UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): November 3, 1998
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BACOU USA, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
0-28040 05-0470688
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(Commission file number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
10 Thurber Boulevard, Smithfield, RI 02917
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 401-233-0333
<PAGE>
Item 5. OTHER EVENTS
(a) On November 3, 1998, Bacou USA, Inc. (the "Company") issued a Press
Release announcing an article that appeared in Forbes Magazine ranking
the Company among the 200 best small companies in America.
(b) Exhibits
Item 601
Exhibit Exhibit Title
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Exhibit 99 Press Release
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BACOU USA, INC.
Registrant
By: /s/Philip B. Barr
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Philip B. Barr
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: November 4, 1998
Exhibit 99
Contact:
At the Company: At the Financial Relations Board:
Philip B. Barr, Jr. 212-661-8030
Chief Financial Officer Analyst Information: John McNamara
Investor Relations Media Information: Alan Goldsand
401-233-0333 General Information: Jeff Bogart
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORBES RANKS BACOU USA AMONG 200 BEST SMALL
COMPANIES IN AMERICA
SMITHFIELD, R.I., November 3, 1998--Bacou USA, Inc. (NYSE: BAU), a leading
manufacturer of personal protective equipment, ranks among the 200 best small
companies in America, according to Forbes magazine in its issue of November 2,
1998.
The magazine reviewed more than 2,800 companies whose most recent 12-month
sales ranged between $5 million and $350 million. The companies were evaluated
on the basis of seven different measures of profitability and growth.
Bacou was ranked No. 131 overall and achieved top 100 rankings in the four
quantitative measures ranked separately in the article. As reported by Forbes,
the separate rankings are as follows:
o 20% five year average return on equity, ranking 95th
o $181 million of sales for latest 12 months, ranking 76th
o $23.1 million of net income for latest 12 months, ranking 41st
o $305 million of market value on October 2, ranking 72nd
"We are pleased that Forbes, one of the leading business publications in
America, has selected Bacou USA as one of the best small companies in America,"
said Walter Stepan, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Bacou USA. "We are a young company with a clear vision of growth within the
safety industry. We have been following a well defined business strategy of
select acquisitions and internal growth, which has produced the excellent
financial results reported by Forbes. It is very gratifying to all of us at
Bacou to receive this prestigious ranking and national recognition for the
success we have achieved so far."
Bacou USA, Inc. makes and sells leading brands of products that protect the
sight, hearing and respiratory systems of workers against occupational hazards,
as well as related instrumentation including vision screeners, gas monitors and
computerized test benches for respirators. The company's products, marketed
under Uvex(R), Howard Leight(R), Survivair(R), Pro-Tech(R), Biosystems,
Titmus(R), LaserVision and Lase-R Shield brand names, are sold principally to
industrial safety distributors, fire fighting equipment distributors and optical
laboratories. News and information are available at the company's Website at
http://www.bacouusa.com.
To receive additional information on Bacou USA, Inc., via fax, at no
charge, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter code BAU. For international access, dial
732-544-2850.
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Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities and Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In
addition, words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the
timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, changing market conditions, the successful integration of
acquisitions, continued availability and favorable pricing of raw materials, the
ability of the company and its key vendors to successfully respond to year 2000
issues and the other risks detailed in the company's prospectus filed March 27,
1996 and from time to time in other filings. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent the
company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims,
however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
