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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) APRIL 11, 1997
GARGOYLES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
WASHINGTON 0-21355 91-1247269
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) (COMMISSION (IRS EMPLOYER
FILE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
5866 SOUTH 194TH STREET
KENT, WASHINGTON 98032
(206) 872-6100
(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
(a) On April 11, 1997, Gargoyles Acquisition Corporation, a newly formed
Washington corporation ("Purchaser") and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Gargoyles, Inc. ("Registrant") acquired substantially all the assets, and
assumed certain liabilities, of Sungold Enterprises, LTD., a New York
corporation ("Sungold"), pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase and
Sale Agreement dated April 10, 1997, by and between Sungold and its
shareholders and Purchaser (the "Agreement").
The purchased assets include tangible assets, contracts, warranties, books
and records, drawings and designs, leasehold interests, license agreements
and other intellectual properties including rights to the Sungold name.
Certain members of Sungold's management, including its president, were
hired by Purchaser and will continue to operate the Sungold sunglass
business from Sungold's facilities in Farmingdale, New York.
As consideration for the purchased assets, Purchaser paid $10,970,000 cash
at the closing and agreed to pay, subject to certain conditions,
additional amounts equal to 7.5% of Purchaser's net sales in excess of
$7 million in each of the calendar years ending December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999.
The purchase price was paid with funds borrowed from U. S. Bank of
Washington, National Association under Registrant's long-term credit
facility. The purchase price will be allocated among the purchased
assets based on the fair value of the assets acquired and the obligations
assumed.
(b) Sungold was a sunglass design and distribution company with its principal
executive office in Farmingdale, New York. Sungold's plant and equipment
were used for designing and manufacturing sunglasses. Registrant intends
to continue using these in a similar manner.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
(a)Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
It is impracticable for Registrant to provide the required Sungold
financial statements at this time. Such statements will be filed when they
are available. Registrant anticipates filing such statements on or about
June 25, 1997.
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(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.
It is impracticable for Registrant to provide pro forma financial
information at this time. Such statements will be filed when they are
available. Registrant anticipates filing such statements on or about June
25, 1997.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
2.1 Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement
99.1 Press Release of Registrant dated April 11, 1997
99.2 Press Release of Registrant dated March 10, 1997
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
GARGOYLES, INC.
Date: April 28, 1997 By: /s/ STEVEN R. KINGMA
---------------------------------------
Steven R. Kingma
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
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ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered
into as of this 10th day of April 1997, by and among SUNGOLD ENTERPRISES, LTD.,
a New York corporation ("Seller") and Seller's shareholders SHELDON GOLDMAN,
LIONEL GOLDMAN and LIONEL GOLDMAN, TRUSTEE OF THE LIONEL GOLDMAN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DATED September 30, 1994 (collectively the "Shareholders" and each, a
"Shareholder"), and GARGOYLES ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Washington corporation
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Gargoyles, Inc. ("Purchaser").
RECITALS
A. Seller owns and operates a business that designs, distributes and
sells sunglasses and related products (the "Business") from its company
headquarters located at 2095 New Highway, Farmingdale, New York (the
"Premises").
B. Seller desires to sell the assets of the Business to Purchaser, and
Purchaser desires to purchase the assets of the Business from Seller, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
C. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth in Section 16
hereof.
AGREEMENT
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Property to be Purchased. Subject to the terms and conditions
contained in this Agreement, Purchaser shall purchase from Seller and Seller
shall sell to Purchaser all of the following assets and property of Seller
related to the Business (the "Assets"):
1.1 Cash and Cash Equivalents. All cash, cash equivalents,
prepaid expenses, advance payments, security and other deposits, credits and
similar items;
1.2 Accounts Receivable; Work in Process. All accounts, notes,
and other receivables and work in process, billed and unbilled;
1.3 Equipment; Tangible Personal Property. All machinery,
equipment, tooling, dies, tools, furniture, office equipment, vehicles, spare
parts,
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automobiles, except the company automobiles driven by Sheldon and Lionel Goldman
and the security deposits related thereto, trucks, trailers, leasehold
improvements and all other personal property used in the Business, including
without limitation those items listed on the attached Exhibit 1.3, together with
any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers of any item or
component part thereof, to the extent transferable, and all maintenance records,
brochures, catalogues and other documents relating to such personal property or
to the installation or functioning thereof;
1.4 Inventory. All finished goods, work in process, component
parts, raw materials, samples, supplies and other inventories of the Business;
1.5 Customer Purchase Orders and Contracts. All right, title
and interest of Seller in all customer purchase orders or Contracts for goods or
services placed with Seller;
1.6 Contracts. All of Seller's right, title and interest in
and to all equipment leases, except for the leases related to the company
automobiles driven by Sheldon and Lionel Goldman which shall be assumed by
Sheldon and Lionel Goldman at Closing, real estate leases, including that
certain Lease Agreement dated November 26, 1996, by and between Leonard Delalio
and Robert P. Delalio, as landlords, and Seller, as tenant, with respect to the
Premises, agreements, insurance contracts, employee life insurance policies,
employee confidentiality and non-competition agreements, sales and purchase
orders and other commitments to which Seller is a party, including without
limitation those items listed on the attached Exhibit 1.6, together with any
security or other deposits relating thereto;
1.7 Warranties. All manufacturer's, vendor's and supplier's
warranties, to the extent assignable, in respect of any items of property
included in the Assets;
1.8 Real Property Leases. All of Seller's right, title and
interest as tenant in and to all real property leases listed on the attached
Exhibit 1.8;
1.9 Customer Lists; Books and Records. All records, customer
and supplier lists, payroll and personnel records, formulae, specifications,
drawings, plans, reports, data, notes, correspondence, Contracts, labels,
catalogues, brochures, art work, photographs, advertising materials, files and
other documents in the possession of Seller, including the books of account,
ledgers and other financial records of Seller, whether in hard copy or computer
format;
1.10 Drawings and Design. All product designs, drawings,
blueprints, specifications and other similar documents;
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1.11 Intellectual Property. All of Seller's right, title and
interest in and to all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, brand
names, logos, copyrights, and applications for any of the foregoing, licenses,
license agreements, formulae, trade secrets, processes, inventions, know-how and
all other Intellectual Property relating to or used in the conduct of the
Seller's Business, including, without limitation, those items listed on Exhibit
1.11;
1.12 Software; Production Data. All sales reports, cost
sheets, bills of material, technical information, production data, software
(including documentation and source code) including without limitation those
items set forth on the attached Exhibit 1.12;
1.13 Prepaid Expenses. All prepaid expenses of Seller,
including without limitation, ad valorem taxes, rentals, and all surety bonds,
surety deposits, security deposits, lease deposits, letters of credit and other
such instruments posted by or on behalf of Seller as security for its
performance of any Contract or agreement of Seller to be transferred to Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement, except for amounts related to state income tax, if
any;
1.14 Permits. To the extent transferable, all Permits,
relating to or maintained as part of the Business, including without limitation
all of those items listed on the attached Schedule 5.18;
1.15 Claims. All choses in action, Claims, causes or rights of
action and intangible property rights of Seller against third parties relating
to the Assets or the Business; and
1.17 Seller's Name. The name Sungold Enterprises Ltd. and any
derivative thereof, and all goodwill associated with the Business, together with
the right of Purchaser to represent itself to third parties as the successor to
the Business.
2. Excluded Assets. The following assets and property (the "Excluded
Assets") shall not be acquired by Purchaser or sold by Seller:
2.1 Corporate Franchise. Seller's corporate franchise, stock
record books, corporate records books containing minutes of meetings of
directors and stockholders and such other records as have to do exclusively with
Seller's organization or stock capitalization (provided Seller shall provide
copies of all such records to Purchaser as Purchaser shall request);
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2.2 Account. Seller's account with Chase Manhattan Bank
established for receipt of the Purchase Price; and
2.3 Unrelated Property. The property or rights (other than
cash, deposits, bank accounts or the like), both tangible or intangible, owned
by Seller and not used in or related to Seller's operation of the Business, and
which are listed on the attached Exhibit 2.3.
3. Purchase Price. In consideration of the transfer of the Assets to
Purchaser and the other agreements set forth herein, Purchaser agrees to pay to
Seller the following (the "Purchase Price"):
3.1 Cash at Closing. At Closing, Purchaser shall pay to Seller
the sum of Ten Million Nine Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($10,970,000) in
immediately available funds, $10,470,000 of which shall be deposited in an
account as Seller shall direct, and $500,000 of which shall be deposited in an
escrow account with Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Escrow") to support Seller's
indemnity obligations under Section 13.1(vi) hereof. The funds in Escrow shall
be held in escrow and disbursed in accordance with the terms of the escrow
agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 (the "Escrow Agreement");
3.2 Percent of Net Sales. In addition, Purchaser shall pay to
Seller an amount equal to 7.5% of all Net Sales in excess of $7 Million for all
products in Seller's product lines sold in each of the calendar years January 1
to December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 (the "Royalty Payments"), provided the gross
margin targets for such products are maintained, as described more particularly
in the royalty agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 (the "Royalty
Agreement"). Royalty Payments shall be made on the first day of April following
the end of each calendar year of product sales. The first Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000) of Royalty Payments payable to Seller shall be made to the
Escrow and held in escrow and disbursed in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.
3.3 Additional Payment Related to Net Income. Purchaser shall
pay Seller an amount of cash equal to Seller's Net Income from the Business
attributable to first quarter 1997. As of Closing, Purchaser shall estimate
Seller's Net Income for first quarter 1997, and Purchaser shall pay one-half of
such estimated amount at the Closing. Following the Closing, Seller's first
quarter 1997 profits shall be determined, and on the sixtieth (60th) day
following the Closing Date, Purchaser shall pay to Seller the balance of first
quarter 1997 Net Income, or, if the amount paid by Purchaser at Closing exceeded
Seller's Net Income for first quarter 1997, then on such day Seller shall refund
the excess to Purchaser. As of Closing, Seller estimates Seller's Net Income for
first quarter 1997 to be $800,000.
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3.4 Allocation of the Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall
be allocated among the Assets in accordance with a schedule to be agreed by
Seller and Purchaser and set forth on a certificate to be delivered by Seller
and Purchaser at Closing or such later date as Purchaser and Seller shall agree
(the "Allocation Certificate"). Purchaser and Seller shall report consistently
with the allocation as provided for in the Allocation Certificate for all
federal, state and local tax purposes. Not later than ten (10) days prior to the
filing of their respective Form 8594 relating to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, Seller and Purchaser shall each deliver to the other a copy
of their respective Form 8594.
3.5. Assumption of Certain Obligations. As further
consideration for the Assets, as of the close of business on the Closing Date,
Purchaser shall assume and thereafter pay, perform or discharge, when due, the
following liabilities and obligations of Seller (the "Assumed Liabilities"):
(a) the trade accounts payable arising from the operation
of the ordinary course of the Business through the Closing Date, consistent with
past practices;
(b) Seller's outstanding balance under its revolving line
of credit and letters of credit with Chase Manhattan Bank, provided the proceeds
from the credit line and letters of credit were used to pay obligations of
Seller arising from the operation of the ordinary course of the Business;
(c) the liabilities as of the Closing Date under the
Contracts comprising the Assets (the "Assumed Contracts") except for any
liability under any of the Assumed Contracts arising out of Seller's failure to
perform its obligations thereunder on or prior to the Closing Date;
(d) any liability for losses, personal injury, property
damage or other damages of any kind whatsoever, whether suffered or incurred by
the Seller's customer or Purchaser's customer or any other person, arising out
of products manufactured or sold by the Seller or product repair services
performed by the Seller on or prior to the Closing Date, but only where the
occurrence giving rise to such liability occurs after the Closing; and
(e) any liability for defects, returns or allowances
arising out of products manufactured or sold by Seller or services performed by
Seller on or prior to the Closing Date.
3.6 Excluded Liabilities. Except for the Assumed Liabilities,
the Purchaser assumes no liabilities or other obligations, commercial or
otherwise, of
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the Seller, whether know or unknown, and all liabilities, other than the Assumed
Liabilities, shall remain obligations and liabilities of, and shall be retained
and discharged by, Seller (the "Excluded Liabilities"). Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Excluded Liabilities shall include, the following:
(a) any liability of the Seller with respect to any
transaction occurring after the Closing Date;
(b) any liability of the Seller for federal, state or
local taxes, fees, assessments or other similar charges (including, without
limitation, income taxes, real estate taxes, payroll taxes, except those accrued
by Seller as of the Closing Date, sales and use taxes and personal property
taxes);
(c) any liability for losses, personal injury, property
damage or other damages of any kind whatsoever, whether suffered or incurred by
the Seller's customer or Purchaser's customer or any other person, arising out
of products manufactured or sold by the Seller or services performed by the
Seller on or prior to the Closing Date, where the occurrence giving rise to such
liability occurs on or before the Closing, whether the Claim is asserted before
or after the Closing;
(d) except for Seller's obligations related to the
employment agreements between Seller and Scott Davidoff and Jeff Halpern, which
will be assumed by Purchaser at Closing, any responsibility, liability or
obligation with respect to salary, wages, sick pay, vacation pay, severance pay,
savings plans, deferred compensation, any of Seller's pension, profit-sharing,
retirement, and other fringe benefit plans, or other obligations for the benefit
of any personnel of the Seller including pension benefits accrued (vested or
unvested), or arising out of their employment through the Closing Date and/or
their termination of employment by the Seller upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, for which the Seller shall be liable and, as
to which Purchaser shall have no responsibility whatsoever arising either before
or after the Closing Date;
(e) any liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from
the failure of the Seller to comply with any Requirement of Law applicable to
the Seller or the conduct of the Business;
(f) any liability under any Assumed Contract to the
extent such liability arises out of the Seller's failure to perform its
obligations thereunder prior to the Closing Date;
(g) except for any liability related to the revolving
line of credit and letters of credit to be assumed by Purchaser in accordance
with Section
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3.4(b) hereof, any liability of the Seller arising out of Indebtedness for
borrowed money, whether from shareholders, third-party lenders, or otherwise;
(h) subject to Sections 3.5(a), (b) and (d), any
liability arising out of the operation of Seller's Business occurring prior to
the Closing Date;
(i) any loss, cost, or damage of any kind arising from or
related to the litigation set forth on Schedule 5.8 hereof; and
(j) any liability whatsoever relating to an Excluded
Asset.
Seller shall have any and all responsibility to all
creditors and all third parties and to the Purchaser with respect to, and shall
pay, discharge and perform when due, any liability or obligation of Seller not
expressly assumed by the Purchaser and, without limiting the generality of
Section 13 hereof, Seller and each of the Shareholders, jointly and severally,
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from and against any and all
cost, loss, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
arising from such obligations or liabilities not otherwise assumed by Purchaser.
3.7 State and Local Taxes.
(a) Sales/Use and Transfer Taxes. Seller shall prepare
and file, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, all
sales/use and transfer tax returns due in connection with the sale of the Assets
(the "Use Tax Return") by Seller to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall pay all sales
or use taxes and all transfer or excise taxes due in connection with such sale.
(b) Personal Property Taxes. All state, county and local
personal property taxes relating to the Assets which have been assessed shall be
prorated as of the Closing Date. All such taxes assessed for periods after the
Closing Date shall be the obligation of Purchaser.
(c) Basis for Calculation of Sales/Use and Transfer
Taxes. Any sales/use or transfer taxes incidental to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be calculated on the basis of the
allocation of the Purchase Price set forth in the Allocation Certificate.
4. Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the office of Richard A. Kraslow,
P.C., 425 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, at 10:00 a.m. local time
on April 10, 1997, or at such other date as Seller and Purchaser shall agree
(the "Closing Date").
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4.1 Obligations of Seller at Closing. At the Closing,
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser:
(a) a bill of sale in the form of the attached Exhibit
4.1(a);
(b) an assignment and assumption of leases and contracts
in the form of the attached Exhibit 4.1(b) (the "Assignment and Assumption of
Leases and Contracts");
(c) an assignment of intangibles in the form of the
attached Exhibit 4.1(c) (the "General Assignment and Assumption of
Intangibles");
(d) an assignment and assumption of License Agreement
with respect to the Stussy License in the form of the attached Exhibit 4.1(d)
together with a consent to such assignment executed by Stussy, Inc. (the
"Assignment and Assumption of the Stussy License");
(e) an employment agreement between Purchaser and Sheldon
Goldman in the form of the attached Exhibit 4.1(e) (the "Employment Agreement");
(f) all books of account, accounting records, drawings,
records and other documents to be acquired by Purchaser;
(g) the Seller's certificate described in Section 9.4
hereof;
(h) the opinion of Richard Kraslow, P.C. counsel to
Seller, described in Section 9.3 hereof;
(i) certified copies of the resolutions of the directors
and shareholders of Seller authorizing the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(j) a Nondisclosure and Noncompetition Agreement executed
by Lionel Goldman in the form of the attached Exhibit 4.1(j);
(k) the Royalty Agreement; and
(l) all written consents necessary in connection with the
transfer of the Assets.
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In addition to the documents and other items specifically described above,
Seller shall execute and deliver to Purchaser other documents and instruments at
the Closing as may be reasonably required to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
4.2 Obligations of Purchaser at Closing. At the Closing,
Purchaser shall deliver to Seller:
(a) the cash portion of the Purchase Price due at
Closing;
(b) the Assignment and Assumption of Leases and
Contracts;
(c) the General Assignment and Assumption of Obligations;
(d) the Assignment and Assumption of the Stussy License;
(e) the Employment Agreement;
(f) the Purchaser's certificate described in Section 10.3
hereof;
(g) the opinion of Cynthia L. Pope, counsel to Purchaser,
described in Section 10.2 hereof;
(h) the Royalty Agreement; and
(i) the Nondisclosure and Noncompetition Agreement with
Lionel Goldman.
In addition to the documents and other items specifically described above,
Purchaser shall also execute and deliver other instruments at the Closing as may
be reasonably required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
4.3 Possession. On the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver
possession of the Assets to Purchaser wherever the Assets are located.
5. Representations and Warranties of Seller and Shareholders. Seller
and each of the Shareholders, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to
Purchaser that the statements set forth in this Section 5 are true and correct
as of the date hereof.
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5.1 Disclosure Schedule. On the date hereof, Seller shall
deliver to Purchaser disclosure schedules and documents relating thereto (the
"Disclosure Schedule"), which shall include the numbered schedules specifically
referred to in this Agreement. The information contained in the Disclosure
Schedule is complete and accurate in all respects, and all documents that are
attached to or form a part of the Disclosure Schedule are true and complete
copies of the genuine original documents they purport to represent.
5.2 Organization and Standing of Seller; Related Entities.
Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the state of New York with requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own,
operate and lease its property and assets. Seller is qualified to do business in
each jurisdiction in which the ownership of its properties or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, if the failure to so qualify would affect
materially and adversely its business or financial condition. A true copy of
Seller's Articles of Incorporation, including all amendments thereto, and of its
current Bylaws is attached to Schedule 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule. Schedule
5.2 also sets forth a list of the shareholders of Seller and a description of
all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and other business entities in
which Seller has an interest, if any (the "Related Entities"). Copies of all
agreements with Related Entities to which Seller is a party are attached to
Schedule 5.2.
5.3 Financial Statements. A copy of financial statements for
Seller as of and for the years ended 1994, 1995 and 1996, as reviewed by
Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., are attached to Schedule 5.3 of the Disclosure
Schedule (the "Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements include a
balance sheet for Seller as of December 31, 1996 (the "Balance Sheet") and
statements of operations and cash flows for the years then ended. The Financial
Statements and the notes thereto fairly present the financial position of the
Seller as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of
the Seller and its Business for the periods indicated therein, and have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied.
(a) The accounts receivable of Seller, as reflected in
the Financial Statements and thereafter arising, (i) are owned by the Seller and
subject only to the Liens set forth in Schedule 5.3, (ii) are legal, valid and
binding obligations of the account debtors in respect of such accounts
receivable, and (iii) are fully collectible. Purchaser agrees not to write off
any such account receivable without first giving Seller the opportunity to
collect such amount at Seller's sole cost and expense.
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(b) Except as set forth in the Financial Statements,
Seller has no liability (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or
otherwise), Indebtedness, or any trade or warranty obligation arising out of
transactions entered into or any state of facts existing at or prior to the
Closing Date, which is material to the Business (either individually or in the
aggregate), other than: (i) liabilities and obligations set forth in the Balance
Sheet and the notes thereto; (ii) liabilities and obligations which have arisen
after the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices in type and amount; and (iii) other Indebtedness,
liabilities and obligations expressly disclosed in Schedule 5.3 of the
Disclosure Schedule.
5.4 Title to and Condition of Assets. Except as disclosed in
the Financial Statements or in Schedule 5.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller
has good and marketable title to all of the property and other assets, tangible
and intangible, including the Assets, reflected in the Balance Sheet acquired
after the dates thereof (except for products and properties sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business), free and
clear of all Liens and restrictions on transfer, except statutory Liens not yet
delinquent. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, the fixed assets of Seller are
in operable condition, normal wear and tear excepted. Upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser will have acquired good
and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, each of the Assets,
free and clear of Liens.
5.5 Customers. Schedule 5.5 of the Disclosure Schedule
contains a list of the customers with whom Seller is dealing or providing
services as of January 31, 1997, and copies of the material Contracts with any
such customers are attached thereto. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.5, Seller
knows of no fact which would lead it to believe that any of such listed
customers will change materially their business relationship with respect to the
Business following the Closing.
5.6 Material Contracts.
(a) Except for the Contracts disclosed in and attached to
Schedule 5.6 and Contracts with customers disclosed in Schedule 5.5, with
respect to the Business, Seller is neither a party to nor bound by, nor are the
Assets or Business subject to:
(i) any lease of real or personal property providing
for annual rentals of $10,000 or more;
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(ii) any Contract for the purchase of materials,
supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets providing for annual
payments by Seller of $50,000 or more;
(iii) any sales, distribution or other similar
agreement providing for the sale by Seller of materials, supplies, goods,
services, equipment or other assets that provides for annual payments to Seller
of $50,000 or more;
(iv) any partnership, joint venture or other similar
arrangement or agreement;
(v) any Contract relating to Indebtedness, except
Contracts relating to Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business
in an amount not exceeding $10,000;
(vi) any license agreement, franchise agreement or
agreement in respect of similar rights granted to or held by Seller;
(vii) any agency, dealer, sales representative or
other similar Contract;
(viii) any Contract that substantially limits the
freedom of Seller to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in
any area or to own, operate, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of or
encumber any Asset or which would so limit the freedom of Purchaser after the
Closing Date;
(ix) any Contract that is or relates to an agreement
with, or for the benefit of, any affiliate of Seller including the Shareholders;
or
(x) any other Contract not made in the ordinary
course of business that is material to the Business.
(b) Each Contract disclosed in any Schedule to this
Agreement or required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 5.6(a) is a valid and
binding agreement of Seller and is in full force and effect, and neither Seller
nor, to the Knowledge of Seller or either Shareholder, any other party thereto
is in default in the performance of any material obligation under the terms of
any such Contract, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller or either Shareholder, has
any event or circumstance occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute any event of default as defined in any such Contract.
5.7 Third-Party Consents. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.7,
neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions
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contemplated hereunder, including without limitation the transfer of the Assets,
requires the approval or consent of any Person, Authority, or any party to any
Contract with Seller.
5.8 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.8, (i) no
Claim is pending against or on behalf of Seller or, to the Knowledge of Seller
or either of the Shareholders, threatened against or affecting Seller, the
Business or any Asset, and to the Knowledge of Seller and each of the
Shareholders, there is no basis for any such Claim, and (ii) no Claim is pending
on behalf of Seller.
5.9 Employee Matters.
(a) Schedule 5.9 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
forth the name and compensation of each employee of Seller (including all
bonuses, commissions, benefits, and entitlements). None of the employees of
Seller has indicated that he or she intends to resign or retire, or otherwise
intends not to accept any offer of employment by Purchaser on substantially the
same terms and conditions as his or her current employment.
(b) With respect to all employees and former
employees, except as set forth on Schedule 5.9, Seller presently neither
maintains, contributes to nor has any liability (including current or potential
multi-employer plan withdrawal liability) under any (i) non-qualified deferred
compensation or retirement plan or arrangement which is an "employee pension
benefit plan" as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), (ii) qualified defined
contribution retirement plan, (iii) qualified defined benefit pension plan, (iv)
funded or unfunded medical, health or life insurance plan or arrangement for
present or future retirees or present or future terminated employees which is an
employee welfare benefit plan as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, or (v) any
other employee welfare benefit plan. The qualified employee pension benefit
plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA are referred to herein as the
"Pension Plans" and the employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section
3(1) of ERISA) are referred to herein as the "Welfare Plans". Pension Plans and
Welfare Plans are referred to collectively as "Plans".
(c) The Plans comply in all material respects with
the applicable requirements of ERISA. The Pension Plans meet the requirements of
"Qualified Plans" under Section 401(a) of IRC, and each such plan has received a
favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. All required
contributions, reports and descriptions have been made, filed or distributed
with respect to the Pension Plans. There have been no prohibited transactions as
defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC.
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(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9 of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller has no collective bargaining agreements, and there
are no strikes, work stoppages, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened
strikes or work stoppages, nor any demands for collective bargaining by any
union or labor organization.
5.10 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule
5.10 to the Disclosure Schedule, the operations of Seller comply and have at all
times complied in all material respects with all applicable Requirements of Law
concerning environmental health and safety. Seller has obtained all
environmental, health and safety Permits necessary for its operations and all
such Permits are in good standing, and Seller is in all material respects in
compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits. Seller is, in all
material respects, in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits.
Seller has not been notified that any of its present or past operations is the
subject of any investigation by any governmental authority evaluating whether
any remedial action is required nor has it needed to respond to or file any
notice with respect to a Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the
environment. Neither Seller nor, to the best Knowledge of Seller, has any agent
(other than Seller's vendors, with respect to which Seller makes no
representation or warranty under this Section 5.10) or subcontractor of Seller,
Released or permitted the Release of any Contaminants from the Premises or any
premises previously occupied by Seller in violation of any requirement of law.
5.11 Authorization and Enforceability. Seller has full
capacity, power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and the
other agreements contemplated hereby and to carry out the transactions
contemplated hereby, and all such agreements have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporation and other action and are binding upon Seller and
enforceable against Seller in accordance with their terms. The execution,
delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement does not and will not: (i)
result in a breach, default or event of default (with due notice, lapse of time
or both) under any Contract to which Seller or any of the Assets is subject (a
"Seller Contract or Permit"), (ii) conflict with the provisions of any
Requirement of Law or any Seller Contract or Permit, (iii) result in the
creation of a Lien upon the Assets, or (iv) to the best Knowledge of Seller or
any Shareholder, give any third party the right to amend, terminate, or
accelerate any obligation under a Seller Contract or Permit.
5.12 Insurance. Seller currently has insurance Contracts or
policies in full force and effect which provide for coverages that are usual and
customary as to amount and scope in respect to Seller's businesses. Schedule
5.12 contains a list of all insurance coverages and fidelity bonds currently
maintained by Seller, and copies of all such policies and bonds are attached.
All premiums payable under such policies and bonds have been paid, and Seller is
otherwise in compliance with
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the terms thereof. There is no Claim under any such policy or bond as to which
coverage has been questioned, denied, or disputed. Such policies and bonds (or
other substantially similar coverages) have been in effect since January 1,
1991.
5.13 Banking Arrangements. Schedule 5.13 of the
Disclosure Schedule lists all bank accounts and the authorized signatories with
respect to each such account.
5.14 Taxes Through Closing. All federal, state and local tax
returns required by law to be filed prior to the Closing Date by Seller have
been filed, and Seller has paid all taxes required to be paid in respect of the
periods covered by the tax returns. All money required to be withheld by Seller
from the wages or salaries of its employees for income tax, Social Security and
unemployment taxes has been withheld, and either paid to the proper tax
receiving Authority or set aside in accounts for such purpose, or accrued,
reserved against, and entered upon the books of Seller.
5.15 Inventory. The Inventories set forth in the Balance Sheet
were properly stated therein at the lower of cost or fair market value and
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals. Except
as set forth in Schedule 5.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, all raw materials,
work-in-process, finished goods, and other items of inventory of Seller are of a
quality and quantity usable and salable in the ordinary and usual course of
business, and none of the inventory is obsolete or will become obsolete within
twelve (12) months from the Closing Date based upon the obsolescence criteria
consistently applied by Seller, which criteria are in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principals and are described on Schedule 5.15 of the
Disclosure Schedule. Since the date of the Balance Sheet, all inventories have
been maintained in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices, and all inventories are in quantities sufficient for the normal
operation of the Business. Inventory existing as of the Closing Date shall be
liquidated by Sheldon Goldman for a price to be determined by Mr. Goldman in his
sole discretion.
5.16 Product Warranties. There are no express warranties
applicable to products sold by Seller, except as disclosed on Schedule 5.16 of
the Disclosure Schedule. Schedule 5.16 also summarizes all warranty or product
liability claims that have been asserted against Seller during the five (5)
years preceding the date of this Agreement.
5.17 Related Businesses. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.17
of the Disclosure Schedule, no shareholder or key employee of Seller is
presently an owner, shareholder, creditor, director, agent, consultant or
employee of any business entity engaged in a business that acts as a supplier of
any goods or
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services to Seller or any part of which is in actual or potential competition
with Seller.
5.18 Permits. Seller has all Permits necessary for Seller to
carry on its business as presently conducted, and all such Permits are
identified on Schedule 5.18 of the Disclosure Schedule and are in full force and
effect and have been complied with in all material respects. All fees and
charges incident to such Permits have been fully paid and are current and, to
the best of Seller's Knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of any Permit has
been threatened or could result by reason of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
5.19 Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedule 5.19 contains a list of all patents,
trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, licenses, applications for
patents, and inventions use by Seller in the operation of its Business. Such
items, together with Seller's trade secrets, know-how, proprietary processes and
formulae, and other intellectual property rights (the "Intellectual Property")
comprise all the Intellectual Property used in the operation of Seller's
business, and except as set forth on Schedule 5.19, Seller owns or otherwise has
rights or licenses to use all such Intellectual Property subject only to the
restrictions described on Schedule 5.19.
(b) Schedule 5.19 contains a list of the
Intellectual Property of Seller which has been duly registered in, filed in, or
issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States
Register of Copyrights or the corresponding offices of other countries, states
or other jurisdictions (the "Registers"). Neither Seller nor either Shareholder
has any Knowledge (i) of an adverse claim of ownership by any third party of any
of the Intellectual Property, (ii) of any invalidity or unenforceability of any
of the Intellectual Property, (iii) of any act of fraud or inequitable conduct
committed on the Registers, or (iv) any infringement by any other Person of any
of the Intellectual Property. Seller has not entered into any agreement to
indemnity another Person against claims of infringement with respect to the
Intellectual Property.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19, use of the
Intellectual Property by the Seller does not require the consent of any third
party, and the same are freely transferable and are owned exclusively by the
Seller free and clear of any Liens, royalties, encumbrances, adverse claims or
any other ownership interest whatsoever.
(d) The best Knowledge of Seller and any of the
Shareholders, except as set forth on Schedule 5.19, there are no Claims,
actions, or proceedings pending, or to Seller's Knowledge threatened, by or
against the
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Seller with respect to its Intellectual Property or the intellectual property
rights of another Person. In addition, Seller's use of the Intellectual Property
in its Business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted will not
infringe any trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents or
other intellectual property rights of another Person.
(e) Schedule 5.19 contains a list of license
agreements and other Contracts currently being negotiated for and on behalf of
the Seller with any third parties related to any of the Intellectual Property.
5.20 Compliance with Laws. Seller has not violated, and is not
in violation of, any Requirement of Law or Regulation. Seller is not subject to,
nor has it been threatened with, any fine, penalty, liability or disability as
the result of a failure to comply with any Requirement of Law or Regulation
(including those relating to the employment of labor and occupational health and
safety) or any requirement of any Authority having jurisdiction over Seller, the
conduct of its Business, the use of its assets and properties, or any of its
premises, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no Authority is conducting or
contemplating any investigation of Seller or the Business with respect to any
alleged or possible violation of any Requirement of Law.
5.21 Absence of Changes. Since December 31, 1996, Seller has
conducted the Business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices,
and there has not been:
(a) any Material Adverse Change or any event,
occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;
(b) any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by
Seller of any Indebtedness for borrowed money with respect to the Business other
than in the ordinary course of business and in amounts and on terms consistent
with past practices;
(c) any creation or other incurrence of any Lien on
any Asset other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices;
(d) any damage, destruction or other casualty loss
(whether or not covered by insurance) affecting the Business or any Asset that,
individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect;
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(e) any transaction, contract, agreement or other
instrument entered into, or commitment made, by Seller relating to the Business
or any Asset (including the acquisition or disposition of any assets) or any
relinquishment by Seller of any contract or other right, in either case other
than transactions and commitments in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices and those contemplated by this Agreement;
(f) any change in any method of accounting or
accounting practice by Seller with respect to the Business;
(g) any (i) grant of any severance or termination
pay to any employee of the Business, (ii) entering into any employment, deferred
compensation or other similar agreement (or any amendment to any such existing
agreement) with any employee of the Business, (iii) increase in benefits payable
under any existing severance or termination pay policies or employment
agreements or (iv) increase in compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to
employees of the Business, other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(h) any labor dispute, other than routine individual
grievances, or any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative
thereof to organize any employees of the Business, or any lockouts, strikes,
slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such
employees;
(i) any capital expenditure, or commitment for a
capital expenditure, for additions or improvements to property, plant and
equipment.
5.22 No Broker or Finder. Seller has retained no broker in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or has dealt
with no broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement which would create an entitlement by any Person to a finders' or
brokers' fee.
5.23 Questionable Payments. Neither Seller, nor any affiliate,
director, officer, agent, employee of Seller, nor to the Knowledge of Seller or
either Shareholder, any other Person acting on behalf of Seller has directly or
indirectly made any payments to third parties in violation of any Requirement of
Law related to trade practices.
5.24 Business Relationships. Except as set forth on Schedule
5.24, since January 1, 1997, no customer, supplier of goods or services, lessor,
lender, licensor, licensee, distributor or other Person with whom Seller does
business has terminated or modified its business relationship with Seller to
Seller's disadvantage, or indicated an intention or threatened to do so, as a
result of the transactions
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contemplated by this Agreement where such actual or prospective termination or
modification has had or might have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.25 Accuracy of Statements. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the exhibits, schedules, written statements, documents, certificates or other
items furnished to Purchaser by or on behalf of Seller with respect to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits a material fact necessary to make each statement
contained herein or therein not misleading.
6. Representations and Warranties of Purchaser. Purchaser represents
and warrants to Seller that the following statements are true and correct as of
the date hereof and will be true and correct on the Closing Date as though made
on such date:
6.1 Organization and Standing of Purchaser. Purchaser is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of Washington with all requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted and to own, operate and lease its
property and assets.
6.2 Authorization and Enforceability. Purchaser has full
capacity, power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to
carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement is binding
upon Purchaser and is enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its
terms. The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement
does not and will not: (i) result in a breach, default or event of default (with
due notice, lapse of time or both) under any Contract to which Purchaser is
subject (a "Purchaser Contract"), (ii) conflict with the provisions of any
Requirement of Law or any Purchaser Contract, or (iii) give any third party the
right to accelerate any obligation under a Purchaser Contract.
6.3 No Broker or Finder. Purchaser has retained no broker in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or has dealt
with no broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement which would create an entitlement by any Person to a finders' or
brokers' fee.
7. Pre-Closing Covenants. Seller covenants to and agrees with Purchaser
as follows:
7.1 Noncompetition.
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(a) Seller agrees that for a period of three (3)
full years from the Closing Date, Seller shall not (i) engage, either directly
or indirectly, as a principal or for its own account or solely or jointly with
others, or as stockholders in any corporation or joint stock association, in any
business that competes with the Business as it exists on the Closing Date
throughout the world, (ii) except with the prior written consent of Purchaser,
employ or solicit, or receive or accept the performance of services by, any
employee of Seller hired by Purchaser, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce or
solicit any customer, supplier or other Person with a business relationship with
Seller or Purchaser not to do business with Purchaser or to alter its
relationship with Purchaser to the detriment of Purchaser.
(b) If any provision contained in this Section 7.1
shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provisions of this Section 7.1, but this Section 7.1 shall be construed as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein. It is the intention of the parties that if any of the restrictions or
covenants contained herein is held to cover a geographic area or to be for a
length of time that is not permitted by applicable law, or in any way construed
to be too board or to any extent invalid, such provision shall not be construed
to be null, void and of no effect, but to the extent such provisions would be
valid or enforceable under applicable law, a court of competent jurisdiction
shall construe and interpret or reform this Section 7.1 so that it complies with
and is enforceable under applicable law.
7.2 Use of Sungold Name. Seller and Shareholders agree that
after the Closing Date, neither Seller nor Shareholder nor any of their
affiliates will use the name "Sungold Enterprises," "Sungold I-Wear" or "Sungold
Eyewear" or any derivations thereof, or any other trade name, trademark or
service mark used in the operation of the Business. On or immediately following
the Closing Date, Seller shall change its corporate name to a name which does
not use the term Sungold Enterprises, Sungold I-Wear, or Sungold Eyewear or any
derivation thereof and will deliver evidence of such change to Purchaser.
8. Mutual Covenants of the Parties.
8.1 Key Employment Contract. At Closing, Purchaser
and Sheldon Goldman shall enter into the Employment Agreement.
8.2 Seller's Employees.
(a) Except for the employment agreements of Scott
Davidoff and Jeff Halpern which are being assumed by Purchaser at Closing,
immediately prior to the Closing, Seller shall terminate all employees of the
Business. If required
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in the circumstances, Seller shall be responsible for and shall comply with the
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
(b) On the Closing Date, Purchaser shall offer employment to all
active employees of the Business, provided that Purchaser may terminate at any
time after the Closing Date the employment of any employee who accepts such
offer. Any such offers shall be at such salary or wage and benefit levels and on
such other terms and conditions as Purchaser shall in its sole discretion deem
appropriate. Seller shall cooperate with Purchaser's efforts to hire such
employees. Purchaser shall not assume responsibility for any such employee until
such employee commences employment with Purchaser.
8.4 Remittances. Following the Closing, Seller agrees to promptly turn
over to Purchaser upon receipt, all remittances received by Seller which are
associated with or relate to the Assets and Business being purchased by
Purchaser.
8.5 Release of Liens on Assets. Prior to or as of the Closing, Seller
shall have repaid any Indebtedness as required to obtain a release of any and
all Liens against the Assets, and at Closing the Assets shall be transferred to
Purchaser free and clear of all Liens.
8.6 Access to Accounting Records. After Closing, Purchaser shall
provide Seller with all reasonable access to the books of account and other
accounting records related to the Business as may be reasonably required in the
preparation of Seller's tax returns and in Seller's review of the calculation of
the Royalty Payments.
8.7 Reasonable Efforts; Further Assurances.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
party will use its reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken, all actions
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or desirable under
applicable laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. Seller and Purchaser each agree to execute and deliver such
other documents, certificates, agreements, and other writings and to take such
other actions as may be necessary or desirable to consummate or implement
expeditiously the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to vest in
Purchaser good and marketable title to the Assets.
(b) Seller hereby constitutes and appoints, effective as of the
Closing Date, Purchaser and its successors and assigns as the true and lawful
attorney of Seller with full power of substitution in the name of Purchaser or
in the name of Seller, but for the benefit of Purchaser, (i) to collect for the
account of
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Purchaser any items of Assets, (ii) to institute and prosecute all proceedings
that Purchaser may in its sole discretion deem proper to assert or enforce any
right, title or interest in, to or under the Assets, and (iii) to defend or
compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of the Assets,
except with respect to those obligations against which Seller has indemnified
Purchaser hereunder. Purchaser shall be entitled to retain for its own account
any amounts collected pursuant to the foregoing powers, including any amounts
payable as interest in respect thereof.
8.8 Certain Filings. Seller and Purchaser shall cooperate with
one another (i) in determining whether any action by or in respect of, or filing
with, any Authority is required, or any actions, consents, approvals or waivers
are required to be obtained from parties to any material Contracts, in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and (ii) in taking such actions or making any such filings,
furnishing information required in connection therewith and seeking timely to
obtain any such actions, consents, approvals or waivers.
8.9 Bulk Transfer. To the extent that the sale of the Assets in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement are subject to the Uniform
Commercial Code of New York Bulk Transfer laws, Purchaser acknowledges that
Seller will not comply with such laws with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and waives its right to require Seller to comply
with such requirement in consideration of the indemnity obligations of Seller
and Shareholders set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.
8.10 Balance Sheets Substantially Similar. (i) the amount for
fixed assets, (ii) the amount for prepaid expenses, (iii) the sum of cash and
receivables, and (iv) the inventory less liabilities to be assumed pursuant to
Section 3.5 hereof as shown on a balance sheet for Seller dated as of the
Closing Date shall be substantially similar to amounts shown for the same items
on the Balance Sheet. For purposes of this Section, "substantially similar"
shall mean that the line item amounts set forth in (i) through (iv) in the
preceding sentence as of the Closing Date shall not be less than such amounts as
shown on the Balance Sheet. If such amounts are not substantially similar, then
the Purchase Price shall be decreased (but not increased) in proportion, dollar
for dollar, to any deficiency.
9. Conditions Precedent to Purchaser' Obligations. The obligation of
Purchaser to purchase the Assets and to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement are subject to fulfillment of the following conditions at or
prior to the Closing Date (unless waived in writing by Purchaser):
9.1 Representations and Performance. The representations and
warranties made by Seller hereunder shall be true and correct in all material
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respects at and as of Closing, and Seller shall have performed and complied in
all material respects with all agreements, covenants and conditions contained in
this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by Seller prior to or
at Closing;
9.2 No Adverse Change. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, there
shall have been no Material Adverse Change in the condition, business or
operations, financial or otherwise, of the Business or Assets from the date of
this Agreement to the Closing Date;
9.3 Opinion of Counsel. Purchaser shall have received an opinion of
Richard Kraslow, counsel for Seller, dated as of the Closing Date substantially
in the form of the attached Exhibit 9.3;
9.4 Seller's Certificate. Purchaser shall have received a certificate
substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit 9.4 signed by Seller and dated
as of the Closing Date to the effect that all representations, covenants and
warranties made in this Agreement by Seller were on the date of this Agreement
and are on the Closing Date true and correct in all respects and that Seller has
performed in all respects the obligations, agreements, and covenants undertaken
by Seller in this Agreement to be performed on or prior to the Closing Date;
9.5 Litigation. On the Closing Date, there shall not be any pending or
threatened litigation in any court or any proceedings by or before any Authority
with a view to seeking, or in which it is sought, to restrain or prohibit the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in which it
is sought to obtain divestiture, rescission or damages in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no investigation by any
Authority shall be pending or threatened which might result in any such
litigation or other proceeding;
9.6 License Agreement with Stussy, Inc. As of the Closing Date, the
Amended and Restated License Agreement dated April 10, 1997, by and between
Stussy, Inc. and Seller with respect to use of the Stussy(R) trademark in the
form attached to Schedule 5.6 (the "Stussy License") will be in full force and
effect, and Stussy, Inc. shall have consented to the assignment of the Stussy
License to Purchaser;
9.7 Discharge of Indebtedness; Release of Liens Against the Assets.
Seller shall have paid and discharged any Indebtedness the repayment of which is
secured by a Lien against the Assets, and all such Liens against the Assets
shall have been fully released;
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9.8 Necessary Consents; Notices. All authorizations, consents and
approvals by any third parties, including any Authority, which are necessary in
the reasonable opinion of Purchaser for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received and shall be in full
force and effect;
9.9 Documents to be Delivered. Seller shall have delivered all
such resolutions, certificates, documents or other instruments with respect to
Seller and the Assets as Purchaser and Purchaser's counsel may reasonably
request to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
10. Conditions Precedent to Seller's Obligations. The obligation of
Seller to sell the Assets and to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to fulfillment of the following conditions at or
prior to the Closing Date (unless waived in writing by Seller):
10.1 Representations and Performance. The representations and
warranties made by Purchaser hereunder shall be true and correct in all material
respects at and as of Closing, and Purchaser shall have performed and complied
in all material respects with all agreements, covenants and conditions contained
in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by Purchaser prior
to or at Closing;
10.2 Opinion of Counsel. Seller shall have received an opinion of
Cynthia Pope, counsel for Purchaser, dated the Closing Date substantially in the
form of the attached Exhibit 10.2;
10.3 Purchaser's' Certificate. Seller shall have received a
certificate substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit 10.3, signed by
Seller and dated as of the Closing Date to the effect that all representations,
covenants and warranties made in this Agreement by Purchaser were on the date of
this Agreement and are on the Closing Date true and correct in all respects and
that Purchaser has performed in all respects the obligations, agreements, and
covenants undertaken by Purchaser in this Agreement to be performed on or prior
to the Closing Date;
10.4 Employment Agreement. Purchaser shall have executed and
delivered to Sheldon Goldman the Employment Agreement;
10.5 Consideration and Documents to be Delivered. Purchaser shall
have delivered to Seller the cash portion of the Purchase Price due at Closing
and shall have delivered all such resolutions, certificates, documents or other
instruments with respect to Purchaser as Seller and Seller's counsel may
reasonably request to carry out the purposes of this Agreement; and
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10.6 Royalty Agreement. Purchaser shall have executed and
delivered to Seller the Royalty Agreement.
11. Termination.
11.1 Who May Terminate. This Agreement may be terminated and the
transactions contemplated hereunder may be abandoned at any time:
(a) by mutual consent of Seller and Purchaser;
(b) by either Seller or Purchaser, if this Agreement is not
closed on or before May 15, 1997; provided, however, (i) if the party desiring
to terminate has breached or defaulted in any material respect with regard to
its respective obligations under this Agreement on or before such date, or if
all conditions to such terminating party's obligation to close have been
satisfied, such party may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section,
and the other party to this Agreement shall at its option enforce its rights
against the breaching or defaulting party and seek any remedies against such
party as provided hereunder and by applicable law. The breaching or defaulting
party shall be responsible for reimbursing all out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by the other party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby in
addition to any liability for any other remedies available to the non-defaulting
party;
(c) by Purchaser, at its option, if as of the Closing Date any of
the conditions specified in Section 9 hereof has not been satisfied in any
material respect or if the Seller is otherwise in default in any material
respect under this Agreement, after 15 days prior written notice to Seller and
Seller's opportunity within such 15-day period to cure, provided, however, if
Purchaser elects to terminate this Agreement under this Section, Purchaser may
enforce its rights against Seller and seek any remedies against Seller, as
provided hereunder and by applicable law; or
(d) by Seller, at its option, if as of the Closing Date any of
the conditions specified in Section 10 hereof has not been satisfied in any
material respect or if Purchaser is otherwise in default in any material respect
under this Agreement, after 15 days prior written notice to Purchaser and
Purchaser's opportunity with such 15-day period to cure, provided, however, if
Seller elects to terminate this Agreement under this Section, Seller may enforce
its rights against Purchaser and seek any remedies against Purchaser, as
provided hereunder and by applicable law.
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11.2 Effectiveness of Termination. Termination of this Agreement
and abandonment of the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be deemed
effective on the date mutually agreed upon by the parties, or, in the event of
termination by unilateral action, on the date specified in a written notice to
the other party.
12. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties of Seller and Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall survive
the Closing Date and (i) with respect to those representations and warranties
made under Sections 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.11, 5.13, 5.15, 5.24 shall continue in full
force and effect until the first anniversary of the Closing Date, and (ii) with
respect to those representations and warranties made under Sections 5.1, 5.2,
5.3, 5.4, 5.9, 5.12, 5.14, 5.16 through 5.23, inclusive, and 5.25 shall continue
in full force and effect until the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and
(iii) with respect to those representations and warranties made under Sections
5.8 and 5.10 shall continue without limitation as to time.
13. Indemnification by Seller and Shareholders.
13.1 Indemnity. From and after the Closing Date, Seller and
Shareholders, jointly and severally, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Purchaser from and against and shall reimburse Purchaser for any and all losses,
liabilities, deficiencies, Claims and expenses (including, but not limited to,
costs of defense and reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by Purchaser arising
from or in connection with (i) any breach by Seller of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement, (ii) any failure to comply with any law relating to
the transfer of goods in bulk, including the New York Uniform Commercial Code --
Bulk Transfers, (iii) any misrepresentation or breach of any of the
representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement, (iv) any
liability or loss that is not an Assumed Liability, (v) the litigation against
Seller under action entitled Elite Marketing, Ltd. v. Sungold Enterprises, Ltd.
pending in the Supreme Court of the state of New York, County of Nassau, under
index number 28086-95, or (vi) the litigation against Seller under action
entitled Stanley Schleger and Sansafe Incorporated vs. Adam Kaufer and Sungold
International Limited, d/b/a/ Sungold I-Wear, pending in the Supreme Court of
the state of New York, County of Nassau, under index number 96-28475, or arising
from any of the facts or circumstances which are the subject of the ligitation,
or arising from the employment by Seller of Adam Kaufer or from his services to
Seller.
13.2 Basket. Neither Seller nor the Shareholders shall be
obligated to indemnify Purchaser under Section 13.1 hereof, except and to the
extent that claims for indemnification exceed in the aggregate the sum of One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000),except that there shall be no basket, and
Purchaser
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<PAGE> 27
shall be entitled to complete indemnification for any and all loss, cost,
damage, liability, obligation, expense or deficiency arising from or relating to
(i) any failure of Seller to comply with the provisions of Section 7 hereof or a
breach of the representations made by Seller under Section 5.8 hereof.
13.3 Right of Off-Set. Purchaser shall have the right to offset
against any Royalty Payments due Seller, any losses incurred or amounts paid by
Purchaser with respect to Seller's indemnity obligations under Subsection 13.1
hereof.
14. Indemnification by Purchaser. From and after the Closing Date,
Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller from and against and
shall reimburse Seller for any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies, Claims
and expenses (including, but not limited to, costs of defense and reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by Seller arising from or in connection with (i) any
breach by Purchaser of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement,
(ii) any misrepresentation or breach of any of the representations and
warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement, (iii) any liability or loss
that is an Assumed Liability.
15. Miscellaneous Provisions.
15.1 Amendment and Modification. Prior to the Closing Date this
Agreement may be amended, modified and supplemented or any provision waived only
by written agreement, executed by Seller and Purchaser.
15.2 Attorneys' Fees. If it shall be necessary for either Seller
or Purchaser to employ an attorney to enforce its rights pursuant to this
Agreement because of the default of the other party, the defaulting party shall
reimburse the non-defaulting party for reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.
15.3 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Any failure of Seller on the
one hand, or Purchaser on the other hand, to comply with any obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition herein, may be waived in writing as provided in
Section 15.1 hereof, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance
with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a
waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent by or on behalf of any party
hereto, such consent shall be given in writing.
15.4 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given by: (a) hand delivery; (b) first-class registered or certified mail with
postage prepaid, (c) overnight receipted courier service, or (d) telephonically
confirmed
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facsimile transmission, which notice is addressed to the party at the
address set forth below, or such other address as may hereafter be designated in
writing by the party. Notices given in accordance with this Section shall be
effective upon receipt or when receipt is refused.
IF TO SELLER, TO:
Sungold Enterprise, ltd.
2095 New Highway
Farmingdale, New York 11735
Attn: Sheldon Goldman, President
Tel: 516-752-8900
Fax: 516-752-8928
with a copy to:
Richard Kraslow, P.C.
425 Broad Hollow Road, Ste. 203
Melville, New York 11747
Tel: 516-756-8300
Fax: 516-756-3684
IF TO PURCHASER, TO:
Gargoyles, Inc.
5866 South 194th Street
Kent, Washington 98032
Attn: Douglas B. Hauff, President and CEO
Tel: 206-872-6100 Ext. 3400
Fax: 206-872-3317
with a copy to:
Cynthia L. Pope, Esq.
114 West Magnolia
Fourth Floor
Bellingham, Washington 98225
Tel: 360-671-5939
Fax: 360-671-5931
15.5 Assignment; Form of Transaction. This Agreement and all of the
provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
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<PAGE> 29
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be
assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other.
15.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the
internal law of the state of New York as to all matters, including but not
limited to matters of validity, construction, effect and performance.
15.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
15.8 Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
15.9 Exhibits and Schedules. The exhibits and schedules attached
hereto are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
15.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits
and schedules hereto and the documents, certificates and instruments referred to
herein, embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements, representations, warranties, promises, covenants,
arrangements, communications and understandings, oral or written, express or
implied, between the parties with respect to such transactions. There are no
agreements, representations, warranties, promises, covenants, arrangements or
understandings between the parties with respect to such transactions, other than
those expressly set forth or referred to herein.
5.11 Expenses. Each party to this Agreement shall bear his or its
own expenses in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby. Such expenses of Seller
shall be Excluded Liabilities.
16. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them below.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph
hereof.
"Allocation Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.3 hereof.
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<PAGE> 30
"Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1 hereof.
"Assumed Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b)
hereof.
"Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4
hereof.
"Authority" means any governmental, regulatory or administrative body,
agency or authority, any court or judicial authority, any public, private or
industry regulatory authority, whether international, national, Federal, state
or local or otherwise, or any similarly empowered Person.
"Claim" means any claim, lawsuit, demand, suit, inquiry, hearing,
investigation, notice of a violation, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, or
other dispute, whether civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise.
"Closing" and shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
"Contaminant" means any waste, pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic
substance, hazardous waste, special waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived
substance or waste, or any constituent of any such substance or waste,
including, without limitation, any such substance regulated under any
Environmental Law.
"Contract" means any agreement, contract, commitment, instrument or
other binding arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral, and all
amendments thereto, whether written or oral.
"Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1
hereof.
"Environmental Law" means any and all present or future federal, state
and local environmental laws, including but not limited to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. ss.9601 et
seq.), the Hazardous Material Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. ss.1801 et seq.),
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. ss.6901 et seq.), the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. ss.1251 et seq.), the Clean Air
Act (42 U.S.C. ss.7401 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29
U.S.C. ss.651 et seq.), and the Washington Model Toxics Control Act, as such
laws have been amended or supplemented, and the regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto, and any other present or future federal, state or local environmental
Regulations.
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<PAGE> 31
"Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means all liabilities,
obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, losses, damages, punitive
damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including,
without limitation, all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel,
expert and consulting fees and costs of investigation and feasibility studies),
fines, penalties, monetary sanctions and interest, direct or indirect, known or
unknown, absolute or contingent, past, present or future, resulting from any
Claim or demand, by any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or
express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, including any
Environmental Law, Permit, Environmental Lien, Order or agreement with any
Authority, arising from environmental, health or safety conditions, or the
Release or threatened Release of a Contaminant into the environment, as a result
of past, present or future operations of the Company or as a result of past,
present or future ownership or use of property by the Company.
"Environmental Lien" means any Lien in favor of any Authority for
Environmental Liabilities and Costs.
"ERISA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b) hereof.
"Excluded Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 hereof.
"Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5
hereof.
"Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3
hereof.
"Guarantee" means any guarantee or other contingent liability (other
than any endorsement for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business), direct or indirect with respect to any obligations of another Person,
through an agreement or otherwise, including, without limitation, (a) any other
endorsement or discount with recourse or undertaking substantially equivalent to
or having economic effect similar to a guaranty in respect of any such
obligations and (b) any Contract (i) to purchase or to advance or supply funds
for the payment or purchase of any such obligations, (ii) to purchase, sell or
lease property, products, materials or supplies, or transportation or services,
in respect of enabling such other Person to pay any such obligation or to assure
the owner thereof against loss regardless of the delivery or nondelivery of the
property, products, materials or supplies of transportation or services or (iii)
to make any loan, advance or capital contribution to or other investment in or
to otherwise provide funds to or for such other Person in respect of enabling
such Person to satisfy an obligation (including any liability for a dividend,
stock liquidation payment or expense) or to assure a minimum equity, working
capital or other balance sheet condition in respect of any such obligation.
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<PAGE> 32
"Business" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph A hereof.
"Indebtedness" with respect to any Person means any obligation of such
Person for borrowed money, and in any event shall include (i) any obligation
incurred for all or any part of the purchase price of property or other assets
or for the cost of property or other assets constructed or of improvements
thereto, other than accounts payable included in current liabilities and
incurred in respect of property purchased in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such
Person and all drafts drawn thereunder, (iii) obligations (whether or not such
Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation) secured
by Liens, (iv) Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (v) all Guarantees of such
Person.
"IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.19(a).
"Knowledge" means with respect to Seller, the actual current collective
knowledge of Sheldon Goldman, Lionel Goldman and Craig Fels, employees of
Seller, together with such knowledge that such persons should have obtained
after diligent inquiry concerning the subject matter, including without
limitation, inquiry of those officers and employees of, and appropriate advisers
and consultants to, such party who have responsibility for, or would be
reasonably expected to have knowledge of, the subject matter as to which
Knowledge relates in the particular instance.
"Lien" means any security interest, lien, charge, mortgage, deed,
assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, easement, restriction or
interest of another Person of any kind or nature.
"Material Adverse Change" means any developments or changes which would
have a Material Adverse Effect.
"Material Adverse Effect" means any circumstances, developments,
occurrences, state of facts or matters which might reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect in respect of the Company's business, operations,
properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise), results, plans,
strategies or prospects.
"Net Income" means all revenues less all expenses.
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"Net Sales" means the actual invoice price for products less trade and
cash discounts, sales or similar transaction taxes, if any, freight charges if
not separately invoiced, and returns and allowances.
"Order" means any decree, order, injunction, rule, judgment or consent
of or by an Authority.
"Pension Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)
hereof.
"Person" means any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
organization, entity, Authority or natural person.
"Permit" means any permit, approval, authorization, license, variance,
or permission required from an Authority under an applicable Requirement of Law.
"Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b) hereof.
"Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
"Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph
hereof.
"Purchaser Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2
hereof.
"Registers" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.19(b) hereof.
"Regulation" means any law, code, statute, regulation, ordinance,
requirement, announcement or other binding or restrictive action or requirement
of or by an Authority.
"Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into
the indoor or outdoor environment or into or out of any property owned by the
Company, including the movement of Contaminants through or in the air, soil,
surface water, groundwater or property.
"Remedial Action" means all actions required to: (i) clean up, remove,
treat or in any other way address Contaminants in the indoor or outdoor
environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release or minimize the
further Release of Contaminants so that they do not migrate or endanger or
threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor
environment; or (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations and
post-remedial monitoring and care.
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"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the charter and bylaws or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any Regulation,
or Order, including without limitation the requirements of Environmental Laws,
in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or
to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
"Royalty Agreement" and "Royalty Payments" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
"Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in the opening paragraph
hereof.
"Seller Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11
hereof.
"Use Tax Return" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a)
hereof.
"Welfare Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)
hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Purchaser have made and entered into
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
SELLER:
SUNGOLD ENTERPRISES, LTD.,
a New York corporation
By /s/ Sheldon Goldman
--------------------------------
Sheldon Goldman, President
SHAREHOLDERS:
/s/ Sheldon Goldman
-----------------------------------
Sheldon Goldman
/s/ Lionel Goldman
-----------------------------------
Lionel Goldman
/s/ Lionel Goldman
-----------------------------------
Lionel Goldman, Trustee of the Lionel
Goldman Family Trust u/a dated 9/30/94
PURCHASER:
GARGOYLES, INC.,
a Washington corporation
By /s/ Steven R. Kingma
________________________________
Steven R. Kingma, Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer
Page 35
<PAGE> 1
[GARGOYLES LETTERHEAD]
NEWS
====
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Doug Hauff, Gargoyles
April 11, 1997 206-872-6100, x3400
Rich Scaglione, Buntin Public Relations
615-244-5720
GARGOYLES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SUNGOLD I-WEAR
KENT, Wash. -- Gargoyles Performance Eyewear (NASDAQ: GOYL) today completed
its acquisition of Sungold I-Wear, a Farmingdale, N.Y.-based manufacturer of
premium sunglasses.
Sungold manufactures two principal lines -- Stussy EyeGear, a successful
young men's fashion brand; and Anarchy Eyewear, a cutting-edge brand popular
with snowboarders, skateboarders and other alternative sports enthusiasts age
15-25.
According to Doug Hauff, president and CEO of Gargoyles, the acquisition of
Sungold represents a key step in the company's continuing growth strategy, and
elevates Gargoyles to the number-three position in domestic sunglass sales,
behind Bausch & Lomb and Oakley.
"We're extremely pleased to welcome Sungold to the Gargoyles family," said
Hauff. "This acquisition gives us entree into two new areas that will
incrementally grow our business by expanding our distribution channels. The
consumers served by the Stussy and Anarchy brands have been two important
targets for us."
Gargoyles will continue to look for additional acquisitions that are
consistent with its strategies, said Hauff.
Sungold, which was founded in 1955, becomes a Gargoyles subsidiary.
Stussy EyeGear is the only licensed brand of Stussy, Inc., a leading
designer and manufacturer of "streetwear" apparel and accessories featuring
styles that reflect everything from easy California living to the grit of inner
city culture. Stussy EyeGear offers a vast array of styles at price points
ranging from $60 to $120. Stussy also offers an up-and-coming women's eyewear
collection.
Anarchy Eyewear features a combination of cutting-edge styling and affordable
pricing. The brand's variety of fun, colorful and aggressive styles -- which
reflect Anarchy's "Altercation with the Norm" tag line --retail from $40 to $70.
A similarly styled women's line -- Angel Eyewear -- is also offered by Sungold.
Gargoyles Performance Eyewear, located in Kent, Wash., designs, manufactures
and markets a broad line of performance and outdoor-lifestyle-oriented
sunglasses, as well as protective eyewear, under the Gargoyles, Hobie and
Timberland brands. Gargoyles' net sales have grown from $6 million in 1992 to
more than $33 million in 1996.
##
<PAGE> 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Doug Hauff, Gargoyles
March 10, 1997 206-872-6100, x3400
Rich Scaglione, Buntin Public Relations
615-244-5720
GARGOYLES TO ACQUIRE SUNGOLD I-WEAR, CONTINUES STRONG GROWTH TREND
KENT, Wash. -- Gargoyles Performance Eyewear (NASDAQ: GOYL), continuing
its dramatic growth, has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire
Sungold I-Wear, a Farmingdale, N.Y.-based manufacturer of premium
sunglasses. The sale is expected to close in April.
Sungold manufactures two principal lines -- Stussy EyeGear, a successful
young men's fashion brand; and Anarchy Eyewear, a cutting-edge brand popular
with snowboarders, skateboarders and other alternative sports enthusiasts age
15-25.
The acquisition will allow Gargoyles, known for innovative styling,
leading-edge optics and a sports-oriented lifestyle image, to expand its
presence in the premium sunglass market by reaching new consumers, said Doug
Hauff, president and CEO of Gargoyles.
"This acquisition gives us entree into two new areas that will
incrementally grow our business," he said. "One of our key strategies is
to acquire brands that can expand our distribution channels. The consumers
served by the Stussy and Anarchy brands have been two important targets
for us."
The premium sunglass industry, with a domestic market of $1.7 billion in
retail revenues and an estimated annual growth rate of 7-10% -- is ripe for
consolidation, said Hauff.
"The demand from industry channels has grown to the point where many smaller
companies no longer have the manufacturing and distribution capabilities to
remain competitive," said Hauff. "The industry is looking for strong suppliers
and partners with new products and inventory necessary to keep up with the
growth in demand. The synergy of this acquisition makes sense for both
companies."
Gargoyles will continue to look for additional acquisitions that are
consistent with its strategies, said Hauff. "We believe Gargoyles can be a good
home for exciting brands with excellent growth opportunities," he explained.
(more)
<PAGE> 2
Gargoyles to Acquire Sungold I-Wear. . .
Page 2
Sungold, which will become a Gargoyles subsidiary, will benefit from
Gargoyles' existing infrastructure, particularly the company's growing
distribution channels, technological expertise and financial strength, said
Shelly Goldman, president of Sungold, which had been a family-run business since
it was founded in 1955.
"By joining forces with Gargoyles, Sungold now has the financial support to
grow our brands," said Goldman. "We reached a point where we had to merge with a
larger company to take our business to the next level. Gargoyles' success to
date, their exciting plans for the future and their experienced management team
made them the right choice for us."
Stussy EyeGear is the only licensed brand of Stussy, Inc., a leading designer
and manufacturer of "streetwear" apparel and accessories featuring styles that
reflect everything from easy California living to the grit of inner city
culture. Stussy EyeGear offers a vast array of styles at price points ranging
from $60 to $120. Stussy also offers an up-and-coming women's eyewear
collection.
Anarchy Eyewear features a combination of cutting-edge styling and affordable
pricing. The brand's variety of fun, colorful and aggressive styles -- which
reflect Anarchy's "Altercation with the Norm" tag line --retail from $40 to $70.
A similarly styled women's line -- Angel Eyewear --is also offered by Sungold.
Sungold also produces private label sunglass brands for a number of major
retailers.
According to Hauff, the acquisition of Sungold will elevate Gargoyles to the
number-three position in domestic premium eyewear sales, behind Bausch & Lomb
and Oakley. "Since 1992, we have achieved a compounded annual sales growth rate
of 51%, and this acquisition will allow us to build on that track record by
adding to our growing portfolio of quality brands," he said.
Net sales have grown from $6 million in 1992 to more than $33 million in
1996.
Gargoyles Performance Eyewear, founded in 1983 and based in Kent, Wash.,
offers a variety of products in the sports, fashion and traditional segments
within the premium sunglass market under the Gargoyles, Hobie and Timberland
brands.
Gargoyles is known for its patented dual lens toric curve design, which
allows sunglasses to match the contours of the face without sacrificing overall
optical clarity or introducing distortion, helping the eye to focus more easily.
Gargoyles' sports-oriented lifestyle image is supported by its celebrity
endorsement marketing initiatives. The company has established a roster of
marquee athletes to promote the brand and specific models, including Ken
Griffey, Jr. (baseball), Scottie Pippen (basketball), Dale Earnhardt (NASCAR
racing), Alexi Lalas (soccer) and Tommy Moe (skiing). Gargoyles also recently
announced that it will collaborate with golfing legend Jack Nicklaus on the
design of sunglasses specifically for use on the golf course.
Additionally, Gargoyles clear protective eyewear is worn exclusively on the
hit television series "ER."
##
