UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended July 4, 1998
Commission file number 1-11793
THE DIAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 51-0374887
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
15501 NORTH DIAL BOULEVARD
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85260-1619
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (602) 754-3425
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all Exchange Act
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
----------- -----------
The number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as the close
of business on August 5, 1998 was 103,100,967.
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE DIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(000 omitted)
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
July 4, January 3,
1998 1998
---------- -----------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,471 $ 10,089
Receivables, less allowance of $7,719 and $6,841. . . 40,894 60,448
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128,696 124,058
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,015 25,185
Other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,179 7,174
---------- -----------
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204,255 226,954
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259,165 260,928
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,118 63,567
Intangibles, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403,485 331,482
Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,009 921
---------- -----------
$ 950,032 $ 883,852
========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 101,052 $ 102,235
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,616 8,500
Income taxes payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,132 14,581
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88,619 113,435
---------- -----------
Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 226,419 238,751
Long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,464 84,399
Pension and other benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236,471 231,634
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,633 9,022
---------- -----------
Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586,987 563,806
---------- -----------
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding --- ---
Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares
authorized, 103,287,013 and 102,725,481 shares issued 1,033 1,027
Additional capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421,670 393,947
Retained income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,698 33,892
Unearned employee benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (119,234) (107,372)
Treasury stock, 329,071 and 101,040 shares held . . . (7,122) (1,448)
---------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . 363,045 320,046
---------- -----------
$ 950,032 $ 883,852
========== ===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE DIAL CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(000 omitted, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
---------------------
July 4, June 28,
1998 1997
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 366,798 $ 349,268
---------- ---------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold. . . . . . . . . . . . 185,861 183,037
Selling, general and administrative expenses 136,185 126,174
----------- --------
322,046 309,211
----------- --------
Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,752 40,057
Interest and other expenses . . . . . . . . . . 4,632 7,133
----------- --------
Income before income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . 40,120 32,924
Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,513 12,542
----------- ---------
NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 25,607 $ 20,382
=========== =========
NET INCOME PER SHARE -- BASIC . . . . . . . . . $ 0.26 $ 0.23
========== =========
NET INCOME PER SHARE -- DILUTED . . . . . . . . $ 0.25 $ 0.22
========== =========
Weighted average basic shares outstanding . . . 98,158 90,381
Weighted average equivalent shares . . . . 2,458 2,244
---------- ---------
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding . . 100,616 92,625
========== =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE DIAL CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(000 omitted, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
-------------------------
July 4, June 28,
1998 1997
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 701,820 $ 665,510
----------- -----------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold 362,367 352,327
Selling, general and administrative expenses 254,147 236,469
----------- ----------
616,514 588,796
----------- ----------
Operating income 85,306 76,714
Interest and other expenses 9,386 14,799
----------- ----------
Income before income taxes 75,920 61,915
Income taxes 27,402 23,210
----------- ----------
NET INCOME $ 48,518 $ 38,705
=========== ==========
NET INCOME PER SHARE -- BASIC $ 0.50 $ 0.43
=========== ==========
NET INCOME PER SHARE -- DILUTED $ 0.48 $ 0.42
=========== ==========
Weighted average basic shares outstanding 97,908 90,277
Weighted average equivalent shares 2,384 1,984
----------- ----------
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 100,292 92,261
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
THE DIAL CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(000 omitted)
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Six Months Ended
July 4, June 28,
1998 1997
---------- ---------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 48,518 $ 38,705
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 16,668 15,464
Deferred income taxes 1,619 9,003
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (9,601) 2,482
Inventories 1,007 26,542
Trade accounts payable (11,430) (21,825)
Other assets and liabilities, net (15,538) 14,498
----------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 31,243 84,869
----------- ---------
CASH FLOWS USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (15,082) (17,484)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (83,763)
Proceeds from sale of assets 10,053
----------- ---------
Net cash used by investing activities (88,792) (17,484)
----------- ---------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in long-term borrowings 31,065 (48,820)
Common stock purchased for treasury (5,232)
Net change in short-term bank loans 116
Dividends paid on common stock (15,712) (14,457)
Cash proceeds from stock options 12,594 5,170
Net change in receivables sold 31,100 (11,200)
---------- ---------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 53,931 (69,307)
---------- ----------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (3,618) (1,922)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 10,089 14,102
--------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 6,471 $ 12,180
========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
THE DIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The Consolidated Financial Statements of The Dial Corporation ("the Company")
include the accounts for the Company and all of its subsidiaries. This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements set
forth in The Dial Corporation Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended
January 3, 1998.
Accounting policies utilized in the preparation of the financial information
herein presented are the same as set forth in the Company's annual financial
statements except as modified for interim accounting policies which are within
the guidelines set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, "Interim
Financial Reporting." The interim consolidated financial statements are
unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position as of
July 4, 1998, the results of operations for the quarters and six months ended
July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997, and the cash flows for the six months ended July
4, 1998 and June 28, 1997 have been included. Interim results of operations are
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.
In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS No. 128"),
which is effective for financial statements for both interim and annual periods
ending after December 15, 1997. This new standard requires dual presentation of
"basic" and "diluted" earnings per share ("EPS") on the face of the statement of
operations and requires a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of
basic and diluted EPS calculations. Basic net income per share is computed by
dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period after giving effect to stock options considered to be dilutive common
stock equivalents. Shares held by the Employee Equity Trust (the "Trust") are
not considered outstanding for net income per share calculations until the
shares are released from the Trust.
At July 4, 1998, there were 103,287,013 shares of common stock issued and
98,462,157 shares outstanding. At July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997, a total of
4,495,785 and 5,574,321, respectively, of the issued shares were held by the
Trust.
At July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997, a total of 329,071 and 65,879, respectively,
shares were held in treasury by the Company. The shares held in treasury at
July 4, 1998 include 218,687 shares purchased by the Company as part of a small
shareholder selling/repurchasing program executed during the first and second
quarters of 1998.
<PAGE>
NOTE B. ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS
On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired The Freeman Cosmetic Corporation
("Freeman"), a California corporation and a leading manufacturer and marketer of
natural skin care, hair care, bath and body, and foot care products. The
Statement of Consolidated Operations presented for the quarter and six months
ended July 4, 1998 does not include the operations of Freeman.
The acquisitions were accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price,including
acquisition costs, was allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets
acquired based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The
difference between the purchase price and the related fair value of net assets
acquired represents goodwill, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis
over 40 years. The fair value of trademarks and other intangible assets
acquired is amortized over their estimated useful lives.
Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and net cash paid are show in the table
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 4,
1998
-------------
<S> <C>
(000 omitted)
Accounts receivable, net . . $ 11,567
Inventories. . . . . . . . . 7,074
Property and equipment, net. 2,063
Intangibles. . . . . . . . . 76,841
Other assets . . . . . . . . 612
Liabilities assumed. . . . . (14,394)
---------
Net cash paid. . . . . . . . $ 83,763
=========
</TABLE>
The Company is still gathering certain information required to complete the
allocation of the purchase price of the acquisition of Freeman. Further
adjustments may arise as a result of the finalization of the ongoing study.
The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information for
the first six months of 1998 and 1997 include the results of operations for the
Company and assumes the Freeman acquisition was consummated at the beginning of
each period presented, along with adjustments which give effect to events that
are directly attributable to the transaction and are expected to have a
continuing impact.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information does not
purport to represent the results of operations that would have actually resulted
had the purchases occurred on the indicated dates, nor should it be taken as
indicative of future results of operations.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 4, June 28,
1998 1997
-------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
(000 omitted, except for
per share data)
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $730,948 $ 694,862
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85,888 75,726
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,518 37,735
Earnings per share - diluted . . . . . . . . $ 0.48 $ 0.41
</TABLE>
NOTE C. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 4, January 3,
1998 1998
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
(000 omitted)
Raw materials and supplies. $ 40,731 $ 36,938
Work in process . . . . . . 8,744 9,373
Finished goods. . . . . . . 79,221 77,747
---------- ----------
$ 128,696 $ 124,058
========== ==========
</TABLE>
NOTE D. INCOME TAXES
Reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% and the
Company's consolidated effective income tax rate for the six months ended July
4, 1998 and June 28, 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 4, June 28,
1998 1997
-------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Federal statutory rate . . . . . . . 35.0% 35.0%
Nondeductible goodwill amortization. 0.3 0.5
FSC exclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . (0.5) (0.6)
State income taxes . . . . . . . . . 4.0 4.0
Other, net (benefit) . . . . . . . . (2.7) (1.4)
-------- ---------
Effective income tax rate. . . . . . 36.1% 37.5%
======== =========
</TABLE>
NOTE E. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." SFAS No. 130 requires that enterprises classify items of other
comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and display the
accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained
income and additional capital in the shareholders' equity section of the balance
sheet. The Company's annual comprehensive income is not expected to be
materially different from its net income. Comprehensive income for the quarters
and six months ended July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997 was $25,497,000 and
$20,377,000 and $48,422,000 and $38,675,000, respectively. The difference
between net income and comprehensive income consists primarily of increases in
the Company's additional minimum pension liability.
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1998 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1997
Net sales increased $17.5 million, or 5%, to $366.8 million in the second
quarter of 1998 from $349.3 million in the second quarter of 1997. The second
quarter of 1997 included $18.9 million of sales from brands that were divested
in the third quarter of 1997. The second quarter of 1998 does not include the
operations of The Freeman Cosmetic Corporation ("Freeman") which was acquired by
the Company on July 1, 1998.
Sales of products in the DIAL, PUREX, RENUZIT and ARMOUR franchises accounted
for 29%, 29%, 11% and 15% respectively, of the Company's total net sales in the
second quarter of 1998 compared to 27%, 28% 11% and 17%, respectively, for the
second quarter of 1997. Compared to the second quarter of 1997, Dial sales
increased 13%, Purex sales increased 7%, and Renuzit sales increased 1% during
the second quarter of 1998. During the same period, Armour sales decreased 6%.
Net sales in international markets increased approximately $23.2 million, or
125%, to $41.7 million in the second quarter of 1998. International sales,
exclusive of the acquisitions in Argentina, increased $2.6 million, or 14%, to
$21.1 million in the second quarter of 1998 from $18.5 million in the second
quarter of 1997.
Gross profit margin increased 1.7% to 49.3% in the second quarter of 1998 from
47.6%, in the second quarter of 1997. This increase resulted primarily from
significant improvement in manufacturing efficiencies and, to a lesser extent,
favorable sales mix of higher marginal personal washing products.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 1998
increased $10.0 million, or 7.9%, to $136.2 million from $126.2 million in the
second quarter of 1997. The increase was primarily due to higher marketing
expense to support core business-merchandising initiatives, new product launches
and Dial franchise advertising.
Operating income in the second quarter of 1998 increased $4.7 million, or 11.7%,
to $44.8 million from $40.1 million during the second quarter of 1997. The
increase was primarily due to increased sales and gross margin improvements.
Interest and other expenses decreased $2.5 million, or 35.1%, to $4.6 million
for the second quarter of 1998 compared to $7.1 million in the second quarter
of 1997. The decrease resulted primarily from lower average debt, down
$127 million from the second quarter of 1997.
The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 1998 decreased to 36.2% from
38.1% for the second quarter of 1997. The decrease resulted primarily from the
benefits associated with Foreign Sales Corporation sales and foreign tax
holidays.
Net income increased $5.2 million, or 25.5%, to $25.6 million in the second
quarter of 1998 from $20.4 million in the second quarter of 1997. The increase
was primarily due to increased sales, gross margin improvements and a lower
effective tax rate.
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1998 WITH THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1997
Net sales increased $36.3 million, or 5.5%, to $701.8 million in the first half
of 1998 from $665.5 million in the first half of 1997. The first half of 1997
included $41.4 million of sales from brands that were divested in the third
quarter of 1997. The first six months of 1998 does not include the operations
of Freeman which was acquired by the Company on July 1, 1998.
Sales of products in the DIAL, PUREX, RENUZIT and ARMOUR franchises accounted
for 28%, 29%, 11% and 16% respectively, of the Company's total net sales in the
first half of 1998 compared to 26%, 29% 11% and 17%, respectively, for the first
half of 1997. Compared to the first half of 1997, Dial sales increased 13%,
Purex sales increased 7%, and Renuzit sales increased 2% during the first half
of 1998. During the same period Armour sales decreased 3%. Net sales in
international markets increased $49.7 million, or 150%, to $82.9 million in the
first half of 1998. International sales, exclusive of the acquisitions in
Argentina, increased $13.5 million, or 41%, to $46.7 million in the first half
of 1998 from $33.2 million in the first half of 1997.
Gross profit margin increased 1.3% to 48.4% in the first half of 1998 from 47.1%
in the first half of 1997. This increase resulted primarily from improved
manufacturing efficiencies and, to a lesser extent, favorable sales mix of
higher margin personal washing products.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first half of 1998
increased $17.6 million, or 7.5%, to $254.1 million from $236.5 million in the
first half of 1997. The increase was primarily due to higher marketing expense
to support core business-merchandising initiatives, new product launches and
Dial franchise advertising.
Operating income in the first half of 1998 increased $8.6 million, or 11.2%, to
$85.3 million from $76.7 million during the first half of 1997. The increase
was primarily due to increased sales and gross margin improvements.
Interest and other expenses decreased $5.4 million, or 36.6%, to $9.4 million
for the first half of 1998 compared to $14.8 million in the first half of 1997.
The decrease resulted primarily from lower average debt, down $128 million from
the first half of 1997.
The effective tax rate for the first half of 1998 decreased to 36.1%, from 37.5%
for the first half of 1997. The decrease resulted primarily from the benefits
associated with Foreign Sales Corporation sales and foreign tax holidays.
Net income increased $9.8 million, or 25.3%, to $48.5 million in the first half
of 1998 from $38.7 million in the first half of 1997. The increase was
primarily due to increased sales, gross margin improvements and a lower
effective tax rate.
<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company generated cash from operations of $31.2 million during the first
half of 1998 compared to cash generated of $84.9 million for the same period of
time in 1997. The decrease of $53.7 million resulted primarily from inventories
remaining relatively flat in the first half of 1998 versus the large decline of
inventory balances in the first half of 1997, the payment of severance in
connection with the closure of a manufacturing facility in Argentina and a
reduction in the deferred portion of the income tax provision.
Capital expenditures for the first half of 1998 were $15.1 million versus $17.5
million for the comparable period in 1997. Capital spending in 1998 is expected
to approximate $50 million and will be concentrated primarily on equipment and
information systems that provide opportunities to reduce manufacturing, logistic
and administrative costs and address the Year 2000 issue. However, such plans
are dependent on the availability of funds, as well as identification of
projects with sufficient returns. As a result, there can be no assurance as to
the quantity and the type of capital spending in the future.
On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired Freeman for $83.8 million which was
financed through short-term borrowings supported by the Company's long-term
Credit Agreement. The Freeman acquisition added approximately $18.6 million
to current assets, $14.4 million to current liabilities and approximately
$76.8 million to goodwill.
The Company received approximately $10.0 million from the disposition of assets
during the first half of 1998, the majority of which resulted from two sales.
The Toss 'n Soft brand and related inventories were sold to Church & Dwight Co,
Inc. for approximately $5.3 million. In addition, a non-operating manufacturing
property was sold for $4.0 million to a third party. No gain or loss was
realized on either of the transactions.
The Company's financing plan includes the sale of accounts receivable to
accelerate cash flow. Accounts receivable sold but not yet collected under this
plan at July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997 were $90.0 million and $63.7 million,
respectively. Under the terms of the plan, the Company retains the risk of
credit loss on the receivables sold.
The Company is also a party to a $350 million revolving credit agreement (the
"Credit Agreement") with various banks. The Credit Agreement, which will
terminate on August 15, 2002, unless extended, contains certain covenants which
impose limitations on the Company with respect to, among other things, its
ability to place liens on property, its ability to merge, consolidate or
transfer substantially all its assets, its minimum net worth and the incurrence
of certain indebtedness. The Company had $350 million available under the
Credit Agreement at July 4, 1998. The Company, from time to time, makes
short-term bank borrowings that are supported by the Credit Agreement. As of
July 4, 1998, The Company had $114.8 million aggregate principal amount of such
short-term borrowings outstanding. The increased borrowings resulted primarily
from the acquisition of Freeman, which was financed entirely by such short-term
borrowings. The bank borrowings are classified as long-term debt because they
are supported by the long-term Credit Agreement.
As part of its business strategy, the Company routinely reviews and evaluates
the acquisitions of domestic and international companies that market products
that are similar to the Company's product offerings. The Company may seek
additional debt and/or equity financing as necessary to fund any potential
acquisitions.
At July 4, 1998 and June 28, 1997, a total of 329,071 and 65,879, respectively,
shares were held in treasury by The Company. The shares held at July 4, 1998
include 218,687 shares valued at $5.2 million purchased by the Company as part
of a small shareholder selling/repurchasing program executed during the first
and second quarters of 1998.
In August 1997, the Company moved its corporate headquarters from the Viad Tower
to office space in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company has approximately eight
years remaining on the lease for the Viad Tower space, which commits the Company
to payments of approximately $2.7 million annually through 2006. The Company
has subleased a portion of the space and is actively marketing the remaining
space for sublease.
As of July 4, 1998, the Company had approximately $87.1 million in net deferred
tax benefits. The realization of such benefits will require average annual
taxable income of approximately $16.1 million over the next 15 years. The
Company's average income before income taxes over the last three years was
approximately $43.1 million.
In the third quarter of 1998, the Company intends to complete an offering of
Senior Notes to take advantage of favorable long-term interest rates. The net
proceeds of this debt financing will be used for the repayment of indebtedness
that bears short-term interest rates, general corporate purposes and possible
acquisitions.
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of
Freeman. In connection with the acquisition and related employment agreements,
the Company issued an aggregate of 21,000 shares of its common stock to Mark S.
Freeman and Jill I. Freeman. Exemption from registration for these issuances of
common stock is claimed pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, regarding transactions by an issuer not involving any public
offering.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
The Commission recently adopted amendments to the rules governing stockholder
proposals and recommended that registrants disclose the deadlines for receiving
stockholder proposals.
As disclosed in the Company's 1998 Proxy Statement, proposals intended to be
presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and included in the
Company's 1999 Proxy Statement must be received by the Company no later than
December 11, 1998.
In the event a stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate for election as a
Director, or wishes to propose any other matter for consideration at the
stockholder meeting other than proposals covered by the preceding paragraph,
written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or request
such other action must be given to the Secretary of the Company, The Dial
Corporation, 15501 North Dial Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260-1619,
pursuant to certain procedures set out in the Company's Bylaws, a copy of which
is available upon request from the Secretary of the Company. These procedures
provide, among other things, that such stockholder's written notice of intent
must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not prior to March 6, 1999 and
not after March 26, 1999. The Chairman of the Annual Meeting may refuse to
acknowledge the nomination of any person or the request for such other action
not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) Exhibits
3(b) Bylaws of The Company
27. Financial Data Schedule
99. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Safe
Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements.
(B) A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on May 4, 1998,
relating to the Company's first quarter financial results.
A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on July 30, 1998,
relating to the Company's second quarter financial results.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
The Dial Corporation
(Registrant)
August 6, 1998
\s\ Susan J. Riley
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Susan J. Riley
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer)
LAST REVISED ON JUNE 4, 1998
EXHIBIT 3(B)
------------
BYLAWS
OF
THE DIAL CORPORATION
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
ARTICLE I
OFFICES AND RECORDS
SECTION 1.1. DELAWARE OFFICE. The principal office of the Corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be located in the City of Wilmington, County of
New Castle, and the name and address of its registered agent is The Corporation
Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware.
SECTION 1.2. OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation may have such other
offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of
Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to
time require.
SECTION 1.3. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books and records of the
Corporation may be kept at the Corporation's headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona or
at such other locations outside the State of Delaware as may from time to time
be designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 2.1. ANNUAL MEETING. Commencing in 1997, the annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on the first Tuesday in May of
each year, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next
succeeding business day, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation, or at such other date, place and/or time as may be
fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2.2. SPECIAL MEETING. Subject to the rights of the holders of
any series of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the
"Preferred Stock") or any other series or class of stock as set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders may be called
only by the Chairman of the Board or by the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors specified in
the resolution pursuant to Section 3.2 which the Corporation would have if there
were no vacancies (the "Whole Board").
SECTION 2.3. PLACE OF MEETING. The Board of Directors may designate
the place of meeting for any meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is
made by the Board of Directors, the place of meeting shall be the principal
office of the Corporation.
SECTION 2.4. NOTICE OF MEETING. Written or printed notice, stating the
place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the
meeting is called, shall be prepared and delivered by the Corporation not less
than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, either
personally, or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such
meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited
in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the
Corporation. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law.
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as
shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice
of meeting. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to
vote are present (except as otherwise provided by law), or if notice is waived
by those not present in accordance with Section 6.4 of these Bylaws. Any
previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless
the Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the
stockholders may be canceled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon
public notice given prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting of
stockholders.
SECTION 2.5. QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENT. Except as otherwise provided by
law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the
voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Voting Stock"), represented in
person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders,
except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series
voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares
of such class or series shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such
business. The chairman of the meeting or a majority of the shares of Voting
Stock so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not
there is such a quorum (or, in the case of specified business to be voted on by
a class or series, the chairman or a majority of the shares of such class or
series so represented may adjourn the meeting with respect to such specified
business). No notice of the time and place of adjourned meetings need be given
except as required by law. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting
may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the
withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
SECTION 2.6. PROXIES. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder
may vote by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or as may be permitted
by law, or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Such proxy must be filed
with the Secretary of the Corporation or his representative at or before the
time of the meeting.
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SECTION 2.7. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS.
(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of persons for
election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of
business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting
of stockholders (a) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting delivered
pursuant to Section 2.4 of these Bylaws, (b) by or at the direction of the
Chairman or the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation
who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complied with the notice procedures
set forth in clauses (2) and (3) of this paragraph (A) of this Bylaw and who was
a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of
the Corporation.
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an
annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (A) (1) of
this Bylaw, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a
proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder's notice
shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation not less than seventy days nor more than ninety days prior to the
first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however,
that with respect to the annual meeting to be held in 1997, the anniversary date
shall be deemed to be May 7, 1997; and provided, further, that in the event that
the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than twenty days, or delayed
by more than seventy days, from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder
to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the ninetieth day prior to
such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the
seventieth day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day
on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no
event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting
commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described
in this Section 2.7(A). Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (a) as to
each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection
as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election
contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and Rule
14a-11 thereunder, including such person's written consent to being named in the
proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (b) as to
any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in
such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and
the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made
(i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the
Corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number
of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such
stockholder and such beneficial owner.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A) (2)
of this Bylaw to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be
elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is
no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the
size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least eighty
days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a
stockholder's notice required by this Bylaw shall also be considered timely, but
only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if
it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the
day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be
conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before
the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting pursuant to Section
2.4 of these Bylaws. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors
are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting (a) by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of the
Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Bylaw and who is a stockholder of record at the
time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event
the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder
may nominate such number of persons for election to such position(s) as are
specified in the Corporation's Notice of Meeting, if the stockholder's notice as
required by paragraph (A) (2) of this Bylaw shall be delivered to the Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the
ninetieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the seventieth day prior to such special meeting or the
tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the
date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of
Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period
for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.
(C) General. (1) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with
the procedures set forth in this Bylaw shall be eligible to serve as directors
and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall
have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Bylaw. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power
and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be
brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Bylaw and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance
with this Bylaw, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be
disregarded.
(2) For purposes of this Bylaw, "public announcement" shall mean
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated
Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13,
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bylaw, a stockholder
shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this
Bylaw. Nothing in this Bylaw shall be deemed to affect any rights of
stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation's proxy
statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
SECTION 2.8. PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Election of
directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be
elected shall be by written ballot, and, except as otherwise set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the right of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of stock to elect
additional directors under specified circumstances, a plurality of the votes
cast thereat shall elect directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all matters other than the
election of directors submitted to the stockholders at any meeting shall be
decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon.
SECTION 2.9. INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS; OPENING AND CLOSING THE POLLS.
(A) The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more
inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the
Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers,
employees, agents or representatives of the Corporation, to act at the meeting
and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as
alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector
or alternate has been appointed to act, or if all inspectors or alternates who
have been appointed are unable to act, at a meeting of stockholders, the
chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the
meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and
sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict
impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors
shall have the duties prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
(B) The chairman of the meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting
the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter
upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting.
SECTION 2.10. NO STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Subject to the
rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or any other series or
class of stock as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action
required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be
effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and
may not be affected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 3.1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of
Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly
conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the
Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done
by the stockholders.
SECTION 3.2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. Subject to the rights
of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, or any other series or class of
stock as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, to elect directors under
specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to
time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole
Board, but shall consist of not more than eleven nor less than three directors.
The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series
of Preferred Stock, or any other series or class of stock as set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation, shall be divided, with respect to the time for
which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number
as possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the 1997
annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire
at the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders and the term of office of the third
class to expire at the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall
hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and
qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the 1997
annual meeting, (i) directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms
then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each
director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected
and qualified, and (ii) only if authorized by a resolution of the Board of
Directors, directors may be elected to fill any vacancy on the Board of
Directors, regardless of how such vacancy shall have been created.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no outside director shall be nominated by
the Board of Directors for election as a director for another term of office
unless such term of office shall begin before he attains age 70 and no inside
director's term of office shall continue after he attains age 65 or after the
termination of his services as an officer or employee of the Corporation, unless
such continuance is approved by a majority of the outside directors on the Board
of Directors at the time the disqualifying event occurs and each time thereafter
that such inside director is nominated for reelection. The term "outside
director" means any person who has never served as an officer or employee of the
Corporation or an affiliate and the term "inside director" means any director
who is not an "outside director." Any person who is ineligible for reelection
as a director under this paragraph may, by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors, be designated as a "Director Emeritus" and as such shall be entitled
to receive notice of, and to attend meetings of, the Board of Directors, but
shall not vote at such meetings.
SECTION 3.3. REGULAR MEETINGS. A regular meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after,
and at the same place as, each annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of
Directors may, by resolution, provide the time and place for the holding of
additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
SECTION 3.4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the
President or a majority of the Board of Directors. The person or persons
authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place
and time of the meetings.
SECTION 3.5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting shall be given to
each director at his business or residence in writing or by telegram or by
telephone communication. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed adequately
delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage
thereon prepaid, at least five days before such meeting. If by telegram, such
notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to
the telegraph company at least twenty-four hours before such meeting. If by
facsimile transmission, such notice shall be transmitted at least twenty-four
hours before such meeting. If by telephone, the notice shall be given at least
twelve hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board
of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for
amendments to these Bylaws as provided under Section 8.1 of Article VIII hereof.
A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are
present (except as otherwise provided by law) or if those not present waive
notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 6.4 hereof, either before or
after such meeting.
SECTION 3.6. CONFERENCE TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of the Board of
Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board
of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
SECTION 3.7. QUORUM. A whole number of directors equal to at least a
majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less
than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the
meeting from time to time without further notice. The act of the majority of
the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act
of the Board of Directors. If permitted by applicable law, the directors
present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until
adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less
than a quorum.
SECTION 3.8. VACANCIES. Subject to the rights of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock, or any other series or class of stock as set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation, to elect additional directors under specified
circumstances, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies
resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from
office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a
quorum of the Board of Directors and not by stockholders. Directors so chosen
shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at
which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires
and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board
shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
SECTION 3.9. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors
may designate an Executive Committee to exercise, subject to applicable
provisions of law, all the powers of the Board in the management of the business
and affairs of the Corporation when the Board is not in session, including the
power to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, provided that, the
Executive Committee shall not have the power to declare dividends or to
authorize the issuance of the Corporation's capital stock. The Board of
Directors may also, by resolution similarly adopted, designate one or more other
committees. The Executive Committee and each such other committee shall
consist of two or more directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate
one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any
absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such
committee, other than the Executive Committee (the powers of which are expressly
provided for herein), may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers
and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating
resolution. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee
or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not
disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any
such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep written minutes
of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board when required.
A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and
place of its meetings, unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such
meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided
for in Section 3.5 of these Bylaws. The Board shall have power at any time to
fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such
committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing
one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not
directors of the Corporation; provided however, that no such committee shall
have or may exercise any authority of the Board.
SECTION 3.10. REMOVAL. Subject to the rights of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock, or any other series or class of stock as set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation, to elect additional directors under specified
circumstances, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed
from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding
Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 4.1. ELECTED OFFICERS. The elected officers of the Corporation
shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and
such other officers (including, without limitation, a Chief Financial Officer)
as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of
the Board shall be chosen from the directors. All officers chosen by the Board
of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to
their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV.
Such officers shall also have powers and duties as from time to time may be
conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof.
SECTION 4.2. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE. The elected officers of the
Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the regular
meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the
stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting,
such election shall be held as soon thereafter as convenient. Subject to
Section 4.7 of these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until his successor
shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his death or
until he shall resign.
SECTION 4.3. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board shall
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for the general management of the
affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to his office
which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required
of him by the Board of Directors. Except where by law the signature of the
President is required, the Chairman of the Board shall possess the same power as
the President to sign all certificates, contracts, and other instruments of the
Corporation which may be authorized by the Board of Directors. He shall make
reports to the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and shall perform all
such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board of Directors. He
shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any
committee thereof are carried into effect.
SECTION 4.4. PRESIDENT. The President shall act in a general executive
capacity and shall assist the Chairman of the Board in the administration and
operation of the Corporation's business and general supervision of its policies
and affairs. The President shall, in the absence of or because of the inability
to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of the
Board and preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors.
The President may sign, alone or with the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary,
or any other proper officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board of
Directors, certificates, contracts, and other instruments of the Corporation as
authorized by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4.5. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be
given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and Directors and all other
notices required by law or by these Bylaws, and in case of his absence or
refusal or neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person
thereunto directed by the Chairman of the Board or the President, or by the
Board of Directors, upon whose request the meeting is called as provided in
these Bylaws. He shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Board
of Directors, any committees thereof and the stockholders of the Corporation in
a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform such other duties as may
be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the
President. He shall have the custody of the seal of the Corporation and may
affix the same to all instruments requiring it and attest to the same.
SECTION 4.6. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the
corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer
shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of
the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be
ordered by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the President,
taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. The Treasurer shall render to
the Chairman of the Board, the President and the Board of Directors, whenever
requested, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond for the faithful discharge of his
duties in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors shall
prescribe.
SECTION 4.7. REMOVAL. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors
may be removed by a majority of the members of the Whole Board whenever, in
their judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby.
No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for
compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his
successor, his death, his resignation or his removal, whichever event shall
first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or an
employee plan.
SECTION 4.8. VACANCIES. A newly created office and a vacancy in any
office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of
Directors for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board of
Directors.
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ARTICLE V
STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS
SECTION 5.1. STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS.
(A) The interest of each stockholder of the Corporation shall be
evidenced by certificates for shares of stock in such form as the appropriate
officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe, provided, that the
Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of
any or all classes or series of the stock of the Corporation shall be
uncertificated shares. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the
Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon
request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a
certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or Vice President, and
by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Corporation representing the number of shares registered in
certificate form. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and
obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and
obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class
and series shall be identical.
(B) The certificates of stock shall be signed, countersigned and
registered in such manner as the Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe,
which resolution may permit all or any of the signatures on such certificates to
be in facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has
signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has
ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate
is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he
were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
(C) The shares of the stock of the Corporation represented by
certificates shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder
thereof in person or by his attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of
certificates for the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of
transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of
the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may
reasonably require. Upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the
registered owner of uncertificated shares such uncertificated shares shall be
canceled and issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated
shares shall be made to the person entitled thereto and the transaction shall be
recorded upon the books of the Corporation. Within a reasonable time after the
issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the
registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to
be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to the Delaware General
Corporation Law or, unless otherwise provided by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to
each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and
relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock
or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights.
SECTION 5.2. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. No certificate
for shares or uncertificated shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued
in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen,
except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on
delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such
terms and secured by such surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial
officer may in its or his discretion require.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 6.1. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end
on December 31 of each year.
SECTION 6.2. DIVIDENDS. The Board of Directors may from time to time
declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the
manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Certificate of
Incorporation.
SECTION 6.3. SEAL. The corporate seal shall be in circular form and
shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words
"Corporate Seal -- Delaware 1996."
SECTION 6.4. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be
given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a waiver thereof in
writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before
or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of
such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
annual or special meeting of the stockholders or any meeting of the Board of
Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such
meeting.
SECTION 6.5. AUDITS. The accounts, books and records of the
Corporation shall be audited upon the conclusion of each fiscal year by an
independent certified public accountant selected by the Board of Directors, and
it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to cause such audit to be made
annually.
SECTION 6.6. RESIGNATIONS. Any director or any officer, whether
elected or appointed, may resign at any time by serving written notice of such
resignation on the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary, and
such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on
the date said notice is received by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or
the Secretary or at such later date as is stated therein. No formal action
shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such
resignation effective.
SECTION 6.7. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. (A) Each person who was
or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any
action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she
or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was a director
or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation or of a partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation, whether the
basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director
or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer,
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended (but, if permitted by applicable law, in the
case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the
Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted
the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense,
liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise
taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably
incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such
indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and
administrators; provided, however, that except as provided in paragraph (C) of
this Bylaw, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking
indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by
such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the
Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Bylaw shall
be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation
the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final
disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within 20 days after
the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant
requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, that
if the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware requires, the payment of
such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a
director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final
disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all
amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or
officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Bylaw or otherwise.
(B) To obtain indemnification under this Bylaw, a claimant shall submit
to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such
documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is
reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is
entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for
indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph (B), a
determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant's
entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (1) if requested by the
claimant, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined), or (2) if no request
is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (i) by a
majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even
though less than a quorum, or (ii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or,
if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written
opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the
claimant, or (iii) if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by the stockholders
of the Corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to
indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel at the request of the
claimant, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors
unless there shall have occurred within two years prior to the date of the
commencement of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is
claimed a "Change of Control" as defined in The Dial Corporation 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan, in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the
claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the
Board of Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to
indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within 10 days after such
determination.
(C) If a claim under paragraph (A) of this Bylaw is not paid in full by
the Corporation within 30 days after a written claim pursuant to paragraph (B)
of this Bylaw has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled
to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to
any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where
the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the
Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes
it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for
the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden
of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including without limitation, the Disinterested Directors,
Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in
the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual
determination by the Corporation (including, without limitation, the
Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant
has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the
action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable
standard of conduct.
(D) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to paragraph (B)
of this Bylaw that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation
shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced
pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Bylaw.
(E) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial
proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Bylaw that the procedures
and presumptions of this Bylaw are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall
stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions
of this Bylaw.
(F) The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred
in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this
Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested
Directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall in any
way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee
or agent of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter
arising prior to any such repeal or modification.
(G) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would
have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. To the extent that
the Corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such insurance, each
such director or officer, and each such agent or employee to which rights to
indemnification have been granted as provided in paragraph (H) of this Bylaw,
shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their
terms to the maximum extent of the coverage thereunder for any such director,
officer, employee or agent.
(H) The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by
the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and rights to be paid
by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance
of its final disposition, to any employee or agent of the Corporation, and to
persons serving as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at the request of the Corporation, to
the fullest extent of the provisions of this Bylaw with respect to the
indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the
Corporation.
(I) If any provision or provisions of this Bylaw shall be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Bylaw
(including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Bylaw
containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that
is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way
be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Bylaw (including, without limitation, each such portion of
any paragraph of this Bylaw containing any such provision held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent
manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
(J) For purposes of this Bylaw:
(1) "Disinterested Director" means a director of the Corporation
who is not and was not a party to the proceeding or matter in respect of which
indemnification is sought by the claimant.
(2) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm, a member of a law
firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of
corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards
of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest
in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine
the claimant's rights under this Bylaw.
(K) Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to
be given to the Corporation under this Bylaw shall be in writing and either
delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or
courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective
only upon receipt by the Secretary.
ARTICLE VII
CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.
SECTION 7.1. CONTRACTS. Except as otherwise required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or other instruments
may be executed and delivered in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation
by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may
from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the President
or any Vice President may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other
instruments to be made or executed for or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject
to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the
Board, the President or any Vice President of the Corporation may delegate
contractual powers to others under his jurisdiction, it being understood,
however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of
responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power
SECTION 7.2. PROXIES. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice
President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or
agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast
the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock
or other securities in any other corporation or entity, any of whose stock or
other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of
the stock or other securities of such other corporation or entity, or to consent
in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such
other corporation or entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed
as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute
or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under
its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments
as he may deem necessary or proper in the premises.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 8.1. AMENDMENTS. These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or
repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders,
provided notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the meeting
and, in the case of a meeting of the Board of Directors, in a notice given no
less than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting; provided, however, that, in
the case of amendments by stockholders, notwithstanding any other provisions of
these Bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote
or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any
particular class or series of the stock required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting
together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders to
alter, amend or repeal any provision of these Bylaws or to adopt any additional
Bylaws.
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THE DIAL CORPORATION
EXHIBIT 99
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
SAFE HARBOR COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In passing the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the
"PSLRA"), Congress encouraged public companies to make "forward-looking
statements" by creating a safe-harbor to protect companies from securities law
liability in connection with forward-looking statements. The Dial Corporation
(the "Company") intends to qualify both its written and oral forward-looking
statements for protection under the PSLRA.
To qualify oral forward-looking statements for protection under the PSLRA,
a readily available written document must identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements. The Company provides the following information in connection with
its continuing effort to qualify forward-looking statements for the safe harbor
protection of the PSLRA.
Forward-looking statements express expectations of future events. All
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various
expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to
numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those projected. Due to these
inherent uncertainties, the investment community is urged not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company undertakes no
obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed
assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to projections
over time.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Company's future results and financial condition are dependent upon the
Company's ability to successfully develop, manufacture and market consumer
products. Inherent in this process are a number of factors that the Company
must successfully manage to achieve favorable future operating results and
financial condition. Potential risks and uncertainties that could affect the
Company's future operating results and financial condition include, but are not
limited to, the factors discussed below.
INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE CONSUMER PRODUCTS INDUSTRY
The consumer products industry, particularly its detergent, personal care
and air freshener categories, is intensely competitive. Several of the
Company's most significant competitors, including The Procter & Gamble Company,
Lever Brothers Co. (a division of Unilever plc), and Colgate-Palmolive Company,
have greater financial resources than the Company and may be willing to commit
significant resources to protecting their own market shares or to capturing
market share from the Company. As a result, the Company may need to incur
greater costs than previously incurred for trade and consumer promotions and
advertising to preserve or improve market share and to introduce and establish
new products and line extensions. At the same time, the Company may need to
undertake additional production-related costs-cutting measures to enable it to
respond to competitors' price cuts and marketing efforts without reducing the
Company's margins. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
make such additional expenditures or implement such cost-cutting measures or
that if made or implemented they will be effective.
CONSUMER PRICING PRESSURES
Consumer products, particularly those that are value-priced, are subject to
significant price competition. From time to time, the Company may need to
engage in price-cutting initiatives for some of its products to respond to
competitive and consumer pressures. The failure of the Company's sales volumes
to grow sufficiently to improve overall revenues and income as a result of a
competitive price reduction could have a material adverse effect on the
financial performance of the Company.
TRADE CUSTOMER PRICING PRESSURES; COMPETITIVE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
The Company faces pricing pressures from its trade customers. Because of
the competitive retail environment, retailers have increasingly sought to reduce
inventory levels and obtain pricing concessions from vendors. In addition,
because consumer products companies, including the Company, have historically
offered end-of-quarter discounts to achieve quarterly sales goals, trade
customers have been inclined to delay inventory restocking until quarter-end.
Since August 1996, the Company has reduced end-of-quarter discounts to retailers
and has changed its sales incentive structure to emphasize not only quarterly
review targets but also trade spending management and other personal performance
targets. The reduction in discounts has not had and the Company believes it
will not have a material adverse effect on sales although there can be no
assurance in that regard. The Company is also subject to the risk that
high-volume customers could seek alternative pricing concessions or better trade
terms. The Company's performance is also dependent upon the general health of
the retail environmental and could be materially adversely affected by changes
therein and by the financial difficulties of retailers.
DEPENDENCE OF KEY CUSTOMERS
The Company's top ten customers accounted for 35% of net sales in 1997.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (and its affiliate, SAM's Club) ("Wal-Mart") was the
Company's largest customer, accounting for 17% of the Company's net sales in
1997. The loss of, or a substantial decrease in the volume of purchases by,
Wal-Mart or any of the Company's other top customers could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
PRICE VOLATILITY OF RAW MATERIALS; SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLIER
While the Company believes that is may, in certain circumstances, be able
to respond to price increases for certain raw materials by increasing sales
prices, rapid increases in the prices of such raw materials could have a
material adverse impact on financial results. For example, tallow (a key
ingredient in Dial bar soaps) has experienced price fluctuations within the
range of $0.16 and $0.28 per pound from January 1, 1995 to July 4, 1998.
Recently, the price of tallow has been trading near the lower end of this
historical range. Because the majority of the competitors' soap products use
considerably less tallow in their bar soap products, the Company may not be able
to increase the prices of its Dial bar soaps in response to increases in tallow
prices. In addition, the antibacterial agent, Triclosan, which is the active
ingredient used in Liquid Dial products, is sourced from a single supplier.
Although the Company has an adequate supply of Triclosan for its current and
foreseeable needs, a significant disruption in this supply could have a
short-term material adverse impact on the Company's financial results. The
Company seeks to mitigate the risk by entering into contracts to provide up to
six-month supplies of tallow, Triclosan and packaging materials. Long-term
hedging opportunities against price increases for these items are generally not
available.
DEPENDENCE ON DOMESTIC MARKETS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
While a number of the Company's competitors have diversified their revenues
to include a strong international component, the Company is currently dependent
primarily on sales generated in the U.S. (92% of sales in 1997). With respect
to a number of the Company's most significant product categories, including
detergents and bar soaps, the U.S. markets are mature and characterized by high
household penetration. The Company's unit sales growth in these domestic
markets will depend on increasing usage by consumers and capturing market share
from competitors. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in
implementing its strategies to achieve such domestic growth.
To reduce its dependence on domestic revenues, the Company has adopted a
strategy to further penetrate international markets. In implementing this
strategy, the Company faces barriers to entry and the risk of competition from
local and other companies that already have established global businesses, risks
generally associated with conducting business internationally, including
exposure to currency fluctuations, limitations on foreign investment,
import/export controls, nationalization, unstable governments and legal systems
and the additional expense and risks inherent in operating in geographically and
culturally diverse locations. Because the Company plans to develop its
international business through acquisitions as well as joint ventures,
co-packaging arrangements and/or other alliances, the Company may also be
subject to risks associated with such acquisitions, ventures, arrangement and
alliances, including those relating to the marriage of different corporate
cultures and shared decision-making. In addition, because the Company's current
international distribution capabilities are extremely limited, the Company will
also need to acquire a distribution network or enter into alliances with
existing distributors before it can effectively conduct operations in new
markets. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in increasing
its international business in a profitable manner, and a failure to expand this
business may have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company has a significant number of registered foreign trademarks as
well as pending foreign trademark applications. There can be an assurance that
the Company will successfully register any foreign trademark for which
applications are currently pending or that such trademarks, once registered,
together with any existing registered foreign trademarks, will be protected in
the foreign markets in which they are used.
ADVERSE PUBLICITY; PRODUCT RECALL
Certain news broadcasts by major U.S. television and radio networks have
focused on the use of antibacterial agents to kill germs on various surfaces.
Triclosan, the active ingredient in Liquid Dial, has also been a focus of these
broadcasts. Although none of the broadcasts disputed that Triclosan kills germs
on the skin, some third party experts did question whether it provides any
additional protection beyond that provided by non-antibacterial soap products.
Although the Company has test results that it believes prove that Triclosan
provides consumers with additional protection in limiting exposure to
bacterial-related diseases, there can be no assurance the adverse publicity
stemming from these broadcasts will not adversely affect the Company's sales of
its antibacterial soap products and its results of operations.
Because the Company shares the use of the Armour trademark for food
products with ConAgra Inc., the manufacturer of Armour-branded non-canned meat
products, the Company faces the risk that consumer preferences and perceptions
with respect to any of the Company's Armour products may be influenced by
adverse publicity affecting any of the Armour-branded products of ConAgra, Inc.
From time to time, consumer product companies, including Dial, have had to
recall certain products for various reasons, which costs of recall or other
liabilities could be material to such companies. To date, the Company has not
made any product recalls that have been material to the Company's financial
condition. In addition, adverse publicity regarding any such product recall
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS REGARDING DETERGENT COMPOUND
Nonlyphenol ethoxylate ("NPE") is an ingredient used in the Company's
liquid and powder detergent products. Certain environmental and regulatory
groups have raised concerns regarding the toxicity of compounds produced from
NPE as it decomposes and the adverse impact on the reproductive health of
certain aquatic animals, exposed to those compounds. Although to the best of
the Company's knowledge none of the studies undertaken on NPE have demonstrated
a link between the compound and such effect in the environment or in human
beings, there can be no assurance that subsequent studies will in fact
demonstrate such a link or demonstrate other adverse environmental consequences.
Current government regulations do not impose any restrictions on the use of NPE,
or impose any liability on any of the businesses that utilize NPE in the
products they manufacture. The Company believes, however, that a number of
governmental agencies in North America and Europe are discussing formal
regulations of NPE in the environment. The Company is in the process of
reformulating its detergents to eliminate this compound ingredient. The
additional expense the Company expects to incur as a result of this
reformulation is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's
financial results. In addition, the Company believes that it will not incur any
significant environmental liability as a result of the use of NPE in its
products.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The operation of the Company requires managerial expertise. Of the
Company's key personnel, only the Chief Executive Officer has an employment
contract with the Company. There can be no assurance that any of the Company's
key employees will remain in the Company's employ. The loss of such key
personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations.
TURNOVER; EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Primarily as a result of the restructuring of its business, the Company
discharged approximately 950 salaried and non-salaried employees during 1995 and
1996. In addition, the Company experienced greater aggregate voluntary turnover
of salaried employees in 1996 and 1997 than the industry average. Although the
Company believes that it presently has sufficient staffing, there can be no
assurance that the Company would not be materially adversely affected by any
future significant voluntary turnover of salaried or other employees.
Four of the Company's six plants in the U.S. are unionized. The Company's
contracts with its various unions are scheduled for renegotiation as follows:
(i) Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union (covering approximately 100 employees
at the Company's Bristol, Pennsylvania plant) in May 1999; (ii) United Food
and Commercial Workers union (covering approximately 360 employees at the
Company's Aurora, Illinois plant) in August 1999; and (iii) the United Food and
Commercial Workers union (covering approximately 425 employees at the Company's
Fort Madison, Iowa plant) in September 1999. There can be no assurance that
these contracts can be renegotiated on terms acceptable to the Company. Although
the Company believes that its relations with the employees at its plants are
satisfactory, there can be no assurance that the Company will not face similar
labor disputes in the future or that such disputes will not be material to the
Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company is subject to a variety of environmental and health and safety
laws in each jurisdiction in which it operations. These laws and regulations
pertain to the Company's present and past operations.
Since 1980, the Company has received notices or requests for information
with respect to 27 sites that have been deemed "Superfund" sites under the
federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act,
five of which are currently active, 14 of which are inactive, and eight of which
have been settled. The Company is also engaged in investigatory and remedial
activities with respect to four closed plants previously operated by the
Company's former parent. As of January 3, 1998, the Company had accrued in its
financial statements approximately $10 million in reserves for expenses relating
to Superfund sites and the clean-up of closed plant sites, which reserves it
believes are adequate.
The Company does not anticipate that the costs to comply with environmental
laws and regulations or the costs related to Superfund sites and the clean-up of
closed plant sites will have any material adverse effect on the Company's
capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position; however, there can be no
assurance that other developments, such as the emergence of unforeseen claims or
liabilities or the imposition of increasingly stringent laws, regulations and
enforcement policies will not result in material costs in the future.
RISKS OF POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS
The Company may acquire or make substantial investments in complementary
businesses or products in the future. Any such acquisition or investment would
entail various risks, including the difficulty of assimilating the operations
and personnel of the acquired business or products, the potential disruption of
the Company's ongoing business and, generally, the potential inability of the
Company to obtain the desired financial and strategic benefits from the
acquisition or investment. These factors could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial results. Future acquisitions and investments by the
Company also could result in substantial cash expenditures, potentially dilutive
issuance of equity securities, the incurrence of additional debt and contingent
liabilities, and amortization expenses relating to goodwill and other intangible
assets, which could adversely affect the Company's financial results and
condition. The Company engages from time to time in discussions with respect to
potential acquisitions, some of which may be material.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
Many existing computer systems and software products, including several
used by the Company, are coded to accept only two digit entries in the date code
field. Beginning in the year 2000, these date code fields will need to accept
four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates.
As a result, the Company's date critical functions related to the year 2000 and
beyond, such as sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, inventory
control, trade promotion management, planning and replenishment, facilities and
financial systems may be materially adversely affected unless these computer
systems are or become year 2000 compliant.
The Company has begun a comprehensive upgrade of its information systems to
significantly improve operating efficiencies and to identify, correct or
reprogram, and test its systems for year 2000 compliance. In 1997, the Company
incurred costs of $12 million to upgrade its information technology and expects
to spend an additional $40 million over the next two years for such upgrades.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's computer systems will be
year 2000 compliant in a timely manner or that the Company will not incur
significant additional expenses pursuing year 2000 compliance. Furthermore,
even if the Company's systems are year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance
that the Company will not be materially adversely effected by the failure of
others to become year 2000 compliant. For example, the Company may be adversely
affected by the disruption or inaccuracy of data provided to the Company by
non-year 2000 compliant third parties and the failure of the Company's customers
and service providers, such as independent shipping companies, to become year
2000 compliant. There can be no assurance that the year 2000 problem will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company in the future.
