. We may have additional comments following review of your response.

FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff’s comment with respect to the buying agent and supplier of our products. We confirm that since March 12,

2012, the date the Company entered into the Buying Agency and Supply Agreement

(the “Agency Agreement”), Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation (f/k/a

Seaton Global Corporation) has acted as the Company’s exclusive agent responsible for performing sourcing, quality assurance and logistical services for the Company’s products in the Asia Pacific Region.
Rest of the answer

Prior to its entry into the Agency Agreement, the Company, through a dedicated wholly-owned subsidiary, conducted these activities. Under both of these arrangements, the Company, through other wholly-owned subsidiaries, purchased and continues to enter into commercial purchase transactions directly with its suppliers. The terms of the

Agency Agreement provide for Forward Industries Asia Pacific Corporation to enter into commercial purchase transactions directly with the Company’s suppliers and then enter into corresponding commercial sale transactions with the Company; however, the Company and Forward Asia Pacific Corporation have not yet implemented this, although the Company anticipates doing so shortly.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Exhibit 10.9 – Buying Agency and Supply Agreement
SEC asked (3)
In future filings, please ensure that you identify this agreement and not Exhibit 10.8 (Memorandum of Understanding) as having portions omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment filed with the Commission.
FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff’s comment with respect to Exhibits 10.8 and 10.9, the Memorandum of Understanding and the Agency

Agreement, respectively. We note that we have previously requested confidential treatment for both Exhibits 10.8 and 10.9, and in future filings will also identify the Agency Agreement as having portions omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request filed with the Commission. The exhibit list in the current filing has been updated to reflect this correction. Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Company, page 1
SEC asked (4)
Please tell us and in future filings disclose the period(s) during which Messrs. Morgan and Wise have served as directors of the company. Refer to Item 401(a) of Regulation S-K.
FWDI answered
Company. In future filings we will disclose that Messrs. Morgan and Wise have served as directors of the Company since February 2012. Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Executive Compensation, page 5 · Summary Compensation Table
SEC asked (5)
In the “Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table” on page 6 you disclose that for fiscal year 2011 the compensation committee determined that no performance or discretionary bonuses were earned by Messrs. Johnson and McKenna; however, your disclosure is silent with respect to the 2012 compensation.
Rest of the question

Since McKenna appears to have received an $86,228 bonus in fiscal year 2012, supplementally please provide us with a brief narrative disclosure of compensation committee’s decision making process in granting this award. We also note that prior to Mr. McKenna’s amendment of its employment agreement in November 8, 2012, his bonus was determined upon achievement of certain financial targets set by the compensation committee.

FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff’s comment. As disclosed in the Employment Agreements section on page 8, the Compensation

Committee of the Company approved an amendment to Mr. McKenna’s Employment

Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. McKenna was entitled to receive a bonus in connection with his relocation from California to Florida at the Company’s request pursuant to the move of the Company’s executive offices to West Palm

Beach, Florida from Santa Monica, California. As disclosed, the Amendment provided for a bonus payment to Mr.
Rest of the answer

McKenna in the amount of $172,456, less applicable withholdings and deductions, all subject to the provisions provided in the amendment to the Employment Agreement, including that up to one-half of such bonus payment may be applied to reduce future bonuses due to Mr. McKenna, if any, on or prior to September 2014. Half of the $172,456, or $86,228, is reflected in the summary compensation table as earned in 2012. The other half will be reflected in the summary compensation table for future periods.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Executive Compensation, page 5 · Summary Compensation Table
SEC asked (6)
Based on your footnote (4) disclosure, it appears that you have only disclosed the 160,000 option grants received by Mr. Garrett for his consulting services, which ended on February 2012. Considering that he also received a 140,000 option grant following his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on March 1, 2012, it appears that this later grant should have also been included in the summary
Rest of the question

compensation table pursuant to the requirements of Item 402(n)(2)(vi) of Regulation S-K. Please advise, or otherwise supplementally provide us with a revised summary compensation table to include the 140,000 option grant, and reflect the necessary changes in your future filings.

FWDI answered
We respectfully acknowledge the Staff’s comment with respect to the summary compensation table and confirm that the option award amount for Mr. Garrett includes the grant of 140,000 options. We have provided the table on a supplemental basis, attached hereto as Exhibit A, with a revised Footnote

4 to clarify that the grant of the 140,000 options is included. We propose to amend the summary compensation table in future filings. Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control, page 9
SEC asked (7)
Refer to the tabular presentation on page 10. Since disclosure of potential payments upon termination assumes that such terminating event has occurred on September 30, 2012, Mr. McKenna’s payment should have reflected his $225,000 salary prior to it being reduced to $210,000 pursuant to the November 8, 2012 amended employment agreement. In addition, please confirm that as of September 30, 2012, Mr.
Rest of the question

Garrett would have received no severance payments if he were terminated without cause or if he terminated his employment for good reason (unrelated to a change in control) during the first year of his employment. Please note that Item 402(q)(2) does not require quantitative disclosure of such payments; however, to the extent that you determine to include them in future filings, they should accurately reflect the contractual provisions of these named executive officers’ employment agreements at the fiscal year for which disclosure is being made. Please revise your future filings accordingly.

FWDI answered
potential payments upon termination. The reference to Mr. McKenna’s payment will be revised in future filings as noted. Pursuant to Mr. Garrett’s

Employment Agreement, Mr. Garrett would have received payments equal to six (6) months of his annual base salary of $250,000

(totaling $125,000), if he were terminated without cause by the Company, or if he terminated his employment for good reason (unrelated to a change in control), in each case as of September 30, 2012. In addition, Mr.
Rest of the answer

Garrett would have been entitled to receive a pro rata portion of the $50,000 bonus payment for his first year (approximately $29,167 as of September 30, 2012), insurance benefits, and the immediate and full vesting of all options not yet vested. We propose to revise the potential payments in the termination table accordingly in future filings.

* * *

The Company acknowledges that:

the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings;

staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to these filings; and the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-04-19: 10-Q filed 2013-05-13 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Product Supply, page 8
SEC asked (1)
We note your response to comment two of our letter dated April 8, 2013. To the extent that you continue to enter into commercial purchase transactions directly with your suppliers (including the supplier that accounted for approximately 54% and 58% of your OEM product purchases in fiscal years 2012 and 2011), as opposed to Forward Industries Asia Pacific Corporation acting as your exclusive buying agent, in future
Rest of the question

filings you should disclose the names of such suppliers to the extent material to an understanding of your business. Refer to Item 101(h)(4)(v) of Regulation S-K. The materiality analysis should not hinge on the size of these suppliers and whether or not you believe they are unknown to United States’ investors, but rather on how materially the loss of these suppliers may affect your business. In this regard, we note your response to comment two in your letter dated March 25, 2013.

FWDI answered
As discussed with Era Anagosti on May 6, 2013, all aspects of Forward’s

OEM product purchases are handled by Forward Industries Asia Pacific

Corporation (“FIAP”) pursuant to the Buying Agency and Supply Agreement, including identification of and negotiation with respective factories, sourcing, quality assurance and logistical services for the Company’s products in the Asia Pacific region. Forward will clarify in future Form 10-K filings that substantially all products supplied are provided through FIAP. Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-05-15: 10-Q filed 2013-08-12 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Executive Compensation, page 5 · Summary Compensation Table, page 5
SEC asked (2)
We note your response to comment five of our letter dated April 8, 2013. Since the amendment to the employment agreement appears to affect Mr. McKenna’s fiscal year 2013 compensation, it is unclear why you have disclosed a portion of his relocation bonus as earned in fiscal year 2012. In this regard we note that (i) the amendment to Mr.
Rest of the question

McKenna’s employment agreement was effective on October 26, 2012, following the end of fiscal year 2012, (ii) his salary reduction took effect on November 1, 2012 and that his relocation bonus was given in “recognition of [Mr. McKenna]’s reduction in salary and relocation” and that (iii) this bonus would be used to offset future bonuses Mr. McKenna may earn between the date of the amendment and September 2014 [emphasis added] (refer to Section 7 of the amendment). These provisions appear to demonstrate that the relocation bonus did not represent compensation earned in fiscal year 2012. Furthermore, based on your “Properties” disclosure on page 14 of your annual report, it appears that the executive offices were relocated in September 2012. Considering that the total bonus amount was to be fully paid within 10 days of the execution of the amendment, it appears that the full bonus amount should be disclosed as earned and paid in fiscal year 2013. Please revise your Summary Compensation Table in future filings accordingly and also include brief narrative disclosure, or cross reference the section of the filing, describing the material factors necessary to an understanding of the information disclosed in the table, such as the reasons for the relocation bonus awarded to Mr. McKenna. See Item 402(o) of Regulation S-K.

FWDI answered
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, Mr. McKenna was responsible for the logistical coordination, planning and implementation of the move of the

Company’s corporate offices from California to Florida, including numerous trips back and forth between Florida and California. Although the Employment

Agreement Amendment was effective October 26, 2012, the Company’s intent was for one-half of the bonus to be attributable to Mr. McKenna’s services in fiscal 2012. For this reason, Section 7 of the Amendment to Mr.
Rest of the answer

McKenna’s employment agreement provides that only one-half of the bonus will be applied against future bonuses because half is attributable to the fiscal year ended September

30, 2012. Accordingly, the Company believes that the disclosure of the bonus in the summary compensation table is accurate. In future filings the Company will include a brief narrative disclosure, or cross reference the relevant section of the filing, to describe the material factors necessary to an understanding of the information disclosed in the summary compensation table.

* * *

The Company acknowledges that:

the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings;

staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to these filings; and the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2013-05-15: 10-Q filed 2013-08-12 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2012-08-20 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Also in this review: closing letter, 2013-05-21

Form 8-K

2010-12-20 to 2011-01-03 · 2 questions · 1 letter from the SEC, 1 from the company
Review closed 2011-01-03
SEC asked (1)
You disclose that you did not consult with your new accountant during the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and through the date of dismissal of your former accountant. Item 304(a)(2) of Regulation S-K requires disclosures about consultations with the new accountant up through the date of engagement of the new accountant and not the dismissal of the former accountant.
Rest of the question

As such, please review your disclosure in an amended Form 8-K.

FWDI answered
We have reviewed your letter dated December 20, 2010, which sets forth comments to our Current Report on Form 8-K referenced above, and our responses are set forth below. For your convenience, preceding each response we have set forth the number of the related comment made in your letter in italics. In our amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on December 22, 2010 (the “amended Form 8-K”), we have changed the disclosure in the filing to reflect that we did not consult with our new accountant, J.H.
Rest of the letter

Cohn LLP, during the years September 30, 2010, and September 30, 2009, and through the date of engagement of our new accountant, with respect to any of the matters referenced in Item 304(a)(2) of Regulation S-K, such revised disclosure being true, complete, and correct. The amended Form 8-K includes, as Exhibit 16.1 thereto, a letter from our former accountants, Kaufman, Rossin & Co., P.A., to the Commission, dated December 22, 2010, which updates their agreement with the statements made in the amended Form 8-K. In connection with this letter Forward Industries, Inc. (“Forward”) acknowledges that: Forward is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosures in its filings with the Commission; Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. If you should have any further comments or would like to discuss any of the responses above, please contact me at your convenience.

One letter for all the questions, without numbered answers. Read the reply ↗
SEC asked (2)
To the extent that you make changes to the Form 8-K to comply with our comments, please obtain and file an updated Exhibit 16 letter from the former accountants stating whether the accountant agrees with the statements made in your amended Form 8-K.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

Also in this review: closing letter, 2011-01-03

Schedule 14A

2010-06-25 to 2010-07-28 · 13 questions · 2 letters from the SEC, 0 from the company
No closing letter
Acquisitions
SEC letter of 2010-06-25 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR (the company may have answered in an amended filing)
Schedule 14A · General
SEC asked (1)
We note that on the first page of the document you state that the solicitation is being made by LaGrange Capital Partners, L.P. Please revise to indicate that the solicitation is also being made by each of the participants.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Schedule 14A · General
SEC asked (2)
Please disclose the record date for the consent solicitation, or advise us. Refer to Item 6(b) of Schedule 14A.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Schedule 14A · General
SEC asked (3)
We note that the request to call a meeting will be made on or after July 11, 2010. Please revise to address whether there is a set deadline by which the requisite consents must be solicited in order to call a special meeting. Please revise to describe any applicable provisions under the issuer’s governing documents or under state law.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Background and Reasons for Solicitation, page 4
SEC asked (4)
Please characterize each statement or assertion of opinion or belief as such, and ensure that a reasonable basis for each such opinion or belief exists. Support for each statement or assertion of opinion or belief must be self-evident, disclosed in the proxy materials, or provided to the staff on a supplemental basis.
Rest of the question

Please provide support for any statements relating to the company’s financial and market performance, including but not limited to the following assertions: • “Since our initial investment, we have become deeply concerned with the Company’s poor financial performance and what we believe to be the Board’s illconceived acquisition strategy.” • “…we believe certain members of the Board have engaged in a unilateral scheme to diminish shareholder representation, disenfranchise shareholders and entrench themselves while also relinquishing substantially all of their financial ties to the Company.” Please mark any supporting information that you provide to clearly identify the specific information relied upon, such as quoted statements, financial statement line items, press releases, and mathematical computations, and identify all sources of any data used.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Written Request Procedures, page 6
SEC asked (5)
Regarding revocation, you state that shareholders may revoke by delivering a written revocation. Please revise to describe all the legal requirements for an effective revocation, including whether it must have a later date and whether the revoking shareholder must state the number of shares held. Please also state whether a later dated request card will constitute an effective revocation.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Solicitation of Requests, page 7
SEC asked (6)
Please disclose the estimated costs of the solicitation by filling-in the blanks.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Solicitation of Requests, page 7
SEC asked (7)
We note that consents may be solicited by mail, telephone, telegraph and in person. Please be advised that all written soliciting materials, including any scripts to be used in soliciting proxies over the telephone or by correspondence must be filed under the cover of Schedule 14A. Refer to Rule 14a-6(b) and (c). Please confirm your understanding in your response letter.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Consent Card
SEC asked (8)
Please revise to indicate in bold font at the top of the consent card that the solicitation is not on behalf of the Company.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Consent Card
SEC asked (9)
Please revise to afford security holders an opportunity to specify by boxes a choice between approval or disapproval of, or abstention with respect to your request to call a special meeting. Refer to Rule 14a-4(b)(1).
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Consent Card
SEC asked (10)
Please revise to refer to the applicable bylaw provision which you believe authorizes you to call a special meeting.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

SEC letter of 2010-07-28 ↗ no reply letter on EDGAR (the company may have answered in an amended filing)
Schedule 14A · Written Request Procedures, page 6
SEC asked (1)
Please supplementally confirm that the solicitation statement delivered to shareholders will disclose the date that Capital Partners first delivers a signed written request to the issuer and the 60-day deadline for delivering the written requests.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Schedule 14A · Written Request Procedures, page 6
SEC asked (2)
We note that you state that a revocation “must clearly state that your earlier-dated, executed written request to call a special meeting is no longer effective with respect to the number of shares set forth therein.” Please revise the solicitation statement and request card to clarify the procedure for revoking a previously submitted written request card, since shareholders may not understand that they are required
Rest of the question

to include this express statement when they submit a later-dated written request card.

FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Solicitation of Requests, page 8
SEC asked (3)
We note your response to comment six in our letter dated June 25, 2010; however, we reissue our comment. Please disclose the estimated costs of the solicitation in your next amendment.
FWDI answered

No reply letter found.

Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009

2010-03-08 to 2010-04-12 · 14 questions · 2 letters from the SEC, 2 from the company
Review closed 2010-04-12
Liquidity and cashDebtResults discussion (MD&A)Income taxesRevenueSegmentsControls
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 · General
SEC asked (1)
Where a comment below requests additional disclosures or other revisions to be made, please show us in your supplemental response what the revisions will look like. These revisions should be included in your future filings.
FWDI answered
We have reviewed your letter dated March 8, 2010 commenting on registrant’s above-referenced Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and our responses are set forth below. For your convenience, preceding each response we have set forth the related comment made in your letter in italics. Where registrant proposes revised disclosure in its future filings in response to the comment, the proposed textual changes are presented in bold faced font. Since your accounts receivable credit risk lies with your OEM customers’ contract manufacturers, please expand your discussion of credit risk to address the payment history of both your OEM customers and their contract manufacturers.
Rest of the letter

In our past disclosures relating to credit risk, we have thought it appropriate to clarify that ultimate risk of non-payment did not necessarily lie with our OEM “customer” when that customer’s arrangements with its contract manufacturer resulted in registrant’s shipments to, and accounts receivable from, the contract manufacturer. However, by drawing this distinction, we did not thereby wish to create the implication that the actual payment history of contract manufacturers that registrant has experienced over the years has in any way been unacceptable or created payment or collection issues different from that of our OEM customers. Both OEM customers and contract manufacturers have historically performed quite satisfactorily and substantially in accordance with the terms of purchase orders. Form 10-K, we propose the following revised disclosure under Item 1 with regard to Credit Risk (text describing contract manufacturers has been moved into the first paragraph so that the second paragraph refers equally to OEM customers and contract manufacturers): We generally sell our products on 60to 90-day credit terms customary in the industry. Our significant OEM customers are large, multi-national companies with good credit histories. When we ship product to our OEM customer’s designated contract manufacturer and invoice such manufacturer (and not the OEM customer), even though our order flows originate with and depend on our relationship with the OEM, our accounts receivable credit risk lies with the contract manufacturer. Our OEM customer does not guarantee the credit of the contract manufacturer to whom the OEM requests us to ship our carrying case products, and such order volumes may be significant from time to time. In most cases, these contract manufacturers are themselves large multinational enterprises with good credit. Historically, we have not had significant credit or collection problems with our OEM customers or their contract manufacturers. None of these customers or their contract manufacturers is or has been in default to us, and payments are generally received from them on a timely basis. Two customers, including their affiliates or contract manufacturers, accounted for approximately XX% and XX% of the Company's accounts receivable at September We note that you maintain a credit facility and have agreed to certain financial covenants in connection with the facility. As such, please disclose here and in your financial statement footnotes the specific terms of any material debt covenants in your debt agreements. In addition, please revise to indicate your debt covenant compliance status as of the most recent period-end. See Sections I.D and IV.C of the SEC Interpretive Release No. 33-8350. Swiss subsidiary Forward Innovations GmbH (FI) has been in compliance in all material respects with covenants under its credit facility during the term thereof. Under the terms of the facility the bank had the right to terminate the facility: (i) if payment of interest and principal was not made within 30 days of the date due; (ii) upon bankruptcy of FI; (iii) bank assessment that FI’s asset and/or revenue outlook had deteriorated significantly; (iv) upon a change of control of FI; (v) upon a merger and/or acquisition or transfer of significant assets to a third party on the part of FI; or (vi) FI’s audit report contains a material qualification. The credit facility did not obligate FI to comply with any financial ratios or tests or other financial covenants. It should be noted that the credit facility expired in accordance with its terms on December 31, 2009, and we believe that it is likely that the facility will be replaced with a simple letter of credit as the means to satisfy the requirements of the freight forwarder acting on registrant’s behalf in the Netherlands. In our future filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, we propose the following expanded disclosure under Item 7 relating to registrant’s MD&A disclosures (changes to the disclosures set forth in the 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, are identified in bold) and such disclosures will be included in registrant’s Form 10-Q filings, in each case to the extent applicable. To the extent applicable, registrant will revise its disclosures in the footnotes to its financial statements to be consistent with those proposed for inclusion in its MD&A. In addition, assuming the credit facility is not renewed, as noted above, such revised disclosure will be relevant only to balance sheet dates in respect of past reporting periods and not prospectively. Insofar as we do not believe that registrant falls within either of the two scenarios referred to in Section IV.C of Interpretative Release No. 33-8350, we respectfully submit that it is not necessary to provide greater detail than that included in the proposed, revised disclosure set forth below: [This disclosure will be recast as historical rather than current.]Forward Innovations maintains a credit facility with a Swiss bank that provides for an uncommitted line of credit in the maximum amount of $400,000. Amounts borrowed under the facility may be structured as a term loan or loans, with a maximum repayment period of 12 months, or as a guarantee facility, or any combination of the foregoing. Either party may terminate the facility at any time; however, such termination would not affect the stated maturity of any term loan outstanding under the facility. Amounts borrowed other than as a term loan must be settled periodically or converted into term loans. In connection with this facility, Forward Innovations agreed to certain customary financial covenants, with which we believe it has been in compliance in all material respects. Such covenants do not include any financial ratios or other financial tests. Amounts drawn under this credit facility bear interest at variable rates [...] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, page 31 Please present the effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies as a separate part of the reconciliation of the change in cash and cash equivalents during the period. See FASB ASC 830-230-45-1. Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, we propose to present the effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies within our Consolidated Net income................................................................................... Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Changes in operating assets and liabilities: cash provided by operating activities................................................................... XX cash provided by investing activities................................................................... cash provided by financing activities................................................................... Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.................................... Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.................................................................. Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.................................................... and cash equivalents at end of period............................................................... Please disclose the types of the expenses that you include in the cost of goods sold line item as well as the types of expenses that you include in the selling and general and administrative expenses line items. Please also disclose whether you include inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and the other costs of your distribution network in the cost of goods sold line item. With the exception of warehousing costs, if you currently exclude a portion of these costs from cost of goods sold, please disclose: in a footnote the line items that these excluded costs are included in and the amounts included in each line item for each period presented, and in MD&A that your gross profit may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of goods sold and others like you exclude a portion of them from gross profit. While we have in our filings on Form 10-K and 10-Q routinely included disclosures in the “gross profit” discussion in the MD&A of certain components of cost of goods sold that impacted gross profit amounts, such as the costs of operating our Hong Kong distribution and QA facility, registrant agrees that more precise delineation of the types of expenses it includes in COGS as distinct from SG&A line items will enhance clarity in our disclosures. All expenses incurred in operating our Hong Kong distribution and QA facility are included in COGS, including salary and related expense of persons employed by the facility. Insofar as the comment relates to SG&A expense, registrant’s accounting policies, practices, and financial statement presentation are in accordance with US GAAP. As to the last question (and related bullet points) in the comment, registrant does not exclude any portion of the enumerated costs from COGS. 10-K and Form 10-Q, we propose the following expanded accounting policy in our footnotes to our consolidated financial statements with regard to our shipping and handling costs. Company expenses shipping and handling costs (including inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and other costs associated with the Company’s distribution network) as a component of cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Please disclose the line item(s) in which you include depreciation and amortization. If you do not allocate a portion of your depreciation and amortization to cost of goods sold, please also revise your presentation to comply with SAB Topic 11:B, which would include revising the cost of goods sold title and removing the gross profit subtotal throughout the filing. In its accounting policies and practices, registrant includes depreciation and amortization expense attributable to property, plant and equipment used in connection with its production activities in its cost of goods sold line item. Registrant includes depreciation and amortization expense attributable to property, plant and equipment used in connection with selling and administrative functions in the footnotes to our consolidated financial statements with regard to our property, plant and equipment: Property, plant and equipment consist of furniture, fixtures and equipment, and leasehold improvements and are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property, plant and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. The estimated useful life for furniture, fixtures and equipment ranges from three to ten years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 20XX and 20XX, the Company recorded approximately $XXXX and $XXXX of depreciation and amortization expense, respectively. Depreciation and amortization for production related property, plant and equipment is included as a component of costs of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation and amortization for selling and general and administrative related property, plant and equipment, is included as a component of operating expenses in the It is not clear how you met the disclosure requirements set forth in FASB ASC 740-10-50-15 and 740-10-50-19. Please advise or revise your disclosures in future filings accordingly. Registrant’s policy is to account for interest and penalties related to income taxes in its statement of operations. The registrant has not incurred any such interest or penalties in at least five years and likely much longer. 10-K and Form 10-Q, in order to address the comment relating to FASB ASC 740-10-50-15, we propose the following expanded disclosure relating to registrant’s accounting policies in our footnotes to our consolidated financial statements : Company accounts for its income taxes in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. which requires, among other things, recognition of future tax benefits and liabilities measured at enacted rates attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and to tax net operating loss carryforwards to the extent that realization of these benefits is more likely than not. The Company periodically evaluates the realizability of its net deferred tax assets. The Company’s policy is to account for income tax related interest and penalties, if any, in income tax expense in the statement of operations. For the periods presented in the accompanying statements of operations no income tax related interest or penalties were assessed or recorded. In our future filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, in order to address the comment relating to FASB ASC 740-10-50-19, we also propose the following revision to the footnote to our consolidated financial statements captioned “INCOME TAXES”: Company’s effective tax rate does not approximate the statutory United States federal income tax rate primarily due to the establishment of the valuation allowance and tax rate differentials in respect of United States state and foreign taxes. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has no unrecognized tax benefits related to federal and state income tax matters. If ultimately recognized, the Company does not anticipate any material increase in the effective tax rate during Fiscal 2009 relative to any tax positions taken prior to Fiscal 2009. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has not accrued for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and/or penalties, if any, related to income tax matters in income tax expense in the statement of operations. For the periods presented in the accompanying statements of operations no income tax related interest or penalties were assessed or recorded. Note 13 – Operating Segment Information, page 43 Please enhance your disclosure to separately disclose the amount of revenues from external customers and long-lived assets attributed to your country of domicile as well as any individual foreign countries, to the extent they are material, for each period presented. Refer to FASB ASC 280-10-50-41. 10-K, we propose the following expanded footnotes disclosures to our consolidated financial statements with regard to information about geographic areas: The following table presents net sales related to these geographic segments (Revenue by geographic region, attributed to countries based on the domicile of the bill-to customer): China........................................ Germany................................... Total net sales............................ Assets (Net of Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization) Identifiable long-lived assets, consisting entirely of property, plant and equipment, by geographic region are as follows: Exhibit 31 – Certifications note that you have made certain modifications to the certifications in exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to the September 30, 2009 Form 10-K and December 31, 2009 Form 10-Q. Specifically, the certifying individuals included their titles in the introductory sentence of the certifications. In addition, the certifications include references to “Forward” instead of “registrant”. Please remove the certifying individuals’ titles from the introductory sentence of the certifications and revise your certifications to conform to the format provided in Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K In its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q made subsequent to the date hereof, Registrant will present the certifications required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) in the form set forth in Appendix 1 annexed hereto, which eliminates reference to the title of the certifying individual and which, other than defining the registrant, refers to Forward only as “registrant”. Controls and Procedures revise your disclosures in future filings to clarify the period you are referring to. For example, the use of “as of the end of the 2010 Quarter” does not clearly indicate that you are referring to the period ended December 31, its disclosures with respect to Item 9A and 9A(T) of Form 10-K and Item 4 of Form 10-Q, registrant had adopted the practice of importing defined terms used in the filing for comparing year-over-year results for MD&A purposes (such definitions being set forth elsewhere in the filing). In its subsequent filings registrant will discontinue this practice so as to clearly indicate the calendar period to which the required evaluation relates. connection with this letter Forward Industries acknowledges that: Forward is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosures in its filings; staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and Forward may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the If you should have any further comments or would like to discuss any of the responses above, please contact me at your convenience.

One letter for all the questions, without numbered answers. Read the reply ↗
Item 1 – Business, page 4 · Credit Risk, page 7
SEC asked (2)
Since your accounts receivable credit risk lies with your OEM customers’ contract manufacturers, please expand your discussion of credit risk to address the payment history of both your OEM customers and their contract manufacturers.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Operations, page 15 · Liquidity and Capital Resources, page 20
SEC asked (3)
We note that you maintain a credit facility and have agreed to certain financial covenants in connection with the facility. As such, please disclose here and in your financial statement footnotes the specific terms of any material debt covenants in your debt agreements. In addition, please revise to indicate your debt covenant compliance status as of the most recent period-end.
Rest of the question

See Sections I.D and IV.C of the SEC Interpretive Release No. 33-8350.

FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules, page 25 · Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, page 31
SEC asked (4)
Please present the effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies as a separate part of the reconciliation of the change in cash and cash equivalents during the period. See FASB ASC 830-230-45-1.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 2 – Accounting Policies, page 32
SEC asked (5)
Please disclose the types of expenses that you include in the cost of goods sold line item as well as the types of expenses that you include in the selling and general and administrative expenses line items. Please also disclose whether you include inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and the other costs of your distribution network in
Rest of the question

the cost of goods sold line item. With the exception of warehousing costs, if you currently exclude a portion of these costs from cost of goods sold, please disclose: • in a footnote the line items that these excluded costs are included in and the amounts included in each line item for each period presented, and • in MD&A that your gross profit may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of goods sold and others like you exclude a portion of them from gross profit.

FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 2 – Accounting Policies, page 32
SEC asked (6)
Please disclose the line item(s) in which you include depreciation and amortization. If you do not allocate a portion of your depreciation and amortization to cost of goods sold, please also revise your presentation to comply with SAB Topic 11:B, which would include revising the cost of goods sold title and removing the gross profit subtotal throughout the filing.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 8 – Income Taxes, page 39
SEC asked (7)
It is not clear how you have met the disclosure requirements set forth in FASB ASC 740-10-50-15 and 740-10-50-19. Please advise or revise your disclosures in future filings accordingly.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Note 13 – Operating Segment Information, page 43
SEC asked (8)
Please enhance your disclosure to separately disclose the amount of revenues from external customers and long-lived assets attributed to your country of domicile as well as any individual foreign countries, to the extent they are material, for each period presented. Refer to FASB ASC 280-10-50-41.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Exhibit 31 – Certifications
SEC asked (9)
We note that you have made certain modifications to the certifications in exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to the September 30, 2009 Form 10-K and December 31, 2009 Form 10-Q. Specifically, the certifying individuals included their titles in the introductory sentence of the certifications.
Rest of the question

In addition, the certifications include references to “Forward” instead of “registrant.” Please remove the certifying individuals’ titles from the introductory sentence of the certifications and revise your certifications to conform to the format provided in Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K.

FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
SEC asked (10)
Please address the above comments in your interim filings as well, as applicable.
FWDI answered

See the reply above.

Controls and Procedures, page 24
SEC asked (11)
Please revise your disclosures in future filings to clarify the period you are referring to. For example, the use of “as of the end of the 2010 Quarter” does not clearly indicate that you are referring to the period ended December 31, 2009. * * * * Please respond to these comments within 10 business days, or tell us when you will provide us with a response.
Rest of the question

Please provide us with a response letter that keys your responses to our comments and provides any requested information. Detailed letters greatly facilitate our review. Please file your supplemental response on EDGAR as a correspondence file. Please understand that we may have additional comments after reviewing your responses to our comments.

FWDI answered

See the reply above.

In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-03-18: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 · General
SEC asked (1)
Where a comment below requests additional disclosures or other revisions to be made, please show us in your supplemental response what the revisions will look like. These revisions should be included in your future filings.
FWDI answered
I have reviewed this [Quarterly

Report/Annual Report][as applicable] on Form 10‑[Q][K][as applicable] for the [three months][fiscal year][as applicable] ended [balance sheet date to which filing relates], of Forward Industries, Inc.

(“registrant”); Read in the reply ↗
Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules, page 25 · Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, page 31
SEC asked (2)
We note your response to comment four from our letter dated March 8, 2010. Please confirm in your supplemental response that the effect of exchange rate changes was not material to the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the quarterly period ended December 31, 2009.
FWDI answered
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-04-08: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Exhibit 31 – Certifications
SEC asked (3)
We have reviewed your response to comment nine from our letter dated March 8, 2010. The proposed disclosure in your certifications omits the internal control over financial reporting language from the introductory portion of paragraph 4.
Rest of the question

Paragraph 4 should state “The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d15(f)) for the registrant and have:”. Please revise accordingly. In addition, please ensure that you refer to the annual or quarterly report in paragraph 1, as appropriate. * * * * Please respond to these comments within 10 business days, or tell us when you will provide us with a response. Please provide us with a response letter that keys your responses to our comments and provides any requested information. Detailed letters greatly facilitate our review. Please file your supplemental response on EDGAR as a correspondence file. Please understand that we may have additional comments after reviewing your responses to our comments.

FWDI answered
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; Read in the reply ↗
In its next report

First report after the company's reply of 2010-04-08: 10-Q filed 2010-05-05 ↗, against the 10-Q filed 2010-02-08 ↗.

Tickdelta does not hold the text of both reports, so they are not compared here.

Also in this review: closing letter, 2010-04-12

5 other letters: notices that a filing will not be reviewed, requests to declare a registration effective, and the like

From the SEC's correspondence on EDGAR: staff letters (form UPLOAD) and company letters (form CORRESP), 34 letters filed since 2010-03-08. Questions and answers are matched by their numbers; topics come from words in each question. The reports are compared word for word (same form, before the first SEC letter against the first report after the company's reply). No AI.

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