UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ until ___

Commission File Number 001-38739

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (949) 528-3100

Securities Registered under Section 12(b) of the Act

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

The aggregate market value of the 23,186,931 shares of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2019 was $8,092,239.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Report on Form 10-K, in particular Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding our assumptions about financial performance; the continuation of historical trends; the sufficiency of our cash balances for future liquidity and capital resource needs; the expected impact of changes in accounting policies on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; anticipated problems and our plans for future operations; and the economy in general or the future of the defense industry, all of which were subject to various risks and uncertainties.

When used in this Report on Form 10- K and other reports, statements, and information we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”), in our press releases, presentations to securities analysts or investors, in oral statements made by or with the approval of an executive officer, the words or phrases “believes,” “may,” “will,” “expects,” “should,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “will likely result,” “estimates,” “projects” or similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. However, any statements contained in this Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors.

We do not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. You should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors described in this annual report. In this Form 10-K, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (“ToughBuilt”) has identified important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties.

PART I

Item 1 Description of Business

Overview

Our company was formed on April 9, 2012 as Phalanx, Inc., under the laws of the State of Nevada and changed its name to ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. on December 29, 2015. We were formed to design, manufacture and distribute innovative tools and accessories to the building industry. We market and distribute various home improvement and construction product lines for both do-it-yourself (“DIY”) and professional markets under the TOUGHBUILT® brand name, within the global multibillion dollar per year tool market. All of our products are designed by our in-house design team. Since our initial launch of product sales eight years ago, we have experienced significant annual sales growth from approximately $1,000,000 in 2013 to $20,000,000 in 2019.

Since August 2013, pursuant to a Service Agreement, we have been collaborating with Belegal, a Chinese firm, whose team of experts has provided ToughBuilt with additional engineering, sourcing services and quality control support for our operations in China. Belegal assists us with supply-chain management (process and operations in China) for our operations in China, among other things, facilitating the transmission of our purchase orders to our suppliers in China, conducting “in-process” quality checking and inspection, and shipping end-products manufactured in China to their final destinations. In accordance with the agreement, we pay all of the monthly costs for payroll, overhead and other operation expenses associated with the Belegal’s activities on behalf of ToughBuilt.

Our business is currently based on development of innovative and state of the art products, primarily in tools and hardware category, with particular focus on building and construction industry with the ultimate goal of making life easier and more productive for contractors and workers alike. Our current product line includes two major categories related to this field, with several additional categories in various stages of development, consisting of Soft Goods and Kneepads and Sawhorses and Work Products.

ToughBuilt designs and manages its product life cycles through a controlled and structured process. We involve customers and industry experts from our target markets in the definition and refinement of our product development. Product development emphasis is placed on meeting and exceeding industry standards and product specifications, ease of integration, ease of use, cost reduction, design-for manufacturability, quality and reliability.

Our mission consists, of providing products to the building and home improvement communities that are innovative, of superior quality derived in part from enlightened creativity for our end users while enhancing performance, improving well-being and building high brand loyalty.

Recent Business Developments

The following highlights recent developments in our business over the past five years:

Products

We create innovative products that help our customers build faster, build stronger and work smarter. We accomplish this by listening to what our customers want and need and researching how professionals work, then we create tools that help them save time, save hassle and save money.

TOUGHBUILT® manufactures and distributes an array of high quality and rugged tool belts, tool bags and other personal tool organizer products. We also manufacture and distribute a complete line of knee pads for various construction applications. Our line of job-site tools and material support products consists of a full line of miter-saw and table saw stands and saw horses/job site tables and roller stands. All of our products are designed and engineered in the United States and manufactured in China and India under our quality control supervision. We do not need government approval for any of our products.

Our soft sided tool storage line is designed for a wide range of do-it-yourself and professional needs. This line of pouches and tool and accessories bags is designed to organize our customers’ tools faster and easier. Interchangeable pouches clip on and off any belt, bag ladder wall or vehicle. Our products let our customers carry what they want so they have it when they want it.

ToughBuilt’s wide mouth tool carry-all bags come in sizes from 12 inches to 30 inches. They all have steel reinforced handles and padded shoulder straps which allow for massive loads to be carried with ease. Rigid plastic hard-body lining protects everything inside. Double mesh pockets included inside provide complete visibility for stored items. They include a lockable zipper for added security and safety and secondary side handles for when it takes more than one to carry the load.

All of these products have innovative designs with unique features that provide extra functionality and enhanced user experience. Patented features such as our exclusive “Cliptech” mechanism incorporated in some of the products in this line are unique in these products for the industry and have distinguished the line from other similarly situated products thus we believe, increasing appeal amongst the other products of this category in the professional community and among the enthusiasts.

Soft Goods

The flagship of the product line is the Soft Goods line that consists of over 100 variations of tool pouches, tool rigs, tool belts and accessories, tools bags, totes, variety of storage solutions, and office organizers/bags for laptop/tablet/cellphones, etc. Management believes that the breadth of the line is one of the deepest in the industry and has specialized designs to suit professionals from all sectors of the industry including plumbers, electricians, framers, builders and more.

We have a selection of over 10 models of kneepads, some with revolutionary and patented design features that allow the users to interchange components to suit particular conditions of use. Management believes that these kneepads are among the best performing kneepads in the industry. Our “all terrain” knee pad protection with snapshell technology is part of our interchangeable kneepad system which helps to customize the jobsite needs. They are made with superior quality using multilevel layered construction, heavy duty webbing and abrasion-resistant PVC rubber.

Sawhorses and Work Products

The second major category consists of Sawhorses and Work Support products with unique designs and robust construction targeted for the most discerning users in the industry. The innovative designs and construction of the more than 15 products in this category have led to the sawhorses becoming among the best sellers of category everywhere they are sold. The newest additions in this category include several stands and work support products that are quickly gaining recognition in the industry and are expected to position themselves in the top tier products in a short time. Our sawhorse line, miter saw, table saw & roller stands are built to very high standards. Our sawhorse/jobsite table is fast to set up, holds 2,400 pounds, has adjustable heights, is made of all metal construction and has a compact design. We believe that these lines of products are slowly becoming the standard in the construction industry.

All of our products are designed in house to achieve features and benefits for not only the professional construction worker but also for the do-it-yourself person.

Business Strategy

Our product strategy is to develop product lines in a number of categories rather than focus on a single line of goods. We believe that this approach allows for rapid growth, wider brand recognition, and may ultimately result in increased sales and profits within an accelerated time period. We believe that building brand awareness of our current ToughBuilt lines of products will expand our share of the pertinent markets. Our business strategy includes the following key elements:

We will continue to consider other market opportunities while focusing on our customers’ specific requirements to increase sales.

Market

According to “Statista & Statistic Brain” the annual revenue in the construction industry (based on firm revenue) was $1.731 trillion for 2016 in the United States. There was approximately $394.6 billion in home improvement sales in the U.S. in 2018 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/239759/predicted-sales-of-home-improvement-retailers-in-the-us/). The heavy and civil engineering industry is over $260 billion in sales with tools and hardware alone totaling over $60 billion for that same time period. In 2016, there were approximately 729,000 construction companies in the United States employing more than 7.3 million employees. In addition to the construction market, our products are marketed to the “do-it-yourself” and home improvement market place. The home improvement industry has fared much better in the aftermath of the Great Recession than the housing market. The U.S. housing stock of more than 130 million homes requires regular investment merely to offset normal depreciation. And many households that might have traded up to more desirable homes during the downturn decided instead to make improvements to their current homes. Meanwhile, federal and state stimulus programs encouraged homeowners and rental property owners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that they might otherwise have deferred. Finally, many rental property owners, responding to a surge in demand from households either facing foreclosure or nervous about buying amid the housing market uncertainty, reinvested in their units.

As a result, improvement and repair spending held up well compared to residential construction spending. According to “Home Improvement – Still Growing in 2019”, on www.hiri.org, “the HIRI/IHS Markit forecast expects 5.5% growth in the home improvement products market in 2019 after a strong 6.2% in 2018.”

Total home improvement products sales was expected to increase 5.5% in 2018 to $420 billion in total sales. The Professional Market was expected to increase 6.0% in 2019 over 2018 and the Consumer Market will see a sales increase of 5.3%.

TOUGHBUILT® products are available worldwide in many major retailers ranging from home improvement and construction products and services stores to major online outlets. Currently, we have placement in Home Depot, Menards, Toolbank (UK), Bunning’s (Australia), Princess Auto (Canada), Dong Shin Tool PIA (S. Korea) as well as seeking to grow our sales in global markets such as Western and Central Europe, Russia and Eastern Europe, South America and the Middle East.

Retailers by region include:

United States: Home Depot, Menards, GM products, Fire Safety, Hartville Hardware, ORR, Pooley, YOW, Wesco, Buzzi, and Western Pacific Building Materials.

Canada: Princess Auto

United Kingdom: Toolbank (distribution throughout the U.K. and online selling for Europe).

France: Birck

Australia: Bunnings

New Zealand: Bunnings

Russia: VSEInstrumenti.ru

South Korea: Dong Shin Tool PIA Co., Ltd.

We are actively expanding into markets in Mexico and Latin American countries the Middle East and South Africa.

We are currently in product line reviews and discussions with Lowe’s, Home Depot Canada, Do It Best, True Value and other major retailers both domestically and internationally. A product line review requires the supplier to submit a comprehensive proposal which includes product offerings, prices, competitive market studies and relevant industry trends and other information. Management anticipates, within the near term, adding to its customer base up to three major retailers, along with several distributors and private retailers within six sectors and among 56 targeted countries.

Innovation and Brand Strength

Management believes that the robust capabilities at ToughBuilt eclipse those of many competitors as not every distributor or factory has the ability to quickly identify industry and end user opportunities and execute quickly to deliver winning product lines consistently. Also, in our view, most distributors and factories do not have a recognizable and reputable brand or the proven ability to reach major retailers globally to position their products and brands. We believe that we are able to take a design from concept to market within a very short period of time.

Product and Services Diversification

TOUGHBUILT® is a singular brand with a driven team that is poised to scale into a highly recognized global entity. We aim to grow ToughBuilt with several significant subsidiaries in the next few years to become the hub/platform for professionals, DIY’s (Do It Yourselfers) and passionate builders everywhere. Management anticipates that future subsidiaries will focus on licensing, gear, mobile, equipment rentals and maintenance services.

New Products

Tools

In 2018, we ordered and launched a new line of gloves and 28 SKUs of tool belt and pouches. We also intend to launch the following tools in the second half of 2020:

Mobile Device Products

Since 2013, we have been planning, designing, engineering and sourcing the development of a new line of ToughBuilt mobile devices and accessories to be used in the construction industry and by building enthusiasts. We are planning to have our mobile device products ready to market by late 2020 at which time we intend to commence marketing and selling our mobile device products to our current global customer base. We believe that increasing numbers of companies in the construction industry are requiring their employees to utilize mobile devices not just to communicate with others but to utilize the special apps that will allow the construction workers to do their job better and more efficiently. All of our mobile devices are designed and built in accordance with IP-68 and to a military standard level of durability and with the cooperation of Foxconn Manufacturing.

Our ruggedized mobile line of products was created to place customized technology and wide varieties of data in the palm of the building professionals and enthusiasts such as contractors, subcontractors, foreman, general laborers and others. We are designing the devices, accessories and custom apps to allow the users to plan with confidence, organize faster, find labor and products faster, estimate accurately, purchase wisely, protect themselves, workers and their business, create and track invoicing faster and easier.

By the fourth quarter of 2020 or first quarter of 2021, we intend to launch our T.55 rugged mobile phones and earbud headphones, as well as a “T-Dock”, attachable battery, tri lens camera and tough shield cover and accessories. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we also intend to launch the following accessories: car charger, QI charger, car mounts and earbud pack, and we will focus on sales in the following industries: construction, industrial, military and law enforcement and “.coms”.

By the fourth quarter of 2020, we intend to launch applications for our mobile phones relating to the following topics:

Agreement with Foxconn

On October 18, 2016, we entered into a Project Statement of Work Agreement (“SOW”) with Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd., a corporation organized under the law of Taiwan (referred to as “Foxconn”) to design, manufacture and supply to us a certain rugged mobile telephone (the “Product”). The Company will pay to Foxconn all fees and costs required to develop the Product. The Product will be developed by Foxconn to our specifications. We will submit to Foxconn written specifications, features and concepts required to be included in the Product. The specifications are subject to review and update by the parties and upon written approval by the parties such new or revised specifications will become part of the SOW. The SOW also provides dates for completion of deliverables, such as prototypes, “Beta” testing of the Product, sample assembly of the prototype and commencement of mass production of the Product. We may terminate the SOW at any time, in which case we must pay the costs for those portions of the development work completed by Foxconn up to the date of termination. The SOW is governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

Mobile Device Market

Based upon an annual white paper published by the Mobile and Wireless Practice of Venture Development Corporation, we believe that an increasing number of companies are requiring their employees to transact business in the field and/or other non-traditional office environments. Because of this and other factors, the construction industry is accelerating its acceptance of wireless technology. We further believe that the construction industry, like other industries, will be leveraging mobile and wireless solutions to address the need for greater collaboration among a highly mobile and distributed workforce.

We believe that mobility is one of the top technology trends that construction companies are focusing on in 2020 and beyond. Mobile technology continues to have a significant impact on business, specifically with regard to business communication as this technology enhances the ability for colleagues at different locations to easily communicate, enhances customer experience through the improvement of applications and websites available to consumers to do business through their devices “at their fingertips”, and optimizes business operations as there is instant access to business functions at any time and from any location.

While the construction industry has widely adopted solutions such as push to talk (PTT) telephony applications, the use of mobile and wireless data applications has been limited. IT solutions in general and mobile and wireless solutions specifically have been adopted at varying degrees within organizations and to support the various phases of construction projects. Currently the business planning, engineering and procurement operations have more effectively deployed IT solutions while actual construction operations have fallen behind in IT infrastructure and field automation solutions. The construction and engineering workforce is inherently mobile. However, construction sites have never effectively leveraged (wireless) communications networks to connect these distributed and often remote workers and their assets. Nevertheless, construction project managers require real time access to a variety of information, including real time tool inventory management, raw materials deliveries, job costing, time stamping and general project management information. The challenge, however, is the lack of network access on construction sites resulting in an information bottleneck on the job site. Buoyed by advances in wireless technologies – including coverage, performance, security and cost of ownership – we believe this is becoming an issue of the past for construction operations.

Mobile Apps

We intend to include apps on our mobile devices and are developing, with a third party applications developer, apps which will include, among other things, building codes, permitting, estimating and job listings. The purposes of the apps that are being developed address:

Sales Strategy

The devices, accessories and bolt-on digital tools will be sold through relevant home improvement big box stores, direct marketing to construction companies, direct marketing of trade/wholesale outlets and to professional outlets.

Intellectual Property

We hold several patents and trademarks of various durations and believe that we hold, have applied for or license all of the patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights necessary to conduct our business. We utilize trademarks (licensed and owned) on nearly all of our products and believe having distinctive marks that are readily identifiable is an important factor in creating a market for our goods, in identifying our brands and our company, and in distinguishing our goods from the goods of others. We consider our ToughBuilt^®, Cliptech^®, and Fearless^® trademarks to be among our most valuable intangible assets. Trademarks registered both in and outside the U.S. are generally valid for ten years, depending on the jurisdiction, and are generally subject to an indefinite number of renewals for a like period on appropriate application.

In 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted two new design patents (US D840,961 S and US D841,635 S) that cover ToughBuilt’s ruggedized mobile devices, which are valid for a period of 15 years.

We also rely on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information relating to our design and processes for our products. We have entered into and will continue to enter into confidentiality, non-competition and proprietary rights assignment agreements with our employees and independent contractors. We have entered into and will continue to enter into confidentiality agreements with our suppliers to protect our intellectual property.

Competition

The tool equipment and accessories industry is highly competitive on a worldwide basis. We compete with a significant number of other tool equipment and accessories manufacturers and suppliers to the construction, home improvement and Do-It-Yourself industry, many of which have the following:

Our competitors’ greater capabilities in the above areas enable them to better differentiate their products from ours, gain stronger brand loyalty, withstand periodic downturns in the construction and home improvement equipment and product industries, compete effectively on the basis of price and production, and more quickly develop new products. These competitors include DeWalt, Caterpillar and Samsung Active.

The markets for the Company’s mobile products and services are also highly competitive and the Company is confronted by aggressive competition in all areas of its business. These markets are characterized by frequent product introductions and rapid technological advances that have substantially increased the capabilities and use of mobile communication and media devices, personal computers and other digital electronic devices. The Company’s competitors who sell mobile devices and personal computers based on other operating systems have aggressively cut prices and lowered their product margins to gain or maintain market share. The Company’s financial condition and operating results can be adversely affected by these and other industry-wide downward pressures on gross margins. Principal competitive factors important to the Company include price, product features, relative price/performance, product quality and reliability, design innovation, a strong third-party software and peripherals ecosystem, marketing and distribution capability, service and support and corporate reputation.

The Company is focused on expanding its market opportunities related to mobile communication and media devices. These industries are highly competitive and include several large, well-funded and experienced participants. The Company expects competition in these industries to intensify significantly as competitors attempt to imitate some of the features of the Company’s products and applications within their own products or, alternatively, collaborate with each other to offer solutions that are more competitive than those they currently offer. These industries are characterized by aggressive pricing practices, frequent product introductions, evolving design approaches and technologies, rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors, and price sensitivity on the part of consumers and businesses. Competitors include Apple, Samsung and Qualcomm, among others.

Employees

As of March 27, 2020, we have 24 full-time employees and 21 independent contractors and consultants. We also engage consultants on an as-needed basis to supplement existing staff. All of our employees, consultants and contractors that are involved with sensitive and/or proprietary information have signed non-disclosure agreements.

Item 1A Risk Factors

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to supply the information required by this item.

Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments

The Company has no, and has not had since inception, unresolved comments with the Commission Staff.

Item 2 Properties

We currently lease approximately 8,300 square feet of office space at 25371 Commercentre Drive, Suite 200, Lake Forest, CA 92630 as our principal offices. We believe these facilities are in good condition and satisfy our operational requirements. We intend to seek additional leased space, which will include some warehouse facilities, as our business efforts increase.

We entered into a lease for office space at 8669 Research Drive, in Irvine, CA, which is to replace the current corporate headquarters. The lease commenced on December 1, 2019 with no rent due until April 1, 2020. From April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2025, base rent will be due on the first of each month in the amount of $25,200. The Company paid an initatial amount of $68,128 compromising the rent for April 2020, a security deposit and the amount due for property taxes, insurance and association fees. The bases rent shall be adjusted on the following dates as follows:

The lease otherwise contains commercially market terms as to events of default and termination and the like. 

Item 3 Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including pending opposition proceedings involving patents that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, except as set forth below.

On August 16, 2016, Plaintiff Edwin Minassian filed a complaint against Defendants ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) and Michael Panosian in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. EC065533. The complaint alleges breach of oral contracts to pay Plaintiff for consulting and finder’s fees, and to hire him as an employee. The complaint further alleged claims of fraud and misrepresentation relating to an alleged payment in exchange for stock in the Company. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, declaratory relief, stock in the Company, and other relief according to proof.

On April 12, 2018, the Court entered judgments of default against the Company and Mr. Panosian in the amounts of $7,080 and $235,542, plus awarding Mr. Minassian a 7% ownership interest in the Company (the “Judgments”). Mr. Minassian served notice of entry of the judgments on April 17, 2018 and the Company and Mr. Panosian received notice of the entry of the default judgments on April 19, 2018.

The Company and Panosian satisfied the judgments on September 14, 2018 by payment of $252,949 to Plaintiff Minassian and by issuing Plaintiff Minassian 376,367 shares of common stock of the Company. On October 18, 2018, the Company and Panosian filed a Notice of Appeal from the Order denying their motion for relief from the above-referenced default judgment.

On October 1, 2019, the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal issued its opinion reversing the trial court’s order denying ToughBuilt’s motion for relief from the default judgment and directing the trial court to grant ToughBuilt’s motion for relief, including allowing ToughBuilt to file an Answer and contest Minassian’s claims.

The appellate court recently issued an remittitur officially transferring the matter from the appellate court back to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with its ruling, and the Company and Panosian have filed an Answer to the Complaint. The trial court has not yet set a trial date, and discovery in this case is just now beginning. The Company intends to vigorously defend the Complaint and seek to recover the compensation and stock previously paid to satisfy the now vacated default judgment. The Company believes it has a strong position, but cannot quantify the likelihood that it will prevail in the above litigation, or any likely liability or recoveries, because of the current status of the case and the unpredictability of litigation.

2. Design 1^st v. ToughBuilt Industries, Inc., American Arbitration Association

On November 26, 2019, Claimant Design 1^st filed a Demand for Arbitration against ToughBuilt Industries seeking $169,094.35 in damages, plus attorney’s fees and costs. Claimaint contends the Company breached a written contract by failing to pay for design services. ‘The Company filed a Cross-Demand for Arbitration against Claimant seeking $394,956.07 in damages, plus attorney’s and costs alleging Claimant breached the same contract by performing negligent services, failing to meets its obligations under the contract, and fraudulent billing. An arbitration hearing has not yet been scheduled by the arbitrator, Grant Kim, and discovery has not yet commenced. The Company intends to vigorously defend the Demand for Arbitration. The Company believes it has a strong position, but cannot quantify the likelihood that it will prevail in the above litigation, or any likely liability or recoveries, because of the current status of the case and the unpredictability of litigation.

The Company has recorded the litigation expense of $0 and $1,192,488 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company incurs costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise it on regulatory, litigation and other matters. The Company expenses these costs as the related services are received. If a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonable estimated, the Company recognizes an expense for the estimated loss.

Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market information

Our common stock is currently quoted on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “TBLT”, and warrants under the symbol “TBLTW”. Trading in our common stock has historically lacked consistent volume, and the market price has been volatile.

On March 27, 2020, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.15 per share.

Securities outstanding and holders of record

On March 27, 2020, there were approximately 100 shareholders of record for our common stock and 109,990,257 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

Dividend Policy

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future following this offering. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude us from paying dividends.

Information respecting equity compensation plans

The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders on July 6, 2016. The awards per 2016 Plan may be granted through July 5, 2026 to the Company’s employees, consultants, directors and non-employee directors provided such consultants, directors and non-employee directors render good faith services not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2016 Plan is 2,000,000 shares, which amount will be (a) reduced by awards granted under the 2016 Plan, and (b) increased to the extent that awards granted under the 2016 Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash (except as otherwise provided in the 2016 Plan). No employee will be eligible to receive more than 125,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year under the 2016 Plan pursuant to the grant of awards.

The 2018 Equity Incentive Plan

Effective July 1, 2018, the Board of Directors adopted the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). This 2018 Plan supplements, and does not replace, the existing 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. Awards may be granted under the 2018 Plan through June 30, 2023 to the Company’s employees, officers, consultants, and non-employee directors. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the 2018 Plan is 1,000,000 shares, which amount will be (a) reduced by awards granted under the 2018 Plan, and (b) increased to the extent that awards granted under the 2018 Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash (except as otherwise provided in the 2018 Plan). No employee will be eligible to receive more than 200,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year under the 2018 Plan pursuant to the grant of awards. On September 12, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under this Plan from 1,000,000 shares to 2,000,000 shares. On September 14, 2018, 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of common stock underlying awards under the 2018 Plan were granted to the employees and officers, 25% vesting immediately on the date of grant and 25% vesting each year thereafter on the three subsequent anniversaries of the grant date. The Company estimated the fair value of the options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $1,241,417. There were no further issuances in 2019.

Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Prospective investors should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this annual report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. All share and per share numbers have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-2 reverse stock split effected on September 13, 2018.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements,” which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, financial projections, strategies, expectations, competitive environment and regulation. Words such as “may”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

The foregoing does not represent an exhaustive list of matters that may be covered by the forward-looking statements contained herein or risk factors that we are faced with that may cause our actual results to differ from those anticipate in our forward-looking statements.

Moreover, new risks regularly emerge and it is not possible for our management to predict or articulate all risks we face, nor can we assess the impact of all risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based on information available to us on the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except to the extent required by applicable laws or rules, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained above and throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Company History

Our Company was formed on April 9, 2012 as Phalanx, Inc., under the laws of the State of Nevada and changed its name to ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. on December 29, 2015.

Business Overview

Our Company was formed to design, manufacture and distribute innovative tools and accessories to the building industry. The global tool market industry is a multibillion dollar business.

ToughBuilt’s business is based on development of innovative and state of the art products, primarily in tools and hardware category, with particular focus on building and construction industry with the ultimate goal of making life easier and more productive for the contractors and workers alike.

ToughBuilt’s current product line includes three major categories related to this field, with several additional categories in various stages of development, consisting of Soft Goods & Kneepads and Sawhorses & Work Products.

Governments and health organizations have identified an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus which has been named COVID-19. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a global pandemic. While the worst of the pandemic seems to have subsided in China, its country of original origin, we are seeing the virus spread and start to peak in other parts of the globe, including in the U.S., which has caused massive closures of businesses and strain on shipping and freight systems world wide. Since the outbreak, all of our Chinese facilities were temporarily closed for a period of time. Most of these facilities have been reopened. Depending on the progression of the outbreak, our ability to obtain necessary supplies and ship finished products to customers may be partly or completely disrupted globally. Also, our ability to maintain appropriate labor levels could be disrupted. If the coronavirus continues to progress, it could have a material negative impact on our results of operations and cash flow.

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

We are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain of these exemptions from, without limitation, (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (a) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the IPO, (b) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (c) the last day of our fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our equity securities that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter), or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the preceding three-year period.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

For the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018

Revenues

Revenues, net of allowances, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $19,090,071 and $15,289,400, respectively, consisted of metal goods and soft goods sold to customers. Revenues increased in 2019 over 2018 by $3,800,671, or 24.9%, primarily due to wide acceptance of our products in the tools industry and receipt of recurring sales orders for metal goods and soft goods from our existing customers and new customers, and introduction and sale of new soft goods products to our customers.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $13,475,947 and $11,794,206, respectively. Cost of goods sold increased in 2019 over 2018 by $1,681,741 or 14.3%, primarily due to the increase in materials cost of steel and plastics polyester to manufacture metal goods and soft goods and increase in labor cost in China. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues in 2019 was 70.6% as compared to cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues in 2018 of 77.1%. We expect to reverse the trend and reduce our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue as we achieve operational efficiencies in production and work with automated state of the art factories to manufacture our product lines.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of selling, general and administrative expenses, litigation expense, and research and development costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses (the “SG&A Expenses”) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $12,078,762 and $6,937,704, respectively. SG&A Expenses increased in 2019 over 2018 by $5,141,058 or 74.1%, primarily due to hiring additional employees, independent contractors and consultants to grow the Company. SG&A expense in 2019 as a percentage of revenues was 63.3% as compared to SG&A expense in 2018 as a percentage of revenues was 45.4%. We expect our SG&A expense will continue to increase as the Company plans to bring professional management team and staff on board, expend cash to raise capital for new products development, and acquire a new warehouse/storage facility to expand its operations and maintain finished products inventory on hand.

Research and development costs (the “R&D”) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $2,116,108 and $1,816,389, respectively. R&D costs increased in 2019 over 2018 by $299,629 or 16.5%, primarily due to the costs incurred in developing new tools, a ruggedized mobile device, software applications to run on the mobile device related to construction industry, and stock-based compensation expense and bonuses to R&D management team. We expect R&D costs to continue to increase as the Company embarks on developing new tools for the construction industry, and the attachments for the ruggedized mobile device with new software applications.

Net Loss

Due to factors set forth above, and the lack of a warrant derivative at the end of 2019, with a change of $19,588,277 from 2019 over 2018, we recorded a net loss of $4,300,968 for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a net loss of $27,651,412 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Although our sales increased by approximately 25% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, we are continuing to focus our efforts on increased marketing campaigns, and distribution programs to strengthen the demand for our products globally. Management anticipates that our capital resources will improve and our products gain wider market recognition and acceptance resulting in increased product sales.

We had minimal cash at December 31, 2019 as compared to $5,459,884 at December 31, 2018, although we raised significant cash in January 2020 and February 2020, as stated above.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity consisted of minimal cash and future cash generated from operations and fundraising activities. The Company does not believe that its current cash balances coupled with anticipated cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to meet its working capital requirements for at least one year from the date of issuance of the accompanying financial statements, and this raises doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company continues to control its cash expenses as a percentage of expected revenue on an annual basis and thus may use its cash balances in the short-term to invest in revenue growth. Based on current internal projections, the Company believes it has and/or will generate sufficient cash for its operational needs, including any required debt payments, for at least one year from the date of issuance of the accompanying financial statements. Management is focused on growing the Company’s existing product offering, as well as its customer base, to increase its revenues. The Company cannot give assurance that it can increase its cash balances or limit its cash consumption and thus maintain sufficient cash balances for its planned operations or future acquisitions. Future business demands may lead to cash utilization at levels greater than recently experienced. The Company may need to raise additional capital in the future. However, the Company cannot assure that it will be able to raise additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all. Due to the uncertainty in the Company's ability to raise capital, management believes that there is substantial doubt in the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance of these condensed financial statements.

CASH FLOWS

Net cash flows used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $10,229,337, attributable to a net loss of $4,300,969, offset by depreciation expense of $225,426, amortization of original issuance of debt discount and debt issuance cost and non-cash inducement cost for debt conversion of $626,546, change in the fair value of warrant derivative of $(5,251,852), stock-based compensation expense of $336,637, and net increase in operating assets of $1,768,059, and net decrease in liabilities of $97,066. The Company offered cash discounts to its customers and factors to accelerate payments of accounts receivable. In addition, the Company negotiated extended payment terms with its suppliers, vendors and related parties to conserve its cash. Net cash flows used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $8,243,414, attributable to a net loss of $27,651,412, offset by depreciation expense of $120,723, amortization of original issuance of debt discount and debt issuance cost and non-cash inducement cost for debt conversion of $5,278,132, change in the fair value of warrant derivative of $14,336,425, stock-based litigation settlement expense of $939,538, stock-based compensation expense of $557,042, stock issued in lieu of deferred salaries of $650,100 and net increase in operating assets of $1,154,073, and net decrease in liabilities of $1,319,889. The Company offered cash discounts to its customers and factors to accelerate payments of accounts receivable. In addition, the Company negotiated extended payment terms with its suppliers, vendors and related parties to conserve its cash.

There was net cash used by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $1,031,115, attributable to cash paid for purchase of property and equipment. Net cash used by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $0.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $5,825,631, primarily attributable to net cash proceeds from the sale of senior secured notes to an investor in August 2019. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $13,658,951, primarily attributable to net cash proceeds from sale of common stock of $11,671,735, proceeds from sale of convertible preferred stock of $1,201,157 and proceeds from notes payable of $752,579.

We recorded a net decrease in cash of $5,434,821 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recent Financings

March 2018 Private Placement

On January 8, 2018, the Company conducted a private placement of its securities in which the Company offered to sell a minimum of 160,000 units and a maximum of 300,000 units to certain accredited investors, with each such unit consisting of (i) one half of a share of the Company’s Class B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, and (ii) one half of a warrant to purchase one half share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Each unit will be sold at a price of $5.00 per unit. Each warrant has an initial exercise price of $12.00 per share, subject to adjustment, and is exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The Company sold 162,000 units at a price of $5.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $810,000, and received on March 14, 2018, cash proceeds of $613,200, net of commissions of $64,800 earned by the placement agent on capital raise, $128,000 in legal fees, and $4,000 in escrow fees. Each of the units contained one half of a share of Class B Convertible Preferred Stock and one half of a Class B Warrant to purchase a share of our common stock for an aggregate of 81,000 shares of Class B Convertible Preferred Stock and 81,000 Class B Warrants. The placement agent received warrants to purchase up to 4,050 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per share.

May 2018 Private Placement

On May 2, 2018, the Company conducted a confidential private placement of its securities in which the Company offered to sell a maximum 140,000 units to certain accredited investors, with each such unit consisting of (i) one half of a share of the Company’s Class B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, and (ii) one half of a warrant to purchase one half of a share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Each unit will be sold at a price of $5.00 per unit. Each warrant has an initial exercise price of $12.00 per share, subject to adjustment, and is exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The Company sold all 140,000 units for gross proceeds of $700,000, and received cash proceeds of $587,957 on May 15, 2018, net of commissions and fees of $74,574 earned by the placement agent on capital raise, $33,469 in legal fees, and $4,000 in escrow fees. The Company issued to the underwriter 3,500 Placement Agent Warrants at their fair value of $12,527.

August 2018 Financing

Pursuant to the terms of August 2018 financing, the Company executed six (6) promissory notes, unsecured, with original issuance debt discount of 15%, for a cumulative principal sum of $862,500 on September 4, 2018. The Company promised to pay the note holders the principal sum of $862,500 on earlier of (i) the third trading day after the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, and (ii) November 30, 2018 or such earlier date as these promissory notes are required or permitted to be repaid. On closing of this offering, on September 5, 2018, the Company received cash proceeds of $652,579, net of commission and fees of $62,850 earned by the placement agent on capital raise, $30,571 in legal fees, and $4,000 in escrow fees. In addition, the Company issued to the six note holders 18,750 shares of Class B Convertible Preferred Stock valued at $120,394, and 7,500 warrants to the placement agent, valued at their fair value of $26,843. On October 19, 2018 , the holders of these notes agreed to convert all amounts due to them into unregistered Class A Units at a per Unit conversion price equal to 80% of the per Unit purchase price of a Class A Unit in the Company’s initial public offering.

Initial Public Offering

On November 14, 2018, the Company consummated its IPO whereby it sold a total of 2,670,000 Class A Units, each Unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and a Series A Warrant to purchase one share of common stock and a Series B Warrant to purchase one share of common stock, on an offer price of $5.00 for each unit of a share and a Series A Warrant and a Series B Warrant (“Class A Unit”). The Company received net proceeds from the IPO of $12,415,500 after deducting underwriting discounts and commission of $934,500. The Company incurred $743,765 in expenses related to the IPO. $3,657,507 of the proceeds were allocated to warrant derivative on our balance sheet as a result of our Series B Warrant issuance which were deemed to be a derivative liability.

November 2018 Private Transactions

Concurrent with the closing of the IPO on November 14, 2018, the following private transactions were consummated in accordance with the related agreements (see Notes 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the financial statements), all in transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended:

On December 17, 2018, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated November 8, 2018, by and between the Company and the underwriters, the underwriters agreed to partially exercise the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 25,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, at a price of $4.98 per share, 400,500 Series A Warrants, at a price of $0.01 per warrant and 400,500 Series B Warrants, at a price of $0.01 per warrant. The Company received net proceeds from the exercise of over-allotment option $121,909 after deducting commission and expenses of $10,601.

January 2019 Warrant Exchange

On January 24, 2019, the Company entered into exchange agreements with two institutional investors pursuant to which these investors exercised Series A Warrants to purchase 424,116 shares of its common stock, for total gross proceeds to the Company of $2,172,638. Those investors also exchanged Series A Warrants to purchase 508,940 shares of its common stock into 508,940 shares of its common stock and received new warrants to purchase an aggregate of 933,056 shares of its common stock. These new warrants have terms substantially similar to the terms of the Company’s Series A Warrants, except that the per share exercise price of the new warrants is $3.77, and the warrants are not exercisable until the six-month anniversary of the date of issuance thereof.

August 2019 Convertible Note Financing

On August 19, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor pursuant to which it sold $11.5 million aggregate principal amount of promissory notes (at an aggregate original issue discount of 15%) to the investor in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The first note (the “Series A Note”) has a face amount of $6.72 million for which the investor paid $5 million in cash. The second note (the “Series B Note” and with the Series A Note, collectively referred to as the “Notes”) has a principal amount of $4.78 million for which the investor paid $4.78 million in the form of a full recourse promissory note issued by the investor to the Company (the “Investor Note”) secured by $4.78 million in cash or cash equivalents of the investor (i.e :an original issue discount of approximately 15% to the face amount of the Series B Note). No portion of the Series B Note may be converted into shares of our common stock (the “Common Stock”) until the corresponding portion of the Investor Note has been prepaid to the Company in cash, at which point in time such portion of the Series B Note shall be deemed “unrestricted”. The Investor Note is subject to optional prepayment at any time at the option of the investor and mandatory prepayment, at the Company’s option, subject to certain equity conditions, at any time 45 Trading Days after the effectiveness of a resale registration statement (or otherwise the applicability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not effect a mandatory prepayment if the shares underlying the Series A Note and the portion of the Series B Note that has become unrestricted exceeds 35% of the market capitalization of the Company.

The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Company secured by a lien on all assets of the Company, bear no interest (unless an event default has occurred and is continuing) and mature on December 31, 2020. The Notes will be convertible at $1.00 into a fixed number of shares (the “Conversion Shares”). The Notes are convertible at the Holder’s option, in whole or in part, at any time after closing. The Conversion Price will be subject to adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, anti-dilution and other customary adjustment events.

The Company shall repay the Principal Amount of the Notes in 12 installments, with the first installment starting on February 1, 2020 (each, an “Installment Date”). Installments 1-3 shall be 1/36th of the Principal Amount, Installments 4-6 shall be 1/18th of the Principal Amount and Installments 7-12 shall be 1/8th of the Principal Amount. The repayment amount shall be payable in cash, or, subject to the satisfaction of equity conditions, at the option of the Company, in registered Common Stock or a combination of cash and registered Common Stock. However, if the 30-day volume weighted average price of the Common Stock (the “VWAP”) of the Company falls below 50% of the [Market Price (as defined above)]¹ or the Company fails to satisfy certain other equity conditions, the repayment amount is payable in shares of Common Stock only unless the Investor(s) waive any applicable equity condition. If the Company elects to satisfy all or any portion of an installment in shares of Common Stock, the Company will predeliver such shares of Common Stock to the investor on the 23rd trading day prior to the applicable Installment Date, with a true-up of shares (if necessary) on the Installment Date. Any excess shares of Common Stock shall be applied to subsequent installments.

The shares used to meet a Principal Repayment (“Installment Shares”) would be valued at a conversion price calculated as the lesser of (i) 85% of the arithmetic average of the three lowest daily VWAPs of the 20 trading days prior to the payment date or (ii) 85% of the VWAP of the trading day prior to payment date (“Installment Price”) with a floor of $0.10.

All amortization payments shall be subject to the Investors’ right to (a) defer some or all of any Installment Payment to a subsequent Installment Date; and (b) at any time during an installment period, convert up to four times the installment amount at the Installment Price; provided shares received pursuant to such accelerated conversions shall be subject to a leak-out provision that solely limits sales of such shares received by the investor in such accelerated conversion (and not any other sales) to the greater of (a) $500,000 per trading day or (b) 40% of the volume traded on a given day as reported by Bloomberg LP.

Upon completion of a Change of Control, the Holders may require the Company to purchase any outstanding Notes in cash at 125% of par plus accrued but unpaid interest. The Company shall have the right to redeem any and all amounts of the outstanding Note at 125% of the greater of (a) Principal Amount plus accrued but unpaid interest (if any), or (b) Conversion Value plus accrued but unpaid interest (if any) provided the Company has satisfied certain equity conditions. The Company must give the Investor(s) ninety (90) business days’ prior notice of any such redemption.

Prior to all outstanding amounts under the Note being repaid in full, the Company will not create any new encumbrances on any of its or its subsidiaries’ assets without the prior written consent of the Lender, with a carveout for a working capital facility of which the details are to be determined. The Notes shall also be subject to standard events of default and remedies therefor.

The Company filed a registration statement in connection therewith, which was declared effective on October 15, 2019.

In connection with the granting of the Notes, the Company shall issue detachable warrants to the Investor, exercisable in whole or in part at any time during the five years from the date of issuance, an in amount equal to 50% of the conversion shares underlying the Notes and have an exercise price of $1.00 per share. To the extent the Company has a change of control or a spinoff, the warrants provide for a put for the warrants to the Company at their Black- Scholes Valuation.

Until the 3 year anniversary of the maturity date, the investor shall have the right (but not the obligation) to participate in 50% of any subsequent equity or debt issuance. Consummation of the transaction has been subject to certain conditions precedent, including the Company agrees to procure an approval of this transaction at its annual shareholder meeting scheduled no later than 180 days after the Closing Date and agrees to procure voting agreements from principal shareholders prior to closing of the Company.

January 2020 Public Offering and February 2020 Greenshoe

On February 24, 2020, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) closed on the public offering of 4.45 million shares of its common stock, for gross proceeds of $934,500 based upon the overallotment option arising from the closing of its January 28, 2020 public offering. In the January 28, 2020 public offering, the Company sold 43 million shares of its common stock and 47.45 million warrants (each exercisable into ½ of a share of common stock for a total of 23.725 million shares of common stock) from which it received gross proceeds of $9,030,000.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Seasonality

Our business is a seasonal business as a result of our China-based production. For the first calendar quarter, we are not able to ship our products from China due to the hiatus as a result of their New Year holidays. We make up the lost sales from the first calendar quarter in the subsequent quarters.

Significant Accounting Policies

See the footnotes to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, included with this annual report.

Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

ToughBuilt Industries, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Statements of Operations

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

TOUGHBUILT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Nature of Operations

In these notes, the terms “us”, “we”, “it”, “its”, “ToughBuilt”, the “Company” or “our” refer to ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on April 9, 2012 under the name Phalanx, Inc.

The Company designs and distributes innovative and superior quality tools and accessories to the home improvement community and the building industry. The Company aspires to augment brand loyalty in part from the enlightened creativity of its end users throughout the global tool market industry. The Company holds exclusive licenses to develop, manufacture, market, and distribute various home improvement and construction product lines for both Do-it-Yourself (“DIY”) and professional trade markets under the TOUGHBUILT® brand name.

TOUGHBUILT® distributes products in the following categories, all designed and engineered in the United States and manufactured by third party vendors in China:

On November 14, 2018, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”), pursuant to which it sold 2,670,000 Class A Units (“Class A Unit”), each Unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, one Series A Warrant to purchase one share of common stock (“Series A Warrant”) and one Series B Warrant to purchase one share of common stock (“Series B Warrant”) at a purchase price of $5.00 per Class A Unit. The Company received net proceeds from the IPO of $12,415,500 after deducting underwriting discounts and commission of $934,500. The Company incurred $743,765 in expenses related to the IPO.

On December 17, 2018, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated November 8, 2018, by and between the Company and the underwriters named therein (the “Representative”), the Representative on behalf of the underwriters agreed to partially exercise the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 25,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, at a price of $4.98 per share, 400,500 Series A Warrants, at a price of $0.01 per warrant and 400,500 Series B Warrants, at a price of $0.01 per warrant. The Company received net proceeds from the exercise of over-allotment option of $121,909 after deducting commission and expenses of $10,601.

On January 24, 2019, the Company entered into exchange agreements with two institutional investors pursuant to which these investors exercised Series A Warrants to purchase 424,116 shares of its common stock, for total cash proceeds to the Company of $2,172,680, net of costs of $159,958. Those investors also exchanged Series A Warrants to purchase 508,940 shares of its common stock into 508,940 shares of its common stock and received new warrants to purchase an aggregate of 933,056 shares of its common stock. These new warrants have terms substantially similar to the terms of the Company’s Series A Warrants, except that the per share exercise price of the new warrants is $3.67, and the warrants became exercisable July 24, 2019 (see Note 6).

On April 11, 2019, an investor exchanged its Series A Warrant to purchase up to 1,189,560 shares of common stock of the Company and a Series B Warrant to purchase up to 1,005,760 shares of common stock, which Series B Warrants are subject to certain anti-dilution provisions embedded in such Series B Warrants for 4,268 shares of Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock having the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in the Certificate of Designation, filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into 4,268,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, and rights to convert into common stock are subject to limitations on ownership at any one time of Company common stock up to 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; otherwise, the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock has no rights not awarded to holders of common stock of the Company.

On April 16, 2019, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary named ToughBuilt Technologies, Inc. dedicated to the continued advancement, production and marketing of Company’s mobile solutions.

On August 19, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor pursuant to which it sold $11.5 million aggregate principal amount of promissory notes (at an aggregate original issue discount of 15%) to the investor in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The first note (the “Series A Note”) has a face amount of $6.72 million for which the investor paid $5 million in cash. The second note (the “Series B Note” and with the Series A Note, collectively referred to as the “Notes”) has a principal amount of $4.78 million for which the investor paid $4.78 million in the form of a full recourse promissory note issued by the investor to the Company (the “Investor Note”) secured by $4.78 million in cash or cash equivalents of the investor (i.e :an original issue discount of approximately 15% to the face amount of the Series B Note). No portion of the Series B Note may be converted into shares of our common stock (the “Common Stock”) until the corresponding portion of the Investor Note has been prepaid to the Company in cash, at which point in time such portion of the Series B Note shall be deemed “unrestricted”. The Investor Note is subject to optional prepayment at any time at the option of the investor and mandatory prepayment, at the Company’s option, subject to certain equity conditions, at any time 45 Trading Days after the effectiveness of a resale registration statement (or otherwise the applicability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not effect a mandatory prepayment if the shares underlying the Series A Note and the portion of the Series B Note that has become unrestricted exceeds 35% of the market capitalization of the Company.

On December 23, 2019, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an exchange agreement with an institutional investor pursuant to which the investor is exchanging $5.5 million principal amount of its August 19, 2019 Series A Senior Secured Note for 5,775 shares of its Series D Preferred Stock, which was authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors on December 21, 2019.

On February 24, 2020, ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) closed on the public offering of 4.45 million shares of its common stock, for gross proceeds of $934,500 based upon the overallotment option arising from the closing of its January 28, 2020 public offering. In the January 28, 2020 public offering, the Company sold 43 million shares of its common stock and 47.45 million warrants (each exercisable into ½ of a share of common stock for a total of 23.725 million shares of common stock) from which it received gross proceeds of $9,030,000.

Basis of Presentation and Preparation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company. The financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary for fair financial statement presentation.

Going Concern

The Company has incurred substantial operating losses since its inception, and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As reflected in the financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $43.4 million at December 31, 2019, a net loss of approximately $4.3 million, and approximately $10.2 million of net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company anticipates incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that it can obtain marketing approval to sell, and then generate significant sales, of its technology that is currently in development. As such it is likely that additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations and to develop and commercialize its technology. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. For the next twelve months from issuance of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company will seek to obtain additional capital through the sale of debt or equity financings or other arrangements to fund operations; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise needed capital under acceptable terms, if at all. The sale of additional equity may dilute existing stockholders and newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding shares of common stock. Issued debt securities may contain covenants and limit the Company's ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders. If the Company is unable to obtain such additional financing, future operations would need to be scaled back or discontinued. Due to the uncertainty in the Company's ability to raise capital, management believes that there is substantial doubt in the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance of these condensed financial statements.

NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable represent income earned from the sale of tools and accessories for which the Company has not yet received payment. Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and adjusted for amounts management expects to collect from balances outstanding at period-end. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of specific accounts and an assessment of the customer’s ability to pay, among other factors. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, no allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded.

The Company accounts for the transfer of accounts receivable to a third party under a factoring type arrangement in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860, “Transfers and Servicing”. ASC 860 requires that several conditions be met in order to present the transfer of accounts receivable as a sale. Even though the Company has isolated the transferred (sold) assets and has the legal right to transfer its assets (accounts receivable), it does not meet the third test of effective control since its accounts receivable sales agreement with a third-party factor requires it to be liable in the event of default by one of its customers. Because it does not meet all three conditions, it does not qualify for sale treatment of its accounts receivable, and its debt thus incurred is presented as a secured loan liability, entitled “Loan payable - factor”, on its balance sheet. The Company recorded a sales discount of $13,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out method. The reported net value of inventory includes finished saleable products that will be sold or used in future periods. The Company reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The Company provides for depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets when they are placed into service. The Company evaluates property and equipment for impairment periodically to determine if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggest the carrying value of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Expenditures which substantially increase the useful lives of the related assets are capitalized.

Long-lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment”, the Company tests long-lived assets or asset groups for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Circumstances which could trigger a review include, but are not limited to: significant decreases in the market price of the asset; significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors; accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of the asset; current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or a forecast of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset; and current expectation that the asset will more likely than not be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. Recoverability is assessed based on the carrying amount of the asset compared to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and the eventual disposal of the asset, as well as specific appraisal in certain instances. An impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value over the assets fair market value is recognized when the carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted cash flows. The impairment loss is recorded as an expense and a direct write-down of the asset. No impairment loss was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. The costs associated with the outstanding loans payable are amortized over the term of the respective loan. The unamortized amount is presented as a reduction of debt on the accompanying balance sheets.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The Company adheres to ASC 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements; accordingly, the standard does not require any new fair value measurements of reported balances.

ASC 820 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The Company had no derivative instruments as of December 31, 2019 requiring such valuation.

Level 3 Fair Value Sensitivity

Warrant derivative