<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 10, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-24733
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DELAWARE 2321 13-2622036
<S> <C> <C>
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
</TABLE>
650 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 318-7000
(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
VICTOR COHEN, ESQ.
GENERAL COUNSEL
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
650 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 318-7000
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS)
------------------------
WITH COPIES TO:
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JAMES M. DUBIN, ESQ. VALERIE FORD JACOB, ESQ.
EDWIN S. MAYNARD, ESQ. FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON ONE NEW YORK PLAZA
1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6064 (212) 859-8000
(212) 373-3000
</TABLE>
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: AS SOON AS
PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
IF ANY OF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE TO BE OFFERED ON
A DELAYED OR CONTINUOUS BASIS PURSUANT TO RULE 415 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. [ ]
IF THIS FORM IS FILED TO REGISTER ADDITIONAL SECURITIES FOR AN OFFERING
PURSUANT TO RULE 462(b) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX
AND LIST THE SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF THE EARLIER
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SAME OFFERING. [ ]
- ---------
IF THIS FORM IS A POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 462(c)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX AND LIST THE SECURITIES ACT
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF THE EARLIER EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
FOR THE SAME OFFERING. [ ]
- ---------
IF DELIVERY OF THE PROSPECTUS IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 434,
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. [ ]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
OFFERING AGGREGATE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE PRICE PER OFFERING AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) UNIT(2) PRICE(2) REGISTRATION FEE(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01
per share........................... 33,925,000 $25 $848,125,000 $257,008
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 4,425,000 shares that may be issued upon exercise of over-allotment
options granted to the Underwriters.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to paragraph (o) of Rule 457 of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) This amount was previously paid.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 10, 1997
29,500,000 SHARES
[POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION LOGO]
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
------------------------
Of the 29,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered, 23,500,000 shares
are being offered hereby in the United States and 6,000,000 shares are being
offered in a concurrent international offering outside the United States. The
initial public offering price and the aggregate underwriting discount per share
will be identical for both Offerings. See "Underwriting".
Of the 29,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered, 9,400,000 shares
are being sold by the Company and 20,100,000 shares are being sold by the
Selling Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders". The Company will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
Selling Stockholders. Mr. Ralph Lauren, a Lauren Family Trust, and the GS Group,
consisting of affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co., are Selling Stockholders. Mr.
Lauren will receive approximately $151.3 million of the gross proceeds, based on
an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, from the sale of shares of
Class A Common Stock in the Offerings, the payment by the Company of a dividend
to Mr. Lauren and the repayment of certain indebtedness owed to Mr. Lauren and
related entities. A Lauren Family Trust will receive approximately $317.3
million of the gross proceeds, based on an initial public offering price of
$23.50 per share, from the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock in the
Offerings. The GS Group will receive approximately $71.0 million of the gross
proceeds, based on an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, from
the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offerings, and the repayment
of certain indebtedness owed to the GS Group. Distributions to be made to the
existing stockholders of all undistributed earnings of the Operating
Partnerships are expected to be in excess of such stockholders' tax liabilities
with respect to such entities. See "Use of Proceeds", "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" and "Principal and Selling Stockholders".
Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock entitles its
holder to one vote, whereas each share of Class B Common Stock entitles its
holder to ten votes. All of the shares of Class B Common Stock are held by
Lauren Family Members. After consummation of the Offerings, Lauren Family
Members will beneficially own shares of Class B Common Stock having
approximately 89.8% of the outstanding voting power of the Company's Common
Stock.
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the Class A
Common Stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price
per share will be between $22.00 and $25.00. For factors to be considered in
determining the initial public offering price, see "Underwriting".
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
The Class A Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to notice of
issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RL".
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO PROCEEDS TO SELLING
OFFERING PRICE DISCOUNT(1) COMPANY(2) STOCKHOLDERS
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Per Share................... $ $ $ $
Total(3).................... $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933. See "Underwriting".
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $5,000,000 payable by the Company.
(3) The Company and a Selling Stockholder have granted the U.S. Underwriters
options for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 3,525,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock at the initial public offering price per share, less
the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments. Additionally,
the Company and a Selling Stockholder have granted the International
Underwriters similar options with respect to an additional 900,000 shares as
part of the concurrent international offering. If such options are exercised
in full, the total initial public offering price, underwriting discount,
proceeds to Company and proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $ ,
$ , $ and $ , respectively. See "Underwriting".
------------------------
The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the U.S. Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that certificates
for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about
, 1997, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus is , 1997.
<PAGE> 3
[PHOTOS OF MODELS, PRODUCTS AND STORES.]
<PAGE> 4
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus, and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to
which it relates or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such
securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under
any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information contained
herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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Special Note Regarding Forward- Looking
Statements.......................... 4
Prospectus Summary.................... 5
Risk Factors.......................... 15
Reorganization and Related
Transactions........................ 22
Use of Proceeds....................... 24
Dividend Policy....................... 24
Capitalization........................ 26
Dilution.............................. 27
Selected Combined Financial Data...... 29
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information......................... 30
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations....................... 33
Business.............................. 41
Management............................ 65
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions........................ 79
Principal and Selling Stockholders.... 83
Description of Capital Stock.......... 84
Shares Eligible for Future Sale....... 91
Legal Matters......................... 92
Experts............................... 92
Additional Information................ 93
Index to Combined Financial
Statements.......................... F-1
Underwriting.......................... U-1
</TABLE>
------------------------
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERINGS MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE CLASS A COMMON
STOCK, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN
SUCH SECURITIES, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERINGS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING".
------------------------
Through and including , 1997 (the 25th day after the date
of this Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the Class A Common
Stock, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to
deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to
deliver a Prospectus when acting as Underwriters and with respect to their
unsold allotments or subscriptions.
3
<PAGE> 5
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus includes forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding, among other items, (i) the Company's anticipated growth strategies,
(ii) the Company's intention to introduce new products and enter into new
licensing alliances, (iii) the Company's plans to open new retail stores, (iv)
future expenditures for capital projects, and (v) the Company's ability to
continue to maintain its brand image and reputation. These forward-looking
statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's
control. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking
statements as a result of the facts described in "Risk Factors" including, among
others, (i) changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction
of new products or pricing changes by the Company's competitors, and (ii)
changes in the economy. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and
uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information
contained in this Prospectus will in fact transpire.
4
<PAGE> 6
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere
in this Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this
Prospectus (i) gives effect to the Reorganization and Trademark Acquisition (as
defined in "-- Reorganization and Related Transactions") and (ii) assumes the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are not exercised. As used in this
Prospectus, references to the "Company" or "Polo" mean Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, after giving effect to the Reorganization, including the transfer
of certain assets and interests in related entities to Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, as if the Reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the
periods discussed and presented herein. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions". The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the
Saturday nearest March 31. Accordingly, fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and
1997 ended on April 3, 1993, April 2, 1994, April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996 and
March 29, 1997, respectively. References to licensing partners' wholesale net
sales have been derived from information obtained from the Company's licensing
partners. Due to the collaborative and ongoing nature of the Company's
relationships with its licensees, such licensees are referred to in this
Prospectus as "licensing partners" and the relationships between the Company and
such licensees are referred to in this Prospectus as "licensing alliances".
Notwithstanding these references, however, the legal relationship between the
Company and its licensees is one of licensor and licensee, and not one of
partnership.
THE COMPANY
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation ("Polo" or the "Company") is a leader in the
design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products. For 30 years,
Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across
an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's
brand names, which include "Polo", "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Polo Sport", "Ralph
Lauren", "RALPH", "Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co." and "Chaps", among others,
constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer
brands. Directed by Ralph Lauren, the internationally renowned designer, the
Company believes it has influenced the manner in which people dress and live in
contemporary society, reflecting an American perspective and lifestyle uniquely
associated with Polo and Ralph Lauren.
The Polo brand was established in 1967 when Mr. Lauren introduced a
collection of men's ties. In 1968, Polo was established as an independent
menswear company offering a line of premium quality men's clothing and
sportswear with a distinctive blend of innovation and tradition. The Company's
now famous polo player astride a horse logo and Ralph Lauren womenswear products
were introduced in 1971. In that same year, the first in-store area dedicated
exclusively to Polo Ralph Lauren products ("shop-within-shop boutique") opened
in Bloomingdale's flagship store in New York City and the first Polo store was
opened by an independent third party. See "Business -- Operations -- Domestic
Wholesale and Home Collection Customers and Service -- Shop-within-Shop
Boutiques". Commencing in 1973, womenswear products were produced and
distributed by a third party under the Company's first licensing alliance. From
these beginnings, the Polo and Ralph Lauren brands have been the foundation upon
which the Company has based its historic growth. The Company's net revenues,
which are comprised of wholesale and retail net sales and licensing revenue,
have increased from $767.3 million in fiscal 1993 to $1.2 billion in fiscal
1997, and the Company's income from operations has grown from $82.1 million in
fiscal 1993 to $157.4 million in fiscal 1997.
Polo combines its consumer insight and design, marketing and imaging skills
to offer, along with its licensing partners, broad lifestyle product collections
in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrance. Apparel products
include extensive collections of menswear, womenswear and children's clothing.
The Ralph Lauren Home Collection offers coordinated products for the home
including bedding and bath products, interior decor and tabletop and gift items.
Accessories encompass a broad range of products such as footwear, eyewear,
jewelry and leather goods
5
<PAGE> 7
(including handbags and luggage). Fragrance and skin care products are sold
under the Company's Polo, Lauren, Safari and Polo Sport brands, among others.
See "Business -- Operations -- Licensing Alliances". Worldwide wholesale net
sales of all products bearing the Company's brands, generated by both Polo and
its licensing partners, aggregated approximately $2.9 billion in fiscal 1997 and
are displayed in the chart below. Of these sales, approximately 31% occurred
outside the United States.
FISCAL 1997 WORLDWIDE WHOLESALE NET SALES OF
POLO RALPH LAUREN PRODUCTS(1)(2)
(IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR CHILDREN'S
COVERED) MENSWEAR WOMENSWEAR APPAREL ACCESSORIES FRAGRANCES HOME
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/96 48.4 16.3 5.0 9.7 9.4 11.2
</TABLE>
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(1) Wholesale net sales for products sold by the Company's licensing partners
have been derived from information obtained from such licensing partners.
(2) Includes transfers of products to the Company's wholly owned retail
operations at wholesale prices or, in the case of outlet stores, at cost.
Polo's business consists of four integrated operations: wholesale, Home
Collection, direct retail and licensing alliances. Wholesale operations
primarily consist of the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of
menswear under the Polo by Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Polo Golf and Ralph
Lauren/Purple Label brands and of womenswear under the Ralph Lauren Collection
and Collection Classics, RALPH and Ralph Lauren Polo Sport brands. See
"Business -- Operations -- Wholesale". The Home Collection division designs,
markets and sells home products under the Company's brands for its 13 home
licensing partners from whom the Company receives royalties. See
"Business -- Operations -- Home Collection". Polo's retail sales are generated
by the Company's 28 Polo stores (including 21 stores being acquired pursuant to
the PRC Acquisition (as defined)) located in regional malls and high-street
shopping areas and its 67 outlet stores located primarily in outlet malls. See
"Business -- Operations -- Direct Retailing" and "Reorganization and Related
6
<PAGE> 8
Transactions". As part of its licensing alliances, Polo conceptualizes, designs
and develops the marketing for a broad range of products under its various
brands for which the Company receives royalties from 19 product licensing
partners and 14 international licensing partners. See "Business -- Licensing
Alliances". Details of the Company's net revenues are shown in the table below.
<TABLE>
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FISCAL YEAR PRO FORMA
-------------------------------------- FISCAL 1997(3)
1995 1996 1997 (UNAUDITED)
-------- ---------- ---------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wholesale net sales(1)................ $496,876 $ 606,022 $ 663,358 $ 623,041
Retail sales.......................... 249,719 303,698 379,972 508,645
-------- ---------- ----------
Net sales........................... 746,595 909,720 1,043,330 1,131,686
Licensing revenue(1)(2)............... 100,040 110,153 137,113 137,113
-------- ---------- ----------
Net revenues........................ $846,635 $1,019,873 $1,180,443 $1,268,799
======== ========== ==========
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(1) The Company purchased certain of the assets of its former womenswear
licensing partner in October 1995 and the fiscal 1996 and 1997 net revenues
reflect the inclusion of womenswear wholesale net sales of $36,692 and
$98,759, respectively, and an elimination of licensing revenue associated
with operations of the womenswear business after the acquisition.
(2) Licensing revenue includes royalties received from Home Collection licensing
partners.
(3) Pro forma financial information presented above gives effect to the PRC
Acquisition as if it had occurred on March 31, 1996, the first day of fiscal
1997. Prior to the PRC Acquisition, the Company owned a 50% interest in Polo
Retail Corporation ("PRC") which it accounted for using the equity method,
and as such, did not consolidate PRC's operations. Accordingly, prior to the
PRC Acquisition, net revenues did not include PRC's retail sales, while
wholesale net sales reflected the Company's sales to PRC. Simultaneous with
the closing of the Offerings, the Company will complete the PRC Acquisition.
See "Reorganization and Related Transactions -- PRC Acquisition" and
"Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information".
STRATEGY
From its inception, Polo has maintained a consistent operating strategy
which has driven growth in sales and earnings. Key elements of this core
strategy are as follows:
OFFER PREMIUM QUALITY PRODUCTS AND DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS. The Company's
products reflect a timeless and innovative American style associated with
and defined by Polo and Ralph Lauren. The Company's designers work closely
with its merchandising, sales and production teams and licensing partners
to offer premium quality product collections which incorporate Polo's
distinctive lifestyle themes. Mr. Lauren, supported by Polo's design staff
of over 180 persons, has won numerous awards for Polo's designs including,
most recently, the prestigious 1996 Menswear Designer of the Year and 1995
Womenswear Designer of the Year awards, both of which were awarded by the
Council of Fashion Designers of America ("CFDA"). In addition, Mr. Lauren
was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, and is the
only person to have won all three of these awards. See
"Business -- Design".
PROMOTE GLOBAL BRANDS AND IMAGE. The Company strives to project a
consistent global image for its brands from product design to marketing to
point-of-sale. Portraying core lifestyle themes more often than a
particular product, Polo's distinctive advertising builds the Company's
brand names and image, season after season. In fiscal 1997, Polo and its
licensing partners spent over $130 million to advertise and promote the
Company's brands worldwide. Polo also presents seasonal fashion shows,
directs in-store events and utilizes the services of prominent athletes and
models to promote its image. See "Business -- Marketing".
CONTROL AND CUSTOMIZE DISTRIBUTION. Polo's reputation for quality and
style is also reflected in the distribution of its products. The Company's
products are sold through leading upscale department and specialty stores
and Polo stores throughout the world. Polo was a pioneer in utilizing
shop-within-shop boutiques in major department stores to encourage the
effective
7
<PAGE> 9
merchandising and display of Polo Ralph Lauren products. By presenting a
broad selection of Polo products in an attractive customized environment,
the shop-within-shop boutiques heighten awareness of the Company's brands
and differentiate its offerings. The Company estimates that, as of March
29, 1997, more than three million square feet of retail space worldwide
(including Polo stores and approximately 1,700 department store
shop-within-shop boutiques in the United States) were exclusively dedicated
to products sold under the Company's brands. See
"Business -- Operations -- Domestic Wholesale and Home Collection Customers
and Service".
BUILD STRATEGIC LICENSING ALLIANCES. Polo's licensing alliances have
been a key factor in the Company's ability to offer an extensive array of
products domestically and internationally. Through these alliances, Polo
combines its consumer insight and design, marketing, and imaging skills
with the specific product or geographic competencies of its licensing
partners to create and build new businesses. Important examples of these
alliances include those with industry leaders such as L'Oreal, S.A. in
fragrances, WestPoint Stevens, Inc. in bedding and bath products, and Seibu
Department Stores, Ltd. in connection with the offering of Polo products in
Japan. See "Business -- Operations -- Home Collection" and
"-- Operations -- Licencing Alliances", for a description of the Company's
material licensing alliances and the percent of revenue attributable to
each.
DEVELOP POLO RALPH LAUREN STORES. The Company enhances the sale and
merchandising of its products and builds the awareness and identity of its
brands through its Polo stores and outlet stores. The Company's two
flagship stores, located on Madison Avenue in New York City, offer unique
shopping environments which communicate the complete Polo lifestyle. Over
100 Polo stores are operated by the Company and its licensing and joint
venture partners in over 25 countries worldwide. The Company also operates
67 outlet stores which broaden its customer base and contribute to
profitability while maintaining the integrity of its primary distribution
channels. See "Business -- Operations -- Direct Retailing".
The Company believes that the ongoing implementation of these operating
strategies in combination with its growth strategies positions the Company for
continued success. Polo's growth strategies are as follows:
EXPAND THE FAMILY OF POLO BRANDS. The Company continually creates new
brands based upon the original Polo and Ralph Lauren concepts to address
new markets and consumer groups and maintain Polo's premium image. For
example, in fiscal 1994, the Polo Sport label was created to introduce a
new line of fitness apparel targeted at the growing market for functional,
performance-oriented sport and outdoor wear. In Fall 1995, Polo launched
its exclusive, limited distribution Purple Label brand of men's tailored
clothing. Representing the Company's most refined apparel perspective,
Purple Label reinforces Polo's reputation for quality, innovation and
style. In Fall 1996, Polo introduced a denim-based line of sportswear for
men, women and children under the Polo Jeans Co. brand. With price points
below those of Polo's core apparel lines and a more casual contemporary
styling, Polo Jeans Co. is designed to appeal to younger consumers. See
"Business -- Operations -- Wholesale -- Polo Ralph Lauren Menswear" and
"-- Operations -- Licensing Alliances -- Product Licensing Alliances".
DEVELOP NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES AND BUSINESSES WITHIN EXISTING
BRANDS. Polo builds sales within its existing brands by devoting resources
to less developed product areas and adding new product categories. For
example, in Spring 1994, the Company added skin care products to its Polo
Sport fragrance line and in fiscal 1996, introduced a line of paints and
wall finishes as part of Home Collection. Similarly, while Polo has offered
footwear since 1972, the Company plans to launch a full range of athletic
footwear in 1998. See "Business -- Operations -- Licensing
Alliances -- Product Licensing Alliances".
8
<PAGE> 10
LEVERAGE POLO BRANDS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. The Company believes
that international markets offer additional opportunities for Polo's
quintessential American designs and lifestyle image and is committed to the
global development of its businesses. International expansion opportunities
may include the roll out of new products and brands following their launch
in the U.S., the introduction of additional product lines, the entrance
into new international markets and the addition of Polo stores in these
markets. For example, following the successful launch of Polo Jeans Co. in
the United States in Fall 1996, the Company formalized its plans to
introduce the line in Canada, Europe and Asia in Fall 1997. See
"Business -- Operations -- Licensing Alliances -- International Licensing
Alliances".
CAPITALIZE ON WOMENSWEAR OPPORTUNITY. The Company believes the
womenswear market offers a significant opportunity for it to further
capitalize on its position both domestically and internationally as a
leading designer of womenswear. The Company acquired its womenswear
business from a former licensing partner in October 1995. In addition to
allowing the Company to improve the operations of its existing womenswear
designer and bridge lines, the acquisition has enabled Polo to take
important growth initiatives in additional segments of the womenswear
market. In Fall 1996, for example, the Company and a new licensing partner
launched the Lauren line of women's better sportswear and career apparel.
See "Business -- Operations -- Wholesale -- Ralph Lauren Womenswear".
CONTINUE RETAIL EXPANSION. The Company plans to expand its retail
presence by adding five or more Polo stores, including flagship stores in
London and Chicago, over the next two years. The Company also plans to add
ten to 20 new outlet stores over the next three years. In addition, in
fiscal 1998, the Company plans to test market a Polo Jeans Co. store. See
"Business -- Operations -- Direct Retailing".
REORGANIZATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In anticipation of the Offerings, the Company is effecting an internal
reorganization and certain other transactions including the PRC Acquisition and
the Trademark Acquisition (as defined), all of which will be completed prior to
or simultaneous with the closing of the Offerings. Since October 1994, the
Company has conducted its operations primarily through two operating
partnerships, Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P. ("Enterprises") and Polo Ralph
Lauren, L.P. ("Polo LP"), and subsidiaries of Polo LP. In October 1995, the
Company purchased certain of the assets of the Company's unaffiliated former
womenswear licensing partner, Ralph Lauren Womenswear Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Bidermann Industries Corp. ("Bidermann"), and formed The Ralph
Lauren Womenswear Company, L.P. ("Womenswear LP" and, together with Enterprises
and Polo LP, the "Operating Partnerships"). In May 1997, a corporation wholly
owned by Mr. Lauren through which he held certain interests in Enterprises and
Polo LP merged into Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a newly formed entity also
wholly owned by Mr. Lauren, pursuant to which Mr. Lauren received shares of
Class B Common Stock (as defined). Prior to the commencement of the Offerings,
the Company will declare the Dividend (as defined) and certain investment funds
affiliated with The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. (collectively, the "GS Group")
will contribute their interests, either directly or by merger into the Company,
and Mr. Lauren and a partnership controlled by Mr. Lauren, RL Holding, L.P.
("Holding LP"), will contribute their interests, in the Operating Partnerships,
and Mr. Lauren will contribute all of the outstanding capital stock of Polo
Ralph Lauren Womenswear, Inc., a corporation wholly owned by Mr. Lauren
("PRLW"), to the Company in exchange for shares of Class B Common Stock and
Class C Common Stock (as defined) and promissory notes (the "Reorganization
Notes") of the Company (the "Reorganization"). As a result of such
contributions, Enterprises and Polo LP will dissolve by operation of law.
Simultaneous with the Reorganization, the Company will also acquire from RL
Family, L.P. ("Family LP"), a partnership of which Mr. Lauren is the sole
general partner, Family LP's sole membership interest in RL Fragrances, LLC
("Fragrances LLC"), an entity which holds the
9
<PAGE> 11
trademarks and rights under a licensing agreement relating to the Company's U.S.
fragrance business and the interest which the Company did not previously own in
The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P. in exchange for 1,557,503 shares of Class B Common
Stock (the "Trademark Acquisition"). The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P. is currently
majority-owned and controlled by the Company and holds the trademarks relating
to its international licensing business. The Reorganization, including the
Trademark Acquisition, will be completed prior to commencement of the Offerings.
Also simultaneous with the Reorganization and the Trademark Acquisition,
the Company entered into a new credit facility with The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
lender and agent (the "New Credit Facility"), and used the borrowings thereunder
to refinance the Polo LP credit facility and to repay in full approximately
$56.6 million in aggregate of the borrowings outstanding under the Womenswear LP
credit facility and the PRC credit facility, thereby terminating such credit
facilities. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources".
Effective April 3, 1997, the Company entered into negotiated, arms-length
purchase agreements with Mr. David J. Hare, who has since become an executive
officer of the Company, and third parties including Mr. William G. Merriken and
Mr. John Slater (both employees of PRC or its subsidiaries) and Franklin Retail
Corporation, to acquire the 50% interest in PRC and minority interests in
entities related to PRC, Perkins Shearer Venture, Colorado Retail Corp. and
Perkins Shearer Polo Ltd. (collectively, "PRC Related Entities"), that the
Company did not previously own for aggregate consideration of approximately
$10.4 million, which acquisition (the "PRC Acquisition") will be completed
simultaneous with the Offerings. The consideration to be paid by the Company
includes a cash payment of $8.4 million, made on April 3, 1997, a cash payment
of $1.0 million made on May 15, 1997 and a cash payment of $0.3 million made on
June 3, 1997. The remaining $0.7 million will be paid concurrent with the
closing of the Offerings in 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock, assuming an
initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of the range
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 650 Madison
Avenue, New York, New York 10022. The Company's telephone number at such address
is (212) 318-7000.
10
<PAGE> 12
THE OFFERINGS
The offering hereby of 23,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Class A Common Stock" and, collectively
with the Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class B Common
Stock") and Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class C Common
Stock"), the "Common Stock") initially being offered in the United States (the
"U.S. Offering") and the offering of 6,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
initially being offered in a concurrent international offering outside the
United States (the "International Offering") are collectively referred to as the
"Offerings". The closing of each Offering is conditioned upon the closing of the
other Offering.
Class A Common Stock Offered:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The Company........................ 9,400,000 Shares
The Selling Stockholders........... 20,100,000 Shares
----------
Total......................... 29,500,000 Shares
==========
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
Offerings:
Class A Common Stock.................. 29,858,893 Shares(1)
Class B Common Stock.................. 45,935,021 Shares(2)
Class C Common Stock.................. 22,720,979 Shares(2)
----------
Total......................... 98,514,893 Shares(1)
==========
Use of Proceeds(3)...................... The Company intends to use the estimated net
proceeds of approximately $203.2 million from
the Offerings to repay indebtedness (including
the Subordinated Notes (as defined), the
Reorganization Notes and bank debt) and to pay
the Dividend (as defined). The Company will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of
Class A Common Stock by the Selling
Stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds".
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Does not include approximately 4,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
subject to stock options granted to certain employees simultaneous with the
commencement of the Offerings. See "Management -- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan"
and "-- 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan". Includes 29,787 shares of
Class A Common Stock which are expected to be issued in connection with the
PRC Acquisition based on an initial public offering price of $23.50 per
share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and 85,106 shares of Class A Common Stock to be granted to Mr.
Michael J. Newman under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan simultaneous with the
commencement of the Offerings. See "-- Reorganization and Related
Transactions -- PRC Acquisition" and "Management -- 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan".
(2) Shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible at any time into shares of
Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis and may not be transferred to
anyone other than a Lauren Family Member (as defined). Shares of Class C
Common Stock are convertible at any time into shares of Class A Common Stock
on a one-for-one basis and may not be transferred to anyone other than among
members of the GS Group or any successor of a member of the GS Group. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions", "Principal and Selling
Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock".
(3) After deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the
Offerings and assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
options.
11
<PAGE> 13
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Voting Rights........................... The holders of Class A Common Stock generally
have rights identical to holders of Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, except
that holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C
Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share
and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled
to ten votes per share. Holders of all classes
of Common Stock generally will vote together as
a single class on all matters presented to the
stockholders for their vote or approval except
for the election and the removal of directors
and as otherwise required by applicable Delaware
law. Immediately after the closing of the
Offerings, holders of Class B Common Stock,
voting as a class, will be entitled to elect
four of the six members of the Board of
Directors. See "Description of Capital Stock --
Common Stock -- Voting Rights".
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
symbol................................ RL
</TABLE>
RISK FACTORS
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 15 for a discussion of certain factors
that should be considered in evaluating an investment in the Class A Common
Stock. Such factors include, among others, the Company's dependence on Mr.
Lauren and other key personnel; fashion and apparel industry risks; the
Company's dependence on sales to a limited number of large department store
customers; risks relating to extending credit to customers; the Company's
dependence on licensing partners for a substantial portion of net income; risks
associated with a lack of operational and financial control over licensed
businesses; risks associated with consolidations, restructurings and other
ownership changes in the retail industry; competition; uncertainty relating to
the Company's ability to implement its growth strategy; the possible adverse
impact of unaffiliated manufacturers' inability to manufacture in a timely
manner, to meet quality standards or to use acceptable labor practices; risks
associated with changes in social, political, economic and other conditions
affecting the Company's foreign operations and sourcing; the possible adverse
impact of changes in import restrictions; trademarks; foreign currency
fluctuations; the material benefits to principal stockholders; and the control
of the Company by Lauren Family Members and the anti-takeover effect of multiple
classes of stock.
12
<PAGE> 14
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The summary historical financial data presented below for each of the five
fiscal years in the period ended March 29, 1997 have been derived from the
Company's audited Combined Financial Statements. The financial data should be
read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations", the Combined Financial Statements and
Notes thereto, the unaudited Combined Financial Statements and Notes thereto and
other financial data included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The following table
also includes certain unaudited pro forma combined statement of income data for
fiscal 1997 which give effect to the Reorganization, the PRC Acquisition and
certain other adjustments as if they had occurred on March 31, 1996. In
addition, the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data, as adjusted, give
effect to the Reorganization, the PRC Acquisition, the New Credit Facility, the
Offerings and certain other adjustments as if they had occurred on March 29,
1997. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED PRO FORMA(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 29,
APRIL 3, APRIL 2, APRIL 1, MARCH 30, MARCH 29, 1997
1993(1) 1994 1995 1996 1997 (UNAUDITED)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Net sales................................. $ 684,923 $ 726,568 $ 746,595 $ 909,720 $1,043,330 $1,131,686
Licensing revenue......................... 82,418 84,174 100,040 110,153 137,113 137,113
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
Net revenues............................ 767,341 810,742 846,635 1,019,873 1,180,443 1,268,799
Cost of goods sold........................ 425,322 466,525 474,999 583,546 648,597 687,003
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
Gross profit............................ 342,019 344,217 371,636 436,327 531,846 581,796
Selling, general and administrative
expenses................................ 259,941 262,825 261,506 309,207 374,483 429,163
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
Income from operations.................. 82,078 81,392 110,130 127,120 157,363 152,633
Interest expense.......................... 19,209 15,880 16,450 16,287 13,660 15,813
Equity in net loss of affiliate........... -- 2,837 262 1,101 3,599 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
Income before income taxes.............. 62,869 62,675 93,418 109,732 140,104 136,820
Provision for income taxes(3)............. 4,960 8,778 13,244 10,925 22,804 57,464
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- --------
Net income.............................. $ 57,909 $ 53,897 $ 80,174 $ 98,807 $ 117,300 $ 79,356
======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ========
Per share information(4).................. $ 0.87
========
Number of common shares assumed
outstanding(4).......................... 91,028,307
========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 29, 1997
---------------------------
PRO FORMA,
AS
ADJUSTED(5)
ACTUAL (UNAUDITED)
-------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital...................................................................... $212,372 $246,880
Inventories.......................................................................... 222,147 246,091
Total assets......................................................................... 576,743 643,663
Total debt........................................................................... 140,900 47,241
Partners' capital and stockholders' equity........................................... 260,685 404,890
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Fiscal 1993 was a 53 week year.
(2) The Company's combined statement of income has been adjusted to reflect the
PRC Acquisition, including the amortization of goodwill over 25 years
associated with such acquisition and the elimination of equity in net loss
of affiliate.
(3) Increase of $34,660 for the fiscal year ended March 29, 1997 for income
taxes based upon pro forma pre-tax income as if the Company had been subject
to additional Federal, state and local income taxes as of the beginning of
the period, based upon a pro forma effective tax rate of 42%. The entities
in the combined group include principally partnerships which are not subject
to Federal and certain state income taxes (except for certain retail
operations). However, effective with the Reorganization, the Company will be
fully subject to such taxes at the corporate level. See "Reorganization and
Related Transactions".
(Continued on following page)
13
<PAGE> 15
(4) Pro forma net income per share is based upon (a) 89,000,000 shares of Common
Stock outstanding as a result of the Reorganization and the Trademark
Acquisition, increased by (b) the sale of 1,913,414 shares of Class A Common
Stock by the Company at an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share
($21.62 net of expenses), the proceeds of which would be necessary to pay
approximately $41,368 in satisfaction of the Dividend and Reorganization
Notes; (c) 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock expected to be issued in
connection with the PRC Acquisition; and (d) 85,106 shares of Class A Common
Stock which the Company expects to award to Mr. Newman simultaneously with
the commencement of the Offerings. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions" and "Management -- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan".
Supplementary pro forma net income per share of $0.81 is based upon the
average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of pro
forma net income per share, increased by (a) the sale of 1,110,083 shares of
Class A Common Stock being sold by the Company, assuming an initial public
offering price of $23.50 per share ($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds
of which would be necessary to repay approximately $24,000 outstanding under
the Subordinated Notes (as defined); and (b) the sale of 6,375,116 shares of
Class A Common Stock by the Company, assuming an initial public offering
price of $23.50 per share ($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds of which
would be necessary to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's New
Credit Facility of approximately $137,830.
(5) The unaudited pro forma, as adjusted, balance sheet data reflects (a) the
Reorganization and the Trademark Acquisition; (b) the declaration by the
Company of the Dividend and the Reorganization Notes in the amount of
$85,792; (c) the termination of the Company's partnership status resulting
in the recording of a deferred tax asset of $25,432, in addition to
approximately $2,805 of deferred tax assets previously recorded by the
Company; (d) the expected issuance of 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock
in connection with the PRC Acquisition; (e) the sale of 9,400,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock in the Offerings by the Company, assuming an initial
public offering price of $23.50 per share and no exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment options; and (f) the application of the
estimated net proceeds received by the Company therefrom to pay the
Subordinated Notes, the Dividend and Reorganization Notes and a portion of
the amounts outstanding under the New Credit Facility. See "Reorganization
and Related Transactions".
14
<PAGE> 16
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should consider carefully the following information
in conjunction with the other information contained in this Prospectus before
purchasing the Class A Common Stock offered hereby.
DEPENDENCE ON MR. RALPH LAUREN AND OTHER KEY PERSONNEL
Mr. Ralph Lauren's leadership in the design, marketing and operational
areas has been a critical element of the Company's success. The loss of the
services of Mr. Lauren and any negative market or industry perception arising
from such loss could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
Company's other executive officers have substantial experience and expertise in
the Company's business and have made significant contributions to its growth and
success. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of these individuals
could adversely affect the Company. See "Management". The Company is not
protected by a material amount of key-man or similar life insurance for Mr.
Lauren or any of its other executive officers.
The Company has entered into employment agreements only with Mr. Lauren and
certain other of its executive officers. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation Agreements".
FASHION AND APPAREL INDUSTRY RISKS
The Company believes that its success depends in substantial part on its
ability to originate and define product and fashion trends as well as to
anticipate, gauge and react to changing consumer demands in a timely manner.
There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in
this regard. If the Company misjudges the market for its products, it may be
faced with significant excess inventories for some products and missed
opportunities with others. See "Business -- Sourcing, Production and Quality".
In addition, weak sales and resulting markdown requests from customers could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
and financial condition.
The industries in which the Company operates are cyclical. Purchases of
apparel and related merchandise and home products tend to decline during
recessionary periods and also may decline at other times. While the Company has
fared well in recent years in a difficult retail environment, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to maintain its historical rate of
growth in revenues and earnings, or remain profitable in the future. Further,
uncertainties regarding future economic prospects could affect consumer spending
habits and have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON SALES TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE DEPARTMENT STORE CUSTOMERS;
RISKS RELATED TO EXTENDING CREDIT TO CUSTOMERS
Certain of the Company's department store customers, including some under
common ownership, account for significant portions of the Company's wholesale
net sales. Federated Department Stores, Inc., The May Department Stores Company
and Dillard Department Stores, Inc. accounted for 17.3%, 14.2% and 12.5%,
respectively, of the Company's wholesale net sales during fiscal 1995; 16.7%,
13.2% and 13.5%, respectively, during fiscal 1996; and 17.2%, 14.2% and 13.8%,
respectively, during fiscal 1997. The Company had no other customer which
accounted for more than 10% of its wholesale net sales during any of the last
three fiscal years. The Company believes that a substantial portion of sales of
the Company's licensed products by its domestic licensing partners (including
sales made by the Company's sales force of Home Collection products) are also
made to the Company's largest department store customers. The Company's ten
largest customers accounted for approximately 66% of the Company's wholesale net
sales during fiscal 1997. The Company generally enters into a number of purchase
order commitments with its customers for each of its lines every season and does
not enter into long-term agreements with any of its
15
<PAGE> 17
customers. A decision by the controlling owner of a group of stores or any other
significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial
difficulties or otherwise, to decrease the amount of merchandise purchased from
the Company or its licensing partners, or to change its manner of doing business
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and
results of operations. See "Business -- Operations -- Domestic Wholesale and
Home Collection Customers and Service".
The Company sells its merchandise primarily to major department stores
across the United States and extends credit based on an evaluation of each
customer's financial condition, usually without requiring collateral. While
various retailers, including some of the Company's customers, have experienced
financial difficulties in the past few years which increased the risk of
extending credit to such retailers, the Company's losses due to bad debts have
been limited. However, financial difficulties of a customer could cause the
Company to curtail business with such customer or require the Company to assume
more credit risk relating to such customer's receivables. The Company had three
customers, Dillard Department Stores, Inc., Federated Department Stores, Inc.
and The May Department Stores Company, which in aggregate constituted 38%, 36%
and 49% of trade accounts receivables outstanding at April 1, 1995, March 30,
1996 and March 29, 1997, respectively. The Company's inability to collect on its
trade accounts receivable relating to any one of these customers could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition. See
"Business -- Credit Control".
DEPENDENCE ON LICENSING PARTNERS FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF NET INCOME; RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH A LACK OF OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL CONTROL OVER LICENSED
BUSINESSES
A substantial portion of the Company's net income is derived from licensing
revenue received from its licensing partners. Approximately 39% of the Company's
licensing revenue in fiscal 1997 was derived from three licensing partners.
These licensing partners, Seibu Department Stores, Ltd., WestPoint Stevens, Inc.
and L'Oreal S.A./Cosmair Inc., accounted for 18.1%, 18.5% and 8.5%,
respectively, of the Company's licensing revenue in fiscal 1995; 16.9%, 18.6%
and 8.7%, respectively, in fiscal 1996; and 13.8%, 17.3% and 8.4%, respectively,
in fiscal 1997. The Company had no other licensing partner which accounted for
more than 10% of the Company's licensing revenue during any of the last three
fiscal years. The risk factors associated with the Company's own products apply
to its licensed products as well, in addition to any number of possible risks
specific to a licensing partner's business, including for example risks
associated with a particular licensing partner's ability to obtain capital and
manage its labor relations. Although certain of the Company's license agreements
prohibit licensing partners from entering into licensing arrangements with the
Company's competitors, generally the Company's licensing partners are not
precluded from offering, under other brands, the types of products covered by
their license agreements with the Company. A substantial portion of sales of the
Company's products by its domestic licensing partners are also made to the
Company's largest customers. While the Company has significant control over its
licensing partners' products and advertising, it relies on its licensing
partners for, among other things, operational and financial control over their
businesses. In addition, failure by the Company to maintain its existing
licensing alliances could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and
results of operations. Although the Company believes in most circumstances it
could replace existing licensing partners if necessary, its inability to do so
for any period of time could adversely affect the Company's revenues both
directly from reduced licensing revenue received and indirectly from reduced
sales of the Company's other products. See "Business -- Operations -- Home
Collection" and "-- Operations -- Licensing Alliances".
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSOLIDATIONS, RESTRUCTURINGS AND OTHER OWNERSHIP CHANGES
IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY
In recent years, the retail industry has experienced consolidation and
other ownership changes. In addition, some of the Company's customers have
operated under the protection of the federal
16
<PAGE> 18
bankruptcy laws. In the future, retailers in the United States and in foreign
markets may consolidate, undergo restructurings or reorganizations, or realign
their affiliations, any of which could decrease the number of stores that carry
the Company's products or increase the ownership concentration within the retail
industry. While such changes in the retail industry to date have not had a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition, there
can be no assurance as to the future effect of any such changes.
COMPETITION
Competition is strong in the segments of the fashion and consumer product
industries in which the Company operates. The Company competes with numerous
domestic and foreign designers, brands and manufacturers of apparel,
accessories, fragrances and home furnishing products, some of which may be
significantly larger and more diversified and have greater resources than the
Company. The Company's business depends on its ability to shape, stimulate and
respond to changing consumer tastes and demands by producing innovative,
attractive and exciting products, brands and marketing, as well as on its
ability to remain competitive in the areas of quality and price. See
"Business -- Competition".
UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT GROWTH STRATEGY
As part of its growth strategy, the Company seeks to create new brands,
develop new product categories and businesses within existing brands and
introduce new brands and product categories to international markets. In
addition, the Company seeks to capitalize on its position as a leading designer
of womenswear. There can be no assurance that these strategies will be
successful. The Company also intends to continue to expand its network of retail
stores. The actual number and type of such stores to be opened and their success
will depend on various factors, including the performance of the Company's
wholesale and retail operations, the ability of the Company to manage such
expansion and hire and train personnel, the availability of desirable locations
and the negotiation of acceptable lease terms for new locations and upon lease
renewals for existing locations. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to open and operate new stores on a timely or profitable basis. There
can be no assurance that the Company's growth strategies will be successful or
that the Company's total net revenues will increase as a result of the
implementation of such strategies. See "Business -- Strategy" and
"-- Operations".
POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF UNAFFILIATED MANUFACTURERS' INABILITY TO MANUFACTURE
IN A TIMELY MANNER, TO MEET QUALITY STANDARDS OR TO USE ACCEPTABLE LABOR
PRACTICES
The Company does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and is
therefore dependent upon independent third parties for the manufacture of all of
its products. The Company's products are manufactured to its specifications by
both domestic and international manufacturers. During fiscal 1997, approximately
30% (by dollar value) of men's and women's products were manufactured in the
United States and approximately 70% (by dollar value) of such products were
manufactured in Hong Kong, Saipan, Malaysia and other foreign countries. The
inability of a manufacturer to ship orders of the Company's products in a timely
manner or to meet the Company's quality standards could cause the Company to
miss the delivery date requirements of its customers for those items, which
could result in cancellation of orders, refusal to accept deliveries or a
reduction in purchase prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Although the
Company enters into a number of purchase order commitments each season
specifying a time frame for delivery, method of payment, design and quality
specifications and other standard industry provisions, the Company does not have
long-term contracts with any manufacturer. None of the manufacturers used by the
Company produces the Company's products exclusively. Two manufacturers engaged
by the Company accounted for approximately 16% and 11% of the Company's total
production during fiscal 1997. The primary production facilities of these two
manufacturers are located in Malaysia, Sri
17
<PAGE> 19
Lanka, Hong Kong and Mauritius, in the case of the manufacturer that accounted
for approximately 16% of the Company's total production during fiscal 1997, and
in Saipan, in the case of the manufacturer that accounted for approximately 11%
of the Company's total production during fiscal 1997. No other manufacturer
accounted for more than five percent of the Company's total production in fiscal
1997.
The Company requires its licensing partners and independent manufacturers
to operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. While the
Company's internal and vendor operating guidelines promote ethical business
practices and the Company's staff periodically visits and monitors the
operations of its independent manufacturers, the Company does not control such
manufacturers or their labor practices. The violation of labor or other laws by
an independent manufacturer of the Company or by one of the Company's licensing
partners, or the divergence of an independent manufacturer's or licensing
partner's labor practices from those generally accepted as ethical in the United
States, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business -- Sourcing, Production and
Quality".
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS
AFFECTING FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SOURCING; POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
A significant portion of the Company's products are currently sourced
outside the United States through arrangements with over 75 foreign
manufacturers in 24 different countries. During fiscal 1997, approximately 53%
of the Company's piece goods were purchased from sources outside the United
States, including Italy, Japan, Thailand and other foreign countries. In that
same period, approximately 30% (by dollar volume) of men's and women's products
were produced in the United States and approximately 70% (by dollar volume) of
such products were produced in Hong Kong, Saipan, Malaysia and other foreign
countries.
Risks inherent in foreign operations include changes in social, political
and economic conditions which could result in the disruption of trade from the
countries in which the Company's manufacturers or suppliers are located, the
imposition of additional regulations relating to imports, the imposition of
additional duties, taxes and other charges on imports, significant fluctuations
of the value of the dollar against foreign currencies, or restrictions on the
transfer of funds, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations. See
"Business -- Sourcing, Production and Quality".
Sovereignty over Hong Kong is scheduled to be transferred from the United
Kingdom to The People's Republic of China effective July 1, 1997. If the
business climate in Hong Kong were to experience an adverse change as a result
of the transfer, the Company believes it could replace the merchandise currently
produced in Hong Kong with merchandise produced elsewhere without a material
adverse effect on the Company. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the
Company would be able to do so.
The Company's import operations are subject to constraints imposed by
bilateral textile agreements between the United States and a number of foreign
countries. These agreements, which have been negotiated bilaterally either under
the framework established by the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in
Textiles, known as the Multifiber Agreement, or other applicable statutes,
impose quotas on the amounts and types of merchandise which may be imported into
the United States from these countries. These agreements also allow the
signatories to adjust the quantity of imports for categories of merchandise
that, under the terms of the agreements, are not currently subject to specific
limits. The Company's imported products are also subject to United States
customs duties which comprise a material portion of the cost of the merchandise.
The United States and the countries in which the Company's products are produced
or sold may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs, or other
restrictions, or may adversely adjust prevailing quota, duty or tariff levels,
any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business -- Government Regulation".
18
<PAGE> 20
TRADEMARKS
The Company believes that its trademarks and other proprietary rights are
important to its success and its competitive position. Accordingly, the Company
devotes substantial resources to the establishment and protection of its
trademarks on a worldwide basis. In the course of international expansion, the
Company has, however, experienced conflict with various third parties which have
acquired or claimed ownership rights in certain trademarks which include Polo
and/or a representation of a polo player astride a horse, or otherwise contested
the Company's rights to its trademarks. The Company has in the past successfully
resolved such conflicts through both legal action and negotiated settlements,
none of which the Company believes has had a material impact on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. Nevertheless, there can be no
assurance that the actions taken by the Company to establish and protect its
trademarks and other proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent imitation of
its products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of the
Company's products as violative of the trademarks and proprietary rights of
others. Moreover, no assurance can be given that others will not assert rights
in, or ownership of, trademarks and other proprietary rights of the Company or
that the Company will be able to successfully resolve such conflicts. In
addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect proprietary
rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. See
"Business -- Trademarks".
FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
The Company generally purchases its products in U.S. dollars. However, the
Company sources a significant amount of its products overseas and, as such, the
cost of these products may be affected by changes in the value of the relevant
currencies. The Company's international licensing revenue generally is derived
from sales in foreign currencies including the Japanese yen and the French
franc, and such revenue could be materially affected by currency fluctuations.
In fiscal 1997, approximately 29% of the Company's licensing revenue was
received from international licensing partners. Changes in currency exchange
rates may also affect the relative prices at which the Company and foreign
competitors sell their products in the same market. The Company, from time to
time, hedges certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates
arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance that
foreign currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse impact on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations --
Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "-- Exchange Rates".
MATERIAL BENEFITS TO PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offerings received by it
to, among other things, repay approximately $24.0 million of Subordinated Notes
(as defined) held by Mr. Lauren and the GS Group, and pay the Dividend and the
Reorganization Notes in the amount of approximately $43.0 million, in aggregate.
Mr. Lauren, and possibly a Lauren Family Trust (as defined) are Selling
Stockholders and will receive approximately $420.7 million of gross proceeds,
based on an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, from the sale of
shares in the Offerings. The GS Group, also a Selling Stockholder, will receive
approximately $51.7 million of gross proceeds, based on an initial public
offering price of $23.50 per share, from the sale of shares in the Offerings.
The entities comprising the GS Group are affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
which is one of the underwriters of the Offerings. See "Use of Proceeds",
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Principal and Selling
Stockholders".
CONTROL BY LAUREN FAMILY MEMBERS AND ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF MULTIPLE CLASSES OF
STOCK
Holders of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are
entitled to one vote per share and holders of the Company's Class B Common Stock
are entitled to ten votes
19
<PAGE> 21
per share. Immediately after the Offerings, Lauren Family Members will
beneficially own all 45,935,021 shares of the Company's outstanding Class B
Common Stock representing 89.8% of the voting power of the Common Stock and the
right to elect four of the initial six directors of the Company.Accordingly,
Lauren Family Members will, until they in the aggregate sell substantially all
of their Class B Common Stock, be able to elect a majority of the Company's
directors and, if they vote in the same manner, determine the disposition of
practically all matters submitted to a vote of the Company's stockholders,
including mergers, going private transactions and other extraordinary corporate
transactions and the terms thereof. See "Management -- Board of Directors",
"Principal and Selling Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock".
Lauren Family Members will, until they in the aggregate sell substantially
all of their Class B Common Stock, have the ability, by virtue of their stock
ownership, to prevent or cause a change in control of the Company. Certain
provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and material agreements may be deemed to have the effect of discouraging a third
party from pursuing a non-negotiated takeover of the Company and preventing
certain changes in control of the Company. In addition, the Company's 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan provides for accelerated vesting of stock options upon a "change
in control" of the Company. See "Management -- Executive Compensation
Agreements", "-- Board of Directors", "-- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan", "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Description of Capital Stock".
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK;
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the Class A
Common Stock. The initial public offering price of the Class A Common Stock has
been determined by negotiations among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and
the representatives of the Underwriters, and may not be indicative of the market
price of the Class A Common Stock after the Offerings. The Class A Common Stock
has been approved for listing, subject to notice of issuance, on the NYSE;
however, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or
be sustained for the Class A Common Stock or that the Class A Common Stock will
trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price. See
"Underwriting".
The stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and volume
volatility. In addition, the market price of the Company's Class A Common Stock
may be influenced by a number of factors, including investor perceptions of the
Company and comparable public companies, changes in conditions or trends in the
industries in which the Company operates or in the industries of the Company's
significant customers, and changes in general economic and other conditions.
Factors such as quarter-to-quarter variations in the Company's revenues and
earnings could also cause the market price of the Class A Common Stock to
fluctuate significantly.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON STOCK PRICE;
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Sales of a substantial number of shares of Class A Common Stock in the
public market, or the perception that such sales may occur could adversely
affect prevailing market prices for the Class A Common Stock. Upon completion of
the Offerings, the Company will have outstanding a total of 29,858,893 shares of
Class A Common Stock, 45,935,021 shares of Class B Common Stock and 22,720,979
shares of Class C Common Stock. Of such shares, the 29,500,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock being sold in the Offerings (together with any shares sold upon
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment options) will be immediately
eligible for sale in the public market without restriction, except for shares
purchased by or issued to any affiliate (an "Affiliate") of the Company (within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")).
All 45,935,021 shares of Class B Common Stock (which may be converted into Class
A Common Stock at any time) will be owned by Lauren Family Members and all
22,720,979 shares of Class C Common Stock (which may be converted into Class A
Common Stock at any time) will be owned by the GS Group. For so long as any
stockholder remains an Affiliate of the Company, any shares of
20
<PAGE> 22
Class A Common Stock (including any shares issued upon conversion of other
classes of Common Stock) held by such person will only be available for public
sale if such shares are registered under the Securities Act or sold in
accordance with an applicable exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, and
any sales by an affiliate under Rule 144 would be subject to the volume and
other limitations under such rule. In addition, certain Lauren Family Members
and the GS Group will be entitled to registration rights with respect to the
shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of their shares of Class
B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, respectively. The Company, Lauren
Family Members that own shares of Common Stock, the GS Group and executive
officers and directors of the Company have agreed not to offer, sell, contract
to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock or any
securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Class A Common
Stock, including but not limited to any securities that are convertible into or
exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Class A Common Stock
or any such substantially similar securities (other than pursuant to employee or
director stock or stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus or
in connection with the PRC Acquisition) for a period of 180 days after the date
of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. as
representative of the Underwriters, except for the shares of Class A Common
Stock offered in connection with the Offerings. See "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement", "Description of Capital
Stock" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale".
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
The Company anticipates that all of its earnings in the foreseeable future
will be retained to finance the continued growth and expansion of its business
and has no current intention to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock. See
"Dividend Policy" and "Reorganization and Related Transactions".
DILUTION
Purchasers of Class A Common Stock in the Offerings will experience
immediate dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the Class A
Common Stock from the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial
public offering price of $23.50 per share (the midpoint of the range of initial
public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus), such
dilution would have been equal to $19.64 per share as of March 29, 1997. See
"Dilution".
21
<PAGE> 23
REORGANIZATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
REORGANIZATION
Since October 1994, the Company has conducted its operations primarily
through two operating partnerships, Enterprises and Polo LP, and subsidiaries of
Polo LP, including, among others, Fashions Outlet of America, Inc., Polo Ralph
Lauren Sourcing Company, Ltd., Polo Ralph Lauren UK Limited and The Polo/Lauren
Company, L.P. In October 1995, the Company purchased certain of the assets of
its former unaffiliated womenswear licensing partner, Ralph Lauren Womenswear
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidermann, and formed Womenswear LP. At the
time of the purchase, Bidermann was in bankruptcy. Subsequent to obtaining the
approval of the Bankruptcy Court, the Company paid cash consideration of
approximately $40.3 million and assumed certain contracts, open customer orders
and open purchase orders of Bidermann. The Company believes that the purchase of
such assets was on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a
disinterested third party.
In May 1997, a corporation wholly owned by Mr. Lauren through which he held
certain interests in Enterprises and Polo LP merged into the Company, a newly
formed entity also wholly owned by Mr. Lauren, pursuant to which Mr. Lauren
received shares of Class B Common Stock. Prior to the commencement of the
Offerings, the GS Group will contribute their interests either directly or by
merger into the Company, and Mr. Lauren and Holding LP will contribute their
interests, in the Operating Partnerships and in PRLW to the Company in exchange
for shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock and the
Reorganization Notes.
As a result of its predominant partnership structure, prior to the
Reorganization, the earnings of the Company (other than earnings of certain
retail operations) were included in the taxable income of the Company's partners
for Federal and certain state income tax purposes, and the Company has generally
not been subject to income tax on such earnings, other than certain state and
local franchise and similar taxes. From and after the Reorganization, the
Company will be fully subject to Federal and state income taxes.
Prior to the Reorganization, (i) the Operating Partnerships will make
distributions to their partners of all or a portion of their undistributed
earnings (and the Company will then distribute to its sole stockholder the
amount received by it), (ii) the Company will distribute to its sole stockholder
any assets that it holds (other than its interests in the Operating Partnerships
and contracts relating to the PRC Acquisition) and (iii) then the Company will
declare a dividend to its sole stockholder in an anticipated amount of $22.0
million, which is the Company's estimate of its sole stockholder's share of the
undistributed earnings of the Operating Partnerships through the closing of the
Reorganization which have been or will be included in the taxable income of its
sole stockholder (the "Dividend"). The amount of the Dividend is expected to be
in excess of the sole stockholder's tax liability with respect to the Operating
Partnerships. The amount of the Reorganization Notes is expected to be $21.0
million and will equal the amount of the Dividend that the holders of the
Reorganization Notes would have received if they had owned on the record date of
the Dividend the number of shares of Common Stock that they will receive
pursuant to the Reorganization. The Dividend and the Reorganization Notes will
be paid out of a portion of the net proceeds of the Offerings. In the event the
actual amount of undistributed earnings through the closing of the
Reorganization is later determined to be in excess of the sum of the amount of
the Dividend and the Reorganization Notes, the Company will then declare and pay
a second dividend (the "Second Dividend") to the holders of the Class B Common
Stock and Class C Common Stock in the amount of the difference. The Selling
Stockholders will receive $539.6 million of the gross proceeds of the Offerings
from the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offerings, the payment of
the Dividend and the repayment of the Reorganization Notes and the Subordinated
Notes. The Reorganization is not conditioned upon the closing of the Offerings.
See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Principal and Selling
Stockholders".
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<PAGE> 24
Simultaneous with the Reorganization and the Trademark Acquisition, the
Company entered into the New Credit Facility and used the funds from the New
Credit Facility to refinance the Polo LP credit facility and to repay in full
approximately $56.6 million in aggregate of the borrowings outstanding under the
Womenswear LP credit facility and the PRC credit facility, thereby terminating
such credit facilities. The New Credit Facility consists of $375 million of
revolving credit loans (the "Revolver"). The amount of the Revolver will be
reduced automatically upon completion of the Offerings to $225 million and will
mature on December 31, 2002. Interest is payable, at the Company's option, at
the lender's Base Rate (as defined) or at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus
an interest margin. See "Use of Proceeds". The agreement for the New Credit
Facility contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of
default for bank financings for borrowers similar to the Company, including
covenants regarding maintenance of net worth and leverage ratios, limitations on
indebtedness and incurrences of liens, and restrictions on sales of assets and
transactions with affiliates. Mr. Lauren and related entities will be obligated
under the agreement to maintain a specified minimum percentage of the voting
power of the Company's Common Stock.
TRADEMARK ACQUISITION
Simultaneous with the Reorganization, the Company will also acquire from
Family LP (i) its sole membership interest in Fragrances LLC, which holds the
trademarks and rights under a licensing agreement related to the Company's U.S.
fragrance business and (ii) the remaining interest, which the Company did not
previously own, in The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P., for 1,557,503 shares of Class
B Common Stock. The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P. is currently majority-owned and
controlled by the Company and holds the trademarks related to the Company's
international licensing business. The Trademark Acquisition is not conditioned
upon the closing of the Offerings. The terms of the Trademark Acquisition were
negotiated at arms-length and the Company believes that such terms were as
favorable as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. In
connection with the Trademark Acquisition, each of the existing partners of the
Operating Partnerships (being Mr. Lauren, the GS Group and Holding LP) evaluated
and consented to the admission of Family LP as a stockholder of the Company in
consideration for the contribution to the Company by the Family LP of its
interest in Fragrances LLC. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions".
PRC ACQUISITION
Effective April 3, 1997, the Company entered into negotiated arms-length
purchase agreements with Mr. Hare, who has since become an executive officer of
the Company, and third parties, including Messrs. Merriken and Slater (both
employees of PRC or its subsidiaries) and Franklin Retail Corporation, to
acquire the 50% interest in PRC and minority interests in the PRC Related
Entities that the Company did not previously own for aggregate consideration of
approximately $10.4 million, which acquisition will be completed simultaneous
with the Offerings. The consideration to be paid by the Company includes a cash
payment of $8.4 million made on April 3, 1997, a cash payment of $1.0 million
made on May 15, 1997, a cash payment of $0.3 million made on June 3, 1997, and a
payment of $0.7 million to be paid concurrent with the closing of the Offerings
with 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock, assuming an initial public offering
price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover
page of this Prospectus. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
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<PAGE> 25
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the Offerings, assuming
an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of the range
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, are estimated to be
approximately $203.2 million (approximately $242.4 million if the Underwriters'
over-allotment options are exercised in full) after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company. The Company intends to use such proceeds as follows: (i) to repay
approximately $24.0 million outstanding under the Subordinated Notes (as
defined) held by Mr. Lauren and the GS Group; (ii) to pay the Dividend and the
Reorganization Notes of approximately $43.0 million to Mr. Lauren and related
entities and the GS Group; and (iii) to repay approximately $136.2 million of
the borrowings outstanding under the Company's New Credit Facility. Any proceeds
to the Company from the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment options
will be used to retire remaining borrowings outstanding under the Revolver and
for general corporate purposes.
At the time of the formation of Enterprises and Polo LP, each of the GS
Group and Mr. Lauren made loans to Enterprises in the aggregate principal amount
of $7.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively (the "Subordinated Notes"). The
Subordinated Notes bear interest at the prime rate, payable quarterly, and
mature on March 1, 2001. The Reorganization Notes are non-interest bearing and
are due on the earlier of (i) the date of completion of the Offerings and (ii)
the sixtieth day following the declaration date of the Dividend. Borrowings
under the New Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company's option, at a
Base Rate (the "Base Rate"), equal to the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate
as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York plus 1/2 of 1% and (ii) the
prime commercial lending rate of Chase in effect from time to time or at the
London Interbank Offered Rate plus an interest margin initially to be 0.3%. The
New Credit Facility consists of a $375 million Revolver. Upon the closing of the
Offerings the Company will be obligated to repay borrowings under the Revolver
to reduce the indebtedness outstanding thereunder to $225.0 million.
Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility was incurred to refinance the amounts
outstanding under the Polo LP credit facility (approximately $111.8 million at
the time of the Reorganization), to repay in full approximately $56.6 million in
aggregate of the borrowings under the Womenswear LP credit facility and the PRC
credit facility. Indebtedness under such facilities was incurred to fund, among
other things, repayment of third party indebtedness and indebtedness owed to
affiliates, distributions to partners, the PRC Acquisition and working capital
requirements. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources".
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of
the Class A Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
DIVIDEND POLICY
Prior to the commencement of the Offerings, the Company will declare the
Dividend representing certain undistributed earnings of the Operating
Partnerships through the closing date of the Reorganization. To the extent that
undistributed earnings of the Operating Partnerships through the closing date of
the Reorganization are later determined to have exceeded the sum of the amount
of the Dividend and the Reorganization Notes, the Second Dividend representing
the difference between the actual undistributed earnings and the amount of the
Dividend and the Reorganization Notes will be paid after the closing date of the
Offerings to the holders of the Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
Purchasers of shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offerings will not receive
any portion of the Dividend or the Second Dividend, if any.
The Company anticipates that, other than with respect to the foregoing
Dividend and Second Dividend, if any, all earnings will be retained for the
foreseeable future for use in the operation of the business. The New Credit
Facility contains no restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends,
except for covenants relating to the maintenance of net worth and leverage
ratios. The Company's
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<PAGE> 26
future dividend policy will depend upon the future results of operations,
capital requirements and financial condition of the Company, and other factors
considered relevant by the Board of Directors, including any contractual or
statutory restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends. For certain
information regarding distributions made by the Company prior to the date
hereof, see "Reorganization and Related Transactions", "Capitalization", and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations".
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<PAGE> 27
CAPITALIZATION
The following unaudited table sets forth (i) the actual capitalization of
the Company at March 29, 1997, (ii) the pro forma capitalization of the Company
as of such date, as adjusted to give effect to the Reorganization, the Trademark
Acquisition, the PRC Acquisition, the declaration by the Company of the Dividend
and the issuance of the Reorganization Notes, in aggregate, of $85.8 million,
$44.4 million of which will be paid from the proceeds of the New Credit
Facility, and the recording of a deferred tax asset concurrent with becoming
subject to additional Federal, state and local income taxes resulting from the
termination of the Company's partnership status and the New Credit Facility and
(iii) the pro forma capitalization of the Company as of such date as further
adjusted to reflect the sale of 9,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered
by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $23.50 per
share, the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, and the application of the estimated net proceeds received by the
Company therefrom as described under "Use of Proceeds". The table should be read
in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of the Company and the
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Information" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 29, 1997
-----------------------------------------
PRO FORMA,
PRO FORMA, AS FURTHER
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTED
-------- ----------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Short-term debt:
Notes and acceptances payable -- banks..................... $ 26,777 $ 185,071 $ 47,241
Current portion of long-term debt.......................... 22,248 -- --
Current portion of subordinated notes...................... 20,000 -- --
Dividend and Reorganization Notes payable.................. -- 41,368 --
-------- -------- --------
Total short-term debt................................... 69,025 226,439 47,241
Long-term debt:
Bank....................................................... 47,875 -- --
Subordinated notes......................................... 24,000 24,000 --
-------- -------- --------
Total long-term debt.................................... 71,875 24,000 --
Partners' capital and stockholders' equity:
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 500,000,000
shares authorized; 13,744,000 and 29,858,893 shares
issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted and pro
forma as further adjusted, respectively(1).............. -- 137 299
Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000
shares authorized; 50,335,021 and 45,935,021 shares
issued and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted and pro
forma, as further adjusted, respectively................ -- 504 459
Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 70,000,000
shares authorized; 24,920,979 and 22,720,979 shares
issued and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted and pro
forma, as further adjusted, respectively................ -- 249 227
Additional paid-in capital 199,435 403,905
Partners' capital and retained earnings.................... 260,837 -- --
Cumulative translation adjustment.......................... (152) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Total partners' capital and stockholders' equity........ 260,685 200,325 404,890
-------- -------- --------
Total capitalization............................... $401,585 $ 450,764 $452,131
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Excludes an aggregate of 10,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock which are
reserved for issuance under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The Company expects to grant options for
approximately 4,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to certain employees
of the Company at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering
price on the closing date of the Offerings. See "Management -- 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan" and "-- 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan".
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<PAGE> 28
DILUTION
The net tangible book value of the Company at March 29, 1997 was
approximately $243.2 million. Assuming the Reorganization had occurred as of
March 29, 1997, the net tangible book value of the Company as of such date would
have been approximately $2.73 per share. Net tangible book value per share
represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided
by the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. Without taking into
account any changes in net tangible book value attributable to operations after
March 29, 1997, after giving effect to the Reorganization, the sale of the Class
A Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of
$23.50 per share, the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and the application of the estimated net proceeds as described under
"Use of Proceeds", the pro forma net tangible book value as adjusted at March
29, 1997 would have been $380.6 million, or $3.87 per share of Common Stock.
This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value as
adjusted of $1.91 per share of Common Stock to existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution of $19.64 per share of Common Stock to purchasers of Class A
Common Stock in the Offerings. The following table illustrates such per share
dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share..................... $23.50
Net tangible book value per share at March 29, 1997............... $2.73
======
Pro forma net tangible book value per share at March 29, 1997,
after giving effect to the declaration of the Dividend and the
issuance of the Reorganization Notes, the recording of a
deferred tax asset, and the PRC Acquisition.................... $1.96
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to
completion of the Offerings.................................... 1.90
------
Pro forma net tangible book value as adjusted per share after
giving effect to the Reorganization and the
Offerings(1)(2)(3)............................................. 3.86
Dilution per share to new stockholders(4)......................... $19.64
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Pro forma net tangible book value as adjusted per share is determined by
dividing net tangible book value of the Company (tangible assets less
liabilities) assuming the Reorganization had taken place on March 29, 1997,
by the 89,000,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding after giving effect to
the Reorganization.
(2) Reflects an aggregate of 98,514,893 shares of Common Stock that will be
outstanding upon completion of the Offerings including 29,787 shares of
Class A Common Stock expected to be issued in connection with the PRC
Acquisition and the award of 85,106 shares of Class A Common Stock to be
granted to Mr. Newman simultaneous with the commencement of the Offerings.
(3) Excludes an aggregate of 10,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved
for issuance under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The Company expects to grant options for
approximately 4,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to certain employees
of the Company at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering
price simultaneous with the commencement of the Offerings. The exercise of
such options would not result in further dilution in book value to
purchasers in the Offerings. See "Management -- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan"
and "-- 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan".
(4) Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value per
share assuming the Reorganization had taken place on March 29, 1997, and
after giving effect to the receipt of the net proceeds of the Offerings and
the application of such proceeds as described in "Use of Proceeds", from the
assumed initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of
the range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
27
<PAGE> 29
The following table summarizes on a pro forma basis as of March 29, 1997
the differences between the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the
Company, the total consideration paid, and the average price per share paid by
the existing stockholders and by the purchasers of Class A Common Stock in the
Offerings at an assumed initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the
mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
SHARES PURCHASED CONSIDERATION AVERAGE
---------------------- ------------------------ PRICE PER
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT SHARE
---------- ------- ------------ ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing
stockholders(1)......... 68,900,000 70% $138,011,000 17% $ 2.00
New stockholders........ 29,500,000 30 693,250,000 83 23.50
------- ----- -------- ---- -
Total......... 98,400,000 100% $831,261,000 100%
======= ===== ======== =====
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Excludes 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock expected to be issued in
connection with the PRC Acquisition and 85,106 shares of Class A Common
Stock to be awarded to Mr. Newman simultaneous with the commencement of the
Offerings.
28
<PAGE> 30
SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected historical financial data presented below as of and for each
of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended March 29, 1997 have been
derived from the Company's audited Combined Financial Statements. The financial
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations", the Combined Financial
Statements and Notes thereto, the unaudited Combined Financial Statements and
Notes thereto and other financial data included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
--------------------------------------------------------
APRIL 3, APRIL 2, APRIL 1, MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Net sales.............................. $684,923 $726,568 $746,595 $ 909,720 $1,043,330
Licensing revenue...................... 82,418 84,174 100,040 110,153 137,113
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net revenues........................... 767,341 810,742 846,635 1,019,873 1,180,443
Cost of goods sold..................... 425,322 466,525 474,999 583,546 648,597
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit........................... 342,019 344,217 371,636 436,327 531,846
Selling, general and administrative
expenses............................. 259,941 262,825 261,506 309,207 374,483
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations................. 82,078 81,392 110,130 127,120 157,363
Interest expense....................... 19,209 15,880 16,450 16,287 13,660
Equity in net loss of affiliate........ -- 2,837 262 1,101 3,599
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes............. 62,869 62,675 93,418 109,732 140,104
Provision for income taxes............. 4,960 8,778 13,244 10,925 22,804
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net income............................. $ 57,909 $ 53,897 $ 80,174 $ 98,807 $ 117,300
======== ======== ======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 3, APRIL 2, APRIL 1, MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital........................ $ 83,522 $ 84,663 $221,050 $262,844 $212,372
Inventories............................ 212,631 209,540 271,220 269,113 222,147
Total assets........................... 429,760 456,076 487,547 563,673 576,743
Total debt............................. 240,857 230,034 186,361 199,645 140,900
Partners' capital and stockholders'
equity............................... 107,832 118,037 188,579 237,653 260,685
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE> 31
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information is derived
from the Company's Combined Financial Statements. The Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Statement of Income gives effect to the Reorganization, the PRC
Acquisition and certain other adjustments as if they occurred on March 31, 1996.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet gives effect to the
Reorganization, the PRC Acquisition, the New Credit Facility, and certain other
adjustments as if they had occurred on March 29, 1997. The Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Balance Sheet, as adjusted, gives further effect to the Offerings at an
assumed initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of the
range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and the application of the
estimated net proceeds received by the Company therefrom as described under "Use
of Proceeds" as if they had occurred on March 29, 1997. See "Reorganization and
Related Transactions", "Use of Proceeds", "Capitalization", and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain
assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information should be read in
conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of the Company and related
notes, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations", and other financial information included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. This pro forma combined financial information is provided for
informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results
which would have been obtained had the Reorganization, the Offerings, and the
other adjustments been completed on the dates indicated or which may be expected
to occur in the future.
30
<PAGE> 32
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 29, 1997
--------------------------------------------
ACTUAL PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
COMBINED ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
---------- ----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales........................................ $1,043,330 $88,356(1) $ 1,131,686
Licensing revenue................................ 137,113 137,113
--------- ---------
Net revenues..................................... 1,180,443 1,268,799
Cost of goods sold............................... 648,597 38,406(1) 687,003
--------- ---------
Gross profit..................................... 531,846 581,796
Selling, general and administrative expenses..... 374,483 53,812(1)
868(1) 429,163
--------- ---------
Income from operations........................... 157,363 152,633
Interest expense................................. 13,660 2,153(1) 15,813
Equity in net loss of affiliates................. 3,599 (3,599)(1) --
--------- ---------
Income before income taxes....................... 140,104 136,820
Provision for income taxes....................... 22,804 34,660(2) 57,464
--------- ---------
Net income....................................... $ 117,300 $ 79,356
========= =========
Per share information(3)......................... $ 0.87
=========
Number of common shares assumed outstanding(3)... 91,028,307
=========
Supplementary pro forma net income per common
share(4)....................................... $ 0.81
=========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Adjustments to reflect the PRC Acquisition accounted for under the purchase
method. As a result of this transaction, the Company's combined statement of
income has been adjusted to reflect the consolidation of PRC's operations
from March 31, 1996, the amortization of goodwill over 25 years of $868 for
the fiscal year ended March 29, 1997, recorded as a result of the
acquisition, and the elimination of the Company's equity in net loss of PRC.
(2) Adjustment to reflect income taxes based upon pro forma pre-tax income as if
the Company had been subject to additional Federal, state and local income
taxes as of March 31, 1996, based upon a pro forma effective tax rate of
42%.
(3) Pro forma net income per share is based upon (a) 89,000,000 shares of Common
Stock outstanding as a result of the Reorganization and the Trademark
Acquisition, increased by (b) the sale of 1,913,414 shares of Class A Common
Stock by the Company at an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share
($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds of which would be necessary to pay
approximately $41,368 in satisfaction of the Dividend and Reorganization
Notes; (c) 29,787 shares of Class A Common Stock expected to be issued in
connection with the PRC Acquisition; and (d) 85,106 shares of Class A Common
Stock to be granted to Mr. Newman simultaneous with the commencement of the
Offerings. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions" and
"Management -- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan".
(4) Supplementary pro forma net income per share is based upon the average
number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of pro forma net
income per share, increased by (a) the sale of 1,110,083 shares of Class A
Common Stock being sold by the Company, assuming an initial public offering
price of $23.50 per share ($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds of which
would be necessary to repay approximately $24,000 outstanding under the
Subordinated Notes (as defined) and (b) the sale of 6,375,116 shares of
Class A Common Stock by the Company, assuming an initial public offering
price of $23.50 per share ($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds of which
would be necessary to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's New
Credit Facility of approximately $137,830.
31
<PAGE> 33
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF MARCH 29, 1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACQUISITION,
DIVIDEND
DECLARATION,
ISSUANCE OF
REORGANIZATION
NOTES, NEW
CREDIT FACILITY PRO PRO FORMA
ACTUAL AND FORMA ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA,
COMBINED REORGANIZATION COMBINED OFFERING AS ADJUSTED
-------- ---------------- -------- ----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents.......................... $29,599 $ 2,062(1) $31,661 $ --(6) $ 31,661
Accounts receivable, net........................... 144,303 1,769(1) 146,072 146,072
Inventories........................................ 222,147 23,944(1) 246,091 246,091
Prepaid expenses and other......................... 40,290 (20,292)(1) 38,477 38,477
1,522(1)
16,957(2)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total current assets......................... 436,339 25,962 462,301 -- 462,301
Property and equipment, net.......................... 83,240 25,488(1) 108,728 108,728
Investment in and advances to affiliate.............. 17,977 (17,977)(1) --
Other assets......................................... 39,187 24,972(1) 72,634 72,634
8,475(2)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total assets................................. $576,743 $ 66,920 $643,663 $ -- $ 643,663
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Current liabilities
Notes and acceptances payable -- banks............. $26,777 $ 9,700(1) $185,071 $(137,830)(6) $ 47,241
148,594(3)
Current portion of long-term debt.................. 22,248 (22,248)(3) -- --
Current portion of subordinated notes.............. 20,000 (20,000)(3) -- --
Dividend and Reorganization Notes payable.......... -- (44,424)(3) 41,368 (41,368)(6) --
85,792(4)
Accounts payable................................... 89,417 3,761(1) 93,178 93,178
Accrued expenses and other......................... 65,525 10,844(1) 76,369 (1,367)(6) 75,002
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities.................... 223,967 171,019 395,986 (180,565) 215,421
Long-term debt....................................... 47,875 12,629(1) -- --
(60,504)(3)
50,000(3)
Other noncurrent liabilities......................... 20,216 3,136(1) 23,352 23,352
Subordinated notes................................... 24,000 -- 24,000 (24,000)(6) --
Partners' capital and stockholders' equity
Common stock....................................... -- 890(5) 890 95(6) 985
Additional paid-in capital......................... -- 199,435(5) 199,435 204,470(6) 403,905
Partners' capital and retained earnings............ 260,837 25,432(2)
(200,477)(5)
(85,792)(4) -- --
Cumulative translation adjustment.................. (152) 152(5) -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total partners' capital and stockholders'
equity..................................... 260,685 (60,360) 200,325 204,565 404,890
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and partners' capital and
stockholders' equity....................... $576,743 $ 66,920 $643,663 $ -- $ 643,663
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Adjustments to reflect the PRC Acquisition accounted for under the purchase
method. As a result of this transaction, the Company's combined balance
sheet has been adjusted to reflect the consolidation of PRC's balance sheet,
the elimination of the Company's investment in PRC, the elimination of the
Company's receivables due from PRC ($20,292) and the recording of the excess
of the purchase price ($10,400) over net assets acquired which has been
allocated to goodwill ($21,708). The Company will amortize goodwill over 25
years.
(2) Adjustments to record a deferred tax asset of $25,432, in addition to
approximately $2,805 of certain Federal, state and local deferred tax assets
previously recorded, which the Company will record concurrently with the
termination of its partnership status. The deferred income taxes will
reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences, primarily uniform
inventory capitalization, depreciation, allowance for doubtful accounts and
other accruals, between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
(3) Reflects the proceeds of $185,071 under the New Credit Facility, used for
the repayment of $139,905 under the Polo LP credit facility, the repayment
of $31,119 under the Womenswear LP credit facility and the repayment of
$14,047 under the PRC credit facility.
(4) Reflects that portion of the Dividend and the Reorganization Notes
representing undistributed net earnings through March 29, 1997.
(5) Reflects the reclassification of partners' capital and retained earnings and
cumulative translation adjustment to additional paid-in capital as a result
of the Reorganization.
(6) Represents the estimated net proceeds of $203,198 from the sale of Class A
Common Stock offered by the Company, the issuance of 29,787 shares of Class
A Common Stock in connection with the PRC Acquisition, the issuance of
85,106 shares of Class A Common Stock granted to Mr. Newman, the repayment
of the Dividend and Reorganization Notes payable of $41,368, the repayment
of the Subordinated Notes of $24,000 and the repayment of amounts
outstanding under the New Credit Facility of $137,830.
32
<PAGE> 34
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
the "Selected Combined Financial Data" and the Company's combined financial
statements and the related notes thereto which are included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday
nearest March 31. Accordingly, fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997
ended on April 3, 1993, April 2, 1994, April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996 and March
29, 1997, respectively.
OVERVIEW
The Company began operations in 1968 as a designer and marketer of premium
quality men's clothing and sportswear. Since inception, Polo, through internal
operations and in conjunction with its licensing partners, has grown through
increased sales of existing product lines, the introduction of new brands and
products, expansion into international markets and development of its retail
operations. Over the last five years, revenues have increased from $767.3
million in fiscal 1993 to $1.2 billion in fiscal 1997, while income from
operations has grown from $82.1 million in fiscal 1993 to $157.4 million in
fiscal 1997. Polo's net revenues are generated from its four integrated
operations: wholesale, Home Collection, direct retail and licensing alliances.
Licensing revenue includes royalties received from Home Collection licensing
partners.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR PRO FORMA
------------------------------------------------------------ FISCAL 1997(4)
1993(3) 1994 1995 1996 1997 (UNAUDITED)
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wholesale net sales(1)(2)................. $432,984 $508,402 $496,876 $ 606,022 $ 663,358 $ 623,041
Retail sales(2)........................... 251,939 218,166 249,719 303,698 379,972 508,645
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net sales............................... 684,923 726,568 746,595 909,720 1,043,330 1,131,686
Licensing revenue(1)...................... 82,418 84,174 100,040 110,153 137,113 137,113
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
Total net revenues...................... $767,341 $810,742 $846,635 $1,019,873 $1,180,443 $1,268,799
======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company purchased certain of the assets of its former womenswear
licensing partner in October 1995 and the fiscal 1996 and 1997 net revenues
reflect the inclusion of womenswear wholesale net sales of $36,692 and
$98,759, respectively, and an elimination of licensing revenue associated
with operations of the womenswear business after the acquisition.
(2) In February 1993, the Company entered into a joint venture to combine
certain of its retail operations with those of its joint venture partner,
Perkins Shearer Venture, to form PRC. Prior to such date, retail sales
include sales by 19 retail stores, subsequently transferred to PRC.
Subsequent to such date, the Company accounted for its investment in PRC
using the equity method and as such, did not consolidate PRC's operations.
Accordingly, PRC's net revenues are excluded from retail sales for fiscal
1994 through fiscal 1997, while wholesale net sales reflect the Company's
sales to PRC during these periods. Simultaneous with the closing of the
Offerings, the Company will consummate the PRC Acquisition. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions -- PRC Acquisition".
(3) Fiscal 1993 was a 53 week year.
(4) Pro forma financial information presented above gives effect to the PRC
Acquisition as if it had occurred on March 31, 1996, the first day of fiscal
1997. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions" and "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Information".
Wholesale net sales result from the sale by the Company of men's and
women's apparel to wholesale customers, principally to major department stores,
specialty stores and non-Company operated Polo stores located throughout the
United States. Net sales for the wholesale division have increased from $433.0
million in fiscal 1993 to $663.4 million in fiscal 1997. This increase is a
result of growth in sales of the Company's menswear products driven by the
introduction of new brands such as Polo Sport and growth in sales of products
under existing brands. The fiscal 1996 and 1997 wholesale net sales include
womenswear wholesale net sales of $36.7 million and $98.8 million, respectively,
since the date of the acquisition of certain assets of its former unaffiliated
womenswear licensing partner.
33
<PAGE> 35
Polo's retail sales are generated from the Polo stores and outlet stores
operated by the Company. Since the beginning of fiscal 1994, the Company has
added four Polo stores and 27 outlet stores (net of nine outlet store closings).
The Company currently operates seven Polo stores and 67 outlet stores. Retail
sales have grown from $218.2 million in fiscal 1994 to $380.0 million in fiscal
1997.
Prior to February 1993, the Company operated 22 Polo stores. In February
1993, the Company entered into a joint venture to combine 19 of its Polo stores
with those of its joint venture partner to form PRC. As of March 29, 1997, PRC
operated 21 Polo stores located throughout the United States. On March 21, 1997,
the Company entered into an agreement effective April 3, 1997 to acquire the
remaining 50% interest from its joint venture partner. Prior to the PRC
Acquisition, the Company accounted for its interest in PRC under the equity
method. Effective for fiscal 1998, the Company will consolidate PRC and account
for the transaction under the purchase method. Accordingly, on a pro forma
basis, wholesale net sales by the Company to PRC are eliminated and PRC net
revenues are reflected as retail sales. Assuming the PRC Acquisition had taken
place at March 31, 1996, pro forma wholesale net sales and retail sales in
fiscal 1997 would have been $623.0 million and $508.7 million, respectively. The
Company believes the PRC Acquisition did not have a material impact on pro forma
operating income for fiscal 1997. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions -- PRC Acquisition".
Licensing revenue consists of royalties paid to the Company under its
licensing alliances. During fiscal 1997, product, international, and home
licensing alliances accounted for 37.3%, 29.3% and 33.4%, respectively, of total
licensing revenue. Through these alliances, Polo combines its core skills with
the product or geographic competencies of its partners to create and develop
specific businesses. Polo develops the products and marketing for, and in
conjunction with, its 19 product and 14 international licensing partners who
manufacture, advertise, sell and distribute the particular products for which
the Company is paid royalties. These royalties generally range from five to
eight percent of licensing partners' sales of licensed products. Examples of
Polo's licensed products include sheets and towels, fragrances and men's
sportswear. While product licensing partners may employ their own designers,
pursuant to their license agreements with the Company, the Company oversees the
design of all its products. Polo works closely with licensing partners to
coordinate marketing and distribution strategies and the design and construction
of shop-within-shop boutiques, and participates in the long-range planning and
development of its licensing partners' Polo businesses. See
"Business -- Licensing Alliances". In addition to performing these functions,
pursuant to the terms of its license agreements, Polo acts as sales and
marketing agent for its domestic Home Collection licensing partners. The
Company's license agreements with its domestic Home Collection licensing
partners generally contain provisions which allow the Company to exercise
control over, among other things, marketing and advertising and typically
require such licensing partners to provide samples of licensed products for the
Company's Home Collection showroom and sales force. Together with its Home
Collection licensing partners, representatives of the Company's design,
merchandising, production and sales staffs collaborate to conceive, develop and
merchandise the various products as a complete home furnishing collection.
Polo's personnel market and sell the products to domestic customers and certain
international accounts. As a result, Polo generally receives a higher royalty
rate from Home Collection licensing partners relative to other licensing
alliances, which rates generally range from 15% to 25%. Under these alliances,
Polo is less exposed to financial risk than if the Company invested in the
infrastructure and operation of these businesses directly. The growth of
existing and development of new businesses under licensing alliances has
resulted in an increase in licensing revenue from $82.4 million in fiscal 1993
to $137.1 million in fiscal 1997.
Prior to the Offerings, the Company will complete the Trademark Acquisition
whereby the Company will acquire from an entity under common control the
trademarks and rights under a licensing agreement related to its U.S. fragrance
business and the interest it did not already own in another related entity that
holds the trademarks relating to its international licensing business. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions -- Trademark Acquisition".
34
<PAGE> 36
Prior to the Reorganization, the Company's operations were conducted
predominantly through a partnership structure. Accordingly, the earnings of the
Company (other than earnings of certain retail operations) were included in the
taxable income of the Company's partners for Federal and certain state income
tax purposes, and the Company has generally not been subject to income tax on
such earnings, other than certain state and local franchise and similar taxes.
In connection with the Reorganization, the Company will become subject to such
taxes. In addition, as a result of the Reorganization, the Company will record a
deferred tax asset and a corresponding tax benefit in its statement of income in
accordance with the provisions of Statement of Accounting Standards No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes. Assuming the Offerings had occurred at March 29,
1997, the deferred tax asset and corresponding tax benefit would have been
approximately $25.4 million. The Company's pro forma effective tax rate,
excluding the non-recurring tax benefit discussed above, for fiscal 1997 was
42%. The effect of taxes in Results of Operations is not discussed below because
the historic taxation of the operations of the Company is not meaningful with
respect to periods following the Reorganization.
In connection with the Company's growth strategy, the Company plans to
introduce new products and brands and expand its retail operations, including
the opening of flagship stores. Implementation of these strategies may require
significant investments for advertising, furniture and fixtures, infrastructure,
design and additional inventory. There can be no assurance, notwithstanding the
Company's investments, that its growth strategies will be successful.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage
relationship to net revenues of certain items in the Company's combined
statements of income for the periods shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-------------------------
1995 1996 1997
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales........................................................ 88.2% 89.2% 88.4%
Licensing revenue................................................ 11.8 10.8 11.6
----- ----- -----
Net revenues..................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0
----- ----- -----
Gross profit..................................................... 43.9 42.8 45.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses..................... 30.9 30.3 31.8
----- ----- -----
Income from operations........................................... 13.0% 12.5% 13.3%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996
NET SALES. Net sales increased 14.7% to $1.043 billion in fiscal 1997 from
$909.7 million in fiscal 1996. Wholesale net sales increased 9.5% to $663.4
million in fiscal 1997 from $606.0 million in fiscal 1996. This increase
primarily reflects the benefit of a full year of womenswear sales in fiscal 1997
compared to five and one-half months in fiscal 1996. Retail sales increased by
25.1% to $380.0 million in fiscal 1997 from $303.7 million in fiscal 1996. Of
this increase, $58.8 million is attributable to the opening of three new Polo
stores and seven new outlet stores (net of four outlet store closings) in fiscal
1997 and the benefit of a full year of operations for seven outlet stores opened
in fiscal 1996. Comparable store sales in fiscal 1997 increased by 6.3% or $17.5
million. Comparable store sales represent net sales of stores open in both
reporting periods for the full portion of such periods.
LICENSING REVENUE. Licensing revenue increased 24.4% to $137.1 million in
fiscal 1997 from $110.2 million in fiscal 1996. This increase reflects the
launch of Polo Jeans Co. in fiscal 1997 and an overall increase in sales of
licensed products, particularly Chaps, accessories and Home Collection.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased to
45.1% in fiscal 1997 from 42.8% in fiscal 1996. The increase was primarily
attributable to the increase, as a percentage of
35
<PAGE> 37
total net revenues, in net sales of the Company's higher margin retail sales
(relative to wholesale sales) and to increased licensing revenue. In fiscal 1997
wholesale gross margins improved slightly while retail gross margins increased
significantly due to a reduction in markdowns as compared to fiscal 1996.
Licensing revenue has no associated cost of goods sold.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased to $374.5 million or 31.8% of net
revenues in fiscal 1997 from $309.2 million or 30.3% of net revenues in fiscal
1996. This increase as a percentage of net revenues was primarily attributable
to investment in organizational infrastructure to support growth, increased
advertising, marketing and public relations expenditures to support the
Company's brands, and personnel and start-up costs associated with the opening
of three Polo stores in fiscal 1997. Additionally, SG&A expenses in fiscal 1997
include a full year of womenswear SG&A expenses as compared to five and one-half
months in the prior period.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased to $13.7 million in fiscal
1997 from $16.3 million in fiscal 1996 due to lower average borrowing levels as
a result of a reduction in overall inventory levels. Cash flows from operations
were used to reduce average debt levels throughout fiscal 1997.
EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF AFFILIATE. Equity in net loss of affiliate represents
the Company's 50% equity interest in PRC. Such losses increased to $3.6 million
in fiscal 1997 from $1.1 million in fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of lost
revenues and expenses associated with temporary store closings for renovations
in fiscal 1997.
FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995
NET SALES. Net sales increased 21.8% to $909.7 million in fiscal 1996 from
$746.6 million in fiscal 1995. Wholesale net sales increased 22.0% to $606.0
million in fiscal 1996 from $496.9 million in fiscal 1995. Wholesale growth
reflects increased menswear sales of 14.6% to $569.3 million in fiscal 1996 from
$496.9 million in fiscal 1995 resulting primarily from growth in existing
brands, particularly Polo Sport, as well as increased sales under the Company's
basic stock replenishment program. Under this program, Polo offers certain basic
styles year round which are generally shipped within one to five days of order
receipt. See "Business -- Domestic Wholesale and Home Collection Customers and
Service -- Basic Stock Replenishment Program". Increased sales under this
program are due to the introduction of new products and a higher percentage of
order fulfillment. Additionally, the increase reflects the inclusion of
womenswear sales of $36.7 million subsequent to the October 1995 acquisition.
Retail sales increased 21.6% to $303.7 million in fiscal 1996 from $249.7
million in fiscal 1995. Of this increase, $42.2 million is attributable to four
new outlet stores opened in fiscal 1996 (net of three outlet store closings) and
the benefit of a full year of operations for nine outlet stores opened in fiscal
1995. Comparable store sales in fiscal 1996 increased 5.4% or $11.8 million.
LICENSING REVENUE. Licensing revenue increased 10.2% to $110.2 million in
fiscal 1996 from $100.0 million in fiscal 1995. This increase is primarily a
result of additional sales of Home Collection products and the expansion of the
European and Asian businesses. This increase was partially offset by a reduction
in womenswear licensing revenue as a result of Polo's acquisition of that
business from a former licensing partner.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues decreased to
42.8% in fiscal 1996 from 43.9% in fiscal 1995. This decrease was primarily
attributable to a decline in wholesale gross margins in fiscal 1996 resulting
from a decrease in menswear gross margins associated with the sale of excess
inventory. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net revenues also
resulted from a decrease in licensing revenue as a percentage of total net
revenues. Retail gross margins were constant in fiscal 1996 as compared to the
prior year.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. SG&A expenses increased to
$309.2 million in fiscal 1996 from $261.5 million in fiscal 1995. As a
percentage of net revenues, SG&A expenses
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<PAGE> 38
decreased to 30.3% in fiscal 1996 from 30.9% in fiscal 1995. This improvement
reflects overall declines in SG&A expenses resulting from cost containment
efforts in certain expense areas and expense leverage associated with the
Company's growth. The dollar increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflects costs
associated with the expansion of retail operations and the inclusion of
womenswear SG&A expenses following the acquisition. Additionally, advertising,
marketing and public relations expenditures increased to support the Company's
brands and image.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased to $16.3 million in fiscal
1996 from $16.5 million in fiscal 1995 primarily due to lower average
outstanding borrowing levels.
EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF AFFILIATE. Equity in net loss of affiliate increased
to $1.1 million in fiscal 1996 from $0.3 million in fiscal 1995 primarily as a
result of costs associated with six store closings in fiscal 1996.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's main sources of liquidity historically have been cash flows
from operations, credit facilities and partners' financing. The Company's
capital requirements primarily result from working capital needs, investing
activities including construction and renovation of shop-within-shop boutiques,
retail expansion and other corporate activities.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $203.6 million in
fiscal 1997 from $91.3 million in fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of reduced
inventories and improved operating results. The decrease in inventories is a
direct result of increased fulfillment of customer orders and improved supply
chain management. The net cash used for investing activities decreased to $38.6
million in fiscal 1997 from $49.0 million in fiscal 1996, principally reflecting
the use of $39.7 million in cash to acquire the operations of the Company's
former womenswear licensing partner, Ralph Lauren Womenswear, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Bidermann, in fiscal 1996. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions -- Reorganization". This decrease was partially offset by a
substantial increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 1997. Net cash used in
financing activities increased to $149.0 million in fiscal 1997 from $33.9
million in fiscal 1996. This increase was primarily due to a substantial
reduction in short-term borrowings in fiscal 1997 associated with the Company's
reduced level of inventories and an increase in partner distributions.
Prior to the Reorganization, the earnings of the Company (except for
earnings of certain retail operations) were included in the taxable income of
the Company's partners for Federal and certain state income tax purposes, and
the Company has generally not been subject to income tax on such earnings, other
than certain state and local franchise and similar taxes. As a result of the
Offerings, the Company's immediate cash flow needs will reflect the elimination
of distributions to the partners. Partially offsetting these changes will be the
application of funds for the payment of additional Federal, state and local
income taxes.
Simultaneous with the closing of the Reorganization, the Company entered
into the New Credit Facility and used the borrowings under the New Credit
Facility to refinance the amounts outstanding under the Polo LP credit facility,
(approximately $111.8 million at the time of the Reorganization) and to repay in
full approximately $56.6 million in aggregate of the borrowings outstanding
under the Womenswear LP credit facility and the PRC credit facility, thereby
terminating such credit facilities. The New Credit Facility consists of a $375
million Revolver which will be reduced automatically upon completion of the
Offerings to $225 million. The Revolver will mature on December 31, 2002.
Interest is payable, at the Company's option, at the Base Rate or at the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus an interest margin. See "Use of Proceeds". The
agreement for the New Credit Facility contains customary representations,
warranties, covenants and events of default for bank financings for borrowers
similar to the Company, including covenants regarding maintenance of net worth
and leverage ratios, limitations on indebtedness and incurrences of liens, and
restrictions on sales of assets and transactions with affiliates. Mr. Lauren and
related entities are obligated under the
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<PAGE> 39
agreement to maintain a specified minimum percentage of the voting power of the
Company's Common Stock. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions".
As of May 15, 1997, the Company had Subordinated Notes payable to its
partners in the amount of $24.0 million which bear interest at the prime rate
(8.5% at May 15, 1997) and are payable on March 1, 2001. The Company will use a
portion of the net proceeds it receives from the Offerings to prepay the amounts
due on March 1, 2001. See "Use of Proceeds".
Capital expenditures were $35.3 million, $5.6 million and $4.9 million in
fiscal 1997, fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, respectively. The increase in capital
expenditures in fiscal 1997 represents expenditures associated with the
Company's shop-within-shop boutique development program which includes new
shops, renovations and expansions. The Company plans to invest approximately
$150.0 million over the next two years for its retail stores including flagship
stores, shop-within-shop boutique development program and other capital
projects. See "Business -- Operations -- Wholesale -- Shop-within-Shop
Boutiques" and "-- Direct Retailing".
The Company extends credit to its customers, including those which have
accounted for significant portions of its net revenues. The Company had three
customers, Dillard Department Stores, Inc., Federated Department Stores, Inc.
and The May Department Stores Company, which in aggregate constituted 38%, 36%
and 48% of trade accounts receivable outstanding at April 1, 1995, March 30,
1996 and March 29, 1997, respectively. Additionally, the Company had three
licensing partners, WestPoint Stevens, Inc., Seibu Department Stores, Ltd. and
L'Oreal S.A./Cosmair Inc., which in aggregate constituted approximately 45%, 43%
and 39% of licensing revenue in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Accordingly, the Company may have significant exposure in collecting accounts
receivable from its customers. The Company has credit policies and procedures
which it uses to manage its credit risk. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on
Sales to a Limited Number of Large Department Store Customers; Risks Related to
Extending Credit to Customers".
Management believes that cash from ongoing operations and funds available
under its credit agreements will be sufficient to satisfy the Company's capital
requirements for the next 12 months.
SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS
The Company's business is affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels
of wholesale sales in its second and fourth quarters and higher retail sales in
its second and third quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of
seasonal wholesale shipments to retail customers and key vacation travel and
holiday shopping periods in the retail industry. As a result of the PRC
Acquisition and growth in the Company's retail operations and licensing revenue,
historical quarterly operating trends and working capital requirements may not
accurately reflect future performance. In addition, fluctuations in sales and
operating income in any fiscal quarter may be affected by the timing of seasonal
wholesale shipments and other events affecting retail.
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<PAGE> 40
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly information for
fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JULY 1, SEPT. 30, DEC. 30, MAR. 30, JUNE 29, SEPT. 28, DEC. 28, MAR. 29,
1995 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1997
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales(1).......... $ 179.8 $ 242.6 $ 245.4 $ 241.9 $ 199.3 $ 296.5 $ 268.6 $ 278.9
Licensing revenue(1).. 21.9 30.8 29.2 28.3 24.5 35.7 37.9 39.0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net revenues.......... 201.7 273.4 274.6 270.2 223.8 332.2 306.5 317.9
Gross profit.......... 90.8 118.7 114.4 112.4 103.6 147.5 137.8 143.0
Income from
operations.......... 24.2 40.7 30.3 31.9 21.3 58.2 34.9 43.0
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company purchased certain of the assets of its former womenswear
licensing partner, Ralph Lauren Womenswear Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of Bidermann, in October 1995 and, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended
December 30, 1995, net revenues reflect the inclusion of womenswear
wholesale sales and an elimination of licensing revenue associated with the
operations of the womenswear business after the acquisition.
EXCHANGE RATES
Inventory purchases from contract manufacturers in the Far East are
primarily denominated in United States dollars; however, purchase prices for the
Company's products may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between
the United States dollar and the local currencies of the contract manufacturers,
which may have the effect of increasing the Company's cost of goods sold in the
future. During the last two fiscal years, exchange rate fluctuations have not
had a material effect on the Company's inventory cost. Additionally, certain
international licensing revenue could be materially affected by currency
fluctuations. From time to time, the Company hedges certain exposures to foreign
currency exchange rate changes arising in the ordinary course of business. See
"Risk Factors -- Foreign Currency Fluctuations".
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. This Statement will be effective in fiscal 1998 upon the
establishment of the Stock Incentive Plan by the Company in connection with the
Offerings. The Company will adopt only the disclosure provision of SFAS No. 123
and account for stock based compensation in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, which
recognizes compensation cost based on the intrinsic value of the equity
instrument awarded.
SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, effective for interim and annual periods
beginning after December 15, 1997, establishes standards for computing and
presenting earnings per share ("EPS") and simplifies the standards for computing
EPS currently found in Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 15,
Earnings Per Share. Common stock equivalents under APB Opinion No. 15, with the
exception of contingently issuable shares (shares issuable for little or no cash
consideration), are no longer included in the calculation of primary or basic
EPS. Under SFAS No. 128, contingently issuable shares are included in the
calculation of diluted EPS. Early adoption of this Statement is not permitted.
As the Company does not currently report EPS, it has not determined the impact
of adopting this Statement.
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<PAGE> 41
SFAS No. 129, Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure, effective
for periods ending after December 15, 1997, establishes standards for disclosing
information about an entity's capital structure. This Statement requires
disclosure of the pertinent rights and privileges of various securities
outstanding (stock, options, warrants, preferred stock, debt and participation
rights) including dividend and liquidation preferences, participant rights, call
prices and dates, conversion or exercise prices and redemption requirements.
Adoption of this Statement will have no effect on the Company as it currently
discloses the information specified.
40
<PAGE> 42
BUSINESS
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is a leader in the design, marketing and
distribution of premium lifestyle products. For 30 years, Polo's reputation and
distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of
products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which
include "Polo", "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Polo Sport", "Ralph Lauren", "RALPH",
"Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co." and "Chaps", among others, constitute one of the
world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. Directed by Ralph
Lauren, the internationally renowned designer, the Company believes it has
influenced the manner in which people dress and live in contemporary society,
reflecting an American perspective and lifestyle uniquely associated with Polo
and Ralph Lauren.
The Polo brand was established in 1967 when Mr. Lauren introduced a
collection of men's ties. In 1968, Polo was established as an independent
menswear company offering a line of premium quality men's clothing and
sportswear with a distinctive blend of innovation and tradition. The Company's
now famous polo player astride a horse logo and Ralph Lauren womenswear products
were introduced in 1971. In that same year, the first shop-within-shop boutique
dedicated to Polo Ralph Lauren products opened in Bloomingdale's flagship store
in New York City and the first Polo store was opened by an independent third
party. Commencing in 1973, womenswear products were produced and distributed by
a third party under the Company's first licensing alliance. From these
beginnings, the Polo and Ralph Lauren brands have been the foundation upon which
the Company has based its historic growth. The Company's net revenues, which are
comprised of wholesale and retail net sales and licensing revenue, have
increased from $767.3 million in fiscal 1993 to $1.2 billion in fiscal 1997, and
the Company's income from operations has grown from $82.1 million in fiscal 1993
to $157.4 million in fiscal 1997.
Polo combines its consumer insight and design, marketing and imaging skills
to offer, along with its licensing partners, broad lifestyle product collections
in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrance. Apparel products
include extensive collections of menswear, womenswear and children's clothing.
The Ralph Lauren Home Collection offers coordinated products for the home
including bedding and bath products, interior decor and tabletop and gift items.
Accessories encompass a broad range of products such as footwear, eyewear,
jewelry and leather goods (including handbags and luggage). Fragrance and skin
care products are sold under the Company's Polo, Lauren, Safari and Polo Sport
brands, among others. Worldwide wholesale net sales of all products bearing the
Company's brands, generated by both Polo and its licensing partners, aggregated
approximately $2.9 billion in fiscal 1997 and are displayed in the chart below.
Of these sales, approximately 31% occurred outside the United States.
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<PAGE> 43
FISCAL 1997 WORLDWIDE WHOLESALE NET SALES OF POLO RALPH LAUREN PRODUCTS(1)(2)
(IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR CHILDREN'S
COVERED) MENSWEAR WOMENSWEAR APPAREL ACCESSORIES FRAGRANCES HOME
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/96 48.4 16.3 5.0 9.7 9.4 11.2
</TABLE>
-
(1) Wholesale net sales for products sold by the Company's licensing partners
have been derived from information obtained from such licensing partners.
(2) Includes transfers of products to the Company's wholly owned retail
operations at wholesale prices or, in the case of outlet stores, at cost.
Polo's business consists of four integrated operations: wholesale, Home
Collection, direct retail and licensing alliances. Wholesale operations
primarily consist of the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of
menswear under the Polo by Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Polo Golf and Ralph
Lauren/Purple Label brands and of womenswear under the Ralph Lauren Collection
and Collection Classics, RALPH and Ralph Lauren Polo Sport brands. The Home
Collection division designs, markets and sells home products under the Company's
brands for its 13 home licensing partners from whom the Company receives
royalties. Polo's retail sales are generated by the Company's 28 Polo stores
(including 21 stores being acquired pursuant to the PRC Acquisition) located in
regional malls and high-street shopping areas and its 67 outlet stores located
primarily in outlet malls. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions -- PRC
Acquisition". As part of its licensing alliances, Polo conceptualizes, designs
and develops the marketing for a broad range of products under its various
brands for which the Company receives royalties from 19 product licensing
42
<PAGE> 44
partners and 14 international licensing partners. Details of the Company's net
revenues are shown in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR PRO FORMA
-------------------------------------- FISCAL 1997(3)
1995 1996 1997 (UNAUDITED)
-------- ---------- ---------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wholesale net sales(1)................ $496,876 $ 606,022 $ 663,358 $ 623,041
Retail sales.......................... 249,719 303,698 379,972 508,645
-------- ---------- ----------
Net sales........................... 746,595 909,720 1,043,330 1,131,686
Licensing revenue(1)(2)............... 100,040 110,153 137,113 137,113
-------- ---------- ----------
Net revenues........................ $846,635 $1,019,873 $1,180,443 $1,268,799
======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company purchased certain of the assets of its former womenswear
licensing partner in October 1995 and the fiscal 1996 and 1997 net revenues
reflect the inclusion of womenswear wholesale net sales of $36,692 and
$98,759, respectively, and an elimination of licensing revenue associated
with operations of the womenswear business after the acquisition.
(2) Licensing revenue includes royalties received from Home Collection licensing
partners.
(3) Pro forma financial information presented above gives effect to the PRC
Acquisition as if it had occurred on March 31, 1996, the first day of fiscal
1997. Prior to the PRC Acquisition, the Company owned a 50% interest in PRC
which it accounted for using the equity method, and as such, did not
consolidate PRC's operations. Accordingly, prior to the PRC Acquisition, net
revenues did not include PRC's retail sales, while wholesale net sales
reflected the Company's sales to PRC. Simultaneous with the closing of the
Offerings, the Company will complete the PRC Acquisition. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions -- PRC Acquisition" and "Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Financial Information".
STRATEGY
From its inception, Polo has maintained a consistent operating strategy
which has driven growth in sales and earnings. Key elements of this core
strategy are as follows:
OFFER PREMIUM QUALITY PRODUCTS AND DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS. The Company's
products reflect a timeless and innovative American style associated with
and defined by Polo and Ralph Lauren. The Company's designers work closely
with its merchandising, sales and production teams and licensing partners
to offer premium quality product collections which incorporate Polo's
distinctive lifestyle themes. Mr. Lauren, supported by Polo's design staff
of over 180 persons, has won numerous awards for Polo's designs including,
most recently, the prestigious 1996 Menswear Designer of the Year and 1995
Womenswear Designer of the Year awards, both of which were awarded by the
CFDA. In addition, Mr. Lauren was honored with the CFDA Lifetime
Achievement Award in 1991, and is the only person to have won all three of
these awards. See "-- Design".
PROMOTE GLOBAL BRANDS AND IMAGE. The Company strives to project a
consistent global image for its brands from product design to marketing to
point-of-sale. Portraying core lifestyle themes more often than a
particular product, Polo's distinctive advertising builds the Company's
brand names and image, season after season. In fiscal 1997, Polo and its
licensing partners spent over $130 million to advertise and promote the
Company's brands worldwide. Polo also presents seasonal fashion shows,
directs in-store events and utilizes the services of prominent athletes and
models to promote its image. See "-- Marketing".
CONTROL AND CUSTOMIZE DISTRIBUTION. Polo's reputation for quality and
style is also reflected in the distribution of its products. The Company's
products are sold through leading upscale department and specialty stores
and Polo stores throughout the world. Polo was a pioneer in utilizing
shop-within-shop boutiques in major department stores to encourage the
effective merchandising and display of Polo Ralph Lauren products. By
presenting a broad selection of Polo products in an attractive customized
environment, the shop-within-shop boutiques heighten awareness of the
Company's brands and differentiate its offerings. The Company
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<PAGE> 45
estimates that, as of March 29, 1997, more than three million square feet
of retail space worldwide (including Polo stores and approximately 1,700
department store shop-within-shop boutiques in the United States) were
exclusively dedicated to products sold under the Company's brands. See
"-- Domestic Wholesale and Home Collection Customers and Service".
BUILD STRATEGIC LICENSING ALLIANCES. Polo's licensing alliances have
been a key factor in the Company's ability to offer an extensive array of
products domestically and internationally. Through these alliances, Polo
combines its consumer insight and design, marketing, and imaging skills
with the specific product or geographic competencies of its licensing
partners to create and build new businesses. Important examples of these
alliances include those with industry leaders such as L'Oreal, S.A. in
fragrances, WestPoint Stevens, Inc. in bedding and bath products, and Seibu
Department Stores, Ltd. in connection with the offering of Polo products in
Japan. See "-- Operations -- Home Collection" and
"-- Operations -- Licensing Alliances" for a description of the Company's
material licensing alliances and the percent of revenue attributable to
each.
DEVELOP POLO RALPH LAUREN STORES. The Company enhances the sale and
merchandising of its products and builds the awareness and identity of its
brands through its Polo stores and outlet stores. The Company's two
flagship stores, located on Madison Avenue in New York City, offer unique
shopping environments which communicate the complete Polo lifestyle. Over
100 Polo stores are operated by the Company and its licensing partners and
joint ventures in over 25 countries worldwide. The Company currently also
operates 67 outlet stores which broaden its customer base and contribute to
profitability while maintaining the integrity of its primary distribution
channels. See "-- Operations -- Direct Retailing".
The Company believes that the ongoing implementation of these operating
strategies in combination with its growth strategies positions the Company for
continued success. Polo's growth strategies are as follows:
EXPAND THE FAMILY OF POLO BRANDS. The Company continually creates new
brands based upon the original Polo and Ralph Lauren concepts to address
new markets and consumer groups and maintain Polo's premium image. For
example, in fiscal 1994, the Polo Sport label was created to introduce a
new line of fitness apparel targeted at the growing market for functional,
performance-oriented sport and outdoor wear. In Fall 1995, Polo launched
its exclusive, limited distribution Purple Label brand of men's tailored
clothing. Representing the Company's most refined apparel perspective,
Purple Label reinforces Polo's reputation for quality, innovation and
style. In Fall 1996, Polo introduced a denim-based line of sportswear for
men, women and children under the Polo Jeans Co. brand. With price points
below those of Polo's core apparel lines and a more casual contemporary
styling, Polo Jeans Co. is designed to appeal to younger consumers. See
"-- Operations -- Wholesale -- Polo Ralph Lauren Menswear" and
"-- Operations -- Licensing Alliances -- Product Licensing Alliances".
DEVELOP NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES AND BUSINESSES WITHIN EXISTING
BRANDS. Polo builds sales within its existing brands by devoting resources
to less developed product areas and adding new product categories. For
example, in Spring 1994, the Company added skin care products to its Polo
Sport fragrance line and in fiscal 1996, introduced a line of paints and
wall finishes as part of Home Collection. Similarly, while Polo has offered
footwear since 1972, the Company plans to launch a full range of athletic
footwear in 1998. See "-- Operations -- Licensing Alliances -- Product
Licensing Alliances".
LEVERAGE POLO BRANDS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. The Company believes
that international markets offer additional opportunities for Polo's
quintessential American designs and lifestyle image and is committed to the
global development of its businesses. International expansion opportunities
may include the roll out of new products and brands following their launch
in the U.S., the introduction of additional product lines, the entrance
into new international markets
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<PAGE> 46
and the addition of Polo stores in these markets. For example, following
the successful launch of Polo Jeans Co. in the United States in Fall 1996,
the Company formalized its plans to introduce the line in Canada, Europe
and Asia in Fall 1997. See "-- Operations -- Licensing
Alliances -- International Licensing Alliances".
CAPITALIZE ON WOMENSWEAR OPPORTUNITY. The Company believes the
womenswear market offers a significant opportunity for it to further
capitalize on its position both domestically and internationally as a
leading designer of womenswear. The Company acquired its womenswear
business from a former licensing partner in October 1995. In addition to
allowing the Company to improve the operations of its existing womenswear
designer and bridge lines, the acquisition has enabled Polo to take
important growth initiatives in additional segments of the womenswear
market. In Fall 1996, for example, the Company and a new licensing partner
launched the Lauren line of women's better sportswear and career apparel.
See "-- Operations -- Wholesale -- Ralph Lauren Womenswear".
CONTINUE RETAIL EXPANSION. The Company plans to expand its retail
presence by adding five or more Polo stores, including Polo Stores in Palm
Beach and Las Vegas and flagship stores in London and Chicago, over the
next two years. The Company also plans to add ten to 20 new outlet stores
over the next three years. In addition, in fiscal 1998, the Company plans
to test market a Polo Jeans Co. store. See "-- Operations -- Direct
Retailing".
OPERATIONS
Polo's business consists of four integrated operations: wholesale, Home
Collection, direct retail and licensing alliances. Each is driven by the
Company's guiding philosophy of style, innovation and quality.
WHOLESALE
Polo's wholesale business is subdivided into two divisions: Polo Ralph
Lauren Menswear and Ralph Lauren Womenswear. In both of its wholesale divisions,
the Company offers discrete brand offerings to compete at various price levels.
See "-- Domestic Wholesale and Home Collection Customers and Services". The
Company's total wholesale net sales for fiscal 1997 were $663.4 million.
POLO RALPH LAUREN MENSWEAR
The Menswear division designs, sources, markets and distributes menswear
under its Polo by Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Ralph Lauren/Purple Label Collection
and Polo Golf brands. Each line is directed by a team consisting of design,
merchandising, sales and production staff who work together to conceive, develop
and merchandise product groupings organized to convey a variety of design
concepts. Generally, there are four annual seasonal presentations for each line:
Fall, Cruise/Holiday, Spring and Summer. Within each line, the Company offers
core and recurring styles complemented by fashion forward items reflecting
contemporary trends. Polo is recognized worldwide as one of the premier men's
designer collections, and Mr. Lauren was named 1996 Menswear Designer of the
Year by the CFDA. The wholesale net sales of menswear products increased from
$433.0 million in fiscal 1993 to $564.6 million in fiscal 1997.
POLO BY RALPH LAUREN. The Polo by Ralph Lauren menswear collection is a
complete men's wardrobe consisting of products related by theme, style, color
and fabric. Products include pants, dress and casual shirts, the famous knit
shirts with the polo player logo, ties, outerwear and sweaters, as well as
tailored suits, sport coats, top coats, tailored trousers and formal wear, which
are produced by licensing partners. The line is characterized by traditional and
classic elements reflecting the distinctive American style of Polo Ralph Lauren.
Polo by Ralph Lauren menswear is generally priced at a range of price points
within the men's premium ready-to-wear apparel market. For example, suggested
retail prices typically range from $49.50 to $59.50 for a basic knit shirt,
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<PAGE> 47
$59.50 to $89.50 for a dress shirt and $58.50 for chino pants. This line is
currently sold through approximately 1,600 department store, specialty store and
Polo store doors in the United States, including approximately 1,050 department
store shop-within-shop boutiques.
POLO SPORT. The Polo Sport line of activewear and sportswear is designed to
meet the growing consumer demand for functional sport and outdoor apparel. Polo
Sport products include apparel and accessories for skiing, golfing, running,
tennis, cycling, rock-climbing, cross-training, snowboarding and nautical
sports, and often feature highperformance fabrics and construction. While the
line is designed to meet the performance requirements of these activities, Polo
Sport products also appeal to consumers who seek designer styling combined with
technical authenticity in sportswear. Polo Sport is offered at a range of price
points generally consistent with prices for the Polo by Ralph Lauren line, and
is distributed through approximately 1,300 department store, specialty store,
Polo Sport store and Polo store doors in the United States, including
approximately 145 department store shop-within-shop boutiques.
RALPH LAUREN/PURPLE LABEL COLLECTION. In Fall 1995, the Company introduced
its Purple Label Collection of men's tailored clothing. Made from luxurious
fabrics, Purple Label presents the Company's most refined perspective on men's
clothing. Prominently featured in the Company's advertising, Purple Label
reinforces the exclusive image of the Company's brands and communicates central
themes of quality, innovation and style. The Company believes its exclusively
distributed brands, including Purple Label Collection, not only build the
Company's image, but also enhance sales of its other products. To complement the
tailored clothing line, the Company recently launched and will distribute its
Purple Label sportswear line for retail sale in Fall 1997. Purple Label
Collection tailored clothing is manufactured and distributed by a licensee, and
dress shirts and ties are sourced and distributed by the Company. Suggested
retail prices typically range from $1,600 to $3,000 for a suit, $165 to $225 for
a dress shirt, and $95 to $125 for a tie. The Purple Label lines are sold
through a limited number of premier fashion retailers, currently numbering
approximately 30 doors in the United States.
POLO GOLF. The Polo Golf line is targeted at the golf and resort markets.
The line includes products similar to those in the Polo by Ralph Lauren line
with features tailored to the needs of the golf and resort consumer. For
example, club logos or names can be embroidered on certain Polo Golf apparel
products. Price points are similar to those charged for products in the Polo
Sport line. The Polo Golf line is presently sold in the United States through
approximately 1,500 leading golf clubs, pro shops and resorts, in addition to
department, specialty and Polo stores.
RALPH LAUREN WOMENSWEAR
The Womenswear division designs, sources, markets and distributes
womenswear under its Ralph Lauren Collection and Collection Classics,
RALPH/Ralph Lauren, Ralph (Polo Player Design) Lauren and Ralph Lauren Polo
Sport brands. Representatives from each of the design, merchandising, sales and
production staffs work together to conceive, develop and sell product groupings
organized to convey a variety of design concepts. Each of the women's apparel
lines (except Ralph Lauren Collection) consists of core, recurring styles,
complemented by more fashion-oriented items which reflect contemporary trends.
Mr. Lauren introduced his first womenswear products in 1971 and subsequently
licensed the line in 1973.
In October 1995, to capitalize further on its position, both domestically
and internationally, as a leading designer of womenswear, Polo acquired the
business of its former licensing partner and commenced its own womenswear
wholesale operations. Since acquiring control of these operations, the Company
has centralized control of its womenswear design, merchandising and sales
activities and focused its efforts on improving the quality, production and
delivery of its products. In addition, the Company has sought to build its
womenswear business by capitalizing on the relationships developed with its
menswear customers and by devoting resources to creating and renovating
shop-within-shop boutiques and other exclusively fixtured areas within
department
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<PAGE> 48
stores. In fiscal 1997, the Company's wholesale net sales of womenswear products
were $98.8 million.
The womenswear industry's four basic selling seasons are Fall,
Cruise/Holiday, Spring and Summer. The women's ready-to-wear apparel market in
the United States is divided into five segments defined by price levels, ranging
from lowest to highest, as follows: budget, moderate, better, bridge, and
designer. The Company competes directly in the bridge and designer segments of
the womenswear industry, and competes through its licensing partner for the
Lauren line in the better segment.
RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION AND COLLECTION CLASSICS. The Ralph Lauren
Collection, sold under the Purple Label and the Custom Collection Label (the
"Collection"), expresses the Company's up-to-the-moment fashion vision for
women. Made with luxury fabrics and high quality construction and detailing, the
Collection plays an important strategic role for the Company by reinforcing the
Polo Ralph Lauren image of style and high fashion. Each of the Spring and Fall
collections is introduced at major fashion shows which generate extensive
international media coverage. The Collection is recognized as one of the premier
women's designer collections, and Mr. Lauren was named 1995 Womenswear Designer
of the Year by the CFDA.
Collection Classics include timeless versions of the Company's most
successful Collection styles, as well as newly-designed classic signature styles
which tend to remain in a women's wardrobe for several seasons. The Collection
Classics line uses similar quality fabrics and construction to those used to
produce the Collection line. Beginning in Spring 1997, the Collection Classics
line will be sold under Ralph Lauren's Black Label.
Collection and Collection Classics are offered for limited distribution to
premier fashion retailers and through Polo stores. Price points are at the upper
end or luxury ranges. The suggested retail prices for a Collection jacket and
pant typically range from $995 to $2,500, and from $450 to $1,395, respectively.
The suggested retail prices for a Collection Classics jacket and pant typically
range from $695 to $1,495 and from $395 to $650, respectively. The lines are
currently sold through over 110 doors in the United States and 20 international
doors.
RALPH/RALPH LAUREN. The RALPH/Ralph Lauren brand was established in 1994
and presents a distinct and more casual fashion identity for the bridge market,
while retaining a strong association with the Ralph Lauren Collection designer
image. Younger in attitude and lower in price than the Collection, the RALPH
line consists of a mix of classic and fashion items ranging from career wear to
casual weekend apparel. The line is sold through approximately 140 doors in the
United States and Canada. The suggested retail prices for a RALPH/Ralph Lauren
jacket and pant typically range from $350 to $595, and from $125 to $325,
respectively.
RALPH LAUREN POLO SPORT. Similar to its men's counterpart, the Ralph Lauren
Polo Sport line for women includes activewear for a variety of sports, as well
as fashion athletic and sportswear basics. Introduced in Spring 1997, the Polo
Sport line for women broadens the Company's potential customer base. Certain
core sportswear items continue to be sold under the Ralph (Polo Player Design)
Lauren label which until recent years was the label under which most Ralph
Lauren women's sportswear was sold. The Ralph Lauren Polo Sport line is
currently carried by approximately 400 doors in the United States, including
approximately 130 shop-within-shop boutiques, and sells at a wide range of
bridge prices. For example, the suggested retail price for a t-shirt is $28,
while the suggested retail price for outerwear ranges from $115 to $425.
HOME COLLECTION
With the introduction of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection in 1983, Polo
became one of the first major apparel designers to extend its design principles
and brands to a complete line of home furnishings. Today, in conjunction with
its licensing partners, Polo offers an extensive collection of home products
which both draw upon, and add to, the design themes of the Company's other
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<PAGE> 49
product lines, contributing to Polo's complete lifestyle concept. New seasonal
lines are presented for the Fall and Spring selling seasons while classic items
remain a continuing part of the Home Collection. Products are sold under the
Ralph Lauren Home Collection brands in three primary categories: bedding and
bath, interior decor, and tabletop and gift.
The table below details wholesale net sales of Home Collection products
worldwide by the Company's licensing partners, for which the Company receives
licensing revenue, for the stated fiscal years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
--------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Home Collection wholesale net sales........ $109.3 $144.7 $206.9 $265.9 $325.5
</TABLE>
In addition to developing the Home Collection, Polo acts as sales and
marketing agent for its domestic Home Collection licensing partners. Together
with its nine domestic home product licensing partners, representatives of the
Company's design, merchandising, production and sales staffs collaborate to
conceive, develop and merchandise the various products as a complete home
furnishing collection. Polo's personnel market and sell the products to domestic
customers and certain international accounts. Polo's licensing partners, many of
which are leaders in their particular product category, manufacture, own the
inventory and ship the products. As compared to its other licensing alliances,
Polo performs a broader range of services for its Home Collection licensing
partners, which, in addition to sales and marketing, include operating showrooms
and incurring advertising expenses, and, consequently, generally receives a
higher royalty rate from its Home Collection licensing partners, which rates
generally range from 15% to 25%. Home Collection licensing alliances generally
have three to five-year terms and often grant the licensee conditional renewal
options.
Home Collection products are positioned at the upper tiers of their
respective markets and are offered at a range of price levels. Consistent with
its strategy of developing its brands and products in tiered price categories,
in Fall 1996 the Company introduced its luxurious White Label Collection of high
thread-count bed and bath products offered through approximately 40 doors.
The Company's home furnishings products generally are distributed through
department stores, specialty furniture stores, interior design showrooms,
customer catalogs and home centers. As with its other products, the use of
shop-within-shop boutiques is central to the Company's distribution strategy.
Certain licensing partners, including those selling furniture, wall coverings,
blankets, bed pillows, tabletop, flatware, home fragrance and paint, also sell
their products directly through their own staffs to reach additional customer
markets.
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<PAGE> 50
The home furnishings products offered by the Company and its domestic
licensing partners are listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CATEGORY PRODUCT LICENSING PARTNER
- ------------------- ---------------------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Bedding and Bath Towels, sheets, pillowcases and matching WestPoint Stevens, Inc.
bedding accessories
Blankets, bed pillows, comforters and Pillowtex Corporation
other decorative bedding accessories,
excluding those matched to sheets
Bath rugs Newmark & James
Interior Decor Upholstered furniture and case goods Henredon Furniture
Industries, Inc.
Interior and exterior paints, stains and The Sherwin-Williams
special finishes Company
Fabric and wallpaper P. Kaufmann, Inc.
Table and Giftware Sterling, silverplate and stainless Reed and Barton
steel flatware and picture frames Corporation
Crystal and glass tableware and RJS Scientific, Inc.
giftware, ceramic dinnerware and
giftware, home fragrances (potpourri,
scented candles, etc.) and Polo bears
Placemats, tablecloths, napkins Designers Collection, Inc.
</TABLE>
The Company's three most significant Home Collection licensing partners
based on aggregate licensing revenue paid to the Company are WestPoint Stevens,
Inc., Pillowtex Corporation and Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc. WestPoint
Stevens, Inc. accounted for approximately 52% of Home Collection licensing
revenue in fiscal 1997. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Licensing Partners
for a Substantial Portion of Net Income; Risks Associated with a Lack of
Operational and Financial Control Over Licensed Businesses".
DOMESTIC WHOLESALE AND HOME COLLECTION CUSTOMERS AND SERVICE
GENERAL. Consistent with the appeal and distinctive image of its products
and brands, the Company sells its menswear, womenswear and Home Collection
products primarily to leading upscale department stores, specialty stores, golf
and pro shops and Polo stores located throughout the United States which have
the reputation and merchandising expertise required for the effective
presentation of Polo products. The Company believes that Polo is a core resource
for its major accounts, often being one of their largest-selling brands. As
such, Polo generally receives priority in location, display and management
attention.
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<PAGE> 51
The Company's wholesale and home furnishings products are distributed
through the primary distribution channels listed in the table below. In
addition, the Company also sells excess and out-of-season products through
secondary distribution channels.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF
DOORS AS OF MARCH 29, 1997
---------------------------------------
MENSWEAR WOMENSWEAR HOME COLLECTION
-------- ---------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Department Stores.................................. 1,300 310 1,300
Specialty Stores................................... 340 105 50
Polo Stores........................................ 40 40 35
Golf & Pro Shops................................... 1,520 350 --
</TABLE>
Department stores represent the largest customer group of each wholesale
division and of the Home Collection. Major department store customers include
Federated Department Stores, Inc., Dillard Department Stores, Inc., The May
Department Stores Company and Dayton Hudson Corporation. During fiscal 1997,
Federated Department Stores, The May Department Store Company and Dillard
Department Stores accounted for 17.2%, 14.2% and 13.8%, respectively, of the
Company's wholesale net sales. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Sales to a
Limited Number of Large Department Store Customers; Risks Related to Extending
Credit to Customers".
The Company seeks to assist its retail customers in achieving a high
sell-through of Polo products at full price. Polo supports these retail
customers with account executives, sales coordinators and retail analysts who
work closely with stores to assist in purchasing, merchandising, stocking and
advertising. In addition, the Company employs approximately 80 merchandising
coordinators devoted to menswear, womenswear and Home Collection to conduct
training of customers' sales staffs, enforce the Company's merchandising and
design standards, and monitor product stock flow. Instore seminars, trunk and
fashion shows and other training events are also conducted by the Company's
staff to further educate retail customers' sales staffs, develop customer
loyalty and strengthen sales.
Menswear, womenswear and Home Collection wholesale products are primarily
sold through their respective sales forces aggregating approximately 140
salespersons employed by Polo. The menswear division maintains its primary
showroom at Polo's New York City executive headquarters. Regional showrooms for
menswear are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. An independent
sales representative promotes sales to U.S. military exchanges. The womenswear
and Home Collection divisions maintain their primary showrooms in New York City.
Regional sales representatives for the Home Collection are located in the
Company's showrooms in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles and in London.
The Company also operates a separate tabletop showroom in New York City.
SHOP-WITHIN-SHOP BOUTIQUES. The Company constantly seeks to ensure that its
products are offered to the consumer in a visually attractive setting that is
consistent with Polo's marketing philosophy and image. As a critical element of
its distribution to department stores, the Company and its licensing partners
utilize shop-within-shop boutiques to enhance brand recognition, permit more
complete merchandising of the Company's lines and differentiate the presentation
of products. In these shops, a broad assortment of Polo products is presented in
a combination of wallcase and free-standing fixtures, as well as "concept"
tables, in order to create both powerful visual presentations and, by grouping
similar patterns and models together, an efficient shopping environment. The
boutiques include seasonal visual guides, such as props, display photos, niche
liners and counter cards, which enhance the image and identity of particular
themes. Polo was a pioneer in the establishment of these boutiques. The Company
believes shop-within-shop boutiques stimulate longer term commitment by the
retailer to the Company's products and encourage each store to carry a
representative cross-section of the product line for each season. The Company
believes that the Company's shop-within-shop boutiques significantly improve
sales productivity and has focused its efforts on increasing the number and size
of shop-within-shop boutiques where appropriate. The
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<PAGE> 52
Company intends to add approximately 210 shop-within-shop boutiques and
refurbish approximately 195 shop-within-shop boutiques in fiscal 1998. At March
29, 1997, department store customers in the United States had installed over
1,700 shop-within-shop boutiques dedicated to Polo products. The size of Polo
shop-within-shop boutiques (excluding significantly larger shop-within-shop
boutiques in key department store locations) typically ranges from approximately
2,000 to 3,000 square feet for menswear, from approximately 800 to 1,000 square
feet for womenswear, and from approximately 800 to 1,200 square feet for home
furnishings. The Company estimates that, in total, approximately 1.6 million
square feet of department store space in the United States is dedicated to Polo
shop-within-shop boutiques. In addition to shop-within-shop boutiques, the
Company utilizes exclusively fixtured areas in department stores.
BASIC STOCK REPLENISHMENT PROGRAM. The menswear and womenswear programs
allow products such as knit shirts, chino pants, oxford cloth shirts and navy
blazers to be ordered at any time through basic stock replenishment programs.
For customers who reorder basic products, Polo generally ships these products
within one to five days of order receipt. These products accounted for
approximately 17% of menswear wholesale sales and approximately 7% of womenswear
wholesale sales in fiscal 1997. The Company has also implemented a seasonal
quick response program to allow replenishment of products such as lambswool
sweaters, corduroy trousers and down jackets which can be ordered for only a
portion of each year. Certain Home Collection licensing partners also offer a
basic stock replenishment program which includes towels, bedding and tabletop
products. Basic stock products accounted for approximately 73% of net sales of
Home Collection licensing partners in fiscal 1997.
DIRECT RETAILING
The Company operates two types of retail stores dedicated to the sale of
Polo products. Located in prime retail areas, the Company's 28 Polo stores
(which include the 21 stores being acquired by the Company in the PRC
Acquisition) operate under the Polo Ralph Lauren and Polo Sport names. The
Company's 67 outlet stores are generally located in outlet malls and operate
under the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store name. The Company's retail sales for
fiscal 1997, exclusive of PRC sales, were $380.0 million.
In addition to its own retail operations, the Company has granted licenses
to independent parties to operate 14 stores in the United States and more than
65 stores internationally. The Company receives the proceeds from the sale of
its menswear and womenswear products, which are included in wholesale net sales,
to these stores and also receives royalties, which are included in licensing
income, from its licensing partners who sell to these stores. The Company
generally does not receive any other compensation from these licensed store
operators. See "--Licensing Alliances".
POLO STORES
In addition to generating sales of Polo Ralph Lauren products, Polo stores
set, reinforce and capitalize on the image of Polo's brands. Depending on their
size and location, the stores present lifestyle collections of Polo Ralph Lauren
apparel, accessories, home and fragrance products. The stores are designed and
fixtured to create a distinctive Polo environment and store associates are
trained to maintain high standards of visual presentation, merchandising and
customer service. The result is a complete statement at retail of Polo's central
themes of quality, style and innovation.
The Company's two flagship stores located on Madison Avenue in New York
City showcase Polo products and demonstrate Polo's most refined merchandising
techniques. Opened in 1986, the Company's Polo Ralph Lauren Store in the
five-story Rhinelander Mansion embodies the Polo lifestyle in over 20,000 square
feet. The store has been critically acclaimed for the quality of its design and
presentation and the Company received the 1986 Retailer of the Year award from
the CFDA in connection with its opening. Opened in 1993 in conjunction with
development of the Polo
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<PAGE> 53
Sport brand, the 10,000 square foot flagship Polo Sport store is designed to
convey the active spirit and complete product line of this brand.
In 1993, Polo combined the operations of a majority of its then owned
stores with those of an experienced licensing partner to form a joint venture,
PRC, in order to improve the stores' performance. In addition to operating the
stores, PRC has acquired and opened additional stores while closing unproductive
stores. Simultaneously with the closing of the Offerings, Polo will complete the
acquisition of the interest of its joint venture partner in PRC. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions -- PRC Acquisition".
Following the PRC Acquisition, in addition to its New York flagship stores,
Polo will operate 26 other Polo stores. Ranging in size from approximately 2,000
to over 14,000 square feet, the non-flagship stores are situated in upscale
regional malls and major high street locations generally in the largest urban
markets in the United States. Polo has also operated a Polo store on New Bond
Street in London since 1983. In aggregate, the Company will operate 24 Polo
Ralph Lauren stores, two Polo Sport stores and two Polo Country stores (offering
primarily leisure and weekend apparel). Stores are generally leased for initial
periods of ten years with renewal options.
The Company plans to continue to invest in Polo stores. In fiscal 1997, new
Polo stores were opened in Waikiki, Hawaii, Troy, Michigan and Roosevelt Field
Mall in Garden City, New York, and in fiscal 1998 a new Polo store was opened in
Oakbrook, Illinois. Among other locations, new stores are planned for Palm
Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada, and new flagship stores are planned for
Chicago and London. Following successful major renovations and expansions of its
San Francisco and Atlanta stores in fiscal 1997, Polo plans to renovate or
relocate its stores in Houston, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Manhasset, New York and
Short Hills, New Jersey, in fiscal 1998. Also in fiscal 1998, the Company plans
to test market a Polo Jeans Co. store as part of the development of its Polo
Jeans Co. brand.
Effective March 31, 1997, the Company entered into a joint venture
agreement with a nonaffiliated partner to acquire real property in New York
City. The Company and its partner expect to own and operate a concept store in
New York City and are discussing a restaurant and other possible concepts for
such location. Concurrent with the signing of the agreement, the Company made an
initial contribution for its 50% interest in the joint venture in the amount of
$5.0 million.
OUTLET STORES
Polo extends its reach to additional consumer groups through its 67 Polo
Ralph Lauren Factory Stores. Offering Polo products at 15% to 50% below
suggested retail prices in an outlet mall environment, the outlet stores target
consumers who favor value-oriented retailers. Geographically positioned to
minimize potential overlap with the Company's primary customers, the outlet
stores add sales in regions where Polo products are not readily available. The
outlet stores also serve to liquidate excess, irregular and out-of-season Polo
Ralph Lauren products outside of the Company's primary distribution channels.
Outlet stores offer selections of the Company's menswear, womenswear,
children's apparel, accessories, home furnishings and fragrances. Ranging in
size from 5,000 to 13,000 square feet, with an average of over 7,900 square
feet, the stores are generally located in major outlet centers in 31 states and
Puerto Rico. The Company believes that the outlet stores maintain fixturing,
visual presentation and service standards superior to those typically associated
with outlet stores.
Outlet stores purchase products from Polo, its licensing partners and its
suppliers and from Polo stores in the United States. Outlet stores purchase
products from Polo generally at cost and from Polo's domestic product licensing
partners and Polo stores at negotiated prices. Outlet stores also source basic
products and styles directly from the Company's suppliers often utilizing Polo's
excess fabric. In fiscal 1997, the outlet stores purchased approximately 35%,
30% and 35% of products from the Company, licensing partners and other
suppliers, respectively.
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<PAGE> 54
Given the broad appeal of Polo's brands and the relatively high sales
productivity of these stores, the Company believes it is a desired tenant among
outlet store developers and, as such, Polo has received significant landlord
concessions which have minimized its initial investment and provided other
favorable lease terms. The stores are generally leased for an initial period of
five or more years with subsequent renewal options. The Company plans to add ten
to 20 new outlet stores (net of anticipated store closings) over the next three
years. In addition, in fiscal 1998 the Company plans to test three or more
factory outlet concept stores which will carry only certain Polo brands and
products and will be smaller than typical outlet stores. There can be no
assurance that the Company will continue to receive landlord concessions or
other favorable lease terms.
LICENSING ALLIANCES
Through licensing alliances, Polo combines its consumer insight and design,
marketing and imaging skills with the specific product or geographic
competencies of its licensing partners to create and build new businesses. The
Company's licensing partners, who are often leaders in their respective markets,
generally contribute the majority of product development costs, provide the
operational infrastructure required to support the business and own the
inventory. Since the Company is, in most cases, paid a royalty based upon
wholesale sales by its licensing partners, Polo is less exposed to certain
operating risks influencing profitability than if it owned and operated the
business directly. Further, extension of the Company's brands into new product
categories and regions, coupled with associated marketing campaigns,
incrementally enhance and build awareness of the Company's brands generally.
Product and international licensing partners are granted the right to
manufacture and sell at wholesale specified products under one or more of Polo's
trademarks. Generally, product licenses encompass the production and sale of a
complete product line for sale in the United States and may also include
provisions for international sales, either directly or through the Company's
international licensing partners. International licenses typically grant the
licensing partner the right to distribute a broad range of Polo Ralph Lauren
products within a defined international market. International licensing partners
produce and source products independently and in conjunction with the Company
and its product licensing partners. As compensation for the Company's
contributions under these agreements, each licensing partner pays royalties to
the Company based upon its sales of Polo Ralph Lauren products, subject
generally, to payment of a minimum royalty. With the exception of Home
Collection licenses, these payments generally range from five to eight percent
of the licensing partner's sales of the licensed products. See "-- Home
Collection" for a description of royalty arrangements for Home Collection
products. In addition, licensing partners are required to allocate between two
and four percent of their sales to advertise Polo products. Larger allocations
are required in connection with launches of new products or in new territories.
Licensing alliance agreements generally have three- to five-year terms and often
grant the licensee renewal options if specified sales thresholds are met. In
those few instances where the Company has granted long term licenses, the
Company has generally obtained the right to buy the licensed business from its
licensing partner under certain circumstances.
Polo works in close collaboration with its licensing partners to ensure
that products are developed, marketed and distributed to address the intended
market opportunity and present consistently to consumers worldwide the
distinctive perspective and lifestyle associated with the Company's brands.
While product licensing partners may employ their own designers, the Company
oversees the design of all its products. Polo works closely with licensing
partners to coordinate marketing and distribution strategies and the design and
construction of shop-within-shop boutiques, and participates in the long-range
planning and development of its licensing partners' Polo businesses. Virtually
all aspects of the design, production quality, packaging, merchandising,
distribution, advertising and promotion of Polo products are subject to the
Company's prior approval and ongoing oversight. The result is a consistent
identity for Polo products across product categories and international markets.
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<PAGE> 55
Polo has 19 product and 14 international licensing partners. A substantial
portion of the Company's net income is derived from licensing revenue received
from its licensing partners. The Company's three largest licensing partners by
licensing revenue, Seibu Department Stores, Ltd., WestPoint Stevens, Inc. and
L'Oreal S.A./Cosmair, Inc. accounted for 13.8%, 17.3 and 8.4%, respectively, of
licensing revenues in fiscal 1997. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Licensing
Partners for a Substantial Portion of Net Income; Risks Associated with a Lack
of Operational and Financial Control over Licensed Businesses". Details of
wholesale net sales of the Company's licensing partners (excluding sales of Home
Collection products) are presented below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Product......................... $ 570.8 $ 582.2 $ 640.8 $ 648.2 $ 929.9
International................... 685.7 667.0 796.2 867.4 870.8
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total................. $1,256.5 $1,249.2 $1,437.0 $1,515.6 $1,800.7
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
PRODUCT LICENSING ALLIANCES
Polo has agreements with 19 product licensing partners relating to men's
and women's sportswear, men's tailored clothing, children's apparel,
personalwear, accessories and fragrances.
CASUAL APPAREL AND SPORTSWEAR
CHAPS BY RALPH LAUREN. Through a licensing partner, Polo offers a line of
moderately priced men's sportswear under the Chaps by Ralph Lauren brand
("Chaps"). Originally introduced in 1974, Chaps has become a broad casual
sportswear line featuring knit and woven shirts, sweaters, casual pants and
outerwear. Chaps addresses a younger and more price-conscious fashion consumer
than does the Polo by Ralph Lauren brand. Chaps is distributed primarily through
a broad base of better department stores where the line is often sold through
areas outfitted with customized Chaps fixturing. As Chaps has expanded its
product line and distribution, U.S. wholesale net sales by Polo's licensing
partner have grown from approximately $70 million in fiscal 1993 to over $180
million in fiscal 1997. Warnaco, Inc. has been the Company's Chaps licensing
partner since 1976.
POLO JEANS CO. Recognizing an opportunity in the younger contemporary
sportswear market, the Company created the Polo Jeans Co. brand. Targeted at 16-
to 28-year old men and women, the denim-based line is founded upon a more casual
and contemporary design perspective than the Company's core menswear and
womenswear brands. The Polo Jeans Co. collection features a large selection of
both basic and fashion jeans with a broad complement of casual sportswear,
including chambray shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, chino pants and outerwear.
Suggested retail prices include $48 for basic jeans, $50 for a chambray shirt
and $60 for a sweatshirt. The Polo Jeans Co. brand is intended to become a core
offering for department stores' younger, more fashion-forward customers. Polo
Jeans Co. products are also sold through retailers catering to the young men's
and women's markets. Launched in the United States in Fall 1996, Polo Jeans Co.
products are currently offered through over 2,000 men's and women's doors. The
Company expects to test market a Polo Jeans Co. store in fiscal 1998. The
Company's licensing partner for Polo Jeans Co. in the United States is Sun
Apparel, Inc.
LAUREN BY RALPH LAUREN. Introduced in Fall 1996, the Lauren by Ralph Lauren
brand ("Lauren") marked Polo's entry into the women's better sportswear market,
a market significantly larger than that addressed by the Company's designer and
bridge collections. Embodying the traditional classic styling associated with
the Ralph Lauren brands, Lauren offers an extensive collection of women's better
apparel suitable for both career and social environments. Representative items
and suggested retail price points include tailored jackets at $250, career
skirts at $120, cotton shirts at $55 and chino pants at $55. Launched in
approximately 250 department store doors,
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<PAGE> 56
Lauren is expected to be sold through approximately 650 doors by the Fall 1997
season. Lauren is currently offered exclusively in better department stores
where it is merchandised through shop-within-shop boutiques. Lauren will add
petite sizes, suits and a broadened assortment of coats for Fall 1997. The
Company's licensing partner for Lauren is Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
MEN'S TAILORED CLOTHING
Consistent with its strategy of segmenting its menswear business by style
and price point, the Company offers men's tailored clothing under its Purple
Label, Polo by Ralph Lauren and Chaps brands. The product offering consists of
suits, sport coats, tailored trousers and top coats. In fiscal 1997, total U.S.
wholesale net sales of men's tailored clothing by the Company's licensing
partners exceeded $70 million.
Representative suggested retail prices for Polo's licensed men's tailored
clothing brands and the licensing partners of such brands are listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUGGESTED RETAIL
PRICES FOR A
BRAND LICENSING PARTNER SUIT
------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Purple Label Chester Barrie, Ltd. $1,600 to $3,000
Polo by Ralph Lauren Pietrafesa & Co. $600 to $1,200
Chaps Peerless Inc. $300 to $500
</TABLE>
CHILDREN'S APPAREL
In the children's apparel market, Polo offers products for boys, infants
and toddlers, and girls. Polo's children's apparel lines are sold through better
department stores, Polo stores and other specialty stores, often through
shop-within-shop boutiques. The Company's licensing partners had U.S. wholesale
net sales of children's apparel in fiscal 1997 of over $85 million.
POLO FOR BOYS. Introduced in 1978, the Polo for Boys product line consists
of premium quality casual apparel, outerwear, tailored clothing and furnishings
for boys in sizes 4 through 20. Products are offered under the Polo by Ralph
Lauren and Polo Sport brands and include children-sized versions of core
menswear styles and incorporate their distinctive design themes and features.
Polo for Boys is licensed to Oxford Industries, Inc.
RALPH LAUREN INFANTS AND TODDLERS AND GIRLS. Introduced in 1995, the Ralph
Lauren Infants and Toddlers collection brings Polo's signature style and
products to boys and girls in sizes layette to 4T. Products are offered under
the Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport and Polo Jeans Co. brands and are generally
consistent in terms of style and quality with the Polo for Boys collection. The
infants and toddlers collection is licensed to S. Schwab Company, Inc. with whom
Polo plans to introduce a new line of apparel for girls in sizes 4 to 6X in
Spring 1998.
PERSONALWEAR
In order to capitalize fully on its opportunity in the large personalwear
market, Polo recently restructured its licensing arrangements. In 1988, Polo
entered into its first licensing alliance in the men's underwear category which
resulted in a limited line of men's underwear under the Ralph Lauren brand.
Recognizing the potential to extend its brands into additional personalwear
categories, in 1996 Polo entered into a new licensing arrangement with Sara Lee
Corporation. As a result, Polo, in collaboration with Sara Lee Corporation, has
developed extensive personalwear lines for both men and women. Scheduled for
retail sale in Fall 1997, the men's personalwear line includes underwear,
loungewear, sleepwear and robes offered under the Purple Label, Polo by Ralph
Lauren and Polo Sport brands. Also expected to debut in Fall 1997, the women's
personalwear line includes underwear, foundations, loungewear, sleepwear and
robes under the Company's Collection, Ralph Lauren and Polo Sport brands.
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ACCESSORIES -- FOOTWEAR AND OTHERS
Through its licensing partners, Polo offers a wide range of accessories
designed to complement its men's and women's apparel lines, further enhance the
distinctive images of its brands and build its business. In aggregate, U.S.
wholesale net sales of accessories offered under the Company's brands exceeded
$200 million in fiscal 1997.
DRESS AND CASUAL FOOTWEAR. In order to capitalize more fully on its
opportunity in the footwear market, Polo restructured its licensing arrangements
in 1996 for dress and casual footwear. In 1972, Polo introduced its first
footwear products. The Ralph Lauren Footwear line currently consists of a broad
collection of premium quality dress and casual shoes for men and women offered
under the Company's brands. Recognizing the potential to expand this business,
in 1996 Polo entered into a licensing agreement with Reebok International Ltd.'s
subsidiary, The Rockport Company, Inc. ("Reebok/Rockport") upon Rockport's
acquisition of control of the operations of Polo's then existing footwear
licensing partner. Under their licensing alliance, Polo, in combination with the
substantial expertise and other resources of Reebok/Rockport, is working to
develop further its dress and casual shoe business and expects to expand the
assortment in terms of style and price point and enhance in-store merchandising
and presentation.
PERFORMANCE ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR. As part of its licensing agreement with
Reebok/Rockport, in 1998, Polo will enter the athletic footwear market. Polo
plans to offer an extensive collection of performance-oriented cross-training,
running, tennis, cycling, hiking, boating and golf shoes for men and women under
the Polo Sport brand.
OTHER ACCESSORIES. Additional accessories offered by the Company and its
licensing partners under Polo's brands are listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCESSORY CATEGORY LICENSING PARTNER
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C>
Handbags and luggage Wathne, Inc.
Eyewear Safilo USA, Inc.
Men's, women's and children's hosiery Hot Sox, Inc.
Belts and other small leather goods New Campaign, Inc.
Scarves for men and women Echo Scarves, Inc.
Jewelry Carolee, Inc.
Men's, women's and children's gloves Swany, Inc.
</TABLE>
FRAGRANCE AND SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
Polo entered the fragrance market in 1978. This global product market
allows the Company to address a broad consumer base and facilitates wide
communication of Polo's essential themes and imagery. The extensive advertising
and promotion which accompany these products have continually reinforced
awareness of the Company's brands and lifestyle image.
From introduction of the Polo fragrance for men and Lauren fragrance for
women in 1978, the Company has continued to expand its offering in the fragrance
and skin care category. In 1990, for example, Polo introduced its Safari
fragrance for women, followed by the Safari fragrance for men in 1992. In
addition to fragrances, these lines include personal care products such as bath
gels, shaving cream and other grooming products. As a complement to Polo's
active apparel, the Company launched Polo Sport for Men, the Fitness Fragrance
in 1994. Polo has continued to build upon this product line with the addition of
innovative Face Fitness and other skin care products. Polo Sport for Women was
launched in fiscal 1996. The Company's strategy is to continue to add products
to its fragrance and skin care line. Worldwide wholesale net sales of Polo
fragrances and skin care products exceeded $270 million in fiscal 1997. L'Oreal
S.A. and its subsidiary, Cosmair
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Inc., have been the Company's fragrance and skin care licensing partners since
1984, and have worldwide distribution rights in perpetuity in the fragrance and
skin care category.
INTERNATIONAL LICENSING ALLIANCES
The Company believes that international markets offer additional
opportunities for Polo's quintessential American designs and lifestyle image and
is committed to the global development of its businesses. International
expansion opportunities may include the roll out of new products and brands
following their launch in the U.S., the introduction of additional product
lines, the entrance into new international markets and the addition of Polo
stores in these markets. For example, following the successful launch of Polo
Jeans Co. in the U.S. in Fall 1996, the Company formalized its plans to
introduce the line in Canada, Europe and Asia in Fall 1997. Polo works with its
14 international licensing partners to facilitate this international expansion.
International licensing partners also operate more than 65 Polo stores.
Polo's first international manufacturing and distribution licensing
alliance was granted to Seibu Department Stores, Ltd. of Japan in 1976 in the
belief that a regional distributor could more effectively develop Polo's
business in its locale given its familiarity and expertise within the market.
The Company's first European license was granted in 1983. Polo's most recent
efforts with regard to international operations include recent extensions of its
licensing alliances for Japan and Europe. In January 1997, the Company concluded
a licensing alliance for Israel and plans to launch its business there with the
opening of three Polo stores in Fall 1997. The Company is also pursuing plans
for expansion in other countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
International licensing partners typically acquire the right to source,
produce, market and sell some or all Polo products in a given geographical area.
International licensing partners are generally subject to the same economic
arrangements as those of domestic product licensing partners. For example,
royalty fees generally range from five to eight percent of the international
licensing partner's sales and advertising expenditures range from two to four
percent of sales. The Company requires each international licensing partner to
distribute products and present an image consistent with that of the Company's
products in the United States. As a result of the Company's requirements of
uniformity, significant information sharing and cooperation is necessary between
the Company and all of its licensing partners, both product and international.
Licensed products are typically designed by the Company, either alone or in
collaboration with its domestic licensing partners. Domestic licensees generally
provide international licensing partners with patterns, piece goods,
manufacturing locations and other information and assistance necessary to
achieve product uniformity, for which they are, in many cases, compensated.
The most significant international licensing partners by royalties in
fiscal 1997 were Seibu Department Stores, Ltd., which oversees distribution of
virtually all of the Company's products in Japan, L'Oreal S.A., which
distributes fragrances and toiletries outside of the United States and Poloco,
S.A., which distributes men's and boys' apparel and certain accessories in
Europe. The Company's ability to maintain and increase royalties under foreign
licenses is dependent upon certain factors not within the Company's control,
including fluctuating currency rates, currency controls, withholding
requirements levied on royalty payments, governmental restrictions on royalty
rates, political instability and local market conditions. See "Risk
Factors -- Foreign Currency Fluctuations" and "-- Dependence on Licensing
Partners for a Substantial Portion of Net Income; Risks Associated with a Lack
of Operational and Financial Control Over Licensed Businesses".
DESIGN
The Company's products reflect a timeless and innovative American style
associated with and defined by Polo and Ralph Lauren. The Company's consistent
emphasis on innovative and distinctive design has been an important contributor
to the prominence, strength and reputation of the Polo Ralph Lauren brands. For
30 years the Company's designers have influenced, anticipated
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and responded to evolving consumer tastes within the context of Polo's defining
aesthetic principles. Mr. Lauren, supported by Polo's design staff, has won
numerous awards for Polo's designs including, most recently, the prestigious
1996 Menswear Designer of the Year award and 1995 Womenswear Designer of the
Year award, both of which were awarded by the CFDA. In addition, Mr. Lauren was
honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, and is the only person
to have won all three of these awards.
Design teams are formed around the Company's brands and product categories
to develop concepts, themes and products for each of Polo's businesses. These
teams work in close collaboration with merchandising, sales and production staff
and licensing partners in order to gain market and other input. Product
merchandisers, for example, provide designers with market trend and other
information and potential business opportunities at initial stages of the design
process. Prior to deliveries each season, design teams work with merchandisers
to edit lines and with advertising and publicity, visual display and sales
staffs to complete a full marketing program for each product line.
All Polo Ralph Lauren products are designed by or under the direction of
Mr. Ralph Lauren and the Company's design staff of approximately 180, which is
divided into three departments. The Menswear Design department is headed by Mr.
Jerome Lauren, Executive Vice President of Menswear Design, who has overseen
menswear design since joining the Company in 1973, and by Mr. John Varvatos,
Senior Vice President of Menswear Design since 1995. Ms. Rosanne Birrittella,
Senior Vice President of Womenswear Design and Advertising, heads the womenswear
design department. She has worked with the Company since 1971 in several senior
creative capacities. Polo's Senior Vice President of Home Design is Ms. Nancy
Vignola, who has worked with the Company since 1976 and has overseen Home
Collection design since its inception in 1982.
The Company operates a research, development and testing facility in
Greensboro, North Carolina, testing labs in New Jersey and Singapore and pattern
rooms in New York and New Jersey.
MARKETING
Polo's marketing program communicates the themes and images of the Polo
Ralph Lauren brands and is an integral feature of its product offering.
Worldwide marketing is managed on a centralized basis through the Company's
advertising and public relations departments in order to ensure consistency of
presentation.
The Company creates the distinctive image advertising for all Polo Ralph
Lauren products, conveying the particular message of each brand within the
context of Polo's core themes. Advertisements generally portray a lifestyle
rather than a specific item and often include a variety of Polo products offered
by both the Company and its licensing partners. Polo's primary advertising
medium is print, with multiple page advertisements appearing regularly in a
range of fashion, lifestyle and general interest magazines including Elle,
Esquire, GQ, The New York Times Magazine, Town and Country, Vanity Fair and
Vogue. Major print advertising campaigns are conducted during the Fall and
Spring retail seasons with additions throughout the year to coincide with
product deliveries. In addition to print, certain product categories utilize
television and outdoor media in their marketing programs.
The Company's licensing partners contribute a percentage (usually between
two and four percent) of their sales of Polo products for advertising. The
Company directly coordinates advertising placement for domestic product
licensing partners. During fiscal 1997, Polo and its licensing partners
collectively spent more than $130 million worldwide to advertise and promote
Polo products.
Polo conducts a variety of public relations activities. Each of the Spring
and Fall womenswear collections is introduced at major fashion shows in New York
which generate extensive domestic and international media coverage. In
recognition of the increasing role menswear plays in the
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fashion industry, each of the Spring and Fall menswear collections is introduced
at fashion presentations organized for the fashion press. In addition, Polo
sponsors professional golfers, organizes in-store appearances by its models and
sponsors sports teams.
SOURCING, PRODUCTION AND QUALITY
The Company's apparel products are produced for the Company by
approximately 160 different manufacturers worldwide. The Company contracts for
the manufacture of its products and does not own or operate any production
facilities. During fiscal 1997, approximately 30% (by dollar volume) of men's
and women's products were produced in the United States and approximately 70%
(by dollar volume) of such products were produced in Hong Kong, Saipan, Malaysia
and other foreign countries. Two manufacturers engaged by the Company accounted
for approximately 16% and 11%, respectively, of the Company's total production
during fiscal 1997. The primary production facilities of these two manufacturers
are located in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Mauritius, in the case of the
manufacturer that accounted for approximately 16% of the Company's total
production during fiscal 1997, and in Saipan, in the case of the manufacturer
that accounted for approximately 11% of the Company's total production during
fiscal 1997. No other manufacturer accounted for more than five percent of the
Company's total production in fiscal 1997.
Production is divided broadly into purchase of finished products, where the
supplier is responsible for the purchasing and carrying of raw materials, and
cut, make and trim ("CMT") purchasing, where the Company is responsible for the
purchasing and movement of raw materials to finished product assemblers located
throughout the world. CMT arrangements typically allow the Company more latitude
to incorporate unique detailing elements and to develop specialty items. The
Company uses a variety of raw materials, principally consisting of woven and
knitted fabrics and yarns.
The Company must commit to manufacture the majority of its garments before
it receives customer orders. In addition, the Company must commit to purchase
fabric from mills well in advance of its sales. If the Company overestimates the
demand for a particular product which it cannot sell to its primary customers,
it may use the excess for distribution in its outlet stores or sell the product
through secondary distribution channels. If the Company overestimates the need
for a particular fabric or yarn, that fabric or yarn can be used in garments
made for subsequent seasons or made into past season's styles for distribution
in its outlet stores.
The Company has been working closely with suppliers in recent years to
reduce lead times to maximize fulfillment (i.e., shipment) of orders and to
permit re-orders of successful programs. In particular, the Company has
increased the number of deliveries within certain brands each season so that
merchandise is kept fresh at the retail level. Currently there are, for example,
eight and ten annual deliveries, respectively, of men's Polo Sport and Polo by
Ralph Lauren sportswear, with fewer deliveries for other lines.
Suppliers operate under the close supervision of Polo's product management
department in the United States, and in the Far East under that of a wholly
owned subsidiary which performs buying agent functions for the Company and third
parties. All garments are produced according to Polo's specifications.
Production and quality control staff in the United States and in the Far East
monitor manufacturing at supplier facilities in order to correct problems prior
to shipment of the final product to Polo. While final quality control is
performed at Polo's distribution centers, procedures have been implemented under
Polo's vendor certification program, so that quality assurance is focused as
early as possible in the production process, allowing merchandise to be received
at the distribution facilities and shipped to customers with minimal
interruption.
The Company retains independent buying agents in Europe and South America
to assist the Company in selecting and overseeing independent third-party
manufacturers, sourcing fabric and other products and materials, monitoring
quota and other trade regulations, as well as performing
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some quality control functions. The Company does not enter into written
agreements with its independent buying agents and none of these agents represent
the Company exclusively.
COMPETITION
Competition is strong in the segments of the fashion and consumer product
industries in which the Company operates. The Company competes with numerous
designers and manufacturers of apparel and accessories, fragrances and home
furnishing products, domestic and foreign, some of which may be significantly
larger and have substantially greater resources than the Company. The Company
competes primarily on the basis of fashion, quality, and service. The Company's
business depends on its ability to shape, stimulate and respond to changing
consumer tastes and demands by producing innovative, attractive, and exciting
products, brands and marketing, as well as on its ability to remain competitive
in the areas of quality and price. See "Risk Factors -- Competition".
DISTRIBUTION
To facilitate distribution, men's products are shipped from manufacturers
to the Company's distribution center in Greensboro, North Carolina for
inspection, sorting, packing and shipment to retail customers. The Company's
distribution/customer service facility is designed to allow for high density
cube storage and utilizes bar code technology to provide inventory management
and carton controls. Product traffic management is coordinated from this
facility in conjunction with the Company's product management and buying agent
staffs. Womenswear distribution is provided by a "pick and pack" facility in
Kearney, New Jersey under a warehousing distribution agreement with an
unaffiliated third party. This agreement provides that the warehouse distributor
will perform storage, quality control and shipping services for the Company. In
return, the Company must pay the warehouse distributor a per unit rate and
special processing charges for services such as ticketing, bagging and steaming.
The warehouse distribution agreement may be terminated by either party on 90
days prior written notice. Outlet store distribution and warehousing is
principally handled through the Greensboro distribution center as well as a
satellite center also located in North Carolina. Polo store distribution is
provided by a facility in Columbus, Ohio and a facility in New Jersey which
services the Company's stores in New York City and East Hampton, New York. The
Company's licensing partners are responsible for the distribution of licensed
products, including Home Collection products. The Company is currently
evaluating warehousing and distribution facilities for its retail stores.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
The Company's management information system is designed to provide, among
other things, comprehensive order processing, production, accounting and
management information for the marketing, manufacturing, importing and
distribution functions of the Company's business. The Company has installed
sophisticated point-of-sale registers in its Polo stores and outlet stores that
enable it to track inventory from store receipt to final sale on a real-time
basis. The Company believes its merchandising and financial system, coupled with
its point-of-sale registers and software programs, allow for rapid stock
replenishment, concise merchandise planning and real-time inventory accounting
practices.
In addition, the Company has introduced an electronic data interchange
("EDI") system to facilitate the processing of replenishment and fashion orders
from its wholesale customers, the movement of goods through distribution
channels, and the collection of information for planning and forecasting. The
Company has EDI relationships with customers who represent a significant
majority of its wholesale business and is working to expand its EDI capabilities
to include most of its suppliers.
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CREDIT CONTROL
The Company manages its own credit and collection functions. The Company
sells its merchandise primarily to major department stores across the United
States and extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer's financial
condition, usually without requiring collateral. The Company monitors credit
levels and the financial condition of its customers on a continuing basis to
minimize credit risk. The Company does not factor its accounts receivables or
maintain credit insurance to manage the risks of bad debts. The Company's bad
debt write-offs were less than 1% of net sales for fiscal 1997. See "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Sales to a Limited Number of Large Department Store
Customers; Risks Related to Extending Credit to Customers".
BACKLOG
The Company generally receives wholesale orders for apparel products
approximately three to five months prior to the time the products are delivered
to stores. All such orders are subject to cancellation for late delivery. At
March 29, 1997, backlog was $323.3 million and $44.1 million, as compared to
$261.9 million and $30.5 million at March 30, 1996 for men's and women's
apparel, respectively. The Company's backlog depends upon a number of factors,
including the timing of the market weeks for its particular lines, during which
a significant percentage of the Company's orders are received, and the timing of
shipments. As a consequence, a comparison of backlog from period to period is
not necessarily meaningful and may not be indicative of eventual shipments.
TRADEMARKS
The Company is the owner of the "Polo", "Ralph Lauren" and the famous polo
player astride a horse trademarks in the United States. As part of the
Reorganization, the Company acquired certain trademarks and related rights
pertaining to fragrances and cosmetics. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions". Additional trademarks owned by the Company include, among others,
"Chaps", "Polo Sport", "Lauren/Ralph Lauren", "RALPH" and "RRL". In connection
with the adoption of the "RRL" trademarks by the Company, pursuant to an
agreement with the Company, Mr. Lauren retained the royalty-free right to use as
trademarks "Ralph Lauren", "Double RL" and "RRL" in perpetuity in connection
with, among other things, beef and living animals. The trademarks "Double RL"
and "RRL" are currently used by the Double RL Company, an entity wholly owned by
Mr. Lauren. In addition, Mr. Lauren engages in personal projects involving
non-Company related film or theatrical productions through RRL Productions,
Inc., a Company wholly owned by Mr. Lauren. See "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions -- Other Agreements, Transactions and Relationships".
The Company's trademarks are the subject of registrations and pending
applications throughout the world for use on a variety of items of apparel,
apparel-related products, home furnishings and beauty products, as well as in
connection with retail services, and the Company continues to expand its
worldwide usage and registration of related trademarks. The Company regards the
license to use the trademarks and its other proprietary rights in and to the
trademarks as valuable assets in the marketing of its products and, on a
worldwide basis, vigorously seeks to protect them against infringement. As a
result of the appeal of its trademarks, Polo's products have been the object of
counterfeiting. The Company has a broad enforcement program which has been
generally effective in controlling the sale of counterfeit products in the
United States and in major markets abroad.
In markets outside of the United States, the Company's rights to some or
all of its trademarks may not be clearly established. In the course of its
international expansion, the Company has experienced conflicts with various
third parties which have acquired ownership rights in certain trademarks which
include "Polo" and/or a representation of a polo player astride a horse which
would have impeded the Company's use and registration of its principal
trademarks. While such conflicts are common and may arise again from time to
time as the Company continues its
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international expansion, the Company has in the past successfully resolved such
conflicts through both legal action and negotiated settlements with third-party
owners of such conflicting marks. See "Risk Factors -- Trademarks".
Two agreements by which the Company resolved conflicts with third-party
owners of other trademarks impose current restrictions or monetary obligations
on the Company. In one, the Company reached an agreement with a third party
which owned competing registrations in numerous European and South American
countries for the trademark "Polo" and a symbol of a polo player astride a
horse. By virtue of the agreement, Polo has acquired that third party's
portfolio of trademark registrations, in consideration of the payment (capped as
set forth below) of 30% of the Company's European and Mexican royalties and 50%
of its South American royalties (solely in respect of the Company's use of
trademarks which include "Polo" and the polo player symbol, and not, for
example, "Ralph Lauren" alone, "Lauren/Ralph Lauren", "RRL", etc.). Remittances
to this third party are not reflected in licensing revenue in the Company's
financial statements and will cease no later than 2008, or sooner, when the
remittances with respect to Europe and Mexico to this third party aggregate
$15.0 million. As of March 29, 1997, the Company has paid approximately $6.6
million to this third party. The Company's obligation to share royalties with
respect to Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean expires in 2013,
but the Company also has the right to terminate this obligation at any time by
paying $3.0 million. The second agreement was reached with a third party which
owned conflicting registrations of the trademarks "Polo" and a polo player
astride a horse in the U.K., Hong Kong, and South Africa. Pursuant to the
agreement, the third party retains the right to use its "Polo" and polo player
symbol marks in South Africa and certain other African countries, and the
Company agreed to restrict use of those Polo marks in those countries to
fragrances and cosmetics (as to which the Company's use is unlimited) and to the
use of the Ralph (polo player symbol) Lauren mark on women's and girls' apparel
and accessories. By agreeing to those restrictions, the Company secured the
unlimited right to use its trademarks (without payment of any kind) in the
United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and the third party is prohibited from
distributing products under those trademarks in those countries.
Although the Company has not in the past suffered any material inhibition
from doing business in desirable markets, there can be no assurance that
significant impediments will not arise in the future as it expands product
offerings and additional trademarks to new markets.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 29, 1997, the Company had approximately 4,000 employees,
including 3,760 in the United States and 240 in foreign countries. Of the total,
approximately 45 employees hold executive and administrative positions, 180 are
engaged in design, 100 are engaged in advertising, public relations and creative
services, 160 are engaged in production, 220 are engaged in wholesale sales and
merchandising, 2,000 are engaged in retail sales, 600 are engaged in
distribution and the remaining employees are engaged in other aspects of the
business. Approximately 30 of the Company's United States production and
distribution employees in the womenswear business are members of the Union of
Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees under an industry association
collective bargaining agreement which the Company's womenswear subsidiary has
adopted. This contract was extended to June 1997 and is currently under
renegotiation. The Company considers its relations with both its union and
non-union employees to be good.
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PROPERTIES
The Company does not own any real property except an undeveloped parcel of
land adjacent to its leased Greensboro, North Carolina distribution facility.
Certain information concerning the Company's principal facilities in excess of
100,000 rentable square feet and of its existing flagship stores of 20,000
rentable square feet or more, all of which are leased, is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE CURRENT LEASE
LOCATION USE SQ. FT. TERM EXPIRATION
-------------------------- ----------------------- ------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Greensboro, N.C. Distribution 330,000 January 31, 2006
650 Madison Avenue, NYC Executive, corporate 170,000 December 31, 2004
and design offices,
men's showrooms
Lyndhurst, N.J. Corporate and retail 143,000 February 28, 2003
administrative offices
Winston-Salem, N.C. Distribution 115,000 June 30, 1998
867 Madison Avenue, NYC Direct Retail 27,000 December 31, 2004
</TABLE>
During fiscal 1997, the Company signed leases for its two new flagship
stores in Chicago and London. The Chicago lease is for approximately 37,000
square feet of rentable space and expires in 2017, and the London store lease is
for approximately 45,000 square feet of rentable space for office, showroom and
retail use and expires in 2021.
The leases for the Company's non-retail facilities (approximately 18 in
all) provide for aggregate annual rentals of $15.1 million in fiscal 1997. The
Company anticipates that it will be able to extend those leases which expire in
the near future on terms satisfactory to the Company or, if necessary, locate
substitute facilities on acceptable terms.
As of March 29, 1997, the Company operated six Polo stores and 65 outlet
stores in leased premises not including the 21 stores operated by PRC. Aggregate
annual rent paid for retail space by the Company in fiscal 1997 totaled $10.7
million, and aggregate annual rent paid for retail space by PRC in fiscal 1997
totaled $7.5 million. Except for approximately three outlet stores for which the
Company will not seek renewal upon lease expiration, the Company anticipates
that it will be able to extend those leases which expire in the near future on
satisfactory terms or to relocate to more desirable locations. See
" -- Operations -- Direct Retailing" for descriptions of the store properties.
The Company is currently re-evaluating its warehousing and distribution
needs for its retail operations. The Company believes that its existing
facilities are well maintained and in good operating condition, and are
otherwise adequate for its present and foreseeable level of operations for the
next few years.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company's import operations are subject to constraints imposed by
bilateral textile agreements between the United States and a number of foreign
countries. These agreements, which have been negotiated bilaterally either under
the framework established by the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in
Textiles, known as the Multifiber Agreement, or other applicable statutes,
impose quotas on the amounts and types of merchandise which may be imported into
the United States from these countries. These agreements also allow the
signatories to adjust the quantity of imports for categories of merchandise
that, under the terms of the agreements, are not currently subject to specific
limits. The Company's imported products are also subject to United States
customs duties which comprise a material portion of the cost of the merchandise.
See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated with Changes in Social, Political, Economic
and Other Conditions
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Affecting Foreign Operations and Sourcing; Possible Adverse Impact of Changes in
Import Restrictions".
Apparel products are subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission
in the United States. Regulations relate principally to the labeling of the
Company's products. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance
with such regulations, as well as applicable federal, state, local, and foreign
rules and regulations governing the discharge of materials hazardous to the
environment. There are no significant capital expenditures for environmental
control matters either estimated in the current year or expected in the near
future. The Company's licensed products and licensing partners are, in addition,
subject to additional regulation. The Company's agreements require its licensing
partners to operate in compliance with all laws and regulations, and the Company
is not aware of any violations which could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved from time to time in routine legal claims,
involving trademark and intellectual property, licensing, employee relations and
other matters incidental to its business. See "-- Trademarks". Currently, the
Company is a party to an arbitration proceeding which it initiated in San
Francisco to resolve a dispute with The Magnin Company, Inc., an independent
free-standing retail licensee which operates a Polo store in Beverly Hills,
California. This licensee had previously claimed that the Company breached its
license agreement when the Company refused last year to authorize the opening of
a free-standing Polo concession at Los Angeles International Airport by the
licensee. The Company believes it was acting within its contractual rights when
it rejected the licensee's proposal. The Company initiated the arbitration
proceeding in November 1996 under the rules of the American Arbitration
Association in accordance with the terms of its license agreement for a
declaration of rights under such agreement. The licensee in a counterclaim has
sought compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $5 million. In the opinion
of the Company's management, the resolution of any matter currently pending will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.
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MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names of the directors and executive officers of the Company upon
completion of the Offerings and their respective ages and positions are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ------------------------------ --- --------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ralph Lauren.................. 57 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
Michael J. Newman............. 51 Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and
Director
Donna A. Barbieri............. 50 Group President, Retail Outlet Stores and
Creative Services
David J. Hare................. 52 Group President, Polo Ralph Lauren Stores
John D. Idol.................. 38 Group President, Product Licensing including
Home Collection
F. Lance Isham................ 52 Group President, Menswear
Cheryl L. Sterling Udell...... 47 Group President, Womenswear
Victor Cohen.................. 43 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
Nancy A. Platoni Poli......... 41 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Karen L. Rosenbach............ 42 Senior Vice President, Human Resources and
Administration
Richard A. Friedman........... 39 Director
</TABLE>
Shortly after the Offerings, the Company will add another three directors.
RALPH LAUREN, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and a
Director of the Company, founded Polo in 1968 and has provided leadership in the
design, marketing and operational areas since such time.
MICHAEL J. NEWMAN is a Director of the Company and has been Vice Chairman
and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 1995 and is responsible for its
day-to-day operations. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Menswear operations from 1991 to 1994, and Executive Vice President from 1989 to
1991. Mr. Newman joined Polo as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial
Officer in 1987. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Newman was Senior Vice
President of Finance at Kaiser-Roth Apparel.
DONNA A. BARBIERI has been Group President, Retail Outlet Stores and
Creative Services since September 1995. Ms. Barbieri joined Polo in 1992 as a
Vice President, Director of Stores for Fashions Outlet of America, Polo's outlet
store operation, and the Retail operations. Before joining the Company, she was
a Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for women's apparel for
Bloomingdale's and Federated Department Stores, Inc.
DAVID J. HARE has been Group President, Polo Ralph Lauren Stores since
April 1997 and was, prior to such time, President and Chief Executive Officer of
PRC since 1993. Mr. Hare assumed responsibility for PRC's operations when Polo
merged certain of its Polo store operations with Perkins Shearer, Inc. to form
PRC in 1993. Prior to that, he had been President and Chief Executive Officer of
Perkins Shearer, Inc. since 1969.
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JOHN D. IDOL has been Group President, Product Licensing, including Home
Collection operations since 1996. Mr. Idol oversees development, marketing and
sales planning of all domestic licensed products. He joined the Company in 1984
as Vice President, Sales, of Home Collection operations, and was appointed
President of that division in 1991.
F. LANCE ISHAM has been Group President, Menswear since 1995. Mr. Isham is
responsible for the day-to-day operations of sales, merchandising, retail
development, production, manufacturing services and distribution for menswear.
He joined Polo in 1982, and has held a variety of sales positions in the Company
including Executive Vice President of Sales and Merchandising.
CHERYL L. STERLING UDELL has been Group President, Womenswear since 1995.
Prior to that time, she was President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Licensing and Retail divisions. Ms. Sterling Udell joined Polo in 1978 and has
held various management positions in the Company.
VICTOR COHEN has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
for the Company since 1996. Mr. Cohen joined Polo in 1983 as its senior legal
officer responsible for all legal and corporate affairs. Prior to joining the
Company, he was associated with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom.
NANCY A. PLATONI POLI has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since
1996. Ms. Poli was Vice President and Controller from 1989 to 1996, and assumed
responsibility for treasury functions in addition to her controller functions in
1995. Prior to that, she was Controller of Retail Finance. Ms. Poli joined the
Company in 1984.
KAREN L. ROSENBACH has been Senior Vice President, Human Resources and
Administration since 1996. Ms. Rosenbach joined the Company in 1988 as Vice
President of Human Resources. Prior to joining the Company, she was Vice
President of Human Resources, Real Estate Group at Chemical Bank.
RICHARD A. FRIEDMAN has been a member of the Advisory Board of Enterprises
since 1994 and will become a director of the Company prior to commencement of
the Offerings. Mr. Friedman is a Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and
head of the Principal Investment Area. He joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1981.
Mr. Friedman is a member of the board of directors or advisory committee of AMF
Group, Inc., Diamond Cable Communications PLC, Globe Manufacturing Co. and
Marcus Cable Company, L.P.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors will initially consist of six members
(including the three directors to be added after completion of the Offerings).
After this initial selection, four of the directors will be elected by the
holders of Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Directors"), one of the directors
will be elected by the holders of Class C Common Stock (the "Class C Director")
and one of the directors will be elected by the holders of Class A Common Stock
(the "Class A Director"). While shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common
Stock and Class C Common Stock are outstanding and while the number of
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock on the record date of any meeting of
stockholders of the Company is at least 10% of the number of outstanding shares
of all classes of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation of
the Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustments for stock splits, reverse
stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions), if the size of the
Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors(as defined)) is increased, all
additional members entitled to be elected by the holders of Common Stock will be
Class B Directors with the following exceptions: (i) an additional Class A
Director will be added if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) is
increased to ten members and again if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) is increased to 19 members; and (ii) an additional Class C Director
will be added if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) is increased to 13
members. Accordingly, while the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock on the record date of any meeting of stockholders of the Company is at
least 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to appropriate
adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends and
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<PAGE> 68
similar transactions), the holders of Class B Common Stock will elect at least
two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors entitled to be elected by
the holders of Common Stock. If on the record date for any meeting of
stockholders of the Company the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to
appropriate adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends
and similar transactions), directors that would have been elected by a separate
vote of that class will instead be elected by the holders of Class A Common
Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock, voting together, with holders of
Class A Common Stock having one vote per share and holders of Class B Common
Stock having ten votes per share. If on the record date for any meeting of
stockholders of the Company the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common
Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to
appropriate adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends
and similar transactions), the Class C Common Stock is automatically converted
into Class A Common Stock and the director or directors that would have been
elected by the holders of the Class C Common Stock will instead be elected by
the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, or, if on the
record date for any meeting of stockholders of the Company the amount of Class B
Common Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to
appropriate adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends
and similar transactions), by the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock, voting together, with the holders of Class A Common Stock having
one vote per share and the holders of Class B Common Stock having ten votes per
share. Because of the disproportionate voting rights of the Class B Common
Stock, in certain instances holders of Class B Common Stock will still be able
to elect a majority of the Board of Directors entitled to be elected by the
holders of Common Stock when the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to
appropriate adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends
and similar transactions). See "Risk Factors--Control by Lauren Family Members
and Anti-Takeover Effect of Multiple Classes of Stock" and "Description of
Capital Stock".
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each non-employee director will receive an annual retainer of $25,000 and
will be eligible to receive stock option grants under the Company's 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan. See "--1997 Non-Employee Director Option
Plan". Non-employee directors also will be entitled to receive $1,000 for each
board or committee meeting attended. Directors who are also employees of the
Company will receive no additional compensation for service as a director.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Within 90 days of the closing of the Offerings, the Board of Directors will
establish an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will consist of independent
directors selected by the Board of Directors. The functions of the Audit
Committee will be to recommend annually to the Board of Directors the
appointment of the independent auditors of the Company, discuss and review in
advance the scope and the fees of the annual audit and review the results
thereof with the independent auditors, review and approve non-audit services of
the independent auditors, review compliance with existing major accounting and
financial reporting policies of the Company, review the adequacy of the
financial organization of the Company, and review management's procedures and
policies relating to the adequacy of the Company's internal accounting controls
and compliance with applicable laws relating to accounting practices.
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The Board of Directors does not currently have a Compensation Committee but
anticipates establishing one within 90 days of the closing of the Offerings.
Prior to the Offerings, the Company's senior management was directly involved in
setting compensation for the Company's executives. The functions of the
Compensation Committee will be to review and approve annual salaries, bonuses,
and grants of stock options pursuant to the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan,
and to review and approve the terms and conditions of all material employee
benefit plans or changes thereto. The Company anticipates that following the
closing of the Offerings, its Compensation Committee will implement compensation
policies that could be based on any number of a variety of factors including
compensation policies of comparable companies, achievement of net earnings
targets by the Company and/or by divisions and the attainment of individual
performance goals. The Compensation Committee will consist of directors selected
by the Board of Directors.
Transactions between the Company and Mr. Lauren on the one hand, and
between the Company and the GS Group on the other hand, will be approved by the
Board of Directors or a committee of directors not affiliated with Mr. Lauren or
the GS Group, as applicable.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth, for the year ended March 29, 1997, the cash
compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its four most
highly-paid executive officers (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers")
for services rendered in all capacities in which they served during such year:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)
------------------------------ ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($)
- ---------------------------------------------- ---- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ralph Lauren.................................. 1997 $2,700,000 $ 0 $1,074,845(2)
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
Michael J. Newman............................. 1997 $ 800,000 $5,167,000 $ 577,785(3)
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
John D. Idol.................................. 1997 $ 725,000 $ 654,300 $ 457,601(4)
Group President, Product Licensing including
Home Collection
Cheryl L. Sterling Udell...................... 1997 $ 630,000 $ 630,000 $ 309,076(5)
Group President, Womenswear
F. Lance Isham................................ 1997 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 331,706(6)
Group President, Menswear
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Other annual compensation did not exceed $50,000 or 10% of the total salary
and bonus for any of the Named Executive Officers.
(2) The amount reported under "All Other Compensation" in fiscal 1997 for Mr.
Lauren includes the estimated dollar value of the benefit to the executive
officer of Company-paid premiums on split-dollar life insurance policies on
the lives of the executive and his spouse in the amount of $1,064,162. The
estimated dollar value of the benefit of Company-paid premiums on such
split-dollar life insurance policies in fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 were
$1,030,372 and $1,037,085, respectively. The Company will recover all
premiums paid by it at the time death benefits are paid thereon, and may
recover such amounts earlier under certain circumstances. The maximum
potential value is calculated as if the fiscal 1997 premiums were advanced
to Mr. Lauren without interest until the time the Company expects to recover
the premium (i.e., upon death of the executive officer). The amount reported
also includes the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company in the
amount of $10,683 with respect to supplementary medical benefits. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Other Agreements,
Transactions and Relationships".
(Continued on following page)
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<PAGE> 70
(3) Reflects (i) the estimated dollar value of the benefit to the executive
officer of Company-paid premiums on split-dollar life insurance (calculated
on the same basis as disclosed in note (2)) and supplementary medical
benefits in the amounts of $5,805 and $2,337, respectively, (ii) $322,159
for contributions to the Company's Wealth Plan (as defined) and $246,561 for
the Executive Deferred Compensation Trusts (as defined) and (iii) matching
benefits of $923 paid under the 401K Plan (as defined).
(4) Reflects (i) the estimated dollar value of the benefit to the executive
officer of Company-paid premiums on split-dollar life insurance (calculated
on the same basis as disclosed in note (2)) and supplementary medical
benefits in the amounts of $2,029 and $2,271, respectively, (ii) $97,882 for
contributions to the Company's Wealth Plan and $352,319 for the Executive
Deferred Compensation Trusts and (iii) matching benefits of $3,100 paid
under the 401K Plan.
(5) Reflects (i) the estimated dollar value of the benefit to the executive
officer of Company-paid premiums on split-dollar life insurance (calculated
on the same basis as disclosed in note (2)) and supplementary medical
benefits in the amounts of $4,149 and $5,956, respectively, (ii) $89,728 for
contributions to the Company's Wealth Plan and $204,743 for the Executive
Deferred Compensation Trusts and (iii) matching benefits of $4,500 paid
under the 401K Plan.
(6) Reflects (i) the estimated dollar value of the benefit to the executive
officer of Company-paid premiums on split-dollar life insurance (calculated
on the same basis as disclosed in note (2)) and supplementary medical
benefits in the amounts of $7,003 and $5,023, respectively, (ii) $78,629 for
contributions to the Company's Wealth Plan and $236,551 for the Executive
Deferred Compensation Trusts and (iii) matching benefits of $4,500 paid
under the 401K Plan.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS. The Company has entered into deferred
compensation agreements with each of Messrs. Newman, Idol and Isham and Ms.
Sterling Udell (effective as of April 1, 1993, April 3, 1994, April 1, 1995 and
April 1, 1993, respectively, and expiring on March 31, 2003, March 31, 2014,
March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2003, respectively) as well as with certain other
executives of the Company (each a "Deferred Compensation Agreement").
The Deferred Compensation Agreements generally provide that the Company
will, on a monthly basis, contribute to trusts established by the Company (the
"Executive Deferred Compensation Trusts"), and credit a book reserve account in
the executive's name (the "Deferred Compensation Account"), an amount equal to,
in most cases, 20% of the executive's monthly base salary, and, in the case of
Messrs. Idol and Isham, 20% of the executive's monthly base salary and any
incentive or bonus payments received by him during such month, provided that the
executive is employed with the Company on the last day of such month. Amounts
contributed to the Executive Deferred Compensation Trusts and credited to the
executive's Deferred Compensation Account will be invested and reinvested by the
trustee of the Executive Deferred Compensation Trusts (the "Trustee") in one or
more mutual funds managed by the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies, at the
executive's election. This deferred compensation arrangement is unfunded for tax
purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended, any funds invested under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Trusts continue to be part of the general funds of the Company.
The executive's interest in his or her Deferred Compensation Account will
vest at the rate of 20% per year on the anniversary date of the effective date
of the Deferred Compensation Agreement (or, in the case of Mr. John Idol, 60% as
of April 1, 1995 and thereafter, at the rate of 10% on each of the four
anniversaries thereof), but only if the executive has remained continuously
employed by the Company as of each anniversary date. However, in the event that
the executive's employment is terminated by disability or by the Company other
than for "cause" or if the executive terminates his or her employment for "good
reason", the executive will be 100% vested. On the earlier date of the
expiration of the term of the Deferred Compensation Agreement (or, in the case
of Mr. Idol, April 1, 2004) or the earliest date practicable following the
executive's termination of employment with the Company for any reason, the
Company is obligated to make a lump sum payment to the executive equal to the
vested amount credited to his Deferred Compensation Account. In addition, with
respect to Mr. Idol only, if such executive officer is still employed by the
Company as of April 1, 2004, contributions to the Executive Deferred
Compensation Trust shall begin anew and the Company is obligated to make a lump
sum payment to Mr. Idol equal to the vested amount credited to his Deferred
Compensation Account on the earlier date of April 1, 2014 or the earliest date
practicable following termination of Mr. Idol's employment with the Company.
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RALPH LAUREN'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Prior to the commencement of the
Offerings, the Company expects to enter into an employment agreement with Mr.
Lauren (the "Lauren Agreement"). The Lauren Agreement provides for Mr. Lauren's
employment as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company for a term of five years (the "Term"), subject to automatic,
successive one-year extensions thereafter unless either party gives the other 90
days prior written notice that the Term will not be extended.
The Lauren Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $1,000,000 and
annual bonus payments based upon Company performance with a range of $2,000,000
to $5,000,000, with $3,500,000 payable for achieving 100% of targeted
performance goals; provided that Mr. Lauren's entitlement to receive the annual
bonus during any period when compensation payable pursuant to the Lauren
Agreement is subject to the deduction limitations of section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), will be subject to
shareholder approval of a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual bonus
opportunity that complies with the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code.
Upon commencement of the Offerings, Mr. Lauren will receive an initial grant of
options to purchase 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the "Initial Lauren
Options"), each with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering
price. The Initial Lauren Options will be fully vested on the date of grant. In
addition, with respect to at least each of the first three fiscal years
occurring after the commencement of the Offerings, Mr. Lauren will receive
options to purchase 250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the "Annual Lauren
Options") at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per
share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of grant. The Annual Lauren Options
will vest and become exercisable ratably over three years on each of the first
three anniversaries of the date of grant. Mr. Lauren will be eligible to
continue to participate in all employee benefit plans and arrangements of the
Company for its senior executive officers in which he currently participates and
will be eligible to participate in any future employee benefit plans and
arrangements established for senior officers of the Company on terms no less
favorable than are provided to any other senior executive officer of the
Company. In addition, the Company has agreed to maintain, and make premium
contributions with respect to, certain split dollar and other life insurance
arrangements between the Company and Mr. Lauren, his family and/or life
insurance trusts for the benefit of any of them, that are currently maintained
or contributed to by the Company. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation -- Summary Compensation Table".
The Company may terminate Mr. Lauren's employment in the event of his death
or disability, in which case Mr. Lauren or his estate will be entitled to a lump
sum cash payment equal to the sum of: (i) his base salary through the date on
which his death or termination due to disability occurred; (ii) any accrued and
unpaid compensation for any prior fiscal year; and (iii) a pro-rata portion of
the annual bonus he would otherwise have received for the fiscal year in which
his death or termination due to disability occurred. In addition, any unvested
options will vest immediately.
If Mr. Lauren resigns with "Good Reason", or if the Company terminates Mr.
Lauren's employment without "Cause", or if the Company elects not to extend the
Term, then Mr. Lauren is entitled to receive an immediate lump sum cash payment
equal to the sum of: (i) his base salary otherwise payable through the later of
(a) the fifth anniversary of the commencement of the Offerings, or (b) three
years from the date of termination (the "Severance Period"); (ii) any accrued
but unpaid compensation for any prior fiscal year; and (iii) bonus compensation
for each full or partial fiscal year that occurs during the Severance Period
equal to the average annual bonus paid to Mr. Lauren in each of the immediately
preceeding two fiscal years; provided that the amount of bonus compensation for
any partial fiscal year beyond the third fiscal year following the date of Mr.
Lauren's termination will be pro-rated. In addition, any unvested options will
continue to vest on schedule, provided that Mr. Lauren complies with certain
non-competition and other restrictive covenants and during the Severance Period
the Company will (i) continue to provide Mr. Lauren with office facilities and
secretarial assistance; (ii) continue to maintain and make premium contributions
with respect to the split dollar and life insurance arrangements described above
and
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(iii) continue to provide Mr. Lauren with welfare and medical plan coverage and
certain other fringe benefits.
If Mr. Lauren resigns without Good Reason or if the Company terminates Mr.
Lauren's employment for Cause or if Mr. Lauren elects not to renew the Term,
then Mr. Lauren is entitled to an immediate lump sum cash payment equal to the
sum of: (i) his base salary through the date of termination; and (ii) any
accrued but unpaid compensation for any prior fiscal year. Mr. Lauren will also
receive the pro-rata portion of his annual bonus for the fiscal year in which
termination occurred to be paid when bonuses are normally paid. In addition, any
unvested options will be forfeited.
"Good Reason", for the purposes of the Lauren Agreement and the Newman
Agreement (as defined), as amended by the Newman Amendment (as defined), means:
(i) a material diminution in the executive's duties or the assignment to the
executive of a title or duties inconsistent with his position; (ii) a reduction
in base salary or annual incentive bonus opportunity; (iii) a failure by the
Company to comply with any material provision of the executive's employment
agreement; or (iv) the executive's ceasing to be entitled to the payment of an
annual incentive bonus as a result of the failure of the Company's shareholders
to approve a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual incentive bonus in a
manner that complies with the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code;
provided that the events described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) will not
constitute Good Reason unless and until such diminution, reduction or failure
(as applicable) has not been cured within thirty days after notice of such
noncompliance has been given to the Company. "Cause" means: (i) the willful and
continued failure by the executive to substantially perform his or her duties;
(ii) a conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a crime constituting any
felony; or (iii) willful gross misconduct relating to the executive's employment
that is materially injurious to the Company or subjects the Company to public
ridicule or embarrassment.
Pursuant to the Lauren Agreement, Mr. Lauren cannot compete with the
Company during the term of his employment. In addition, if Mr. Lauren resigns
his employment without Good Reason, then Mr. Lauren cannot compete with the
Company in violation of the Lauren Agreement until the later of: (i) the
expiration of the Term, or (ii) two years from the date of termination of
employment. If Mr. Lauren resigns with Good Reason or if the Company terminates
Mr. Lauren's employment without Cause, then Mr. Lauren cannot compete with the
Company for two years from the date of termination of employment. If Mr.
Lauren's employment is terminated for Cause, the Company may elect to prohibit
Mr. Lauren from competing with the Company for up to two years in consideration
for the payment of an amount equal to Mr. Lauren's base salary and bonus (equal
to the average annual incentive bonus over the preceding two years) for each
year that Mr. Lauren is prohibited from competing with the Company.
MICHAEL NEWMAN'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. The Company has entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. Newman (the "Newman Agreement"), which provides
for his employment as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
The terms of the Newman Agreement are substantially similar to the employment
agreement terms for other executive officers described below under
" -- Employment Agreements with other Executives." However, prior to the
commencement of the Offerings, the Company expects to enter into an amendment to
the Newman Agreement (the "Newman Amendment") which provides for certain
modifications to the terms of the Newman Agreement, most of which will become
effective only following the commencement of the Offerings. Following the
commencement of the Offerings, the Newman Agreement as amended by the Newman
Amendment will have a term of five years (the "Newman Term"), subject to
automatic, successive one year extensions thereafter unless either party gives
the other twelve months prior notice that the Newman Term will not be extended.
In addition, Mr. Newman's base salary will not be less than $900,000 and Mr.
Newman will be eligible to earn an annual incentive bonus calculated as a
percentage of the Company's Income Before Taxes ("IBT") in excess of $75
million. For IBT of $75 million to $150 million, Mr. Newman will receive 1.75%
of IBT in excess of $75 million. For IBT of $150 million to $200 million, Mr.
Newman will receive 1% of IBT in excess of $150 million. For IBT over $200
million, Mr. Newman will receive 0.5% of IBT in excess of $200 million. Under
the Newman Amendment, Mr. Newman's total incentive bonus may not exceed $3
million per
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year and Mr. Newman's entitlement to payment of an incentive bonus during any
period when the compensation payable pursuant to the Newman Agreement is subject
to the deduction limitations of section 162(m) of the Code will be subject to
shareholder approval of a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual incentive
bonus opportunity that complies with the requirements of section 162(m) of the
Code.
Upon commencement of the Offerings, Mr. Newman will be granted restricted
shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market value (based upon the initial
public offering price of the Class A Common Stock) equal to $2 million. The
restricted shares will vest immediately with respect to one third of the shares,
and will vest ratably with respect to the remaining shares on each of the second
and third anniversaries of the commencement of the Offerings, subject to Mr.
Newman's continued employment with the Company. Upon commencement of the
Offerings, Mr. Newman will also be granted options to acquire 350,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering
price. In addition, with respect to at least each of the first three fiscal
years occurring after the commencement of the Offerings, in each fiscal year
occurring after the commencement of the Offerings, Mr. Newman will be granted
options to purchase 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price
equal to the fair market value per share of Class A Common Stock as of the date
of grant. All of Mr. Newman's options will vest ratably over three years on each
of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Pursuant to the Newman Amendment, if Mr. Newman resigns for Good Reason or
if the Company terminates his employment without Cause, then Mr. Newman will
receive a pro-rata portion of his incentive bonus for the year of termination
plus an amount, payable over a three-year period, equal to the sum of: (i) the
greater of (x) three and (y) five, less the number years (including fractions
thereof) that shall have elapsed since the commencement of the Offerings, times
his annual base salary, plus (ii) two times his average annual incentive bonus
paid over the preceding two years. Any unvested restricted shares or options
will continue to vest as scheduled, provided that Mr. Newman continues to comply
with certain non-competition and other restrictive covenants. In addition, Mr.
Newman will be entitled to (i) continued participation in the Company's health
benefit plans during such three-year period, (ii) continued use of the Company
automobile until the then existing lease expires and (iii) waiver of the
collateral interest securing return to the Company of premiums paid for Mr.
Newman's split dollar insurance policy. If a change of control of the Company
occurs prior to Mr. Newman's termination of employment, then he will be entitled
to elect to receive the cash severance payments described above in two equal
lump sum installments payable within 30 days after the date of termination and
one year after the date of termination, respectively.
If the Company elects not to extend the Newman Term, then Mr. Newman will
receive an amount, payable over a one-year period, equal to the sum of (i) his
annual base salary, plus (ii) his average annual incentive bonus paid over the
preceding two years and any unvested restricted shares or options will continue
to vest as described in the preceding paragraph. If Mr. Newman resigns without
Good Reason or if the Company terminates his employment for Cause or if Mr.
Newman elects not to renew the Newman Term, the Company will pay Mr. Newman his
full salary through the date of termination and any unvested restricted shares
and options will be forfeited. In the event of Mr. Newman's termination due to
his death or disability, Mr. Newman will be entitled to any payments due to him
through the date of his death or termination due to disability including a
payment of a pro-rata portion of his annual incentive bonus for the year of
termination. In the event of Mr. Newman's death or termination due to
disability, any unvested restricted shares and options held by him will vest.
Pursuant to the Newman Amendment, Mr. Newman may not compete with the
Company during the term of Mr. Newman's employment. If Mr. Newman resigns his
employment without Good Reason, then he cannot compete with the Company in
violation of the Newman Agreement and Newman Amendment for the later of (i) five
years from the date of the commencement of the Offerings and (ii) two years
after his employment ends. If Mr. Newman resigns for Good Reason or the Company
terminates his employment without Cause, then he cannot compete with the Company
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for two years from the date of termination of his employment. If Mr. Newman's
employment is terminated for Cause, the Company may elect to prohibit Mr. Newman
from competing with the Company for up to two years in consideration for the
payment of an amount equal to Mr. Newman's base salary and bonus (equal to the
average annual incentive bonus over the preceding two years) for each year that
Mr. Newman is prohibited from competing with the Company.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER EXECUTIVES. The Company has entered into
employment agreements with each of Messrs. Idol and Isham and Ms. Sterling Udell
as well as certain other executives of the Company (the "Employment
Agreements").
The Employment Agreements provide that the Company will pay the executive
an annual salary determined by the Board of Directors and a bonus or incentive
compensation in any fiscal year as determined by the Board in its discretion.
The Employment Agreements have an indefinite term and generally provide that if
the executive resigns for "good reason" or if his or her employment is
terminated by the Company, other than because of death, disability or "cause,"
the executive is entitled to the following severance payments so long as the
executive complies with certain non-compete covenants: (i) continued salary
payments (less applicable withholdings) for a period of 36 months, (ii) with
respect to Messrs. Idol and Isham, payments (less applicable withholdings), in
the manner then in effect and through the end of the then current fiscal year,
of any incentive or bonus program in effect for the executive on the date his
employment was terminated, and thereafter through the end of the 36 month
post-termination period, a monthly payment equal to one-twelfth of the yearly
average incentive or bonus compensation earned during such current fiscal year
and/or based on prior periods, (iii) continued participation in the Company's
health benefit plans, provided that if the executive is provided with similar
coverage by a subsequent employer, any such coverage by the Company will cease,
(iv) continued use of the Company automobile leased for the executive's use
until the then existing auto lease term expires, and (v) waiver of the
collateral interest securing return to the Company of premiums paid by the
Company for the executive's existing split dollar insurance policy. If a change
of control of the Company occurs prior to the executive's termination of
employment, then the executive will be entitled to elect to receive the cash
severance payments described above in two equal lump sum installments payable
within 30 days after the date of termination and one year after the date of
termination, respectively.
Generally, the executive's entitlement to severance payments are
conditioned upon their compliance with the following non-compete covenants: (i)
the executive agrees not to accept other employment during his or her term of
employment without the written approval of the Board, (ii) the executive agrees
that for the duration of his or her employment and for a period of 36 months
from the date of termination, the executive will not, on his or her own behalf
or any other person or entity, hire, solicit or encourage any employee of the
Company to leave the employ of the Company, and (iii) the executive agrees that
for the duration of his or her employment and for a period of 36 months from the
date of termination, the executive will take no action which is intended, or
would be reasonably expected, to harm (e.g., making public derogatory statements
or misusing confidential Company information) the Company or its reputation.
1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Prior to the Offerings, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
adopted, and the Company's stockholders approved, the Company's 1997 Long-Term
Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Stock Incentive Plan"). The purpose of the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by (i) attracting and retaining exceptional officers and other
employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii)
motivating such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to
achieve longer-range performance goals; and (iii) enabling such individuals to
participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company. The
principal provisions of the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan are summarized below. This
summary, however, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by the terms of the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan which has been filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
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The 1997 Stock Incentive Plan will be administered by a committee (the
"Stock Plan Committee") which will either be the full Board or a committee of
two or more members of the Board designated by the Board to administer the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan, each of whom is expected, but not required, to be a
"Non-Employee Director" (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) and an
"outside director" (within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Code), to the
extent Rule 16b-3 and section 162(m), respectively, are applicable to the
Company and the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan; provided, that the Stock Plan
Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to
grant awards to participants who are not officers or directors of the Company
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or "covered employees" within the
meaning of Code section 162(m). The mere fact that a Stock Plan Committee member
fails to qualify as a Non-Employee Director or outside director (within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3) will not invalidate any award made by the Stock Plan
Committee which award is otherwise validly made under the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Any officer or other employee, consultant to, or director of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries will be eligible to be designated a participant under
the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. It is anticipated that, other than grants made in
connection with the Offerings, grants will be made under the 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan only to officers and other key employees, directors and
consultants of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
As of May 21, 1997, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately
5,000 employees, consultants and directors, who will be eligible to be granted
awards by the Stock Plan Committee under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. The
Stock Plan Committee has the sole and complete authority to determine the
participants to whom awards will be granted under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.
The 1997 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of awards to
participants with respect to a maximum of 10,000,000 shares of the Company's
Class A Common Stock (the "Shares"), subject to adjustment to avoid dilution or
enlargement of intended benefits in the event of certain significant corporate
events, which awards may be made in the form of (i) nonqualified stock options;
(ii) stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under section
422 of the Code; (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock and/or
restricted stock units; (v) performance awards and (vi) other stock based
awards; provided, that the maximum number of Shares with respect to which stock
options and stock appreciation rights may be granted to any participant in the
1997 Stock Incentive Plan in any fiscal year may not exceed 600,000 and the
maximum number of Shares which may be paid to a participant in the 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan in connection with the settlement of any award(s) designated as a
Performance Compensation Award (as defined in the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan) in
respect of a single performance period will be 600,000 or, in the event such
Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, the equivalent cash value
thereof. If, after the effective date of the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, any
Shares covered by an award granted under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, or to
which such an award relates, are forfeited, or if an award has expired,
terminated or been canceled for any reason whatsoever (other than by reason of
exercise or vesting), then the Shares covered by such award will again be, or
will become, Shares with respect to which awards may be granted under the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan.
Awards made under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan will be subject to such
terms, including vesting and exercise price, if applicable, as may be determined
by the Stock Plan Committee and specified in the applicable award agreement or
thereafter; provided, that stock options that are intended to qualify as
incentive stock options will be subject to terms and conditions that comply with
such rules as may be prescribed by section 422 of the Code. Payment in respect
of the exercise of an option granted under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan may be
made in cash, or its equivalent (or, if so determined by the Stock Plan
Committee, with the proceeds of a loan advanced by the Company for purposes of
paying the exercise price), or (i) by exchanging shares owned by the optionee
(which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest and which
have been owned by such optionee for at least six months) or (ii) subject to
such rules as may be established by the Stock Plan Committee, through delivery
of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the
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shares being acquired upon exercise of the option and to deliver promptly to the
Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price, or by a combination of
the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents
and the fair market value of such shares so tendered to the Company as of the
date of such tender is at least equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
option.
In addition to the foregoing, the Stock Plan Committee will have the
discretion to designate any award as a Performance Compensation Award. While
awards in the form of stock options and stock appreciation rights are intended
to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under section 162(m) of the Code
provided that the exercise price or grant price, as the case may be, is
established by the Stock Plan Committee to be equal to the Fair Market Value (as
defined in the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan) per Share as of the date of grant,
this form of award enables the Stock Plan Committee to treat certain other
awards (including stock options and stock appreciation rights with an exercise
price less than Fair Market Value) under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan as
"performance-based compensation" and thus preserve deductibility by the Company
for Federal income tax purposes of such awards which are made to individuals who
are "covered employees" as defined in section 162(m) of the Code.
Each Performance Compensation Award will be payable only upon achievement
over a specified performance period of a duration of at least one year of a
pre-established objective performance goal established by the Stock Plan
Committee for such period. The Stock Plan Committee may designate one or more
performance criteria for purposes of establishing a performance goal with
respect to Performance Compensation Awards made under the 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan. The performance criteria that will be used to establish such performance
goals will be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the
Company (or subsidiary, affiliate, division or operational unit in the Company)
and will be limited to the following: return on net assets, return on
stockholders' equity, return on assets, return on capital, stockholder returns,
profit margin, earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, price per
share, earnings before interest and taxes and sales or market share.
With regard to a particular performance period, the Stock Plan Committee
will have the discretion, subject to the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan's terms, to
select the length of the performance period, the type(s) of Performance
Compensation Award(s) to be issued, the performance goals that will be used to
measure performance for the period and the performance formula that will be used
to determine what portion, if any, of the Performance Compensation Award has
been earned for the period. Such discretion will be exercised by the Stock Plan
Committee in writing no later than 90 days after the commencement of the
performance period and performance for the period shall be measured and
certified by the Stock Plan Committee upon the period's close. In determining
entitlement to payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award, the Stock
Plan Committee may through use of negative discretion reduce or eliminate such
award, provided such discretion is permitted under section 162(m) of the Code.
Each award, and each right under any award, will be exercisable only by the
participant during the participant's lifetime, or, if permissible under
applicable law, by the participant's guardian or legal representative and no
award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise
transferred or encumbered by a participant otherwise than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation,
pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance will be void and unenforceable
against the Company or any affiliate; provided, that the designation of a
beneficiary will not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment,
sale, transfer or encumbrance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stock Plan
Committee has the discretion under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan to provide that
options granted under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan that are not intended to
qualify as incentive stock options may be transferred without consideration to
certain family members or trusts, partnerships or limited liability companies
whose only beneficiaries or partners are the original grantee and/or such family
members.
In the event of a "change of control" (as defined in the 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan) any outstanding awards then held by participants which are
unexercisable or otherwise unvested will
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automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as
of immediately prior to such change of control.
The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, that no such
amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination (i) will be
made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with
any tax or regulatory requirement, and (ii) may adversely affect the rights of
any participant with respect to awards previously granted under the 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan without such participant's consent.
It is currently anticipated that simultaneously with the commencement of
the Offerings, awards under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan in the form of
nonqualified stock options (the "Options") representing the right to acquire an
aggregate of approximately 4,200,000 Shares at an exercise price equal to the
initial public offering price per Share will be granted, where permitted by
applicable law, to all active full-time employees (including those on authorized
short-term leave of absence) of the Company and its subsidiaries and all
part-time employees who have been employed by the Company or its subsidiaries
for at least one year at the time of commencement of the Offerings, including
without limitation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and other Executive
Officers described under "-- Directors and Executive Officers". Of such option
grants, it is anticipated that options to acquire 1,437,000 Shares will be
granted to all executive officers as a group, including options to acquire
500,000, 350,000, 100,000, 100,000 and 100,000 Shares to Messrs. Lauren, Newman,
Idol, Isham and Ms. Sterling Udell, respectively.
In addition, it is currently anticipated that pursuant to the Newman
Agreement, Mr. Newman will be awarded 85,106 restricted shares under the 1997
Stock Incentive Plan simultaneous with the commencement of the Offerings,
assuming an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of
the range set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus.
After giving effect to the grant of options and restricted shares described
above, in the future the Stock Plan Committee would be authorized to grant an
aggregate of approximately 5,714,894 Shares in the form of awards permitted
under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.
1997 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
Prior to the Offerings, the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (the "1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan") was
adopted by action of the Company's Board of Directors. A maximum of 500,000
shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment to avoid dilution or
enlargement of intended benefits in the event of certain significant corporate
events, has been reserved by the Company for issuance pursuant to options under
the 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The principal provisions of the 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan are summarized below. This summary, however,
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of
the 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan which has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
Eligible persons under the plan are directors of the Company who are not
employees of the Company or any affiliate of the Company ("Outside Directors").
As of the date of the Plan's adoption, there were no Outside Directors. However,
the Company expects that the three directors appointed following the completion
of the Offerings will be Outside Directors. The 1997 Non-Employee Director
Option Plan is intended to be a largely self-governing formula plan. To the
extent, if any, that questions of administration arise, these shall be resolved
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
After the completion of the Offerings, each person who is an Outside
Director as of April 1 of each calendar year during the term of the 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan and who first became a Director prior to
October 1 of the preceding year will receive an option to purchase 3,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock as of such date; and (ii) each Person who first becomes
an elected director after the effective date of the Offerings will receive an
option to purchase 7,500 shares of Class A Common Stock on the date of their
initial election. All options granted under the
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1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan will be "nonqualified" stock options
subject to the provisions of section 83 of the Code.
Options will vest and become exercisable with respect to 50% of the shares
initially subject to the options on each of the first and second anniversaries
of the date of grant subject to an outside Director's continued service as a
Director of the Company, and will terminate on the earliest of the following:
(a) the expiration of ten years from the date of grant; and (b) the expiration
of two years from the date the optionee's service as an Outside Director
terminates for any reason.
The exercise price per share of Class A Common Stock purchasable under all
options granted under the 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan will be the
Fair Market Value (as defined in the 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan) of
a share of Class A Common Stock on the date the option is granted. Payment in
respect of the exercise of an option granted under the 1997 Non-Employee
Director Option Plan may be made in cash, or its equivalent (or if so determined
by the Board of Directors, with the proceeds of a loan advanced by the Company
for the purposes of paying the exercise price) or (i) by exchanging shares owned
by the Outside Director (which are not the subject of any pledge or other
security interest and which have been owned by such Outside Director for at
least six months) or (ii) subject to such rules as may be established by the
Board of Directors, through delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to
sell the shares being acquired upon exercise of the option and to deliver
promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price, or by a
combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and
cash equivalents and the fair market value of such shares so tendered to the
Company as of the date of such tender is at least equal to the aggregate
exercise price of the option.
The Company's Board may amend, suspend or discontinue the 1997 Non-Employee
Director Option Plan at any time except that (i) any such amendment will comply
with all applicable laws and stock exchange listing requirements, (ii) any
amendment for which stockholder approval is required by law or in order to
maintain continued qualification of the 1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan
under any applicable tax or regulatory requirement will not be effective until
such approval has been obtained and (iii) no amendment may adversely affect the
rights of any optionee with respect to options previously awarded under the 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan without his or her consent.
Awards may be transferred by a grantee only by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and options may be exercised during the optionee's
lifetime only by the optionee.
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company's executive incentive plan (the "Executive Incentive Plan") is
designed to motivate officers and other key employees of the Company to achieve
and exceed the Company's annual strategic goals. Approximately 125 employees are
currently eligible to receive a bonus award pursuant to the Executive Incentive
Plan.
Under the Executive Incentive Plan, each participant is eligible to receive
three levels of incentive bonus (each expressed as a percent of such
participant's annual base salary) according to his or her position in the
Company, if pre-established pre-tax net income objectives of the Company and/or
of the participant's operating division are met. In fiscal 1997, the bonus award
of the Company's Group Presidents and Design Senior Vice Presidents pursuant to
the Executive Incentive Plan was based 50% on the satisfaction of pre-tax income
objectives for the Company as a whole and 50% on the satisfaction of pre-tax
income objectives for each such participant's operating division. The bonus
awards of most other participants working in the Company's operating divisions
were based 30% on the satisfaction of pre-tax income objectives for the Company
as a whole and 70% on the satisfaction of pre-tax income objectives for the
participant's operating division. In addition, designated participants working
in centralized Company positions had their bonus determined entirely according
to overall Company performance. In addition to net income goals, each operating
division and centralized group sets three to four other quantitative performance
goals aimed at strengthening fundamental aspects of the business of the Company.
Accomplishment of these objectives can increase the incentive payout of
participants. No payments
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will be made under the Executive Incentive Plan in any fiscal year in which the
Company is not profitable, regardless of the performance of any particular
division.
In fiscal 1997 the maximum bonus payable under the Executive Incentive Plan
as a percent of salary was 100% for the Group Presidents and Design Senior Vice
Presidents, 60% for the Company's Senior Vice Presidents and Divisional
Presidents and 40% or less for all other participants.
PENSION PLANS
POLO RALPH LAUREN PROFIT SHARING RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN. The Company
maintains and administers separate employee contribution/profit sharing plans
with substantially identical terms for salaried and hourly employees of the
Company, which are designed to be tax deferred in accordance with the provisions
of Section 401(k) of the Code (the "401K Plan").
All of the Company's employees with at least one year of service are
eligible to participate in the 401K Plan. The 401K Plan provides that each
participant may defer up to 10% of his or her total compensation, subject to
statutory limits. However, "highly compensated employees" may only defer up to
6% of their total compensation, subject to statutory limits. The Company is
obligated to make a matching contribution to the 401K Plan for each participant
equal to $.50 for each $1.00 deferred by the participant, except that no
matching contribution will be made with respect to a participant's contribution
in excess of 6% of his or her compensation. The Company may also make
discretionary contributions to the 401K Plan, allocated among all eligible
employees in proportion to their compensation.
Participants are always 100% vested in their own contributions, and any
investment gains or losses thereon. Company contributions, and any investment
gains or losses thereon, vest 20% following the participant's third year of
service and an additional 20% annually thereafter; provided, however, that the
participant will become 100% vested if he or she dies, becomes disabled or
reaches his or her retirement age. Subject to certain restrictions and tax
consequences, a participant can receive the vested value of his or her 401K Plan
account as a distribution upon leaving the employ of the company, retiring,
becoming disabled or upon his or her death.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION WEALTH ACCUMULATION PLAN. Key employees of the
Company are eligible to participate in the Company's Wealth Accumulation Plan
(the "Wealth Plan"). With respect to each plan year during which the Company
reports a profit on a consolidated basis, the Company will credit a contribution
to each participant's Wealth Plan account equal to 5% of his or her cash
compensation for such plan year, provided that such participant is either
employed by the Company on the last day of such plan year, or has terminated
employment by reason of death, retirement or disability during such plan year.
Generally, the Wealth Plan provides that interest will be credited to each
participant's account at 120% of the average of Moody's Long Term Composite
Corporate Bond Index. However, if a participant suffers a disability or in the
event that the Wealth Plan is terminated by the Company, such participant's
account will be credited with 100% of Moody's Long Term Composite Corporate Bond
Index rate.
All amounts credited to a participant's Wealth Plan account will vest at
the rate of 10% after the first year of participation, an additional 15% after
two years of participation, an additional 20% after three years of
participation, an additional 25% after four years of participation, and an
additional 30% after the completion of five years of participation. In addition,
each participant will be 100% vested upon attainment of age 60, at his or her
death if prior to termination of employment or upon the occurrence of a
disability. If the Wealth Plan is terminated within five years following a
"change of control" of the Company (as defined in the Wealth Plan), each
participant's account will become 100% vested. Moreover, in the event that a
participant is involuntarily terminated within five years of a change of control
of the Company, except for "cause," such participant will be 100% vested and may
receive distributions as if the Wealth Plan had been terminated. Participants
are eligible to receive distributions of the vested amounts in their Wealth Plan
accounts upon retirement or in certain predesignated years. In addition,
participants may receive distributions in case of termination of employment,
death, disability or termination by the Company of the Wealth Plan.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
FORMATION OF PARTNERSHIPS AND REORGANIZATION
In October 1994, in connection with the formation of Enterprises and Polo
LP, the GS Group purchased an aggregate 28.5% limited partnership interest in
Enterprises and an aggregate 0.3986% limited partnership interest in Polo LP for
a purchase price of $128 million. Mr. Lauren, a corporation wholly owned by Mr.
Lauren, and a business associate of Mr. Lauren (collectively, the "RL Partners")
received an aggregate 70.5% limited partnership interest and a 1.0% general
partnership interest in Enterprises and a 1.0% general partnership interest in
Polo LP in October 1994. Effective April 1995, Mr. Lauren acquired his business
associate's interests in Enterprises and a predecessor corporate entity. In
October 1995, the GS Group purchased a 0.3986% limited partnership interest in
Womenswear LP. In addition, Mr. Lauren purchased indirectly, through PRLW, a
1.0% general partnership interest in Womenswear LP in October 1995. The GS Group
received aggregate partner distributions of $1.7 million, $18.8 million and
$19.3 million from the Operating Partnerships in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and
fiscal 1997, respectively. The RL Partners and PRLW received aggregate
distributions of $134.1 million (including distributions from a predecessor
corporate entity), $41.1 million and $47.3 million from the Operating
Partnerships in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997, respectively.
In May 1997, a corporation wholly owned by Mr. Lauren through which he held
certain interests in Enterprises and Polo LP merged into the Company, a newly
formed entity also wholly owned by Mr. Lauren, in exchange for shares of Class B
Common Stock. Prior to the commencement of the Offerings, the GS Group will
contribute their remaining interests in the Operating Partnerships to the
Company either directly or indirectly by merger into the Company in exchange for
24,920,979 shares of Class C Common Stock and the Reorganization Notes.
Simultaneous with such contribution by the GS Group, Mr. Lauren, Family LP and
Holding LP will contribute their remaining interests, as applicable, in the
Operating Partnerships, RL Fragrances and PRLW in exchange for 19,408,079 shares
of Class B Common Stock (not including 44,670,942 shares of Class B Common Stock
owned prior to the Reorganization) and the Reorganization Notes. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions".
At the time of the formation of Enterprises and Polo LP, each of the GS
Group and the RL Partners entered into a formation agreement and partnership
agreements governing the terms of the Operating Partnerships. Upon completion of
the Reorganization, those agreements will no longer be effective because
Enterprises LP and Polo LP will dissolve by operation of law. Similarly, in
October 1995, the GS Group, Enterprises and PRLW entered into a partnership
agreement governing Womenswear LP. Upon completion of the Reorganization, that
agreement will be substantially amended and restated as Womenswear LP will
become wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company upon completion of
the Reorganization. In addition, at the time of the formation of Enterprises and
Polo LP, each of the GS Group and Mr. Lauren made loans to Enterprises in the
aggregate principal amount of $7 million and $17 million, respectively. The
Company believes the Subordinated Notes are on terms as favorable as could have
been obtained from disinterested third parties. The Subordinated Notes bear
interest at the prime rate, and interest is payable quarterly. The Subordinated
Notes mature on March 1, 2001. The Company will use a portion of the net
proceeds of the Offerings to prepay the Subordinated Notes. See "Use of
Proceeds".
POLO RETAIL CORPORATION
On March 21, 1997, the Company and its subsidiary, Polo Ralph Lauren Retail
Corp ("PRL Retail") entered into negotiated, arms-length purchase agreements
with Mr. David Hare, who has since become an executive officer of the Company,
Mr. William G. Merriken (an employee of PRC)
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and Franklin Retail Corporation for the acquisition of the 50% interest in PRC
not already owned by PRL Retail. The aggregate consideration to be paid is $10.0
million, of which $8.3 million was paid in cash on April 3, 1997, $1.0 million
was paid in cash on May 15, 1997 and $0.3 million was paid in cash on June 3,
1997. The remaining $0.4 million will be paid concurrent with the closing of the
Offerings in 17,021 shares of Class A Common Stock, assuming an initial public
offering price of $23.50 per share, the mid-point of the range set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus.
Also on March 21, 1997, the Company and PRL Retail entered into a
negotiated arms-length purchase agreement and three assignment and assumption
agreements with third parties including Mr. John Slater (an employee of a
subsidiary of PRC), to acquire a minority interest and three limited partnership
interests in Perkins Shearer Polo Ltd. and San Francisco Polo Ltd.,
respectively, both of which are subsidiaries of PRC that will now be wholly
owned. The aggregate consideration for such acquisitions is $391,353, of which
$94,420 was paid in cash on April 3, 1997. The remaining $296,933 will be paid
concurrently with the closing of the Offerings in 12,766 shares of Class A
Common Stock, assuming an initial public offering price of $23.50 per share, the
mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENTS
Certain of the Lauren Family Members, the GS Group and the Company will
enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement")
prior to the consummation of the Offerings, pursuant to which each of the Lauren
Family Members and GS Group will be granted certain demand registration rights
in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock
issued upon conversion of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as the
case may be, held by them). With respect to the demand rights of the Lauren
Family Members, the Lauren Family Members may make a demand once every nine
months. With respect to the demand rights of the GS Group, the GS Group may make
a demand once every nine months so long as the GS Group owns at least 10% of the
Common Stock outstanding. Once its ownership of the Common Stock is less than
10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the GS Group may make one
additional demand; provided, however, that if the sale of Class A Common Stock
pursuant to such demand registration does not result in the GS Group owning less
than 5% of the Common Stock due to a cutback in the number of shares that it may
include in such registration, such demand will not count as its one demand. In
the case of each demand registration, at least $20 million of Class A Common
Stock must be requested to be registered. The Lauren Family Members and the GS
Group also will have an unlimited number of piggyback registration rights in
respect of their shares. The piggyback registration rights will allow the
holders to include all or a portion of the shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of their shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C
Common Stock, as the case may be, under any registration statement filed by the
Company, subject to certain limitations. The Offerings do not constitute a
demand under the Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company will pay all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and
commissions of the selling stockholders and taxes payable by the selling
stockholders) in connection with any demand registration, as well as any
registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights. The Company also will
agree to indemnify such persons and any underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. The Lauren
Family Members and the GS Group have agreed not to exercise their registration
rights without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of
the Underwriters for a period of 180 days following the date of this Prospectus.
TRADEMARK ACQUISITION
Simultaneous with the closing of the Reorganization, the Company will
acquire certain assets from Family LP pursuant to the Trademark Acquisition. See
"Reorganization and Related Transactions -- Trademark Acquisition". Mr. Lauren
is the sole general partner of Family LP. The terms of the Trademark Acquisition
were negotiated on an arms-length basis between the parties, including
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<PAGE> 82
the partners of the Operating Partnerships, and the Company believes that the
terms of the Trademark Acquisition were as favorable as could have been obtained
from unaffiliated third parties.
OTHER AGREEMENTS, TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
In connection with the Reorganization, the stockholders of the Company and
the Company will enter into a stockholders' agreement (the "Stockholders'
Agreement") which will set forth certain voting and other agreements for the
period prior to completion of the Offerings. All of the provisions of the
Stockholders' Agreement will terminate upon completion of the Offerings except
for certain provisions relating to certain tax matters with respect to the
Operating Partnerships, certain restrictions on transfers of shares of Common
Stock and indemnification and exculpation provisions.
Shortly following completion of the Offerings, the Company expects to enter
into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive
officers. The indemnification agreements will require, among other things, that
the Company indemnify its directors and executive officers against certain
liabilities and associated expenses arising from their service as directors and
executive officers of the Company and reimburse certain related legal and other
expenses. In the event of a change of control (as defined therein), the Company
will, upon request by an indemnitee under the agreements, create and fund a
trust for the benefit of such indemnitee sufficient to satisfy reasonably
anticipated claims for indemnification.
Pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company, for security
purposes, Mr. Lauren and his family members are required to use the Company's or
other acceptable private aircraft for any travel. Mr. Lauren reimburses the
Company for personal use at swap rates charged to owners of airplanes, which
rates are set by an independent aircraft management company. The Company
believes that swap rates generally are lower than commercial charter rates for
flights to similar destinations. Amounts reimbursed to the Company by Mr. Lauren
for personal use of the Company's airplane in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and
fiscal 1997 were approximately $296,000, $356,000 and $398,000, respectively. In
addition, five employees of the Company perform services for Mr. Lauren which
are non-Company related; four employees carry out domestic activities in Mr.
Lauren's household and one employee works in an administrative assistant
capacity. Mr. Lauren reimburses the Company for the full amount of the salary,
benefits and other expenses relating to such employees. Pursuant to his
employment agreement with the Company, Mr. Lauren will continue to be entitled
to have such employees perform such services provided he reimburses the Company
for the full amount of salary, benefits and other expenses relating to such
employees. Amounts reimbursed to the Company by Mr. Lauren for his use of
Company employees for non-Company related services in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996
and fiscal 1997 were approximately $377,000, $326,000 and $321,000,
respectively. In connection with the adoption of the "RRL" trademarks by the
Company, pursuant to an agreement with the Company, Mr. Lauren retained the
royalty-free right to use as trademarks "Ralph Lauren", "Double RL" and "RRL" in
perpetuity in connection with, among other things, beef and living animals. The
trademarks "Double RL" and "RRL" are currently used by the Double RL Company, an
entity wholly owned by Mr. Lauren. In addition, Mr. Lauren engages in personal
projects involving non-Company related film or theatrical productions through
RRL Productions, Inc., a Company wholly owned by Mr. Lauren. The Company pays
the premiums on split-dollar life insurance policies on the lives of Mr. Lauren
and his spouse. See "Management -- Executive Compensation -- Summary
Compensation Table".
Mr. John Idol's brother-in-law owns 25% of RJS Scientific, Inc., which is
one of the Company's Home Collection licensing partners. The Company believes
the terms of its license agreement with RJS Scientific, Inc. are no less
favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated parties. See
"Business -- Operations -- Home Collection".
In March 1994, the Company loaned Ms. Cheryl Sterling Udell the sum of
$250,000 at an annual interest rate of prime plus 0.5% for a use unrelated to
the Company. The loan was repaid in full in February 1997. The Company believes
that the terms of this loan were more favorable than Ms. Sterling Udell might
have obtained from disinterested third parties.
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<PAGE> 83
Mr. David Hare is one of three partners of Action Leasing and
Development -- Cherry Creek, a Colorado general partnership ("Action Leasing")
which owns a building and property located in Denver, Colorado which it
previously leased to Perkins Shearer of Colorado, Inc., a subsidiary of PRC.
Perkins Shearer of Colorado, Inc. is the guarantor of lease payments by the
current tenant of such building to Action Leasing and is obligated to purchase
the building and property from Action Leasing for approximately $900,000 on July
1, 2001.
Mr. Jerome Lauren, the Executive Vice President of Menswear Design of the
Company, is Mr. Ralph Lauren's brother.
The GS Group owns (on a fully diluted basis) 34.7% of Koret, Inc., the
parent of New Campaign, Inc., the Company's licensing partner for small leather
goods and accessories. The Company believes that the terms of its arrangements
with New Campaign, Inc. are no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from unaffiliated parties.
On August 4, 1995, the Company entered into a forward foreign exchange
contract with Goldman, Sachs & Co. as a hedge relating to foreign licensing
revenue to deliver 593 million yen on April 17, 1996 in exchange for
approximately $6,719,000. On April 24, 1996, the Company entered into forward
foreign exchange contracts with Goldman, Sachs & Co. as hedges relating to
foreign licensing revenue to deliver 800 million yen on October 15, 1996 in
exchange for $7,661,000, and to deliver 825 million yen on April 15, 1997 in
exchange for approximately $8,083,000. On May 16, 1997, the Company entered into
two forward foreign exchange contracts with Goldman, Sachs & Co. as a hedge
relating to foreign licensing revenue to deliver 900 million yen on October 15,
1997 and 1.0 billion yen on April 15, 1998 in exchange for approximately
$7,951,000 and approximately $9,070,000, respectively. Goldman, Sachs & Co.
received customary fees for each of these forward foreign exchange contracts.
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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, giving effect to the Reorganization and the
Trademark Acquisition, the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company
beneficially owned, and the percent so owned, by (i) each stockholder who is
known by the Company to beneficially own in excess of five percent of any class
of the Company's voting securities, (ii) each director, (iii) each of the Named
Executive Officers and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
Except as otherwise indicated, each stockholder listed below has sole voting and
investment power with respect to shares beneficially owned by such person.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
--------------------------------------------
CLASS A COMMON STOCK(1) TO BE SOLD
----------------------------------------- IN THE
OFFERINGS
OWNED PRIOR TO BE SOLD TO BE OWNED OWNED PRIOR AS CLASS A TO BE OWNED
TO THE IN THE AFTER THE TO THE COMMON AFTER THE
OFFERINGS OFFERINGS OFFERINGS OFFERINGS STOCK(2) OFFERINGS
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS --------------- ---------- ------------ --------------- ---------- ---------------
AND 5% STOCKHOLDERS NUMBER % NUMBER NUMBER % NUMBER % NUMBER NUMBER %
- ------------------------------------------ ---------- --- ---------- ------- --- ---------- --- ---------- ---------- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Ralph Lauren(3)....................... -- -- -- 500,000 * 50,335,021 100 4,400,000 45,935,021 100
Ralph Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder
Unitrust(4).............................. 13,500,000 98 13,500,000 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
RL Holding, L.P.(5)....................... -- -- -- -- -- 13,383,482 26.6 -- 13,383,482 29.1
The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.(6).......... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Michael J. Newman(7)...................... -- -- -- 85,106 * -- -- -- -- --
John D. Idol(8)........................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
F. Lance Isham(8)......................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Cheryl L. Sterling Udell(8)............... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Richard A. Friedman(9).................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
All directors and executive officers as a
group (11 persons)(3)(7)(8)(9)........... -- -- -- 585,106 -- 50,335,021 100 4,400,000 45,935,021 100
<CAPTION>
CLASS C COMMON STOCK
-------------------------------------------- TOTAL
TO BE COMMON
SOLD STOCK
IN THE ---------
OFFERINGS
AS CLASS VOTING
OWNED PRIOR A TO BE OWNED POWER
TO THE COMMON AFTER THE AFTER THE
OFFERINGS STOCK(2) OFFERINGS OFFERINGS
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS --------------- --------- ---------------- ---------
AND 5% STOCKHOLDERS NUMBER % NUMBER NUMBER % %
- ------------------------------------------ ---------- --- --------- ----------- ---- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Ralph Lauren(3)....................... -- -- -- -- -- 89.8
Ralph Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder
Unitrust(4).............................. -- -- -- -- -- --
RL Holding, L.P.(5)....................... -- -- -- -- -- 26.1
The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.(6).......... 24,920,979 100 2,200,000 22,720,979 100 4.4
Michael J. Newman(7)...................... -- -- -- -- -- *
John D. Idol(8)........................... -- -- -- -- -- --
F. Lance Isham(8)......................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Cheryl L. Sterling Udell(8)............... -- -- -- -- -- --
Richard A. Friedman(9).................... -- -- -- -- -- --
All directors and executive officers as a
group (11 persons)(3)(7)(8)(9)........... -- -- -- -- -- 89.8
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1.0%
(1) Each share of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock is convertible
at the option of the holder into one share of Class A Common Stock. The
number of shares of Class A Common Stock and percentages contained under
this heading do not account for such conversion rights. See "Description of
Capital Stock".
(2) Immediately prior to the Offerings, such shares of Class B Common Stock and
Class C Common Stock will be converted into an equal number of shares of
Class A Common Stock for sale in the Offerings.
(3) Includes 1,557,503 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by RL Family, L.P.,
a partnership of which Mr. Lauren is the sole general partner and 13,383,482
shares of Class B Common Stock owned by RL Holding, L.P., a partnership
controlled by Mr. Lauren. If the Underwriters' overallotment options are
exercised in full, Mr. Lauren will sell an additional 2,655,000 shares of
Class B Common Stock and will own 43,280,021 shares of Class B Common Stock
(100%) and have 84.6% of the total voting power of the Common Stock after
the Offerings. Includes options to be granted simultaneous with the
Offerings to Mr. Lauren under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan representing the
right to acquire 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which options vest
immediately upon the grant thereof. The address of Mr. Lauren is 650 Madison
Avenue, New York, New York, 10022.
(4) The independent trustee of the Ralph Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder
Unitrust, a Lauren Family Trust, may, in his discretion as such trustee,
determine to sell up to 13,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in the
Offerings. Mr. Lauren and Robert F. Greenhill act as trustees of the Ralph
Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder Unitrust under an agreement dated June 1,
1997 (the "Trust Agreement"), and as such possess joint voting control over
the 13,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the trust prior to
the Offerings. However, pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Mr.
Greenhill, as independent trustee, has the sole right to sell such shares
and as such he alone will determine, prior to the execution of the
Underwriting Agreement, whether to sell some or all of such shares in the
Offerings.
(5) RL Holding, L.P. is a partnership controlled by Mr. Lauren.
(6) Represents 24,920,979 shares owned by certain investment funds affiliated
with The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. ("Goldman Sachs"). Includes 23,536,494
shares beneficially owned by GS Capital Partners, L.P.; 708,174 shares
beneficially owned by Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P.; and 676,311 shares
beneficially owned by Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P. Goldman Sachs disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by such investment funds to the
extent attributable to equity interests therein held by persons other than
Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. Each of such funds shares voting and
investment power with certain of its respective affiliates. The address of
Goldman Sachs is 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004.
(7) Does not include options representing the right to acquire 350,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock to be granted upon commencement of the Offerings to Mr.
Newman under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. Includes 85,106 restricted
shares to be granted upon commencement of the Offerings to Mr. Newman under
the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. Mr. Newman's restricted shares will vest
immediately with respect to one third of his shares, and will vest ratably
with respect to the remaining shares on each of the second and third
anniversaries of the commencement of the Offerings. All of Mr. Newman's
options will vest ratably over three years on each of the first three
anniversaries of the date of the grant.
(8) Does not include options to be granted simultaneous with the Offerings to
Ms. Sterling Udell, and Messrs. Idol and Isham and to all directors and
executive officers as a group under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the
1997 Non-Employee Director Option Plan representing the right to acquire
100,000, 100,000 and 1,437,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively.
(9) Mr. Friedman, who is a Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co., disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the GS Group, except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
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<PAGE> 85
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
As of the date of this Prospectus, the authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 500,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 100,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, 70,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock and
30,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred
Stock"). As of the date of this Prospectus, there are 50,335,021 shares of Class
B Common Stock outstanding, all of which are held of record by the Lauren Family
Members and 24,920,979 shares of Class C Common Stock outstanding, all of which
are held by the GS Group. See "Reorganization and Related Transactions" and
"Principal and Selling Stockholders". The following description is a summary and
is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the form
of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part.
COMMON STOCK
The shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock are identical in all respects, except for voting rights and certain
conversion rights, transfer restrictions in respect of the shares of the Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock and the right of the holders of Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock to receive the Second Dividend, if any, as
described below. The number of authorized shares of any class or classes of
capital stock of the Company may be increased or decreased (but not below the
number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Company entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors irrespective of the provisions of
Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Delaware Law") or any corresponding provision hereinafter enacted.
VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock
are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled
to ten votes per share. Holders of all classes of Common Stock entitled to vote
will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the
stockholders for their vote or approval except for the election and the removal
of directors as described below and as otherwise required by applicable law.
With respect to the election of directors, the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company's Board of Directors will
have between six and 20 members plus any directors which are entitled to be
elected by any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms thereof (such
directors, the "Preferred Directors"). Initially, the Company's Board of
Directors will have six members (including the three directors to be added after
completion of the Offerings). After this initial selection, four of the
directors will be Class B Directors, one of the directors will be the Class C
Director and one of the directors will be the Class A Director. While shares of
Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are
outstanding and while on the record date of any meeting of stockholders of the
Company, the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock is at least
10% of the number of shares of all classes of Common Stock outstanding
immediately upon the consummation of the Offerings (subject to appropriate
adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends and similar
transactions), if the size of the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) is
increased, all additional members entitled to be elected by the holders of
Common Stock will be Class B Directors with the following exceptions: (i) an
additional Class A Director will be added if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) is increased to ten members and again if the Board (exclusive of
Preferred Directors) is increased to 19 members; and (ii) an additional Class C
Director will be added if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) is
increased to 13 members. Under all circumstances, so long as on the record date
of any meeting of stockholders of the Company the number of outstanding shares
of Class C Common Stock is equal to or greater than 10% of the aggregate number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the
Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock
splits, stock dividends and similar transactions), then the
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<PAGE> 86
holders of the Class C Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be
entitled to elect one Class C Director if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) consists of less than 13 directors and two Class C Directors if the
Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) consists of 13 or more directors.
Accordingly, while the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock on
the record date of any meeting of stockholders of the Company is at least 10% of
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the
consummation of the Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock
splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions), the
holders of Class B Common Stock will elect at least two-thirds of the members of
the Board of Directors entitled to be elected by the holders of Common Stock. If
on the record date for any meeting of stockholders of the Company the number of
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation
of the Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse
stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions) directors that would
have been elected by a separate vote of that class will instead be elected by
the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock,
voting together, with holders of Class A Common Stock having one vote per share
and holders of Class B Common Stock having ten votes per share. If on the record
date for any meeting of stockholders of the Company the number of outstanding
shares of Class C Common Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the
Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock
splits, stock dividends and similar transactions), the Class C Common Stock is
automatically converted into Class A Common Stock and the director or directors
that would have been elected by the holders of the Class C Common Stock will
instead be elected by the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate
class, or, if on the record date for any meeting of stockholders of the Company
the amount of Class B Common Stock is less than 10% of the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the
Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock
splits, stock dividends and similar transactions), by the holders of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together, with the holders of
Class A Common Stock having one vote per share and the holders of Class B Common
Stock having ten votes per share. Because of the disproportionate voting rights
of the Class B Common Stock, in certain instances holders of Class B Common
Stock will still be able to elect a majority of the Board of Directors entitled
to be elected by the holders of Common Stock when the number of outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock is less than 10% of the number of shares of all
classes of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon the consummation of the
Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock
splits, stock dividends and similar transactions).See "Risk Factors--Control by
Lauren Family Members and Anti-Takeover Effect of Multiple Classes of Stock".
Directors may be removed, with or without cause, only by the holders of the
class or classes of Common Stock or series of Preferred Stock that, as of the
date such removal is effected, would be entitled to elect such director at the
next annual meeting of stockholders. Vacancies in a directorship may be filled
only by (a) the remaining directors elected by holders of each class of Common
Stock or series of Preferred Stock that (x) elected such director and (y) as of
the date such vacancy is filled, would be entitled to elect such director at the
next annual meeting of the stockholders or, (b) if there are no such remaining
directors, then by the vote of the holders of the class or classes of Common
Stock or series of Preferred Stock that, as of the date such vacancy is filled,
would be entitled to elect such director at the next annual meeting of
stockholders, voting as a separate class at a meeting, special or otherwise, of
the holders of Common Stock of such class or classes or series of Preferred
Stock.
As used in this Prospectus, the term "Lauren Family Members" includes only
the following persons: (i) Ralph Lauren and his estate, guardian, conservator or
committee; (ii) the spouse of Ralph Lauren and her estate, guardian, conservator
or committee; (iii) each descendant of Ralph Lauren (a "Lauren Descendant") and
their respective estates, guardians, conservators or commit-
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tees; (iv) each Family Controlled Entity (as defined below); and (v) the
trustees, in their respective capacities as such, of each Lauren Family Trust
(as defined below). The term "Family Controlled Entity" means (i) any
not-for-profit corporation if at least a majority of its board of directors is
composed of Ralph Lauren, Mr. Lauren's spouse and/or Lauren Descendants; (ii)
any other corporation if at least a majority of the value of its outstanding
equity is owned by Lauren Family Members; (iii) any partnership if at least a
majority of the economic interest of its partnership interests are owned by
Lauren Family Members; and (iv) any limited liability or similar company if at
least a majority of the economic interest of the Company is owned by Lauren
Family Members. The term "Lauren Family Trust" includes trusts the primary
beneficiaries of which are Mr. Lauren, Mr. Lauren's spouse, Lauren Descendants,
Mr. Lauren's siblings, spouses of Lauren Descendants and their respective
estates, guardians, conservator or committees and/or charitable organizations,
provided that if the trust is a wholly charitable trust, at least a majority of
the trustees of such trust consist of Mr. Lauren, the spouse of Mr. Lauren
and/or Lauren Family Members.
DIVIDENDS. Holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class
C Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends at the same rate if, as and
when such dividends are declared by the Board out of assets legally available
therefor after payment of dividends required to be paid on shares of Preferred
Stock, if any. The Company may not make any dividend or distribution to any
holder of any class of Common Stock unless simultaneously with such dividend or
distribution the Company makes the same dividend or distribution with respect to
each outstanding share of Common Stock regardless of class. In the case of a
dividend or other distribution payable in shares of a class of Common Stock,
including distributions pursuant to stock splits or divisions of Common Stock,
only shares of Class A Common Stock may be distributed with respect to Class A
Common Stock, only shares of Class B Common Stock may be distributed with
respect to Class B Common Stock and only shares of Class C Common Stock may be
distributed with respect to Class C Common Stock. Whenever a dividend or
distribution, including distributions pursuant to stock splits or divisions of
the Common Stock, is payable in shares of a class of Common Stock, the number of
shares of each class of Common Stock payable per share of such class of Common
Stock shall be equal in number. In the case of dividends or other distributions
consisting of other voting securities of the Company or of voting securities of
any corporation which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company
shall declare and pay such dividends in three separate classes of such voting
securities, identical in all respects except that (i) the voting rights of each
such security issued to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock shall be one-tenth of the voting rights of each such security issued to
holders of Class B Common Stock, (ii) such security issued to holders of Class B
Common Stock shall convert into the security issued to the holders of Class A
Common Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the conversion of
Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock and shall have the same
restrictions on transfer and ownership applicable to the transfer and ownership
of the Class B Common Stock, (iii) such security issued to the holders of Class
C Common Stock shall convert into the security issued to holders of Class A
Common Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the conversion of
Class C Common Stock into Class A Common Stock and shall have the same
restrictions on transfer and ownership applicable to the transfer and ownership
of the Class C Common Stock, and (iv) with respect only to dividends or other
distributions of voting securities of any corporation which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, the respective voting rights of each such security
issued to holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C
Common Stock with respect to election of directors shall otherwise be as
comparable as is practicable to those of the Class A Common Stock, Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, respectively. In the case of dividends or
other distributions consisting of securities convertible into, or exchangeable
for, voting securities of the Company or of voting securities of any corporation
which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall provide
that such convertible or exchangeable securities and the underlying securities
be identical in all respects (including, without limitation, the conversion or
exchange rate) except that the underlying securities may have the same
differences as they would have if the Company issued voting securities of the
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<PAGE> 88
Company or of a wholly owned subsidiary rather than issuing securities
convertible into, or exchangeable for, such securities. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, holders of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock will be
entitled to receive the Second Dividend, if necessary, in the amount of the
difference between the actual amount of undistributed taxable income of the
Operating Partnerships through the closing of the Reorganization and the amount
of the Dividend and the Reorganization Notes. See "Reorganization and Related
Transactions".
RESTRICTIONS ON ADDITIONAL ISSUANCES AND TRANSFER. The Company may not
issue or sell (x) any shares of Class B Common Stock or any securities
(including, without limitation, any rights, options, warrants or other
securities) convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of
Class B Common Stock to any person who is not a Lauren Family Member and (y) any
shares of Class C Common Stock or any securities (including, without limitation,
any rights, options, warrants or other securities) convertible into, or
exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of Class C Common Stock to any person
who is not a member of the GS Group or, until April 15, 2002, any successor
thereof. Additionally, shares of Class B Common Stock may not be transferred,
whether by sale, assignment, gift, bequest, appointment or otherwise, to a
person other than a Lauren Family Member. Shares of Class C Common Stock may not
be transferred to a person other than a member of the GS Group or, until April
15, 2002, any successor thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing (i) any Lauren
Family Member may pledge his, her or its shares of Class B Common Stock to a
financial institution pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as
collateral security for indebtedness due to the pledgee provided that such
shares remain subject to the transfer restrictions and that, in the event of
foreclosure or other similar action by the pledgee, such pledged shares of Class
B Common Stock may only be transferred to a Lauren Family Member or converted
into shares of Class A Common Stock, as the pledgee may elect and (ii) the
foregoing transfer restrictions shall not apply in the case of a merger,
consolidation or business combination of the Company with or into another
corporation in which all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred
Stock of the Company regardless of class are purchased by the acquiror.
CONVERSION. Class A Common Stock has no conversion rights. Shares of Class
B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are convertible into Class A Common
Stock, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the option of
the holder, on the basis of one share of Class A Common Stock for each share of
Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock converted. Each share of Class C
Common Stock will also automatically convert into one share of Class A Common
Stock if, on the record date for any meeting of the stockholders of the Company,
the number of shares of Class C Common Stock then outstanding is less than 10%
of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon
the consummation of the Offerings (subject to appropriate adjustment for stock
splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions).
Additionally, at such time as a person ceases to be a (i) Lauren Family Member,
any share of Class B Common Stock held by such person at such time shall
automatically convert into a share of Class A Common Stock, or (ii) a member of
the GS Group (or, until April 15, 2002, any successor thereof), any share of
Class C Common Stock held by such person at such time shall automatically
convert into a share of Class A Common Stock. The Company covenants that (i) it
will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
shares of Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock
and Class C Common Stock, (ii) it will cause any shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of a share of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common
Stock that require registration with or approval of any governmental authority
under federal or state law before such shares may be issued upon conversion to
be so registered or approved and (iii) it will use its best efforts to list the
shares of Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion prior to
such delivery upon such national securities exchange upon which the outstanding
Class A Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.
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<PAGE> 89
RECLASSIFICATION AND MERGER. In the event of a reclassification or other
similar transaction as a result of which the shares of Class A Common Stock are
converted into another security, then a holder of Class B Common Stock or Class
C Common Stock will be entitled to receive upon conversion the amount of such
other security that the holder would have received if the conversion occurred
immediately prior to the record date of such reclassification or other similar
transaction. No adjustments in respect of dividends will be made upon the
conversion of any share of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock; except
if a share is converted subsequent to the record date for the payment of a
dividend or other distribution on shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock but prior to such payment, then the registered holder of such share
at the close of business on such record date will be entitled to receive the
dividend or other distribution payable on such date regardless of the conversion
thereof or the Company's default in payment of the dividend due on such date.
In the event the Company enters into any consolidation, merger, combination
or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or
changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then,
and in such event, the shares of each class of Common Stock will be exchanged
for or changed into either (1) the same amount of stock, securities, cash and/or
any other property, as the case may be, into which or for which each share of
any other class of Common Stock is exchanged or changed; provided, however, that
if shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into shares of capital
stock, such shares so exchanged for or changed into may differ to the extent and
only to the extent that the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and
the Class C Common Stock differ as provided in the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or (2) if holders of each class of Common
Stock are to receive different distributions of stock, securities, cash and/or
any other property, an amount of stock, securities, cash and/or property per
share having a value, as determined by an independent investment banking firm of
national reputation selected by the Board of Directors, equal to the value per
share into which or for which each share of any other class of Common Stock is
exchanged or changed.
LIQUIDATION. In the event of liquidation of the Company, after payment of
the debts and other liabilities of the Company and after making provision for
the holders of Preferred Stock, if any, the remaining assets of the Company will
be distributable ratably among the holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock treated as a single class.
OTHER PROVISIONS. Except as described below, the holders of the Class A
Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are not entitled to
preemptive rights. None of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or
Class C Common Stock may be subdivided or combined in any manner unless the
other classes are subdivided or combined in the same proportion. The Company may
not make any offering of options, rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of
Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock. If the Company makes an offering
of options, rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of any other class or
classes of capital stock (other than Class B Common Stock or Class C Common
Stock) to all holders of a class of Common Stock, then the Company is required
to simultaneously make an identical offering to all holders of the other classes
of Common Stock other than to any class the holders of which, voting as a
separate class, agrees that such offering need not be made to such class. All
such options, rights or warrants offerings shall offer the respective holders of
Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock the right to
subscribe at the same rate per share.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the
Class A Common Stock will be The Bank of New York.
LISTING. The Class A Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to
notice of issuance, on the NYSE under the trading symbol "RL".
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<PAGE> 90
PREFERRED STOCK
The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed
by Delaware Law or the rules of the NYSE or other organizations on whose systems
capital stock of the Company may be quoted or listed, to issue shares of
Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number
of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, powers,
preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease
the number of shares of such series, without any further vote or action by the
stockholders of the Company. The approval of the holders of at least 75% of the
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, however, is required for the
issuance of shares of Preferred Stock that have the right to vote for the
election of directors under ordinary circumstances or to elect 50% or more of
the directors under any circumstances. In no event will a series of Preferred
Stock be entitled to vote together with any class of Common Stock with respect
to the election of directors entitled to be elected by such class of Common
Stock. Depending upon the terms of any series of Preferred Stock established by
the Board of Directors, any or all series of Preferred Stock could have
preference over the Common Stock with respect to dividends and other
distributions and upon liquidation of the Company or could have voting or
conversion rights that could adversely affect the holders of the outstanding
Common Stock. In addition, the Preferred Stock could delay, defer or prevent a
change of control of the Company.
OTHER CHARTER AND BY-LAW PROVISIONS
Special meetings of stockholders of the Company may be called by the Board,
the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Except as
otherwise required by law, stockholders, in their capacity as such, are not
entitled to request or call a special meeting of stockholders of the Company,
except that meetings of stockholders of any class of Common Stock may be called
by stockholders holding a majority of the shares of that class with respect to
any matter as to which the class of Common Stock is entitled to vote as a
separate class. Except with respect to any matter as to which a class of Common
Stock is entitled to vote as a separate class, the Company's stockholders may
not take any action on any matter by written consent. Certain provisions of the
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the
issuance of preferred stock, action by stockholders, calling of special
stockholder meetings and such amendment provision may be amended only with the
approval of 75% of the outstanding voting power of the Common Stock voting as a
single class in addition to any voting requirements under Delaware law.
Additionally, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation relating to certain terms of the Common Stock and the provision
prohibiting preferred stockholders from voting together with any class of Common
Stock for the election of directors entitled to be elected by such class of
Common Stock may not be amended in any respect with respect to any affected
class of Common Stock without the approval of such class of Common Stock voting
as a separate class. The Board may from time to time adopt, amend or repeal the
By-laws except that any By-laws adopted or amended by the Board may be amended
or repealed, and any By-laws may be adopted, by the stockholders of the Company
by vote of a majority of the holders of shares of stock of the Company entitled
to vote in the election of directors of the Company.
ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company's By-laws establish an advance notice procedure for
stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as director, or to
bring other business before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company
(the "Stockholder Notice Procedure").
The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that, subject to the rights of
any holders of Preferred Stock, only persons who are nominated by, or at the
direction of, the Board, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice
to the Secretary of the Company prior to the meeting at which directors are to
be elected, will be eligible for election as directors of the Company. The
Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that at an annual meeting only such
business may be
89
<PAGE> 91
conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the
Board or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary
of the Company of such stockholder's intention to bring such business before
such meeting. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, to be timely, notice of
stockholder nominations or proposals to be made at an annual or special meeting
must be received by the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the scheduled date of the meeting (or, if less than 70 days' notice or
prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given, the 10th day
following the earlier of (i) the day such notice was mailed or (ii) the day such
public disclosure was made).
Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice to the
Company proposing to nominate a person for election as a director must contain
certain information about the nominating stockholder and the proposed nominee.
Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice relating to the
conduct of business other than the nomination of directors must contain certain
information about such business and about the proposing stockholder. If the
Chairman of the Board or other officer presiding at a meeting determines that a
person was not nominated, or other business was not brought before the meeting,
in accordance with the Stockholder Notice Procedure, such person will not be
eligible for election as a director, or such business will not be conducted at
such meeting, as the case may be.
By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Stockholder
Notice Procedure affords the Board an opportunity to consider the qualifications
of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the
Board, to inform stockholders about such qualifications. By requiring advance
notice of other proposed business, the Stockholder Notice Procedure also
provides a more orderly procedure for conducting annual meetings of stockholders
and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board, provides the
Board with an opportunity to inform stockholders, prior to such meetings, of any
business proposed to be conducted at such meetings, together with any
recommendations as to the Board's position regarding action to be taken with
respect to such business, so that stockholders can better decide whether to
attend such a meeting or to grant a proxy regarding the disposition of any such
business.
Although the By-laws of the Company do not give the Board any power to
approve or disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or
proposals for action, the foregoing provisions may have the effect of precluding
a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder
proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or
deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether
consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to
the Company and its stockholders.
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of Delaware Law
("Section 203"). Under Section 203, certain "business combinations" between a
Delaware corporation whose stock generally is publicly traded or held of record
by more than 2,000 stockholders and an "interested stockholder" are prohibited
for a three-year period following the date that such a stockholder became an
interested stockholder, unless (i) the corporation has elected in its original
certificate of incorporation not to be governed by Section 203 (the Company did
not make such an election), (ii) the business combination was approved by the
Board of Directors of the corporation before the other party to the business
combination became an interested stockholder, (iii) upon consummation of the
transaction that made it an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder
owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the
commencement of the transaction (excluding voting stock owned by directors who
are also officers or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do
not have a confidential right to tender or vote stock held by the plan) or (iv)
the business combination was approved by the Board of Directors of the
corporation and ratified by two-thirds of the voting stock which the interested
stockholder did not own. The three-year prohibition also does not apply to
certain business combinations proposed by
90
<PAGE> 92
an interested stockholder following the announcement or notification of certain
extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not
been an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of the majority of the corporation's
directors. The term "business combination" is defined generally to include
mergers or consolidations between a Delaware corporation and an "interested
stockholder", transactions with an "interested stockholder" involving the assets
or stock of the corporation or its majority-owned subsidiaries and transactions
which increase an interested stockholders percentage ownership of stock. The
term "interested stockholder" is defined generally as a stockholder who,
together with affiliates and associates, owns (or, within three years prior, did
own) 15% or more of a Delaware corporation's voting stock. Section 203 could
prohibit or delay a merger, takeover or other change in control of the Company
and therefore could discourage attempts to acquire the Company.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to the Offerings there has been no market for the shares of the Class
A Common Stock. The Company can make no predictions as to the effect, if any,
that sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale will have on the
market price prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of significant
amounts of the Class A Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that
such sales may occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices. See "Risk
Factors--Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Potential Adverse Effect on Stock
Price; Registration Rights".
In general, under Rule 144, if a period of at least one year has elapsed
since the later of the date the "restricted securities" were acquired from the
Company and the date they were acquired from an Affiliate, then the holder of
such restricted securities (including an Affiliate) is entitled to sell a number
of shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of 1%
of the then outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock (approximately
295,000 shares immediately after the Offerings) or the average weekly reported
volume of trading of the Class A Common Stock on the NYSE during the four
calendar weeks preceding such sale. The holder may only sell such shares through
unsolicited brokers' transactions. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to
certain requirements pertaining to the manner of such sales, notices of such
sales and the availability of current public information concerning the Company.
Affiliates may sell shares not constituting restricted shares in accordance with
the foregoing volume limitations and other requirements but without regard to
the one year holding period. Under Rule 144(k), if a period of at least two
years has elapsed between the later of the date restricted securities were
acquired from the Company and the date they were acquired from an Affiliate, as
applicable, a holder of such restricted securities who is not an Affiliate at
the time of the sale and has not been an Affiliate for at least three months
prior to the sale would be entitled to sell the shares immediately without
regard to the volume limitations and other conditions described above.
Upon completion of the Offerings, the Company will have outstanding a total
of 29,858,893 shares of Class A Common Stock, 45,935,021 shares of Class B
Common Stock and 22,720,979 shares of Class C Common Stock. Of such shares, the
29,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock being sold in the Offerings (together
with any shares sold upon exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment options)
will be immediately eligible for sale in the public market without restriction,
except for shares purchased by or issued to any Affiliate of the Company. All
45,935,021 shares of Class B Common Stock (which may be converted into Class A
Common Stock at any time) will be owned by the Lauren Family Members and all
22,720,979 shares of Class C Common Stock (which may be converted into Class A
Common Stock at any time) will be owned by the GS Group. So long as any
stockholder remains an Affiliate of the Company, any shares of Class A Common
Stock (including any shares issued upon conversion of other classes of Common
Stock) held by such person will only be available for public sale if such shares
are registered under the Securities Act or sold in accordance with an applicable
exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, subject to the restrictions
discussed above. The Company, Lauren Family Members that own shares of Common
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<PAGE> 93
Stock, the GS Group and the executive officers and directors of the Company have
agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares
of Class A Common Stock or any securities of the Company that are substantially
similar to the Class A Common Stock, including but not limited to any securities
that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to
receive, Class A Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities
(other than pursuant to employee or director stock or stock option plans
existing on the date of this Prospectus or in connection with the PRC
Acquisition) for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without
the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representative of the
Underwriters, except for the shares of Class A Common Stock offered in
connection with the Offerings. In addition, certain restrictions on transfers of
shares of Common Stock by the stockholders of the Company are contained in the
Stockholders' Agreement. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions -- Reorganization Transactions".
The Company intends to file as soon as practicable after the commencement
of the Offerings a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act
to register approximately 10,000,000 and 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1997
Non-Employee Director Option Plan, respectively, including, in some cases,
shares for which an exemption under Rule 144 would also be available, thus
permitting the resale of shares issued under such plans by non-Affiliates in the
public market without restriction under the Securities Act. Such registration
statement is expected to become effective immediately upon filing, whereupon
shares registered thereunder will become eligible for sale in the public market,
subject to vesting and, in certain cases, subject to the lock-up agreement
described above. Upon completion of the Offerings, options to purchase an
aggregate of approximately 4,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock will be
outstanding under the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1997 Non-Employee
Director Option Plan.
Certain Lauren Family Members and the GS Group are entitled to certain
registration rights with respect to their shares of Common Stock. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions--Registration Rights Agreement".
LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the Class A Common Stock offered hereby and certain tax and
other legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,
Wharton & Garrison. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership
including professional corporations), New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The combined financial statements and schedules of Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation as of March 30, 1996 and for each of the two years in the period
ended March 30, 1996 included in this Prospectus have been audited by Mahoney,
Cohen, Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC, independent auditors, as set forth in their
reports thereon included elsewhere herein and are included in reliance upon such
reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The combined financial statements of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation as of
March 29, 1997 and for the year then ended, included in the Prospectus and the
related financial statement schedule included elsewhere in the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports appearing herein
and elsewhere in the registration statement, and are included in reliance upon
the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
In December 1996, the Company appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as its
independent public accountants to replace Mahoney Cohen Rashba & Pokart, CPA,
PC. The former accountant's report on the financial statements for the years
ended March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995 did not contain an
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<PAGE> 94
adverse opinion, disclaimer opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. In addition, there were no
disagreements between the Company and its former accountants during the
preceding two fiscal years or during any subsequent interim period preceding
their replacement on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures during the two most recent
fiscal years in the period ended March 30, 1996 and any subsequent interim
period preceding such dismissal. The decision to change accountants was approved
by the general partner of Enterprises.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A Common Stock
offered hereby. This Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement,
does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement
and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain items of which are omitted as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Class A Common Stock offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and to the financial
statements, schedules, and exhibits filed as a part thereof. The Registration
Statement, including all schedules and exhibits thereto, may be inspected
without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission
at its principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. and at the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center, 13th
floor, New York, New York and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois. Copies of such material may be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. Such material may also be accessed electronically by means of
the Commission's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
The Company is aware of a website on the internet at
http://www.ralphlaurenfragrance.com which was created and is maintained solely
by Cosmair, Inc., one of the Company's independent licensing partner. Cosmair,
Inc. is the author of all information on such website and is solely responsible
for its contents. The Company neither drafts nor approves the contents of any
material on Cosmair, Inc.'s website.
Statements contained in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any
contract or other document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance,
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise with the Commission, each
such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
The Company will be subject to the periodic reporting and other
informational requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company will fulfill its
obligations with respect to such requirements by filing periodic reports with
the Commission. In addition, the Company intends to furnish its stockholders
with annual reports containing financial statements audited by independent
certified accountants.
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<PAGE> 95
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report........................................................ F-2
Independent Auditor's Report........................................................ F-3
Combined Balance Sheets as of March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997..................... F-4
Combined Statements of Income for the years ended April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996 and
March 29, 1997.................................................................... F-5
Combined Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Partners' Capital for the years
ended April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997............................ F-6
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996
and March 29, 1997................................................................ F-7
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.............................................. F-8
</TABLE>
The financial statements of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation have not been included
because the registrant is a newly-formed shell company into which the operating
partnerships will be reorganized.
F-1
<PAGE> 96
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Partners of
Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P.
New York, New York
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheet of Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation (the "Company" as defined in Note 1(a)) as of March 29, 1997, and
the related combined statements of income, partners capital, and cash flows for
the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 29, 1997, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
May 15, 1997
(June 9, 1997 as to Note 7)
F-2
<PAGE> 97
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
The Partners
Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P.
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheet of Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation (the "Company" as defined in note 1(a)) as of March 30, 1996,
and the related combined statements of income, partners' capital, and cash flows
for each of the two years in the period ended March 30, 1996. These combined
financial statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation as of March 30, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 30, 1996 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Mahoney Cohen Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC
MAHONEY COHEN RASHBA & POKART, CPA, PC
New York, New York
June 21, 1996,
except as to Note 1(a)
dated March 14, 1997
F-3
<PAGE> 98
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH
30, MARCH 29,
1996 1997
-------- --------- PRO FORMA
MARCH 29,
1997
---------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents............................. $ 13,568 $ 29,599
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $11,054 and
$12,845, respectively.............................. 144,999 144,303
Inventories........................................... 269,113 222,147
Prepaid expenses and other............................ 31,886 40,290
-------- --------
Total current assets.......................... 459,566 436,339
Property and equipment, net............................. 48,980 83,240
Investment in and advances to affiliate................. 21,710 17,977
Other assets............................................ 33,417 39,187
-------- --------
$563,673 $ 576,743
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Current liabilities
Notes and acceptances payable -- banks................ $ 73,731 $ 26,777
Current portion of long-term debt..................... 11,765 22,248
Current portion of subordinated notes................. -- 20,000
Dividend and Reorganization Notes payable............. -- -- $ 85,792
Accounts payable...................................... 74,244 89,417
Accrued expenses and other............................ 36,982 65,525
-------- --------
Total current liabilities..................... 196,722 223,967
Long-term debt.......................................... 70,149 47,875
Other noncurrent liabilities............................ 15,149 20,216
Subordinated notes...................................... 44,000 24,000
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)........ -- --
Partners' capital/stockholders' equity
Common Stock
Class A, par value $.01 per share; 500,000,000
shares authorized; no shares issued and
outstanding...................................... --
Class B, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000
shares authorized; 64,079,021 shares issued and
outstanding, pro forma........................... 641
Class C, par value $.01 per share; 70,000,000
shares authorized; 24,920,979 issued and
outstanding, pro forma........................... 249
Additional paid-in-capital............................ 199,435
Partners' capital/stockholders' equity................ 237,541 260,837 --
Cumulative translation adjustment..................... 112 (152) --
-------- -------- --------
Total partners' capital/stockholders'
equity...................................... 237,653 260,685 $ 200,325
-------- --------- ---------
---------
$563,673 $ 576,743
======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 99
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
--------------------------------------
APRIL 1, MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1995 1996 1997
-------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............................................ $746,595 $ 909,720 $1,043,330
Licensing revenue.................................... 100,040 110,153 137,113
-------- -------- ----------
Net revenues....................................... 846,635 1,019,873 1,180,443
Cost of goods sold................................... 474,999 583,546 648,597
-------- -------- ----------
Gross profit....................................... 371,636 436,327 531,846
Selling, general and administrative expenses......... 261,506 309,207 374,483
-------- -------- ----------
Income from operations............................. 110,130 127,120 157,363
Interest expense..................................... 16,450 16,287 13,660
Equity in net loss of affiliate...................... 262 1,101 3,599
-------- -------- ----------
Income before income taxes......................... 93,418 109,732 140,104
Provision for income taxes........................... 13,244 10,925 22,804
-------- -------- ----------
Net income......................................... $ 80,174 $ 98,807 $ 117,300
======== ======== ==========
PRO FORMA (NOTE 1)--(UNAUDITED)
Historical income before income taxes................ $ 140,104
Pro forma provision for income taxes................. 58,844
----------
Pro forma net income................................. $ 81,260
==========
Pro forma net income per share....................... $ 0.87
==========
Pro forma common shares outstanding.................. 93,083,071
==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 100
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETAINED
ADDITIONAL EARNINGS AND CUMULATIVE
COMMON PAID IN PARTNERS' TRANSLATION
STOCK CAPITAL CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT TOTAL
------- ----------- ------------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 2, 1994.............. $ 58 $ 88 $ 117,580 $ 311 $ 118,037
Net income............................ 80,174 80,174
Capital contributions................. 128,000 128,000
Formation of partnership.............. (58) (88) (1,274) (80) (1,500)
Translation adjustment................ (287) (287)
Distributions to stockholders and
partners............................ (135,845) (135,845)
--- --- -------- ----- --------
Balance at April 1, 1995............ -- -- 188,635 (56) 188,579
Net income............................ 98,807 98,807
Translation adjustment................ 168 168
Capital contributions................. 10,000 10,000
Distributions to partners............. (59,901) (59,901)
--- --- -------- ----- --------
Balance at March 30, 1996........... -- -- 237,541 112 237,653
Net income............................ 117,300 117,300
Translation adjustment................ (264) (264)
Distributions to partners............. (94,004) (94,004)
--- --- -------- ----- --------
Balance at March 29, 1997........... -- -- $ 260,837 $ (152) $ 260,685
=== === ======== ===== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 101
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
------------------------------------
MARCH
APRIL 1, 30, MARCH 29,
1995 1996 1997
--------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income....................................................... $ 80,174 $ 98,807 $ 117,300
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Equity in net loss of affiliate................................ 262 1,101 3,599
Depreciation and amortization.................................. 9,938 9,743 13,755
Provision for losses on accounts receivable.................... 2,700 1,122 833
Other.......................................................... 1,244 (2,596) (42)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition
Accounts receivable.......................................... 15,276 (34,155) (137)
Inventories.................................................. (61,680) 21,811 46,702
Prepaid expenses and other................................... 10,075 (10,428) (9,223)
Other assets................................................. (1,740) (6,733) (4,323)
Accounts payable............................................. (1,172) 9,798 15,173
Accrued expenses and other................................... 1,134 2,855 19,943
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities........................ 56,211 91,325 203,580
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition.................................................... -- (39,726) --
Purchases of property and equipment............................ (4,939) (5,575) (35,330)
Cash surrender value -- officers' life insurance............... (3,473) (3,685) (3,230)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities............................ (8,412) (48,986) (38,560)
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net....... (98,408) 14,109 (46,954)
Repayments of long-term debt................................... (51,555) (11,719) (11,791)
Proceeds from long-term debt................................... 106,290 10,000 --
Distributions paid to stockholders and partners................ (134,308) (56,284) (90,284)
Capital contributions.......................................... 128,000 10,000 --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities............................ (49,981) (33,894) (149,029)
--------- --------- ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents............. (2,182) 8,445 15,991
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents..... -- (26) 40
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period................. 7,331 5,149 13,568
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period....................... $ 5,149 $ 13,568 $ 29,599
========= ========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest......................................... $ 15,457 $ 17,189 $ 16,005
========= ========= =========
Cash paid for income taxes..................................... $ 10,592 $ 11,602 $ 22,280
========= ========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
Foreign tax credits distributed to stockholders/partners....... $ 1,537 $ 3,617 $ 3,720
========= ========= =========
Capital obligations for completed shop-within-shop boutiques... $ 8,600
=========
Fair value of assets acquired, excluding cash.................. $ 40,260
Cash paid...................................................... (39,726)
---------
Payable to seller.............................................. $ 534
=========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE> 102
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION
(a) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of Polo
Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P. ("Enterprises"), Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. and
subsidiaries ("Polo Partnership"), The Ralph Lauren Womenswear Company, L.P. and
subsidiary ("Womenswear") and an investment in Polo Retail Corporation and
subsidiaries ("PRC"), a 50% joint venture with a nonaffiliated partner,
accounted for under the equity method (collectively the "Company"). The
controlling interests of the Company are held by Mr. Ralph Lauren, with a 28.5%
interest held by certain investment funds affiliated with The Goldman Sachs
Group, L.P. (collectively, the "GS Group").
On October 31, 1994, Enterprises and the Polo Partnership were formed
pursuant to limited partnership agreements to own and operate the businesses
previously conducted by Mr. Lauren. Mr. Lauren contributed his ownership
interests in these businesses for an effective 71.5% ownership interest and the
GS Group made a capital cash contribution of $128.0 million for an effective
ownership interest of 28.5%.
The combined financial statements for the year ended April 1, 1995 include
the businesses previously conducted by Mr. Lauren and have been prepared as if
the entities had operated as a single consolidated group since their respective
dates of organization. The financial statements are being presented on a
combined basis because of their common ownership. All significant intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated.
(b) Acquisition
On October 16, 1995, Womenswear acquired the assets of Ralph Lauren
Womenswear, Inc. ("RLW"), a nonaffiliated licensee, at book value which
approximated fair value, consisting principally of inventories ($19.7 million)
and accounts receivable ($18.2 million) for $40.3 million in cash. This
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase.
(c) Business
The Company, which operates in one business segment, designs, licenses,
contracts for the manufacture of, markets and distributes men's and women's
apparel, accessories, fragrances, skin care products and home furnishings. The
Company's sales are principally to major department and specialty stores located
throughout the United States. Additionally, the Company also sells directly to
consumers through Company-owned Polo stores, including flagship stores in New
York, and outlet stores located throughout the United States. A substantial
portion of the Company's net revenues and income from operations are derived
from, and identifiable assets are located in, the United States.
The Company is party to licensing agreements which grant the licensees
exclusive rights to use the various trademarks owned by the Company in
connection with the manufacture and sale of designated products in specified
geographical areas. Additionally, the Company has granted royalty-free licenses
to independent parties to operate Polo stores to promote the sale of merchandise
of the Company and its licensees both domestically and internationally. The
license agreements typically provide for designated terms with renewal options
based on achievement of specified sales targets. The agreements also require
that certain minimum amounts be spent on advertising for licensed products.
Additionally, as part of the licensing arrangements, each licensee is typically
required to enter into a design services agreement pursuant to which design and
other creative
F-8
<PAGE> 103
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
services are provided. The license and design services agreements provide for
payments based on specified percentages of net sales.
A significant amount of the Company's products are produced in the Far East
through arrangements with independent contractors. As a result, the Company's
operations could be adversely affected by political instability resulting in the
disruption of trade from the countries in which these contractors are located,
or by the imposition of additional duties or regulations relating to imports or
by the contractors' inability to meet the Company's production requirements.
(d) Reorganization and Pro Forma Adjustments (Unaudited)
In connection with the Company's contemplated initial public offerings of
stock (the "Offerings"), the partners and certain of their affiliates are
contributing to a newly formed entity, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation ("Polo"),
all of the outstanding stock of and partnership interests in the entities which
comprise the Company, in exchange for various combinations of common stock (the
"Reorganization"). In connection with the Reorganization, the Company will
declare a dividend and issue reorganization notes to the stockholders
representing estimated undistributed earnings of the Company through the closing
of the Reorganization ("Dividend and Reorganization Notes").
Concurrently with the Reorganization, the Company will acquire from an
entity under common control the trademarks and rights under a licensing
agreement associated with its U.S. fragrance business and the interests it does
not already own in another related entity that holds the trademarks related to
its international licensing business in exchange for shares of Class B Common
Stock of Polo ("Trademark Acquisition").
Concurrently with the Reorganization, the Company will become subject to
additional Federal, state and local taxes. The pro forma combined statement of
income data for the year ended March 29, 1997 reflects adjustments for income
taxes based upon pro forma pre-tax income as if the Company had been subject to
additional Federal, state and local income taxes as of March 31, 1996, based
upon a pro forma effective tax rate of 42%. No other pro forma adjustments have
been reflected herein as their effects are not material to the results of
operations.
The pro forma combined balance sheet of the Company at March 29, 1997 is
adjusted for: (i) the declaration of Dividend and the issuance of the
Reorganization Notes to the stockholders of Polo, which through March 29, 1997
approximated $85.8 million; and (ii) the recording of a net deferred tax asset
of $25.4 million, in addition to approximately $2.8 million of certain Federal,
state and local deferred tax assets previously recorded, which Polo will record
concurrently with the termination of the Company's partnership status. The pro
forma deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences,
primarily uniform inventory capitalization, depreciation, allowance for doubtful
accounts and other accruals, between the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and the amounts used for income tax
purposes.
(e) Pro forma net income per share (Unaudited)
Pro forma net income per share is based upon (i) 89,000,000 shares of
Common Stock outstanding as a result of the Reorganization and the Trademark
Acquisition; increased by (ii) the sale of 3,968,178 shares of Class A Common
Stock by the Company at an offering price of $23.50 per share ($21.62 net of
expenses), the proceeds of which would be necessary to pay approximately $85,792
in satisfaction of the Dividend and Reorganization Notes; (iii) 29,787 shares of
Class A Common Stock expected to be issued in connection with the PRC
Acquisition and
F-9
<PAGE> 104
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(iv) 85,106 shares of Class A Common Stock which the Company will award to an
executive officer simultaneous with the commencement of the Offerings.
Supplementary pro forma net income per share of $0.83 is based upon the
average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of pro forma
net income per Common Stock increased by (i) the sale of 1,110,083 shares of
Class A Common Stock being sold by the Company, assuming an initial offering
price of $23.50 ($21.62, net of expenses), the proceeds of which would be
necessary to repay approximately $24,000 outstanding under the Subordinated
Notes (as defined) and (ii) the sale of 4,320,351 shares of Class A Common Stock
by the Company, assuming an offering price of $23.50 ($21.62, net of expenses),
the proceeds of which would be necessary to repay approximately $93,406 of the
Company's outstanding indebtedness.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Fiscal Year
The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to March 31. All
references herein to "1995," "1996" and "1997" represent the 52 week fiscal
years ended April 1, 1995, March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an
original maturity of three months or less.
Inventories
Wholesale inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out
method) or market. Retail inventories are valued using the retail method.
Property, Equipment, Depreciation and Amortization
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture and
fixtures and machinery and equipment is calculated using the straight-line
method over estimated average useful lives of approximately five years.
Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the
lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful life. Major
additions and betterments are capitalized, and repairs and maintenance are
charged to operations in the period incurred. Additionally, the Company
capitalizes its share of the cost of constructing shop-within-shop boutiques
under agreements with retailers and amortizes such costs using the straight-line
method over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the life of the
underlying agreement.
F-10
<PAGE> 105
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
Officers' Life Insurance
The Company maintains key man life insurance policies on several of its
senior executives and other related parties, certain of which contain split
dollar arrangements. The Company is not the beneficiary under most of these
policies. The key man policies are recorded at their cash surrender value while
the policies with split dollar arrangements are recorded at the lesser of their
cash surrender value or premiums paid. Such policies amounted to $21,734 and
$24,964, net of loans of $5,608 and $5,757 at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997,
respectively, and are included in other assets in the accompanying combined
balance sheets.
Store Preopening Costs
Costs associated with the opening of a new store are deferred (included in
prepaid expenses and other) and amortized within one year commencing from the
date of the store opening.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of, which requires
impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated
to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. In
evaluating the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, the Company
performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of
the related long-lived assets and reduces their carrying value by the excess, if
any, of the result of such calculation. The Company adopted SFAS No. 121
effective March 31, 1996. There were no adjustments to the carrying amount of
long-lived assets resulting from the Company's evaluation.
Revenues
Sales are recognized upon shipment of products to customers and, in the
case of sales by Company-owned outlet and retail stores, when goods are sold to
customers. Allowances for estimated uncollectible accounts and discounts are
provided when sales are recorded. Licensing revenue is recognized as earned.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company sells its merchandise primarily to major upscale department
stores across the United States and extends credit based on an evaluation of the
customer's financial condition, usually without requiring collateral. Credit
risk is driven by conditions or occurrences within the economy and the retail
industry and is principally dependent on each customer's financial condition. A
decision by the controlling owner of a group of stores or any substantial
customer to decrease the amount of merchandise purchased from the Company or to
cease carrying its products could materially adversely affect the Company. The
Company had three customers who in aggregate constituted 36% and 48% of trade
accounts receivable outstanding at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997,
respectively. Additionally, the Company had three licensees who in aggregate
constituted approximately 45%, 43% and 39% of licensing revenue in fiscal 1995,
1996 and 1997, respectively.
The Company had one significant customer that accounted for approximately
11% of net sales in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
F-11
<PAGE> 106
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
The Company monitors credit levels and the financial condition of its
customers on a continuing basis to minimize credit risk. The Company believes
that adequate provision for credit loss has been made in the accompanying
combined financial statements.
The Company is also subject to concentrations of credit risk with respect
to its cash and cash equivalents which it minimizes by placing these funds with
high-quality institutions.
Advertising
The Company expenses the production costs of advertising, marketing and
public relations expenses upon the first showing of the related advertisement.
These expenses amounted to $34,028, $44,488 and $55,498 in fiscal 1995, 1996 and
1997, respectively.
Income Taxes
The entities in the combined group include principally a Subchapter S
Corporation in fiscal 1995 and partnerships in fiscal 1996 and 1997 which are
not subject to Federal or certain state income taxes. Therefore, no provision
has been made in the accompanying combined financial statements as taxes are the
liability of the partners. However, Federal, state and local taxes have been
provided on the income of all domestic C corporations in the combined group.
Foreign income taxes have also been provided on the income of the foreign
companies in the combined group.
The Company has recorded its provision for income taxes in accordance with
SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under SFAS No. 109, the deferred tax
provision is determined under the liability method which requires the
recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between
financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using presently
enacted tax rates.
Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposures
to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company does not
hold or issue financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. While
these instruments are subject to risk of loss from changes in exchange and
interest rates, those losses would generally be offset by gains on the related
exposures.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial position and results of operations of a foreign subsidiary of
the Company is measured using the local currency as the functional currency.
Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each
year end. Results of operations are translated at the average rate of exchange
prevailing throughout the period. Translation adjustments arising from
differences in exchange rates from period to period are included in the
cumulative translation adjustment account under partners' capital. Gains and
losses from foreign currency transactions are included in operating results and
were not material.
Stock Options
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This Statement will be effective
in fiscal 1998 upon the establishment of the Stock Incentive Plan by the Company
in connection with the Offerings. The Company will adopt only the disclosure
provision of SFAS No. 123 and account for stock-based compensation in
F-12
<PAGE> 107
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, which recognizes compensation cost based on the intrinsic
value of the equity instrument awarded.
3. INVENTORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials.............................................. $ 52,993 $ 32,781
Work-in-process............................................ 13,302 5,788
Finished goods............................................. 202,818 183,578
-------- --------
$ 269,113 $ 222,147
======== ========
</TABLE>
Inventories of $83,243 and $93,874 at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997,
respectively, were valued utilizing the retail method and are included in
finished goods.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Land....................................................... $ 656 $ 656
Furniture and fixtures..................................... 25,050 54,415
Machinery and equipment.................................... 18,451 18,567
Leasehold improvements..................................... 63,233 78,554
------- -------
107,390 152,192
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization............ 58,410 68,952
------- -------
$ 48,980 $ 83,240
======= =======
</TABLE>
5. INVESTMENT IN AND ADVANCES TO AFFILIATE
Investment in and advances to affiliate reflects the Company's 50% interest
in PRC which was formed in February 1993 to operate Polo stores located
throughout the United States. The Company has guaranteed up to $2.0 million of
PRC's working capital facility. (See Note 13).
Sales by the Company to PRC were $27,313, $38,879 and $40,317 in fiscal
1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Purchases by the Company from PRC amounted to
$6,633, $5,715 and $6,709 in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. At March
30, 1996 and March 29, 1997, the Company had $12,716 and $20,292 due from PRC
which is included in prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying combined
balance sheets.
F-13
<PAGE> 108
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
6. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Accrued operating expenses................................... $19,798 $26,637
Accrued payroll and benefits................................. 11,279 25,318
Accrued shop-within-shop boutique costs...................... 3,016 9,737
Accrued income taxes......................................... 1,469 2,417
Accrued interest............................................. 1,420 1,416
------- -------
$36,982 $65,525
======= =======
</TABLE>
7. FINANCING AGREEMENTS
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Polo Partnership term loans.................................... $70,000 $60,000
Womenswear term loan........................................... 10,000 9,000
Other.......................................................... 1,914 1,123
------- -------
81,914 70,123
Less: current portion.......................................... 11,765 22,248
------- -------
$70,149 $47,875
======= =======
</TABLE>
On October 31, 1994, the Polo Partnership entered into a six year financing
arrangement with commercial banks providing for a $125.0 million revolving
credit facility and $80.0 million in term loans. The revolving credit facility
is available for the issuance of letters of credit, acceptances or direct
borrowings and is limited to a borrowing base calculated on eligible accounts
receivable, certain inventory and letters of credit. Any unused portion of the
available credit line ($48,224 and $103,171 at March 30, 1996 and March 29,
1997, respectively) is subject to a 3/8% commitment fee. Notes and acceptances
payable under this facility amounted to $58,086 and $4,658 at March 30, 1996 and
March 29, 1997, respectively, and bore interest based on either the prime rate
or LIBOR plus 1.75%, as permitted by the agreement (ranging from 5.75% to 8.25%
at March 30, 1996 and from 5.5% to 6.25% at March 29, 1997). The credit facility
and term loans are collateralized by trade wholesale accounts receivable, retail
inventories and assignments of licensing revenue and certain trademarks.
In fiscal 1996, Womenswear entered into a five year financing arrangement
with a financial institution providing for a $30.0 million revolving credit
facility and a $10.0 million term loan. The revolving credit facility is
available for the issuance of letters of credit, acceptances or direct
borrowings and is limited to a borrowing base calculated on eligible accounts
receivable, inventory and accrued royalties. Any unused portion of the available
credit line ($8,218 and $11,163 at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997,
respectively) is subject to a 3/8% commitment fee. Notes and acceptances
payable under this facility amounted to $15,645 and $22,119 at March 30, 1996
and March 29, 1997, respectively, and bore interest at the institution's
reference rate (8.25% at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997). The credit facility
is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of Womenswear. In February
1997, Womenswear amended its credit facility to increase its revolving credit
facility to $40.0 million.
F-14
<PAGE> 109
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
The financing agreements contain certain restrictive covenants which, among
other things, require the maintenance of certain financial ratios and set
various limitations on capital expenditures and distributions to partners. The
weighted average interest rate on borrowings under revolving credit facilities
was 8.3%, 8.4% and 7.7% in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
The Polo Partnership term loans are repayable semi-annually in April and
October in equal installments of $10.0 million through October 1999 and bear
interest primarily at LIBOR plus 1.75% (ranging from 7.0% to 7.25% at March 30,
1996 and from 6.9% to 8.25% at March 29, 1997).
The Womenswear term loan is repayable quarterly in installments ranging
from $250 to $750 through July 1, 2000, with a final payment due of $1,250 on
September 30, 2000 and bears interest at the institution's reference rate plus
0.5% (8.75% at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997).
In connection with the Womenswear credit facility, an entity wholly owned
by Mr. Lauren is required to contribute up to $3.0 million to Womenswear if
Womenswear does not maintain a specified cash flow ratio. Additionally, this
related entity guarantees Womenswear's debt up to $3.0 million under certain
circumstances, inclusive of any payments required under the above cash flow
provision.
At March 29, 1997, maturities of long-term debt were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
ENDING
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1998............................................................ $22,248
1999............................................................ 22,875
2000............................................................ 23,000
2001............................................................ 2,000
-------
$70,123
=======
</TABLE>
On June 9, 1997, the Company entered into a new financing arrangement (the
"New Credit Facility") providing for $375.0 million of revolving credit. The
proceeds from the New Credit Facility were used to refinance the Polo
Partnership credit facility and to repay in full approximately $56.6 million of
aggregate borrowings outstanding under the Womenswear credit facility and the
PRC credit facility (see Note 13). If within 30 days of the Reorganization, the
Company successfully completes the Offerings, the New Credit Facility will be
reduced to a $225.0 million revolving credit facility; otherwise, it will
provide for a $225.0 million revolving credit facility and $150.0 million in
term loans. The term loans will be repayable in semi-annual installments ranging
from $10.0 million to $20.0 million. Interest is payable, at the Company's
option, at the lender's Base Rate (as defined) or at the London Interbank
Offered Rate plus an interest margin, as permitted by the agreement. The New
Credit Facility is collateralized by trade accounts receivable and requires,
among other things, the maintenance of restrictive covenants including net worth
and leverage ratios, and sets limitations on indebtedness and incurrences of
liens, and restrictions on sales of assets and transactions with affiliates.
8. SUBORDINATED NOTES
The subordinated notes are payable to Mr. Lauren on April 30, 1997 in the
amount of $20.0 million and to Mr. Lauren and the GS Group on March 1, 2001 in
the aggregate amount of $24.0 million. These notes bear interest at the prime
rate (8.25% and 8.5% at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997, respectively) and are
subordinated to the Polo Partnership's credit facility and term
F-15
<PAGE> 110
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
notes. Interest expense on the subordinated notes amounted to $2,514, $3,791 and
$3,632 in fiscal 1995, 1996, and 1997 respectively.
9. INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------
APRIL
1, MARCH 30, MARCH 29,
1995 1996 1997
------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal.......................................... $ 6,761 $ 7,644 $16,649
State and local.................................. 5,235 3,123 6,633
Foreign.......................................... 252 392 460
Deferred........................................... 996 (234) (938)
------ ------- -------
$13,244 $10,925 $22,804
====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
The foreign and domestic components of income before income taxes were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-------------------------------
APRIL MARCH MARCH
1, 30, 29,
1995 1996 1997
------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Domestic.......................................... $66,432 $ 78,445 $113,188
Foreign........................................... 26,986 31,287 26,916
------- ------- --------
$93,418 $109,732 $140,104
======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by
applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes
mainly due to the inclusion of entities not subject to Federal income tax in the
combined group. The effective tax rate was 14.2%, 10.0% and 16.3% in fiscal
1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The decline in the effective tax rate from
fiscal 1995 to fiscal 1996 is mainly due to the full year benefit of the fiscal
1995 reorganization and formation of limited partnerships. The increase in the
effective tax rate from fiscal 1996 to fiscal 1997 is primarily attributable to
the increase in pre-tax income of C Corporations in relation to total pre-tax
income included in the combined group and subject to Federal and state taxes.
The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by
applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes due
to the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------
MARCH
APRIL 1, 30, MARCH 29,
1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Provision for income taxes at statutory Federal
rate.......................................... $ 32,696 $ 38,406 $ 49,036
Increase (decrease) due to:
Subchapter S and unincorporated entities...... (24,232) (28,575) (29,433)
Foreign income................................ (1,122) (1,009) (2,210)
State and local income taxes, net of Federal
benefit....................................... 5,637 2,072 4,126
Other......................................... 265 31 1,285
-------- -------- --------
$ 13,244 $ 10,925 $ 22,804
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 111
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
and income tax purposes. The net deferred tax asset at March 30, 1996 and March
29, 1997 amounted to $2,075 and $2,719, respectively, and consisted primarily of
uniform inventory capitalization. Net deferred tax assets are included in
prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
10. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
During fiscal 1995, the Company entered into an interest rate swap
agreement with a commercial bank which expires on October 14, 1999 to hedge
against interest rate fluctuations. The swap agreement effectively converts the
outstanding balance of the Polo Partnership's term loans from variable rate
borrowings to fixed rate obligations. Under the terms of this agreement, the
Company makes payments at a fixed rate of 6.955% and receives payments from the
counterparty based on the notional amount ($60.0 million at March 29, 1997),
adjusted for scheduled loan repayments, based on LIBOR. The net interest paid or
received on this arrangement is included in interest expense. The fair value of
this agreement, based on the estimated amount that the Company would pay to
terminate the agreement was $1,559 and $562 at March 30, 1996 and March 29,
1997, respectively. The fair value information has been obtained from a
financial institution.
The Company from time to time enters into forward foreign exchange
contracts as hedges relating to identifiable currency positions to reduce the
risk from exchange rate fluctuations. Gains and losses on these contracts are
deferred and recognized as adjustments to the bases of those assets. Such gains
and losses were not material.
At March 30, 1996, the Company had a forward foreign exchange contract
outstanding with Goldman, Sachs & Co. (GS & Co.) to deliver 593 million yen on
April 17, 1996. At March 29, 1997, the Company had a forward foreign exchange
contract outstanding with GS & Co. to deliver 825 million yen on April 15, 1997
in exchange for $8,083. These contracts are hedges relating to foreign licensing
revenues. The fair value of these contracts approximated carrying value due to
their short-term maturities.
The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by
the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreement and forward foreign
exchange contract, but it does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet
their obligation given their high-credit rating.
The carrying amounts of financial instruments reported on the combined
balance sheet at March 30, 1996 and March 29, 1997 approximated their estimated
fair values primarily due to either the short-term maturity of the instruments
or their adjustable market rate of interest. Considerable judgment is required
in interpreting certain market data to develop estimated fair values for certain
financial instruments. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a
current market exchange.
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Profit Sharing Retirement Savings Plans
The Company sponsors two defined contribution benefit plans covering
substantially all eligible non-union U.S. employees which include a savings plan
feature under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes
discretionary contributions to the plans and contributes an amount equal to 50%
of the first 6% of an employee's contribution. Under the terms of the plans, a
participant is 100% vested in the Company's matching and discretionary
contributions after seven
F-17
<PAGE> 112
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
years of credited service. Contributions under these plans approximated $4,041,
$4,557 and $4,990 in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Union Pension
Womenswear participates in a multi-employer pension plan and is required to
make contributions to the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union (the
"Union") for dues based on wages paid to union employees. A portion of such dues
are allocated by the Union to a Retirement Fund which provides defined benefits
to substantially all unionized workers. Womenswear does not participate in the
management of the plan and has not been furnished with any information with
respect to the type of benefits provided, vested and nonvested benefits or plan
assets. Union expense amounted to $186 and $638 in fiscal 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, an
employer, upon withdrawal from or termination of a multi-employer plan, is
required to continue funding its proportionate share of the plan's unfunded
vested benefits. Such withdrawal liability was assumed in conjunction with the
acquisition of certain assets from RLW (see Note 1). Womenswear has no current
intention of withdrawing from the plan.
Deferred Compensation
The Company has deferred compensation arrangements for certain key
executives which generally provide for payments upon retirement or death. The
amounts accrued under these plans were $7,469 and $10,532 at March 30, 1996 and
March 29, 1997, respectively. Total compensation expense recorded was $1,402,
$2,094 and $3,229 in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The Company funds
these obligations through the issuance of officers' life insurance policies and
the establishment of trust accounts on behalf of the executives participating in
the plans. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies and trust
accounts are reflected in other assets in the accompanying combined balance
sheets.
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases office, warehouse and retail space and office equipment
under operating leases which expire through 2021. As of March 29, 1997,
aggregate minimum annual rental payments under noncancelable operating leases
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING
-----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1998........................................................... $ 45,884
1999........................................................... 43,658
2000........................................................... 37,047
2001........................................................... 33,644
2002........................................................... 29,012
Thereafter..................................................... 185,299
--------
$374,544
========
</TABLE>
Rent expense charged to operations was $28,393, $34,483 and $37,091, net of
sublease income of $2,129, $2,091 and $2,146, respectively, in fiscal 1995, 1996
and 1997, respectively. Substantially all outlet and retail store leases provide
for contingent rentals based upon sales and require the Company to pay taxes,
insurance and occupancy costs. Certain rentals are based solely
F-18
<PAGE> 113
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED)
on a percentage of sales and one significant lease requires a fair market value
adjustment at January 1, 2004. Contingent rental charges included in rent
expense were $2,828, $3,160 and $3,707 in fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
Letters of Credit
At March 29, 1997, the Company is contingently liable for unexpired bank
letters of credit of $17,260 related to commitments for the purchase of
inventories and in connection with its leases.
Employment Agreements
The Company is party to employment agreements with certain executives which
provide for compensation and certain other benefits. The agreements also provide
for severance payments under certain circumstances.
Legal Matters
The Company is from time to time involved in routine legal claims,
involving trademark and intellectual property, licensing, employee relations and
other matters incidental to its business. Currently, the Company is a party to
an arbitration proceeding which it initiated in San Francisco to resolve a
dispute with an independent freestanding retail licensee which operates a Polo
store in Beverly Hills, California. This licensee had previously claimed that
the Company breached its license agreement when the Company refused last year to
authorize the opening of a free-standing Polo concession at Los Angeles
International Airport by the licensee. The Company believes it was acting within
its contractual rights when it rejected the licensee's proposal. The Company
initiated the arbitration proceeding in November 1996 under the rules of the
American Arbitration Association in accordance with the terms of its licensing
agreement for a declaration of rights under such agreement. The licensee in a
counterclaim has sought compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $5.0
million. In the opinion of the Company's management, the resolution of any
matter currently pending will not have a material effect on its financial
condition or results of operations.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On March 21, 1997, the Company entered into purchase agreements with
certain third parties to acquire the remaining 50% interest in PRC, effective
April 3, 1997, for consideration aggregating approximately $10.4 million ("PRC
Acquisition"), which will be completed simultaneously with the Offerings. The
PRC Acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase and the Company will
consolidate the operations of PRC from the effective date of the acquisition.
Effective March 31, 1997, the Company entered into a joint venture
agreement with a nonaffiliated partner to acquire real property in New York
City. The Company and its partners expect to own and operate a concept store and
a restaurant in New York City and are discussing other possible concepts at the
location. Concurrent with the signing of the agreement, the Company made an
initial contribution for its 50% interest in the joint venture in the amount of
$5.0 million. The Company will account for its 50% interest in the joint venture
under the equity method from the effective date of the agreement.
F-19
<PAGE> 114
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to sell to each of the U.S.
Underwriters named below, and each of such U.S. Underwriters, for whom Goldman,
Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated are acting as representatives, has severally agreed
to purchase from the Company and the Selling Stockholders the respective number
of shares of Class A Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
UNDERWRITER CLASS A COMMON STOCK
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co.....................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated...............................
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.......................
-------
Total......................................... 23,500,000
=======
</TABLE>
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the U.S.
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the representatives of
the U.S. Underwriters will purchase, on an equal basis, the shares offered on
behalf of the GS Group in the U.S. Offering immediately following the execution
of the Underwriting Agreement, in exchange for notes of the representatives of
the U.S. Underwriters. The notes to be issued to the GS Group will be payable on
the earlier of the closing of the Offerings and 15 days from the date of this
Prospectus. The number of shares each respective U.S. Underwriter is severally
obligated to purchase, as set forth above, will not be affected by the foregoing
arrangements. The representatives of the U.S. Underwriters will also purchase
the shares offered on behalf of the GS Group in the International Offering under
similar arrangements. Each member of the GS Group has granted to the
representatives of the U.S. Underwriters the right to require such member to
purchase, in the event that the Offerings are not consummated, the shares being
purchased by the representatives of the U.S. Underwriters from such member in
the Offerings, for a purchase price consisting of the assumption of all of the
obligations of the U.S. Underwriters under the note issued to such member.
The U.S. Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Class A Common Stock
in part directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at
such price less a concession of $ per share. The U.S.
U-1
<PAGE> 115
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $ per share to certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of the Class
A Common Stock are released for sale to the public, the offering price and the
other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.
The Company and the Selling Stockholders have entered into an underwriting
agreement (the "International Underwriting Agreement") with the underwriters of
the International Offering (the "International Underwriters") providing for the
concurrent offer and sale of shares of Class A Common Stock in an international
offering outside the United States. The offering price and aggregate
underwriting discounts and commissions per share for the two offerings are
identical. The closing of the offering made hereby is a condition to the closing
of the International Offering, and vice versa. The representatives of the
International Underwriters are Goldman Sachs International, Merrill Lynch
International and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited.
Pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. and International Underwriting
Syndicates (the "Agreement Between") relating to the two offerings, each of the
U.S. Underwriters named herein has agreed that, as a part of the distribution of
the shares offered hereby and subject to certain exceptions, it will offer, sell
or deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock, directly or indirectly, only in
the United States of America (including the States and the District of
Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction (the "United States") and to U.S. persons, which term shall mean,
for purposes of this paragraph: (a) any individual who is a resident of the
United States or (b) any corporation, partnership or other entity organized in
or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof and
whose office most directly involved with the purchase is located in the United
States. Each of the International Underwriters has agreed pursuant to the
Agreement Between that, as a part of the distribution of the shares offered as a
part of the International Offering, and subject to certain exceptions, it will
(i) not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell or deliver shares of Class A Common
Stock (a) in the United States or to any U.S. persons or (b) to any person who
it believes intends to reoffer, resell or deliver the shares in the United
States or to any U.S. persons, and (ii) cause any dealer to whom it may sell
such shares at any concession to agree to observe a similar restriction.
Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made between the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Underwriters of such number of shares of
Class A Common Stock as may be mutually agreed. The price of any shares so sold
shall be the initial public offering price, less an amount not greater than the
selling concession.
The Company and Mr. Lauren have granted the U.S. Underwriters options
exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an
aggregate of 3,525,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock solely to cover
overallotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise their over-allotment
options, the U.S. Underwriters have severally agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage thereof that the
number of shares to be purchased by each of them, as shown in the foregoing
table, bears to the 23,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered. The
Company and Mr. Lauren have granted the International Underwriters similar
options to purchase up to an aggregate of 900,000 additional shares of Class A
Common Stock. If the Underwriters exercise their options but not in full, the
shares to be sold by Mr. Lauren pursuant to such options will be purchased by
the Underwriters prior to any shares to be sold by the Company pursuant to such
options.
The Company, its executive officers and directors and all other holders of
Common Stock, including the Selling Stockholders, have agreed that, during the
period beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing to
and including the date 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, they will not
offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A
Common Stock or any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to
the Class A Common Stock, including but not limited to any securities that are
convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive,
Class A Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities (other than
pursuant to employee or director stock or stock option plans existing on the
U-2
<PAGE> 116
date of this Prospectus or in connection with the PRC Acquisition) without the
prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representative of the
Underwriters, except for the shares of Class A Common Stock offered in
connection with the concurrent U.S. Offering and International Offering.
The Underwriters have reserved for sale at the initial public offering
price up to 2,950,000 shares which may be sold to the Company's management
employees, customers and suppliers and other persons associated with the Company
or affiliated with any director, officer or management employee of the Company.
The number of shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced to
the extent any reserved shares are purchased. Any reserved shares not so
purchased will be offered by the Underwriters on the same basis as the other
shares offered hereby.
Prior to the Offerings, there has been no public market for the shares. The
initial public offering price will be negotiated among the Company, the Selling
Stockholders and the representatives of the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Underwriters. Among the factors to be considered in determining
the initial public offering price of the Class A Common Stock, in addition to
prevailing market conditions, are the Company's historical performance,
estimates of the business potential and earnings prospects of the Company, an
assessment of the Company's management and the consideration of the above
factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
During and after the Offerings, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Class A Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include
over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate
short positions created in connection with the Offerings. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the Class A Common Stock; and
syndicate short positions involve the sale by the Underwriters of a greater
number of shares of Class A Common Stock than they are required to purchase from
the Company and the Selling Stockholders in the Offerings. The Underwriters also
may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the Class A Common Stock sold in
the offering for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such Class A
Common Stock is repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering
transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of the Class A Common Stock, which may be higher than the price
that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected
on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
The Company's Class A Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject
to notice of issuance, on the NYSE under the symbol "RL". In order to meet one
of the requirements for listing the Class A Common Stock on the NYSE, the
Underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of
2,000 beneficial holders.
The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
This Prospectus may be used by Underwriters and dealers in connection with
offers and sales of Class A Common Stock, including shares initially sold in the
International Offering to persons located in the United States.
Under Rule 2720 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(the "NASD") the Company may be deemed an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. The
Offerings are being conducted in accordance with Rule 2720, which provides that,
among other things, when an NASD member participates in the underwriting of an
affiliate's equity securities, the initial public offering price can be no
higher than that recommended by a "qualified independent underwriter" meeting
certain standards. In accordance with this requirement, Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, has served in
U-3
<PAGE> 117
such role and has recommended a price in compliance with the requirements of
Rule 2720. In connection with the Offerings, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
in its role as qualified independent underwriter has performed due diligence
investigations and reviewed and participated in the preparation of the
Prospectus and the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
In addition, the Underwriters may not confirm sales to any discretionary account
without the prior written approval of the customer.
Mr. Richard A. Friedman, a Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co., will
become a director of the Company prior to commencement of the Offerings.
The Chase Manhattan Bank is the agent and a lender under the New Credit
Facility and will receive part of the proceeds of the Offering by reason of the
repayment of amounts due under the New Credit Facility. In addition, The Chase
Manhattan Bank from time to time performs general financing and banking services
for the Company and receives customary compensation in connection with such
services. Chase Securities Inc., an affiliate of The Chase Manhattan Bank, may
be one of the Underwriters of the U.S. Offering. See "Use of Proceeds".
U-4
<PAGE> 118
[POLO PLAYER ASTRIDE A HORSE LOGO FOLLOWED BY A LIST OF THE
COMPANY'S BRANDS AND TRADE NAMES]
<PAGE> 119
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table shows the expenses, other than underwriting discounts,
which the Company expects to incur in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the securities being registered under this registration
statement. All expenses are estimated except for the Securities and Exchange
Commission registration fee, the New York Stock Exchange Listing Fee and the
NASD filing fee.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee..................... $ 257,008
New York Stock Exchange listing fee..................................... $ 170,797
NASD filing fee......................................................... $ 30,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses*............................................. $ 10,000
Legal fees and expenses*................................................ $1,200,000
Accounting fees and expenses*........................................... $ 700,000
Printing and engraving expenses*........................................ $ 500,000
Registrar and transfer agent's fees*.................................... $ 50,000
Miscellaneous*.......................................................... $2,081,695
-------
Total*.................................................................. $5,000,000
=======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Estimated
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("Section 145") permits a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or
proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was unlawful.
In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, Section 145
permits the corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys'
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a
manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation. No indemnification may be made in respect of any
claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of
Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
II-1
<PAGE> 120
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit,
or proceeding referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, Section 145 requires
that such person be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Section 145 provides that expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by
an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not
entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145.
Article Six of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation eliminates the personal liability of the directors of the Company
to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as directors, with certain exceptions. Article Seven requires
indemnification of directors and officers of the Company, and for advancement of
litigation expenses to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145.
The Underwriting Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 1.1 provides for
indemnification of the Selling Stockholders and directors, certain officers, and
controlling persons of the Company by the Underwriters against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
See Item 17 below.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
See "Reorganization and Related Transactions".
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(i) Exhibits
The following is a complete list of Exhibits filed as part of this
Registration Statement, which are incorporated herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement+
2.1 Subscription Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1997, by and among Mr. Ralph Lauren, RL
Holding, L.P., RL Family, L.P., GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL
Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994,
L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., and Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., and
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation+
2.2 Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1997, by and among Mr.
Ralph Lauren, RL Holding, L.P., RL Family, L.P., GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P.,
Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., and Bridge Street
Fund 1994, L.P. and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation+
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.2 Form of Bylaws of the Company+
5.1 Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with respect to the legality of
the Class A Common Stock
10.1 Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan+
10.2 Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors+
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 121
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
10.3 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 9, 1997 by and among Ralph Lauren, GS
Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners
PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary
Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
10.4 U.S.A. Design and Consulting Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between Ralph Lauren,
individually and d/b/a Ralph Lauren Design Studio, and Cosmair, Inc., and letter
agreement related thereto dated January 1, 1985**
10.5 Restated U.S.A. License Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between Ricky Lauren and
Mark N. Kaplan, as Licensor, and Cosmair, Inc., as Licensee, and letter agreement
related thereto dated January 1, 1985**
10.6 Foreign Design and Consulting Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between Ralph
Lauren, individually and d/b/a Ralph Lauren Design Studio, as Licensor, and L'Oreal
S.A., as Licensee, and letter agreements related thereto dated January 1, 1985,
September 16, 1994 and October 25, 1994**
10.7 Restated Foreign License Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between The Polo/Lauren
Company, as Licensor, and L'Oreal S.A., as Licensee, letter agreement related
thereto dated January 1, 1985, and Supplementary Agreement thereto, dated October 1,
1991**
10.8 Amendment, dated November 27, 1992, to Foreign Design And Consulting Agreement and
Restated Foreign License Agreement**
10.9 Sublicense Agreement, dated February 1, 1992, between The Ralph Lauren Home Collec-
tion and WestPoint Stevens Inc., as successor in interest to J.P. Stevens & Co.,
Inc., and letter agreements related thereto dated July 6, 1992, January 4, 1994 and
July 5, 1994**
10.10 License Agreement, dated March 1, 1998, between The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P. and
Polo Ralph Lauren Japan Co., Ltd., and undated letter agreement related thereto**
10.11 Design Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1998, between Polo Ralph Lauren
Enterprises, L.P. and Polo Ralph Lauren Japan Co., Ltd.**
10.12 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1993, between Michael J. Newman and
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.13 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 3, 1994 between John D. Idol and Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.14 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 2, 1995 between F. Lance Isham and Polo
Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.15 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1993 between Cheryl L. Sterling Udell
and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren,
L.P.+
10.16 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1996 between Donna A. Barbieri and
Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.17 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated October 26, 1993 between Michael J.
Newman and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, as amended and assigned October 31, 1994
to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. and as further amended as of June 9, 1997
10.18 Employment Agreement dated March 31, 1994 between John D. Idol and Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.19 Employment Agreement dated April 2, 1995 between F. Lance Isham and Polo Ralph
Lauren, L.P.+
10.20 Employment Agreement dated October 26, 1993 between Cheryl L. Sterling Udell and
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+
10.21 Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1997 between David J. Hare and Polo Ralph
Lauren, L.P.+
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE> 122
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
10.22 Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 9, 1997, among Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street
1994 Subsidiary Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., Mr. Ralph Lauren, RL Holding,
L.P. and RL Family, L.P.
10.23 Form of Reorganization Note
10.24 Form of Credit Agreement between Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and The Chase
Manhattan Bank
10.25 Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement made by Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation in
favor of The Chase Manhattan Bank
10.26 Form of Indemnification Agreement between Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and its
Directors and Executive Officers
10.27 Employment Agreement dated June 9, 1997 between Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation
16.1 Letter re Change in Certifying Accountant
21.1 List of Subsidiaries+
23.1 Consent of Mahoney, Cohen, Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP and Report on Schedule
23.3 Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in its opinion filed
as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement)
23.4 Consent of Richard A. Friedman+
</TABLE>
- ---------------
+ Previously filed.
** Portions of Exhibits 10.4-10.11 have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(ii) Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters at the
closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement (filed herewith as Exhibit 1.1)
certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by
the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described above in Item 14 or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in
II-4
<PAGE> 123
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit, or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such director,
officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
II-5
<PAGE> 124
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW
YORK, ON JUNE 10, 1997.
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
By: /s/ VICTOR COHEN
------------------------------------
VICTOR COHEN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- --------------
<C> <S> <C>
* Chairman, Chief Executive Officer June 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------- (principal executive officer) and
RALPH LAUREN Director
* Vice-Chairman, Chief Operating June 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------- Officer and Director
MICHAEL J. NEWMAN
* Vice-President and Chief Financial June 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------- Officer (principal accounting and
NANCY A. PLATONI POLI financial officer)
*By: /s/ VICTOR COHEN
- -------------------------------------
VICTOR COHEN
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 125
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
The Partners
Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P.
In connection with our audits of the combined financial statements of Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation as of April 1, 1995 and March 30, 1996 and for each of
the three years in the period ended March 30, 1996, which financial statements
are included in the Prospectus, we have also audited the financial statement
schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in
all material respects, the information required to be included therein.
/s/ Mahoney Cohen Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC
MAHONEY COHEN RASHBA & POKART, CPA, PC
New York, New York
June 21, 1996
S-1
<PAGE> 126
SCHEDULE II
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER END OF
DESCRIPTION OF YEAR EXPENSES ACCOUNTS DEDUCTIONS YEAR
- ------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED APRIL 1, 1995
Allowance for doubtful accounts.... $ 4,505 $ 2,700 -- $ 2,688(a) $ 4,517
Allowance for sales discounts...... 4,264 17,577 -- 18,141 3,700
------ -------- --- ------- --------
$ 8,769 $ 20,277 -- $20,829 $ 8,217
====== ======== === ======= ========
YEAR ENDED MARCH 30, 1996
Allowance for doubtful accounts.... $ 4,517 $ 1,122 -- $ 85(a) $ 5,554
Allowance for sales discounts...... 3,700 22,280 -- $20,480 5,500
------ -------- --- ------- --------
$ 8,217 $ 23,402 -- $20,565 $ 11,054
====== ======== === ======= ========
YEAR ENDED MARCH 29, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts.... $ 5,554 $ 833 -- $ 98(a) $ 6,289
Allowance for sales discounts...... 5,500 27,308 -- 26,252 6,556
------ -------- --- ------- --------
$ 11,054 $ 28,141 -- $26,350 $ 12,845
====== ======== === ======= ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Accounts written-off as uncollectible.
S-2
<PAGE> 127
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS PAGE
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement+.........................................
2.1 Subscription Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1997, by and among Mr.
Ralph Lauren, RL Holding, L.P., RL Family, L.P., GS Capital Partners,
L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL
Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994
Subsidiary Corp., and Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., and Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation+.....................................................
2.2 Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1997, by and
among Mr. Ralph Lauren, RL Holding, L.P., RL Family, L.P., GS Capital
Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital
Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone
Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., and Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P. and Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation+...............................................
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company........
3.2 Form of Bylaws of the Company+..........................................
5.1 Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with respect to the
legality of the Class A Common Stock....................................
10.1 Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan+......
10.2 Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors+..............................................................
10.3 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 9, 1997 by and among
Ralph Lauren, GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding
I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund
1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994,
L.P., and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation.................................
10.4 U.S.A. Design and Consulting Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between
Ralph Lauren, individually and d/b/a Ralph Lauren Design Studio, and
Cosmair, Inc., and letter agreement related thereto dated January 1,
1985**..................................................................
10.5 Restated U.S.A. License Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between Ricky
Lauren and Mark N. Kaplan, as Licensor, and Cosmair, Inc., as Licensee,
and letter agreement related thereto dated January 1, 1985**............
10.6 Foreign Design and Consulting Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between
Ralph Lauren, individually and d/b/a Ralph Lauren Design Studio, as
Licensor, and L'Oreal S.A., as Licensee, and letter agreements related
thereto dated January 1, 1985, September 16, 1994 and October 25,
1994**..................................................................
10.7 Restated Foreign License Agreement, dated January 1, 1985, between The
Polo/Lauren Company, as Licensor, and L'Oreal S.A., as Licensee, letter
agreement related thereto dated January 1, 1985, and Supplementary
Agreement thereto, dated October 1, 1991**..............................
10.8 Amendment, dated November 27, 1992, to Foreign Design And Consulting
Agreement and Restated Foreign License Agreement**......................
10.9 Sublicense Agreement, dated February 1, 1992, between The Ralph Lauren
Home Collection and WestPoint Stevens Inc., as successor in interest to
J.P. Stevens & Co., Inc., and letter agreements related thereto dated
July 6, 1992, January 4, 1994 and July 5, 1994**........................
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 128
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS PAGE
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
10.10 License Agreement, dated March 1, 1998, between The Polo/Lauren Com-
pany, L.P. and Polo Ralph Lauren Japan Co., Ltd., and undated letter
agreement related thereto**.............................................
10.11 Design Services Agreement, dated March 1, 1998, between Polo Ralph
Lauren Enterprises, L.P. and Polo Ralph Lauren Japan Co., Ltd.**........
10.12 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1993, between Michael J.
Newman and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to
Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+................................................
10.13 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 3, 1994 between John D. Idol
and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo
Ralph Lauren, L.P.+.....................................................
10.14 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 2, 1995 between F. Lance
Isham and Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+......................................
10.15 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1993 between Cheryl L.
Sterling Udell and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31,
1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+........................................
10.16 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated April 1, 1996 between Donna A.
Barbieri and Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+...................................
10.17 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated October 26, 1993 between
Michael J. Newman and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, as amended and
assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. and as further
amended as of June 9, 1997..............................................
10.18 Employment Agreement dated March 31, 1994 between John D. Idol and Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to Polo Ralph
Lauren, L.P.+...........................................................
10.19 Employment Agreement dated April 2, 1995 between F. Lance Isham and Polo
Ralph Lauren, L.P.+.....................................................
10.20 Employment Agreement dated October 26, 1993 between Cheryl L. Sterling
Udell and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, assigned October 31, 1994 to
Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+................................................
10.21 Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1997 between David J. Hare and
Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.+................................................
10.22 Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 9, 1997 among Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding
I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund
1994, L.P., Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994,
L.P., Mr. Ralph Lauren, RL Holding, L.P. and RL Family..................
10.23 Form of Reorganization Note.............................................
10.24 Form of Credit Agreement between Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and The
Chase Manhattan Bank....................................................
10.25 Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement by Polo Ralph Lauren Corpora-
tion in favor of The Chase Manhattan Bank...............................
10.26 Form of Indemnification Agreement between Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
and its Directors and Executive Officers................................
10.27 Employment Agreement dated June 9, 1997 between Ralph Lauren and Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation................................................
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 129
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS PAGE
- ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
16.1 Letter re Change in Certifying Accountant...............................
21.1 List of Subsidiaries+...................................................
23.1 Consent of Mahoney, Cohen, Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC.....................
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP and Report on Schedule.................
23.3 Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in its
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement).............
23.4 Consent of Richard A. Friedman+.........................................
</TABLE>
- ---------------
+ Previously filed.
** Portions of Exhibits 10.4-10.11 have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
of
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
(Originally Incorporated March 20, 1997)
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Corporation"),
hereby certifies pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware (the "General Corporation Law") as follows:
FIRST: The Corporation's name is Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and
it was originally incorporated under such name.
SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was
filed with the Secretary of State on March 20, 1997. An Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State on April 1,
1997.
THIRD: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends
and restates the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as previously
amended and now in effect. This Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation was adopted by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the
Corporation entitled to vote in respect thereof in the manner and by the vote
prescribed by Section 242 of the General Corporation Law to read as follows:
<PAGE> 2
1. Name. The name of the corporation is Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation (the "Corporation").
2. Address; Registered Office and Agent. The address of the
Corporation's registered office is 1013 Centre Road, County of New Castle, State
of Delaware; and its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service
Company.
3. Purposes. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in, carry
on and conduct any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be
organized under the General Corporation Law.
4. Capital Stock.
4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of
stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is seven-hundred
million (700,000,000) shares, consisting of (a) five-hundred million
(500,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Class A Common Stock"); (b)one-hundred million (100,000,000) shares of Class B
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class B Common Stock"); (c)
seventy-million (70,000,000) shares of Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Class C Common Stock"); and (d) thirty million (30,000,000) shares
of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), issuable
in one or more series as hereinafter provided. The Class A Common Stock, the
Class B Common Stock and the Class C Common Stock shall hereinafter collectively
be called the "Common Stock." The number of authorized shares of any class or
classes of capital stock of the Corporation may be
2
<PAGE> 3
increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then
outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General
Corporation Law or any corresponding provision hereinafter enacted.
4.2 Terms of Common Stock. All shares of Common Stock will be
identical in all respects and will entitle the holders thereof to the same
rights and privileges, except as otherwise provided herein.
(a) Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Common Stock
shall have the following voting rights:
(i) Each share of Class A Common Stock and Class C
Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote in person or by
proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the
Corporation.
(ii) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall
entitle the holder thereof to ten votes in person or by proxy on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.
(iii) Except for the election and the removal of
directors described below, and as otherwise required by applicable law,
the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation (or,
except for
3
<PAGE> 4
the election or the removal of directors entitled to be elected by the
holders of Common Stock described below, if any holders of shares of
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common
Stock, as a single class with such holders of shares of Preferred Stock).
(iv) With respect to the annual election of
directors, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to elect
directors as follows (exclusive of those directors permitted to be elected
by holders of any series of Preferred Stock ("Preferred Directors")):
(1) When there are shares of Class A Common
Stock, shares of Class B Common Stock and shares of Class C Common
Stock outstanding, and if on the record date for any meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation the number of shares of Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are each equal to or greater
than 10% of the greater of the aggregate number of outstanding
shares of all classes of Common Stock immediately upon the
consummation of the (i) Transfer Closing Date (as defined in the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement made as of April 6, 1997 by and
between Ralph Lauren, RL Holding, L.P., RL Family, L.P., GS Capital
Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital
Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone
Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., and the
Corporation) and (ii) the
4
<PAGE> 5
offering contemplated by Registration Statement No. 333-24733 (the
"IPO") (adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends,
reclassifications, recapitalizations and reverse stock splits and
similar transactions), (a) the holders of the Class A Common Stock,
voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect one (1) director
if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) consists of less
then ten directors, two (2) directors if the Board (exclusive of
Preferred Directors) consists of at least 10 but less than 19
members and three (3) directors if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) consists of 19 or more directors, (b) the holders of the
Class C Common Stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to
elect one (1) director if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) consists of less than 13 directors and two (2) directors
if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) consists of 13 or
more directors and (c) the holders of the Class B Common Stock,
voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect all other
directors.
(2) When there are shares of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, but no shares of Class C
Common Stock are outstanding, and, if on the record date for any
meeting of stockholders of the Corporation the number of outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock is at least 10% of the greater of the
aggregate number of outstanding shares of all classes of
5
<PAGE> 6
Common Stock immediately upon the consummation of the (i) Transfer
Closing Date and (ii) the IPO (adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations and reverse stock
splits and similar transactions), (a) the holders of the Class A
Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect
two (2) directors if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors)
consists of less than ten directors, three (3) directors if the
Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) consists of at least 10 but
less than 13 directors, four (4) directors if the Board (exclusive
of Preferred Directors) consists of at least 13 but less than 19
members and five (5) directors if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) consists of 19 or more directors and (b) the holders of
Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled
to elect all other directors.
(3) Under all circumstances, if on the
record date for any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation the
number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock has fallen
below 10% of the greater of the aggregate number of outstanding
shares of all classes of Common Stock immediately upon the
consummation of (i) the Transfer Closing Date and (ii) the IPO
(adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications,
recapitalizations and reverse stock splits and similar
transactions), directors that would have been elected by
6
<PAGE> 7
a separate vote of the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class
B Common Stock (if any), respectively, will instead be elected by
the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the holders of the Class
B Common Stock (if any), voting together, with holders of Class A
Common Stock having one vote per share and holders of Class B Common
Stock (if any) having ten votes per share.
(4) Under all circumstances, so long as on
the record date of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation
the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock is not less
than 10% of the greater of the aggregate number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock immediately upon the consummation of (i) the
Transfer Closing Date and (ii) the IPO (adjusted for stock splits,
stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations and reverse
stock splits and similar transactions), then the holders of the
Class C Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled
to elect one (1) director if the Board (exclusive of Preferred
Directors) consists of less than 13 directors and two (2) directors
if the Board (exclusive of Preferred Directors) consists of 13 or
more directors.
(5) Whenever there is only one class of
Common Stock outstanding, the holders of such class of Common Stock
shall be entitled to elect all of the directors.
7
<PAGE> 8
(v) Directors may be removed, with or without
cause, only by the holders of the class or classes of Common Stock or
series of Preferred Stock that, as of the date such removal is effected,
would be entitled to elect such directorship at the next annual meeting of
stockholders. Vacancies in a directorship may be filled only by (a) the
remaining directors elected by holders of each class of Common Stock or
series of Preferred Stock that (x) elected such directorship and (y) as of
the date such vacancy is filled, would be entitled to elect such
directorship at the next annual meeting of stockholders or, (b) if there
are no such remaining directors, then by the vote of the holders of the
class or classes of Common Stock or series of Preferred Stock that, as of
the date such vacancy is filled, would be entitled to elect such
directorship at the next annual meeting of stockholders, voting as a
separate class at a meeting, special or otherwise, of the holders of
Common Stock of such class or classes or series of Preferred Stock.
Notwithstanding the above sentence, any vacancy or vacancies in existence
immediately following the adoption of this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation in a directorship of a class for which there
are no directors elected by such class may be filled by the affirmative
votes of a majority of the remaining Board members, although less than a
quorum, until such time as there is a meeting, special or otherwise, of
the holders of Common Stock of such class at which time such vote to elect
such director or directors shall take place.
8
<PAGE> 9
(b) Dividends and Distributions.
(i) Subject to the preferences applicable to
Preferred Stock outstanding at any time, the holders of shares of Common
Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions
in cash, property or shares of stock of the Corporation as may be declared
thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds
of the Corporation legally available therefor; provided, that, subject to
the provisions of this Section 4.2(b), and except with respect to the
Second Dividend (as defined below), the Corporation shall not pay
dividends or make distributions to any holders of any class of Common
Stock unless simultaneously with such dividend or distribution, as the
case may be, the Company makes the same dividend or distribution with
respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock regardless of class. In
the case of dividends or other distributions payable in Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, including
distributions pursuant to stock splits or divisions of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock which occur after the
first date upon which the Corporation has issued shares of either Class A
Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, only shares of
Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class A Common
Stock, only shares of Class B Common Stock shall be distributed with
respect to Class B Common Stock, and only shares of Class C Common Stock
shall be
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<PAGE> 10
distributed with respect to Class C Common Stock. Whenever a dividend or
distribution, including distributions pursuant to stock splits or
divisions of the Common Stock, is payable in shares of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, the number of shares
of each class of Common Stock payable per share of such class of Common
Stock shall be equal in number. In the case of dividends or other
distributions consisting of other voting securities of the Corporation or
of voting securities of any corporation which is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Corporation, the Corporation shall declare and pay such dividends
in three separate classes of such voting securities, identical in all
respects, except that (i) the voting rights of each such security paid to
the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall be
one-tenth of the voting rights of each such security paid to the holders
of Class B Common Stock, (ii) such security paid to the holders of Class B
Common Stock shall convert into the security paid to the holders of Class
A Common Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the
conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stocks and shall
have the same restrictions on transfer and ownership applicable to the
transfer and ownership of the Class B Common Stock, (iii) such security
paid to the holders of Class C Common Stock shall convert into the
security paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock upon the same terms
and conditions applicable to the conversion of Class C Common Stock into
Class A Common
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<PAGE> 11
Stock and shall have the same restrictions on transfer and ownership
applicable to the transfer and ownership of the Class C Common Stock and
(iv) with respect only to dividends or other distributions of voting
securities of any corporation which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, the respective voting rights of each such security paid to
holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock with respect to the election of directors shall otherwise be as
comparable as is practicable to those of the Class A Common Stock, Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, respectively. In the case of
dividends or other distributions consisting of securities convertible
into, or exchangeable for, voting securities of the Corporation or voting
securities of another corporation which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the corporation, the Corporation shall provide that such convertible or
exchangeable securities and the underlying securities be identical in all
respects (including, without limitation, the conversion or exchange rate),
except that (i) the voting rights of each security underlying the
convertible or exchangeable security paid to the holders of Class A Common
Stock and Class C Common Stock shall be one-tenth of the voting rights of
each security underlying the convertible or exchangeable security paid to
the holders of the Class B Common Stock, (ii) such underlying securities
paid to the holders of Class B Common Stock shall convert into the
underlying securities paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock upon the
same terms and conditions
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<PAGE> 12
applicable to the conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common
Stock and shall have the same restrictions on transfer and ownership
applicable to the transfer and ownership of the Class B Common Stock and
(iii) such underlying securities paid to the holders of Class C Common
Stock shall convert into the underlying securities paid to holders of
Class A Common Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the
conversion of Class C Common Stock into Class A Common Stock and shall
have the same restrictions on transfer and ownership applicable to the
transfer and ownership of the Class C Common Stock.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 4.2(b)(i)
above, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock may be entitled, if so determined by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, to receive a one-time dividend (the "Second Dividend") in an
amount equal to the aggregate previously undistributed taxable income, if
any, of Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P., Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. and
The Ralph Lauren Womenswear Company, L.P. (the "Operating Partnerships")
through the date on which the Operating Partnerships became directly or
indirectly wholly owned by the Corporation, with the holders of shares of
Class B Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class C Common Stock
entitled to receive in the aggregate 71.5% and 28.5%, respectively of such
Second Dividend.
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<PAGE> 13
(c) Conversion of Class B Common Stock and Class C
Common Stock.
(i) Each holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock shall be entitled to convert, at any time and from time to
time, any or all of the shares of such holder's Class B Common Stock or
Class C Common Stock, as the case may be, on a one-for-one basis, into the
same number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common
Stock. Such right shall be exercised by the surrender of the certificate
or certificates representing the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock to be converted to the Corporation at any time during normal
business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation or at
the office of the Transfer Agent, accompanied by a written notice of the
holder of such shares stating that such holder desires to convert such
shares, or a stated number of the shares represented by such certificate
or certificates, into an equal number of shares of the Class A Common
Stock, and (if so required by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent) by
instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the corporation and to
the Transfer Agent, duly executed by such holder or such holder's duly
authorized attorney, and transfer tax stamps or funds therefor, if
required pursuant to Section 4.2(c)(vi).
(ii) If, on the record date for any meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation, the number of shares of Class C Common
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<PAGE> 14
Stock outstanding constitutes less than 10% of the greater of the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately upon
the consummation of (i) the Transfer Closing Date and (ii) the IPO
(adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications,
recapitalizations and reverse stock splits and similar transactions), each
share of Class C Common Stock then issued or outstanding shall thereupon
be converted automatically as of such date into one (1) fully paid and
non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock. Upon the making of such
determination, notice of such automatic conversion shall be given by the
Corporation by means of a press release and written notice to all holders
of Class C Common Stock, and shall be given as soon as practicable, and
the Secretary of the Corporation shall be instructed to, and shall
promptly request from each holder of Class C Common Stock that each such
holder promptly deliver, and each such holder shall promptly deliver, the
certificate representing each such share of Class C Common Stock to the
Corporation for exchange hereunder, together with instruments of transfer,
in form satisfactory to the Corporation and Transfer agent, duly executed
by such holder or such holder's duly authorized attorney, and together
with transfer tax stamps or funds therefore, if required pursuant to
Section 4.2(c)(vi).
(iii) As promptly as practicable following the
surrender for conversion of a certificate representing shares of Class B
Common Stock or Class C Common Stock in the manner provided in Section
4.2(c)(i) or
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<PAGE> 15
Section 4.2(c)(ii), as applicable, and the payment in cash of any amount
required by the provisions of Section 4.2(c)(vi), the Corporation will
deliver or cause to be delivered at the office of the Transfer Agent, a
certificate or certificates representing the number of full shares of
Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, issued in such name or
names as such holder may direct. Such conversion shall be deemed to have
been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date of
the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing shares of
Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock. Upon the date any such
conversion is made or effected, all rights of the holder of such shares as
such holder shall cease, and the person or persons in whose name or names
the certificates or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common
Stock are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become
the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock;
provided, however, that if any such surrender and payment occurs on any
date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed, the
person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates
representing shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued shall be
deemed the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes immediately
prior to the close of business on the next succeeding day on which the
stock transfer books are open.
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<PAGE> 16
(iv) In the event of a reclassification or other
similar transaction as a result of which the shares of Class A Common
Stock are converted into another security, then a holder of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to receive upon conversion
the amount of such security that such holder would have received if such
conversion had occurred immediately prior to the record date of such
reclassification or other similar transaction. No adjustments in respect
of dividends shall be made upon the conversion of any share of Class B
Common Stock or Class C Common Stock; provided, however, that if a share
shall be converted subsequent to the record date for the payment of a
dividend or other distribution on shares of Class B Common Stock or Class
C Common Stock but prior to such payment, then the registered holder of
such share at the close of business on such record date shall be entitled
to receive the dividend or other distribution payable on such share on
such date notwithstanding the conversion thereof or the Corporation's
default in payment of the dividend due on such date.
(v) The Corporation covenants that it will at all
times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares
of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon
conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be
issuable upon the conversion of all such outstanding shares of Class B
Common Stock or Class C
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<PAGE> 17
Common Stock; provided that, nothing contained herein shall be construed
to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of
the conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock or Class
C Common Stock by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock
which are held in the treasury of the Corporation. The Corporation
covenants that if any shares of Class A Common Stock require registration
with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state
law before such shares of Class A Common stock may be issued upon
conversion, the Corporation will cause such shares to be duly registered
or approved, as the case may be. The Corporation will use its best efforts
to list the shares of Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon
conversion prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange
upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock is listed at the time of
such delivery. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common
Stock that shall be issued upon conversion of the shares of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock will, upon issue, be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.
(vi) The issuance of certificates for shares of
Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock or
Class C Common Stock shall be made without charge to the holders of such
shares for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance;
provided, however, that, if any such certificate is to be issued in a name
other than that of
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<PAGE> 18
the holder of the share or shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock converted, then the person or persons requesting the issuance
thereof shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax that may be
payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance or shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been
paid.
(vii) Shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock that are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as
provided herein shall continue to be authorized shares of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock and available for reissue by the
Corporation; provided, however, that no shares of Class B Common Stock or
Class C Common Stock shall be reissued except as expressly permitted by
Sections 4.2(b) and 4.2(d) of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.
(d) Stock Splits. The Corporation shall not in any
manner subdivide (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification,
recapitalization or otherwise) or combine (by reverse stock split,
reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding shares of one
class of Common Stock unless the outstanding shares of all classes of Common
Stock shall be proportionately subdivided or combined.
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<PAGE> 19
(e) Options, Rights or Warrants.
(i) The Corporation shall not make any offering of
options, rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock. If the Corporation makes an offering of
options, rights or warrants to subscribe for shares of any other class or
classes of capital stock (other than Class B Common Stock or Class C
Common Stock) to all holders of a class of Common Stock then the
Corporation shall simultaneously make an identical offering to all holders
of the other classes of Common Stock other than to any class of Common
Stock the holders of which, voting as a separate class, determine that
such offering need not be made to such class. All such options, rights or
warrants offerings shall offer the respective holders of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock the right to
subscribe at the same rate per share.
(ii) Subject to Section 4.2(c)(iv) and 4.2(e)(i),
the Corporation shall have the power to create and issue, whether or not
in connection with the issue and sale of any shares of stock or other
securities of the Corporation, rights or options entitling the holders
thereof to purchase from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock
of any class or classes at the time authorized (other than Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock), such rights or options to have such terms
and conditions, and to be evidenced by or
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<PAGE> 20
in such instrument or instruments, as shall be approved by the Board of
Directors.
(f) Mergers, Consolidation, Etc. In the event that the
Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into
other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then, and in such
event, the shares of each class of Common Stock shall be exchanged for or
changed into either (1) the same amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any
other property, as the case may be, into which or for which each share of any
other class of Common Stock is exchanged or changed; provided, however, that if
shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into shares of capital
stock, such shares so exchanged for or changed into may differ to the extent and
only to the extent that the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and
the Class C Common Stock differ as provided herein or (2) if holders of each
class of Common Stock are to receive different distributions of stock,
securities, cash and/or any other property, an amount of stock, securities, cash
and/or property per share having a value, as determined by an independent
investment banking firm of national reputation selected by the Board of
Directors, equal to the value per share into which or for which each share of
any other class of Common Stock is exchanged or changed.
(g) Liquidation Rights. In the event of any dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary
or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other
20
<PAGE> 21
liabilities of the Corporation and after making provision for the holders of
each series of Preferred Stock, if any, the remaining assets and funds of the
Corporation, if any, shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of
the shares of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class C
Common Stock treated as a single class.
(h) No Preemptive Rights. Except as provided in Section
4.2(e), the holders of shares of Common Stock are not entitled to any preemptive
right to subscribe for, purchase or receive any part of any new or additional
issue of stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, or of bonds,
debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock.
(i) Transfer of Class B Common Stock.
(i) No person may, directly or indirectly, sell
(whether by involuntary or judicial sale or otherwise), assign, transfer,
grant a security interest in, pledge, encumber, hypothecate, give (by
bequest, gift or appointment) or otherwise (voluntarily or by operation of
law) dispose of (collectively, "Transfer") any interest in his, her or its
shares of Class B Common Stock (or in any shares of Class B Common Stock
held by such person for the benefit of or on the behalf of another person)
(including, without limitation, the power to vote or provide a consent
with respect to his, her or its shares of Class B Common Stock by proxy or
otherwise, except for proxies given to any Class B Permitted Holder (as
defined below) or to a person
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<PAGE> 22
designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation who is soliciting
proxies on behalf of the Corporation), and the Corporation and the
transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, if any (the "Class B Transfer
Agent"), shall not register the Transfer of such shares of Class B Common
Stock, except to the Corporation or a Class B Permitted Holder; provided,
however, such restrictions on transfer shall not apply to a merger,
consolidation or business combination of the Corporation with or into
another corporation pursuant to which all of the outstanding shares of
each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of the Company is being
acquired. Any transfer of Class B Common Stock in violation of this
Section 4.2(i) shall be null and void ab initio, and the Corporation shall
not register such Transfer. For the purposes of this Article Four, a
"Class B Permitted Holder" shall include only the following persons: (i)
Ralph Lauren and his estate, guardian, conservator or committee; (ii) the
spouse of Ralph Lauren and her estate, guardian, conservator or committee;
(iii) each descendant of Ralph Lauren (a "Lauren Descendant") and their
respective estates, guardians, conservators or committees; (iv) each
Family Controlled Entity (as defined below); and (v) the trustees, in
their respective capacities as such, of each Lauren Family Trust (as
defined below). The term "Family Controlled Entity" means (i) any
not-for-profit corporation if at least a majority of its board of
directors is composed of Ralph Lauren, the spouse of Ralph Lauren and/or
Lauren Descendants; (ii) any other corporation if at least a
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<PAGE> 23
majority of the value of its outstanding equity is owned by Class B
Permitted Holders; (iii) any partnership if at least a majority of the
economic interest of its partnership interests are owned by Class B
Permitted Holders; and (iv) any limited liability or similar company if at
least a majority of the economic interest of the Company is owned by Class
B Permitted Holders. The term "Lauren Family Trust" includes trusts the
primary beneficiaries of which are Mr. Lauren, the spouse of Ralph Lauren,
Lauren Descendants, Mr. Lauren's siblings, spouses of Lauren Descendants
and their respective estates, guardians, conservators or committees and/or
charitable organizations (collectively, "Lauren Beneficiaries"), provided
that if the trust is a wholly charitable trust, at least a majority of the
trustees of such trust consist of Mr. Lauren, the spouse of Mr. Lauren
and/or Class B Permitted Holder. For purposes of this provision, the
primary beneficiaries of a trust will be deemed to be Lauren Beneficiaries
if, under the maximum exercise of discretion by the trustee in favor of
persons who are not Lauren Beneficiaries, the value of the interests of
such persons in such trust, computed actuarially, is 50% or less. The
factors and methods prescribed in section 7520 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, for use in ascertaining the value of certain
interests shall be used in determining a beneficiary's actuarial interest
in a trust for purposes of applying this provision. For purposes of this
provision, the actuarial value of the interest in a trust of any person in
whose favor a testamentary power of appointment may be
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<PAGE> 24
exercised shall be deemed to be zero. For purposes of this provision, in
the case of a trust created by a Lauren Descendant, the actuarial value of
the interest in such trust of any person who may receive trust property
only at the termination of the trust and then only in the event that, at
the termination of the trust, there are no living issue of such Lauren
Descendant shall be deemed to be zero.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth herein, any Class B Permitted Holder may pledge his, her or its
shares of Class B Common Stock to a financial institution pursuant to a
bona fide pledge of such shares as collateral security for indebtedness
due to the pledgee; provided, that, such shares shall remain subject to
the provisions of this Section 4.2(i). In the event of foreclosure or
other similar action by the pledgee, such pledged shares of Class B Common
Stock may only be transferred to a Class B Permitted Holder or converted
into shares of Class A Common Stock, as the pledgee may elect.
(iii) For purposes of this Section 4.2(i) and
4.2(j):
(1) the relationship of any person that is
derived by or through legal adoption shall be considered a natural
relationship;
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(2) a minor who is a descendant of Ralph
Lauren and for whom shares of Class B Common Stock are held pursuant
to a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or similar law shall be considered
a Class B Permitted Holder and the custodian who is the record
holder of such shares shall not be considered the Class B Permitted
Holder of such shares;
(3) an incompetent stockholder who is a
Class B Permitted Holder but whose shares are owned or held by a
guardian or conservator shall be considered a Class B Permitted
Holder of such shares and such guardian or conservator who is the
holder of such shares shall not be considered the Class B Permitted
Holder of such shares;
(4) unless otherwise specified, the term
"person" means and includes natural persons, corporations,
partnerships, unincorporated associations, firms, joint ventures,
trusts and all other entities; and
(5) except as provided in clauses (2) and
(3) above, for purposes of determining whether the holder of shares
of Class B Common Stock is a Class B Permitted Holder, the record
holder of such share shall be considered the holder; provided,
however, that if such record holder is a nominee, the holder for
purposes of
25
<PAGE> 26
determining whether the holder of shares of Class B Common Stock is
a Class B Permitted Holder shall be the first person in the chain of
ownership of such share of Class B Common Stock who is not holding
such share solely as a nominee.
(iv) Each certificate representing shares of Class
B Common Stock shall be endorsed with a legend that states that shares of
Class B Common Stock are not transferable other than to certain
transferees and are subject to certain restrictions as set forth in this
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed by the Corporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth, any holder of Class B Common Stock may Transfer shares of Class B Common
Stock to the underwriters of the IPO pursuant to the terms of the underwriting
agreements entered into by such holder of Class B Common Stock with respect to
the IPO and the ownership of shares of Class B Common Stock by such underwriters
as a result of such Transfer will not result in the conversion of the
transferred shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock
until the closing of the IPO at which time such shares of Class B Common Stock
shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock.
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(j) Transfer of Class C Common Stock.
(i) No person may Transfer any interest in his,
her or its shares of Class C Common Stock (or in any shares of Class C
Common Stock held for the benefit of or on the behalf of another person)
(including, without limitation, the power to vote or provide a consent
with respect to his, her or its shares of Class C Common Stock by proxy or
otherwise, except for proxies given to any Class C Permitted Holder (as
defined below) or to a person designated by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation who is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Corporation), and
the Corporation and the transfer agent for the Class C Common Stock, if
any (the "Class C Transfer Agent"), shall not register the Transfer of
such shares of Class C Common Stock, except to the Corporation or a Class
C Permitted Holder; provided, however, such restrictions on transfer shall
not apply to a merger, consolidation or business combination of the
Corporation with or into another corporation pursuant to which all of the
outstanding shares of each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of
the Company is being acquired. Any transfer of Class C Common Stock in
violation of this Section 4.2(j) shall be null and void ab initio, and the
Corporation shall not register such Transfer. For the purposes of this
Article Four, a "Class C Permitted Holder" shall include only the
following persons: GS Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,
and Bridge Street Fund
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<PAGE> 28
1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (collectively, the "GS Group"),
and, until April 15, 2002, any Successor (as hereinafter defined) of any
member of the GS Group. For purposes of the immediately preceding
sentence, "a Successor" means, with respect to any member of the GS Group,
an investment entity, similar in form and purpose to that of such member
of the GS Group, that is controlled by the same entity that controlled
such member of the GS Group immediately prior to the transfer of Class C
Common Stock to such investment entity. For purposes of the previous
sentence, "controls" when used with respect to any member of the GS Group
means the power to direct the management and policies of such member of
the GS Group directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the term "controlled" has the
meaning correlative to the foregoing.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 4.2(j), for
purposes of determining whether the holder of shares of Class C Common
Stock is a Class C Permitted Holder, the record holder of such share shall
be considered the holder; provided, however, that if such record holder is
a nominee, the holder for purposes of determining whether the holder of
shares of Class C Common Stock is a Class C Permitted Holder shall be the
first person in the chain of ownership of such share of Class C Common
Stock who is not holding such share solely as a nominee.
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<PAGE> 29
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth, any holder of Class C Common Stock may Transfer shares of Class C
Common Stock to the underwriters of the IPO pursuant to the terms of the
underwriting agreements entered into by such holder of Class C Common
Stock with respect to the IPO and the ownership of shares of Class C
Common Stock by such underwriters as a result of such Transfer will not
result in the conversion of the transferred shares of Class C Common Stock
into shares of Class A Common Stock until the closing of the IPO at which
time such shares of Class C Common Stock shall automatically convert into
shares of Class A Common Stock.
(iv) Each certificate representing shares of Class
C Common Stock shall be endorsed with a legend that states that shares of
Class C Common Stock are not transferable other than to certain
transferees and are subject to certain restrictions as set forth in this
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed by the Corporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(k) Certain Automatic Conversions of Class B Common
Stock and Class C Common Stock. Subject to Section 4.2(i), at such time as a
person ceases to be a Class B Permitted Holder, any and all shares of Class B
Common Stock held by such person at such time shall automatically convert into
shares of Class A Common Stock, provided that, no conversion shall occur upon
the pledge of
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a Class B Permitted Holder's share of Class B Common Stock to a financial
institution as contemplated by and pursuant to Section 4.2(i)(ii). Subject to
Section 4.2(j), at such time as a person ceases to be a Class C Permitted
Holder, any and all shares of Class C Common Stock held by such person at such
time shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock, provided
that no conversion shall occur upon the Transfer of shares of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock to the underwriters of the IPO as contemplated by
and pursuant to Sections 4.2(i)(v) and 4.2(j)(iii), respectively.
(l) Restrictions on Issuance. The Corporation shall not
issue or sell (x) any shares of Class B Common Stock or any securities
(including, without limitation, any rights, options, warrants or other
securities) convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into shares of Class B
Common Stock to any person that is not a Class B Permitted Holder and (y) any
shares of Class C Common Stock or any securities (including, without limitation,
any rights, options, warrants or other securities) convertible, exchangeable or
exercisable into shares of Class C Common Stock to any person that is not a
Class C Permitted Holder. Any issuance or sale of shares of Class B Common Stock
or Class C Common Stock (or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or
exercisable for, shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock) in
violation of this Section 4.2(i) shall be null and void ab initio.
4.3 Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued
from time to time in one or more series of any number of shares provided that
the
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aggregate number of shares issued and not canceled of any and all series shall
not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized.
The Board of Directors is authorized, by resolution adopted and filed in
accordance with law, to provide for the issue of such series of shares of
Preferred Stock. Each series of shares of Preferred Stock: (a) may have such
voting powers, full or limited, or may be without voting powers; provided,
however, that, unless holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock have approved the issuance of such
shares of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors may not issue any shares of
Preferred Stock that have the right (i) to vote for the election of directors
under ordinary circumstances, or (ii) under any circumstances to elect fifty
percent (50%) or more of the directors of the Corporation; (b) may be subject to
redemption at such time or times and at such prices; (c) may be entitled to
receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rate or
rates, on such conditions and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in
such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series
of stock; (d) may have such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any
distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; (e) may be made convertible
into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other
series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation or
such other corporation or other entity at such price or prices or at such rates
of exchange and with such adjustments; (f) may be entitled to the benefit of a
sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of shares of such
series in such amount or
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amounts; (g) may be entitled to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon
the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or any subsidiary, upon the
issue of any additional shares (including additional shares of such series or of
any other series) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other
distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the
Corporation or any subsidiary of, any outstanding shares of the Corporation; and
(h) may have such other relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, all as shall be
stated in said resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such shares
of Preferred Stock. Any of the voting powers, designations, preferences, rights
and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any such series of Preferred
Stock may be made depended upon facts ascertainable outside of the resolution or
resolutions provided for the issue of such Preferred Stock adopted by the Board
of Directors pursuant to the authority vested in it by this Section 4.3,
provided that the manner in which such facts shall operate upon the voting
powers, designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such series of Preferred Stock is clearly and expressly set
forth in the resolution or resolutions provided for the issue of such Preferred
Stock. The term "facts" as used in the next preceding sentence shall have the
meaning given to it in Section 151(a) of the General Corporation Law. Shares of
Preferred Stock of any series that have been redeemed or repurchased by the
Corporation (whether through the operation of a sinking fund or otherwise) or
that, if convertible or exchangeable, have been converted or exchanged in
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<PAGE> 33
accordance with their terms shall be retired and have the status of authorized
and unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the same series and may be reissued as
a part of the series of which they were originally a part or may, upon the
filing of an appropriate certificate with the Delaware Secretary of State, be
reissued as part of a new series of shares of Preferred Stock to be created by
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors or as part of any other
series of shares of Preferred Stock, all subject to the conditions or
restrictions on issuance set forth in the resolution or resolutions adopted by
the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any series of shares of
Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event
shall any series of shares of Preferred Stock be entitled to vote together with
any class of Common Stock with respect to the election of any directors entitled
to be elected by such class of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.2(a)(iv).
5. Board of Directors.
5.1 Number of Directors. The number of Directors shall be
between six and twenty (plus any directors which are entitled to be elected by
any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms thereof). Initially, the
number of Directors shall be set at six. The use of the phrase "Entire Board"
refers to the total number of directors in office, whether or not present at a
meeting of the Board, but disregarding vacancies.
5.2 Powers of the Board of Directors. The business and affairs
of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
33
<PAGE> 34
Directors selected as provided by law and this Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and the By-laws of the Corporation (the "By-laws"). In
furtherance, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the
State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to:
(a) adopt, amend, alter, change or repeal By-laws of the
Corporation; provided, however, that no By-law hereafter adopted shall
invalidate any prior act of the Corporation that would have been valid if such
new By-laws had not been adopted;
(b) subject to the By-laws as from time to time in
effect, determine the rules and procedures for the conduct of the business of
the Board of Directors and the management and direction by the Board of
Directors of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to
designate and empower committees of the Board of Directors, to elect, or
authorize the appointment of, and empower officers and other agents of the
Corporation, and to determine the time and place of, the notice requirements
for, and the manner of conducting, Board meetings, as well as other notice
requirements for, and the manner of taking, Board action; and
(c) exercise all such powers and do all such acts as may
be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the
General Corporation Law and this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Corporation.
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<PAGE> 35
6. Liability of Directors.
6.1 Limitation of Liability. No director of the Corporation
shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this provision
shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of
the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (c) under section 174 of the General Corporation Law
or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal
benefits. If the General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the
stockholders of this article to authorize corporate action further eliminating
or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a
director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law, as so amended.
6.2 Amendments. Any repeal or modification of Section 6.1
hereof by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any
right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of
such repeal or modification.
7. Indemnification.
7.1 To the extent not prohibited by law, the Corporation shall
indemnify any person who is or was made, or threatened to be made, a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (a
"Proceeding"), whether
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<PAGE> 36
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including, without limitation,
an action by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor, by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person
is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation,
or, at the request of the Corporation, is or was serving as a director or
officer of any other corporation or in a capacity with comparable authority or
responsibilities for any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise (an "Other Entity"), against judgments, fines,
penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid in settlement and costs, charges and
expenses (including attorneys' fees, disbursements and other charges). Persons
who are not directors or officers of the Corporation (or otherwise entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the preceding sentence) may be similarly indemnified
in respect of service to the Corporation or to an Other Entity at the request of
the Corporation to the extent the Board at any time specifies that such persons
are entitled to the benefits of this Section 7.
7.2 The Corporation shall, from time to time, reimburse or
advance to any director or officer or other person entitled to indemnification
hereunder the funds necessary for payment of expenses, including attorneys' fees
and disbursements, incurred in connection with any Proceeding, in advance of the
final disposition of such Proceeding; provided, however, that, if required by
the General Corporation Law, such expenses incurred by or on behalf of any
director or officer or other person may be paid in advance of the final
disposition of a Proceeding only upon
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<PAGE> 37
receipt by the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director
or officer (or other person indemnified hereunder), to repay any such amount so
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from
which there is no further right of appeal that such director, officer or other
person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.
7.3 The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 7
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking
indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses may have or
hereafter be entitled under any statute, this Certificate of Incorporation, the
By-laws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office.
7.4 The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 7
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer (or
other person indemnified hereunder) and shall inure to the benefit of the
executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such person.
7.5 The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of an Other Entity, against any
liability asserted
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<PAGE> 38
against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising
out of such person's status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have
the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions
of this Section 7, the By-laws or under section 145 of the General Corporation
Law or any other provision of law.
7.6 The provisions of this Section 7 shall be a contract
between the Corporation, on the one hand, and each director and officer who
serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 7 is in effect and any
other person entitled to indemnification hereunder, on the other hand, pursuant
to which the Corporation and each such director, officer, or other person intend
to be, and shall be, legally bound. No repeal or modification of this Section 7
shall affect any rights or obligations with respect to any state of facts then
or theretofore existing or thereafter arising or any proceeding theretofore or
thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state
of facts.
7.7 The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 7
shall be enforceable by any person entitled to such indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The burden of proving that such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement
of expenses is not appropriate shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure
of the Corporation (including its Board, its independent legal counsel and its
stockholders) to have made a
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<PAGE> 39
determination prior to the commencement of such action that such indemnification
or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is proper in the circumstances nor
an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board, its independent
legal counsel and its stockholders) that such person is not entitled to such
indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall constitute a
defense to the action or create a presumption that such person is not so
entitled. Such a person shall also be indemnified for any expenses incurred in
connection with successfully establishing his or her right to such
indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses, in whole or in
part, in any such proceeding.
7.8 Any director or officer of the Corporation serving in any
capacity of (a) another corporation of which a majority of the shares entitled
to vote in the election of its directors is held, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation or (b) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any
corporation referred to in clause (a) shall be deemed to be doing so at the
request of the Corporation.
7.9 Any person entitled to be indemnified or to reimbursement
or advancement of expenses as a matter of right pursuant to this Section 7 may
elect to have the right to indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of
expenses interpreted on the basis of the applicable law in effect at the time of
the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the applicable Proceeding,
to the extent permitted by law, or on the basis of the applicable law in effect
at the time such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is
sought. Such
39
<PAGE> 40
election shall be made, by a notice in writing to the Corporation, at the time
indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is sought; provided,
however, that if no such notice is given, the right to indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall be determined by the law in
effect at the time indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses
is sought.
8. Adoption, Amendment and/or Repeal of By-laws. The Board may from
time to time adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws; provided, however, that any
By-laws adopted or amended by the Board may be amended or repealed, and any
By-laws may be adopted, by the stockholders of the Corporation by vote of a
majority of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
in the election of directors of the Corporation.
9. Action by Stockholders.
9.1 No Action by Written Consent. Except with respect to any
matter with respect to which the holders of a class of Common Stock are entitled
to vote as a separate class, the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to
take action on any matter may not consent in writing to the taking of any such
action without a meeting of stockholders duly called and held in accordance with
law and this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws.
9.2 Meetings of Stockholders. The annual meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of such other
business as may be brought before such meeting in accordance with this Amended
and Restated
40
<PAGE> 41
Certificate of Incorporation shall be held at such hour and on such business day
in each year as may be determined by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Entire Board. Except as otherwise required by law, or by
the sentence immediately following this sentence, special meetings of
stockholders may be called only at the direction of the Board of Directors by
resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Entire Board or
by the Chairman or by the Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding sentence, meetings, special or otherwise, of holders of
any class of Common Stock may be called by the holders of a majority of the
shares of such class of Common Stock with respect to any matter as to which the
holders of such class of Common Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class.
Except as otherwise required by law or the immediately preceding sentence,
stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the right to request or call a
special meeting of the stockholders. Annual and special meetings of stockholders
shall not be called or held otherwise than as herein provided.
10. Amendment of Certain Articles.
10.1 (a) Except as provided in Section 10.1(b), the provisions
set forth in Article Ten, Article Nine and Section 4.3 may not be amended,
altered, changed or repealed in any respect unless such amendment, alteration,
change or repeal is approved by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than
seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.
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<PAGE> 42
(b) The provisions of Section 4.2 and the last sentence
of Section 4.3 may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed in any respect
with respect to a class of Common Stock unless such amendment, alteration,
change or repeal is approved by such class of Common Stock voting as a separate
class. In addition, the first sentence of Section 5.1 and this Section 10.1(b)
may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed in any respect unless such
amendment, alteration, change or repeal is approved by each class of Common
Stock voting as a separate class.
10.2 Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1 of this Article
Ten, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred
on shareholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
42
<PAGE> 43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, which restates, integrates and amends the
provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, and which was
duly approved pursuant to resolutions set forth in unanimous written consents
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the holders of all of
the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law, has
been executed by Victor Cohen, acting in his capacity as Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary for the Corporation, this 9th day of June, 1997.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
_____________________________________________
Victor Cohen
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
43
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6064
June 10, 1997
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
filing of the Registration Statement (File No. 333-24733) of the Company on Form
S-1 (as amended, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the public offering (the
"Offering") by the Company and the Selling Stockholders identified as such in
the Registration Statement of an aggregate of 33,925,000 shares (including
4,425,000 shares subject to over-allotment options) of Class A Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share of the Company ("Class A Common Stock").
As such counsel, we have participated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus contained therein (the
"Prospectus") and have reviewed certain corporate proceedings. In addition, we
have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such corporate records, agreements, documents and other
instruments, and such certificates or comparable documents of public officials
and of officers and representatives, as we have deemed relevant and necessary as
a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of
all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of such latter documents. As to all questions of fact material to
this opinion that have not been independently established, we have relied upon
certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the
Company.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications stated
herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
<PAGE> 2
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
June 9, 1997
Page 2
2. The shares of Class A Common Stock to be registered for sale by
the Company and the Selling Stockholders under the Registration Statement have
been duly authorized, and the shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders are,
and the shares to be sold by the Company, when issued and paid for as
contemplated by the Prospectus, will be, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the corporate laws of
the State of Delaware, and we express no opinion as to the effect on the matters
covered by this letter of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
The opinions expressed herein are rendered solely for your benefit
in connection with the transactions described herein. These opinions may not be
used or relied upon by any other person, nor may this letter or any copies
thereof be furnished to a third party, filed with a governmental agency, quoted
cited or otherwise referred to without our prior written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to
the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit
that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
We also consent to the incorporation by reference of this opinion in
a related registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
among
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
a Delaware corporation
GS CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
STONE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
BRIDGE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
RALPH LAUREN
RL Family, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership
RL Holding, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
and
THE RALPH LAUREN 1997 CHARITABLE
REMAINDER UNITRUST
Dated as of June 9, 1997
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
1. Certain Definitions..................................................... 2
1.1. "Amended RL Note"............................................... 2
1.2. "Class A Common Stock".......................................... 2
1.3. "Class B Common Stock".......................................... 2
1.4. "Class B Permitted Transferee".................................. 2
1.5. "Class C Permitted Transferee".................................. 3
1.6. "Class C Common Stock".......................................... 3
1.7. "Commission".................................................... 4
1.8. "Common Stock".................................................. 4
1.9. "Fair Market Value"............................................. 4
1.10. "Formation Agreement".......................................... 4
1.11. "Holder" or "Holders".......................................... 4
1.12. "IPO".......................................................... 4
1.13. "Person"....................................................... 5
1.14. "Registrable Securities"....................................... 5
1.15. "Reorganization"............................................... 5
1.16. "Securities Act"............................................... 5
1.17. "Stockholders Agreement"....................................... 5
1.18. "Successor".................................................... 5
2. Registration Rights..................................................... 6
2.1. Demand Registrations............................................ 6
2.2. Piggyback Registrations......................................... 11
2.3. Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement..... 12
2.4. Registration Procedures......................................... 15
2.5. Registration Expenses........................................... 22
2.6. Certain Limitations on Registration Rights...................... 23
2.7. Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities......... 23
2.8. No Required Sale................................................ 24
2.9. Indemnification................................................. 24
3. Underwritten Offerings.................................................. 30
3.1. Requested Underwritten Offerings................................ 30
3.2. Piggyback Underwritten Offerings................................ 30
4. General................................................................. 31
4.1. Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities.................... 31
4.2. Rule 144........................................................ 31
4.3. Preparation; Reasonable Investigation........................... 31
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<PAGE> 3
4.4. Nominees for Beneficial Owners.................................. 32
4.5. Amendments and Waivers.......................................... 32
4.6. Notices......................................................... 33
4.7. Miscellaneous................................................... 33
4.8. No Inconsistent Agreements...................................... 35
Schedules
I - Addresses for Notices
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of June 9, 1997 (this
"Agreement") among Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), GS Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("GSCP"),
Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Stone Street"),
Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Bridge Street"),
Ralph Lauren ("Lauren"), RL Holding L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("RL
Holding"), and RL Family, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("RL Family") and
the Ralph Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder Unitrust (the "Trust"). GSCP, Stone
Street, Bridge Street and their permitted assignees are sometimes collectively
referred to herein as the "GS Parties," and Lauren, RL Holding, RL Family, the
Trust and their permitted assignees are sometimes collectively referred to
herein as the "Polo Parties."
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the GS Parties and the Polo
Parties have executed and delivered the Stockholders Agreement which establishes
and set forth their agreement with respect to certain rights and obligations
associated with ownership of shares of common stock of the Company;
WHEREAS, Section 9.8 of the Stockholders Agreement requires
the parties to amend the registration rights agreement dated October 31, 1994
among Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P., Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P., Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation, a New York corporation, the GS Parties, Lauren and Peter
Strom Goldstein (the "Original Registration Rights Agreement");
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into an agreement
which establishes and sets forth their agreement with respect to certain
registration rights relating to shares of common stock of the Company;
<PAGE> 5
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them below:
1.1. "Amended RL Note" : as defined in the Formation
Agreement.
1.2. "Class A Common Stock" : Class A Common Stock of the
Company, par value $.01 per share, and any and all securities of any kind
whatsoever of the Company which may be issued after the date hereof in respect
of, or in exchange for, shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company pursuant
to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of
the Company or otherwise.
1.3. "Class B Common Stock" : Class B Common Stock of the
Company, par value $.01 per share, and any and all securities of any kind
whatsoever of the Company which may be issued after the date hereof in respect
of, or in exchange for, shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company pursuant
to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of
the Company or otherwise.
1.4. "Class B Permitted Transferee" : only the following
persons: (i) Ralph Lauren and his estate, guardian, conservator or committee;
(ii) the spouse of Ralph Lauren and her estate, guardian, conservator or
committee; (iii) each descendant of Ralph Lauren (a "Lauren Descendant") and
their respective estates, guardians, conservators or committees; (iv) each
Family Controlled Entity (as defined below); and (v) the trustees, in their
respective capacities as such, of each Lauren Family Trust (as defined below).
The term "Family Controlled Entity" means (i) any not-for-profit corporation if
at least a majority of its board of directors is composed of Ralph Lauren, the
spouse of Ralph Lauren and/or Lauren Descendants; (ii) any other corporation if
at least a majority of the value of its outstanding equity is owned by Class B
Permitted Transferees; (iii) any partnership if at least a majority of the
economic interest of its partnership interests are owned by Class B Permitted
Transferees; and (vi) any limited liability or similar company if at least a
majority of the economic interest
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<PAGE> 6
of the Company is owned by Class B Permitted Transferees. The term "Lauren
Family Trust" includes trusts the primary beneficiaries of which are Mr. Lauren,
the spouse of Ralph Lauren, Lauren Descendants, Mr. Lauren's siblings, spouses
of Lauren Descendants and their respective estates, guardians, conservators or
committees and/or charitable organizations (collectively, "Lauren
Beneficiaries"), provided that if the trust is a wholly charitable trust, at
least a majority of the trustees of such trust consist of Mr. Lauren, the spouse
of Mr. Lauren and/or Class B Permitted Transferees. For purposes of this
Agreement, the primary beneficiaries of a trust will be deemed to be Lauren
Beneficiaries if, under the maximum exercise of discretion by the trustee in
favor of persons who are not Lauren Beneficiaries, the value of the interests of
such persons in such trust, computed actuarially, is 50% or less. The factors
and methods prescribed in section 7520 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, for use in ascertaining the value of certain interests shall be used in
determining a beneficiary's actuarial interest in a trust for purposes of
applying this provision. For purposes of this Agreement, the actuarial value of
the interest in a trust of any person in whose favor a testamentary power of
appointment may be exercised shall be deemed to be zero. For purposes of this
Agreement, in the case of a trust created by a Lauren Descendant, the actuarial
value of the interest in such trust of any person who may receive trust property
only at the termination of the trust and then only in the event that, at the
termination of the trust, there are no living issue of such Lauren Descendant
shall be deemed to be zero.
1.5. "Class C Permitted Transferee" : any Person who (i) as of
the date hereof is a partner in any GS Party and who would have owned 5% or more
of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after consummation of the
Reorganization if the GS Party of which it is a partner had liquidated and
distributed its assets immediately after consummation of the Reorganization or
(ii) until April 15, 2002, is a Successor of a GS Party.
1.6. "Class C Common Stock" : Class C Common Stock of the
Company, par value $.01 per share, and any and all securities of any kind
whatsoever of the Company which may be issued after the date hereof in respect
of, or in exchange for, shares of Class C Common
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<PAGE> 7
Stock of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock
dividend or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
1.7. "Commission" : the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.8. "Common Stock" : common stock of the Company, par value
$.01 per share (including, without limitation, shares of Class A Common Stock,
Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock), and any and all securities of
any kind whatsoever of the Company which may be issued after the date hereof in
respect of, or in exchange for, shares of common stock of the Company pursuant
to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of
the Company or otherwise.
1.9. "Fair Market Value" : after the IPO, (a) if the Class A
Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the average of the
last reported sales price of a share of Class A Common Stock for the thirty (30)
consecutive business days immediately preceding the date on which any such
determination is to be made, or (b) the average of the last reported bid price
of a share of Class A Common Stock for the thirty (30) consecutive business days
immediately preceding the date on which such determination is to be made, as
reported by the NASDAQ National Market or, if the Class A Common Stock is not
listed on the NASDAQ National Market, as determined in good faith by the
Company's board of directors.
1.10. "Formation Agreement" : the agreement dated as of August
22, 1994, relating to the formation of Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P. and
Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. by and among the GS Parties, Lauren and Mr. Peter Strom
Goldstein.
1.11. "Holder" or "Holders" : any party who is a signatory to
this Agreement and any party who shall hereafter acquire and hold Registrable
Securities and to whom rights have been assigned under this Agreement pursuant
to Section 4.7(a) hereof.
1.12. "IPO" : the initial underwritten offering pursuant to
which shares of Class A Common Stock becomes registered under Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
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<PAGE> 8
1.13. "Person" : any natural person, corporation, partnership,
firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or other entity,
whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
1.14. "Registrable Securities" : any shares of Class A Common
Stock held by any Holder and any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or
issuable in respect of any shares of Common Stock or other securities held by
any Holder. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall
cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a registration statement with
respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under
the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance
with such registration statement, or (ii) such securities shall have been sold
(other than in a privately negotiated sale) pursuant to Rule 144 (or any
successor provision) under the Securities Act and in compliance with the
requirements of paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (g) of Rule 144 (notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph (k) of such Rule).
1.15. "Reorganization" : has the meaning set forth in the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1997, as amended to
date, by and among the parties hereto other than the Trust.
1.16. "Securities Act" : the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
1.17. "Stockholders Agreement" : the stockholders agreement
dated the date hereof among the Company, the GS Parties and the Polo Parties.
1.18. "Successor" : with respect to any GS Party, means an
investment entity, similar in form and purpose to that of such GS Party, that is
controlled by the same entity that controlled such GS Party immediately prior to
such investment entity becoming the successor of such GS Party. For purposes of
the previous sentence, "controls" when used with respect to any GS Party means
the power to direct the management and policies of such GS Party directly or
indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise; and the term "controlled" has the meaning correlative to the
foregoing.
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<PAGE> 9
2. Registration Rights.
2.1. Demand Registrations.
(a) (i) (A) At any time on or after the date hereof the
Polo Parties, acting together through Lauren or his designee, shall have the
right, and (B) at any time on or after December 31, 1998 the GS Parties, acting
together through GSCP or its designee, shall have the right, to require the
Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect
to an IPO (the "IPO Demand"), by delivering a written request therefor to the
Company specifying the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such
registration by the GS Parties (if they made such request) or the Polo Parties
(if Lauren made such request). Within three days of the receipt of a written
request for an IPO Demand, the Company shall notify the GS Parties, on the one
hand, or Lauren, on the other (whichever did not make the IPO Demand), of such
request. In connection with an IPO Demand, the parties hereto shall consult on a
good faith basis to determine whether the Company should issue and sell shares
of Class A Common Stock in the IPO.
(ii) Subject to Section 2.1(b) below, at any time
and from time to time after the IPO, the GS Parties, acting together through
GSCP or its designee, on the one hand, and the Polo Parties, acting together
through Lauren or his designee, on the other hand, shall have the right to
require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act
covering all or part of their respective Registrable Securities, by delivering a
written request therefor to the Company specifying the number of Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration by the GS Parties (if they made
such request) or by the Polo Parties (if Lauren made such request) and the
intended method of distribution thereof. All requests pursuant to this Section
2.1(a)(ii) are referred to herein as "Demand Registration Requests," and the
registrations requested are referred to herein as "Demand Registrations." As
promptly as practicable, but no later than ten days after receipt of a Demand
Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice of such Demand
Registration Request to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities.
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<PAGE> 10
(iii) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall
include in the IPO Demand or a Demand Registration (x) the Registrable
Securities of the Holder(s) which requested such registration and (y) the
Registrable Securities of any Holder which shall have made a written request to
the Company for registration thereof (which request shall specify the maximum
number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder)
within 30 days after the receipt of written notice pursuant to clause (i) or
(ii) (or, in the case of a Demand Registration only, 15 days if, at the request
of the Holder(s) which requested such registration, the Company states in such
written notice or gives telephonic notice to all Holders, with written
confirmation to follow promptly thereafter, that such registration will be on
Form S-3).
(iv) The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible
following the IPO Demand or a Demand Registration Request, use its best efforts
to (x) effect such registration under the Securities Act (including, without
limitation, by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act if so requested and if the Company is then eligible to use such a
registration) of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so
requested to register, for distribution in accordance with such intended method
of distribution, and (y) if requested by the Holder(s) which requested such
registration, obtain acceleration of the effective date of the registration
statement relating to such registration.
(v) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section
2.1(a) to the contrary, Lauren or his designee shall deliver a written request
for an IPO Demand or a Demand Registration Request, as the case may be, to the
Company promptly upon receipt of a request therefor from any Polo Party.
(b) The demand registration rights granted to the Holders in
Section 2.1(a) are subject to the following limitations: (i) each IPO Demand and
Demand Registration must include Registrable Securities having an aggregate
market value of at least $20,000,000, which market value shall be determined by
multiplying the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such IPO
Demand or Demand Registration by the fair market value
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<PAGE> 11
determined, in the case of an IPO Demand, by the Board of Directors of the
Company based on the anticipated mid-point of the filing range for the
registration prepared with respect to the IPO or, in the case of a Demand
Registration, by the Fair Market Value determined as of the date the Demand
Registration Request in respect of such Demand Registration is made (provided
that the limitations set forth in this clause (i) shall not be in effect at any
time the Holders' Registrable Securities may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act because of the Company's failure to comply with the
information requirements thereunder), unless at such time, the Company's outside
counsel (which shall be reasonably acceptable to GSCP if such Holder is a GS
Party or Lauren if such Holder is a Polo Party) delivers a written opinion of
counsel to such Holder proposing to register Registrable Securities to the
effect that such Holder's Registrable Securities may be publicly offered and
sold without registration under the Securities Act), (ii) each of Lauren and
GSCP may only make a demand for registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(ii) once
within any nine month period, (iii) the Company shall not be required to cause a
registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(ii) to be declared effective within a
period of 180 days after the effective date of any other registration statement
of the Company effected in connection with an underwritten offering by the
Company; (iv) if the Board of Directors of the Company, in its good faith
judgment, determines that any registration of Registrable Securities should not
be made or continued because it would materially interfere with any material
financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or merger or other transaction
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries (a "Valid Business Reason"),
(x) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement relating to an IPO
Demand or a Demand Registration Request until such Valid Business Reason no
longer exists, but in no event for more than three months, and, (y) in case a
registration statement has been filed relating to an IPO Demand or a Demand
Registration Request, if the Valid Business Reason has not resulted from actions
taken by the Company, the Company may cause such registration statement to be
withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or
supplementing such registration statement; and the Company shall give written
notice of its determination to
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<PAGE> 12
postpone or withdraw a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid
Business Reason for such postponement or withdrawal no longer exists, in each
case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; (v) the offering of Registrable
Securities requested to be registered pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be
pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering unless the Company has
previously sold Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement
under the Securities Act; and (vi) from and after such time as the GS Parties
beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 10% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock, the Company shall only be required to effect one Demand
Registration at the request of the GS Parties provided that any Demand
Registration requested by the GS Parties at such time as the GS parties
beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 10% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock shall not count as the one Demand Registration permitted by this
subclause (vi) if, immediately after giving effect to such registration, and due
to the allocation provisions of Section 2.3(a), the GS Parties beneficially own,
in the aggregate, 5% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. If the
Company shall give any notice of postponement or withdrawal of any registration
statement, the Company shall not, during the period of postponement or
withdrawal, register any Common Stock, other than pursuant to a registration
statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or an equivalent registration form then in
effect). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Company that the Company has determined to withdraw any
registration statement pursuant to clause (iv) above, such Holder will
discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
registration statement and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies,
then in such Holder's possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. If the
Company shall have withdrawn or prematurely terminated a registration statement
filed under Section 2.1(a) (whether pursuant to clause (iv) above or as a result
of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or
any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to
have effected an effective registration for the
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<PAGE> 13
purposes of this Section 2.1(b) until the Company shall have filed a new
registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the
withdrawn registration statement and such registration statement shall have been
declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give
any notice of withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the
Company shall, at such time as the Valid Business Reason that caused such
withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than three
months after the date of the postponement), use its best efforts to effect the
registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by
the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with this
Section 2.1 (unless the Holder(s) delivering the Demand Registration Request
shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be
considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this
Section 2.1(b)), and such registration shall not be withdrawn or postponed
pursuant to clause (iv) above.
(c) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, may elect to
include in any registration statement and offering made pursuant to Section
2.1(a), authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock
held by the Company as treasury shares; provided that such inclusion shall be
permitted only to the extent that it is pursuant to and subject to the terms of
the underwriting agreement or arrangements, if any, entered into by the Holders
exercising the demand registration rights granted to the Holders under Section
2.1(a).
(d) The lead managing underwriter for the IPO effected
pursuant to an IPO Demand or any Demand Registration shall be selected by the
party or parties making the demand for such registration, provided that such
underwriter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. It is the current
intention of the parties that Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("GS&Co.") will act as
managing underwriter in any registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant
to an IPO Demand. If GS&Co. acts as managing underwriter in any such registered
offering pursuant to an IPO Demand or any Demand Registration, to the extent
required by applicable law, a Qualified Independent Underwriter (as defined in
Conduct Rule
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<PAGE> 14
2720 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s By-Laws) shall be
retained, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses (other than
underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Qualified Independent
Underwriter.
2.2. Piggyback Registrations.
(a) If, at any time, the Company proposes or is required
to register any of its equity securities (including pursuant to any registration
statement which generally registers equity and debt securities without
specifying the type of security or the amount) under the Securities Act (other
than pursuant to (i) the IPO, unless the GS Parties (acting together as a group)
and Lauren otherwise consent in writing to the inclusion of Registrable
Securities pursuant to this Section 2.2 (it being acknowledged that the GS
Parties and Lauren have consented to the inclusion of Registrable Securities by
the GS Parties and Lauren in the offering contemplated by Registration Statement
333-24733), (ii) registrations on such form or similar form(s) solely for
registration of securities in connection with an employee benefit plan or
dividend reinvestment plan or a merger or consolidation, or (iii) a Demand
Registration under Section 2.1) on a registration statement on Form S-1, Form
S-2 or Form S-3 (or an equivalent general registration form then in effect),
whether or not for its own account, the Company shall give prompt written notice
of its intention to do so to each of the Holders of record of Registrable
Securities. Upon the written request of any Holder, made within 15 days
following the receipt of any such written notice (which request shall specify
the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such
Holder and the intended method of distribution thereof), the Company shall,
subject to Sections 2.2(b), 2.3 and 2.6 hereof, use its best efforts to cause
all such Registrable Securities, the Holders of which have so requested the
registration thereof, to be registered under the Securities Act (with the
securities which the Company at the time proposes to register) to permit the
sale or other disposition by the Holders (in accordance with the intended method
of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered. No
registration effected under this Section 2.2(a) shall relieve the Company of its
obligations to effect registrations upon request under Section 2.1.
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<PAGE> 15
(b) If, at any time after giving written notice of its
intention to register any equity securities and prior to the effective date of
the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the
Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration
of such equity securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice
of such determination to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities and (i)
in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its
obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such
abandoned registration, and (ii) in case of a determination to delay such
registration of its equity securities, shall be permitted to delay the
registration of such Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in
registering such other equity securities, in each case, without prejudice,
however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1.
(c) Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw its
request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any registration
statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company
of its request to withdraw; provided, however, that (i) such request must be
made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting
agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such
registration and (ii) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making
such withdrawal, a Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable
Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal was made.
2.3. Allocation of Securities Included in Registration
Statement.
(a) If any requested registration pursuant to Section 2.1
involves an underwritten offering and a co-manager of such offering, which shall
be a prominent investment banking firm which is unaffiliated with the Holders
(the "Co-Manager"), shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of
securities requested to be included in such registration (including those
securities requested by the Company to be included in such registration) exceeds
the largest number (the "Section 2.1 Sale Number") that can be sold in an
orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Holders
of Registrable Securities proposed to be registered, the Company shall include
in such registration:
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<PAGE> 16
(i) all Registrable Securities requested to be included in
such registration by Holders of Registrable Securities, provided, however, that
if the number of such Registrable Securities exceeds the Section 2.1 Sale
Number, the number of such Registrable Securities (not to exceed the Section 2.1
Sale Number) to be included in such registration shall be allocated: (x) first
to the GS Parties up to that number (not to exceed the number of shares
requested to be included by the GS Parties in such requested registration) of
Registrable Securities (the "GS Securities") which, based upon the midpoint of
the filing range for the registration (in the case of an IPO) or the then market
price of the Common Stock (in all other cases) and the estimated underwriting
discount for the registration, is expected to yield an amount of net proceeds to
the GS Parties (the "Priority Amount") that, when added to the net proceeds of
any Registrable Securities sold for the account of the GS Parties in any
preceding registration (if any) pursuant to this clause (x) or clause (x) of
Section 2.3(b)(ii) will aggregate an amount equal to $20,000,000, and (y)
thereafter on a pro rata basis among all Holders requesting that Registrable
Securities be included in such registration, based on the number of Registrable
Securities then owned by each Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the
number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion,
provided, however, that such ratio will be calculated after giving effect to the
sale of the GS Securities to the extent that the GS Parties have a first
priority right in such offering; and
(ii) to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities
to be included by all Holders is less than the Section 2.1 Sale Number,
securities that the Company proposes to register.
If, as a result of the proration provisions of this Section 2.3(a), any
Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in a
registration that such Holder has requested to be included, such Holder may
elect to withdraw his request to include Registrable Securities in such
registration or may reduce the number requested to be included; provided,
however, that (x) such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of
the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody
agreement with respect to such
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<PAGE> 17
registration and (y) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making such
withdrawal, a Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable
Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal was made.
(b) If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 involves an
underwritten offering and the Co-Manager shall advise the Company that, in its
view, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration
exceeds the number (the "Section 2.2 Sale Number") that can be sold in an
orderly manner in such registration within a price range acceptable to the
Company, the Company shall include in such registration:
(i) all Common Stock or securities convertible into, or
exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock that the Company proposes to
register for its own account (the "Company Securities"), and
(ii) (x) to the extent that the number of Company
Securities is less than the Section 2.2 Sale Number, if the GS Parties have not
previously registered Registrable Securities yielding the Priority Amount, the
Registrable Securities that the GS Parties propose to register up to that number
(the "Priority Number") of Registrable Securities (such Priority Number,
together with the Company Securities, not to exceed the Section 2.2 Sale Number)
which is expected to yield an amount of net proceeds to the GS Parties equal to
the Priority Amount (calculated in the same manner as set forth in Section
2.3(a)(i)) and (y) to the extent the number of Company Securities plus the
Priority Number (if any) is less than the Section 2.2 Sale Number, all
Registrable Securities requested to be included by all Holders; provided,
however, that, if the number of such Registrable Securities exceeds the Section
2.2 Sale Number less the number of Company Securities and the Priority Number
(if any), then the number of such Registrable Securities included in such
registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis, based on the number of
Registrable Securities owned by each Holder requesting inclusion in relation to
the number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion.
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<PAGE> 18
2.4. Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is
required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its best efforts to effect
or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act
as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration
statement on an appropriate registration form of the Commission for the
disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended
method of disposition thereof, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company
and (ii) shall, in the case of a shelf registration, be available for the sale
of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and such
registration statement shall comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements
required by the Commission to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its
best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective
(provided, however, that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or
any amendments or supplements thereto, or comparable statements under securities
or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction, the Company will furnish to the counsel of
any Holder participating in the planned offering and the underwriters, if any,
copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits
thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and
reasonable comment of such counsel, and the Company shall not file any
registration statement or amendment thereto or any prospectus or supplement
thereto to which the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered
by such registration statement or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably
object in writing);
(b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement
effective for the earlier of (a) such time as all of such Registrable Securities
and other securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition by the sellers thereof as set forth in such registration
statement and (b) such period (which shall not be required to exceed 150 days in
the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 120 days in the case of a
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<PAGE> 19
registration pursuant to Section 2.2, unless reasonably requested by any
underwriter pursuant to an underwritten offering) as any seller of Registrable
Securities pursuant to such registration statement shall reasonably request and
to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or
other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller
or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement;
(c) as soon as reasonably possible furnish, without charge, to
each seller of such Registrable Securities and each underwriter, if any, of the
securities covered by such registration statement such number of copies of such
registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case
including all exhibits), and the prospectus included in such registration
statement (including each preliminary prospectus) in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and other documents, as such seller and
underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or
other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the
Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable law of
each such registration statement (or amendment or post-effective amendment
thereto) and each such prospectus (or preliminary prospectus or supplement
thereto) by each such seller of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if
any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement or prospectus);
(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other
securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any sellers of
Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably
request, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable such sellers or underwriter, if any, to
consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions,
except that in no event shall the Company be required to qualify to do business
as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it would
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<PAGE> 20
not, but for the requirements of this paragraph (d), be required to be so
qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent
to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(e) promptly notify each Holder selling Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement and each managing underwriter, if any:
(i) when the registration statement, any pre-effective amendment, the prospectus
or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the
registration statement has been filed and, with respect to the registration
statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective;
(ii) of any request by the Commission or state securities authority for
amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus
related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration
statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the
receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or
blue sky laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such
purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware
which results in the registration statement, the prospectus related thereto or
any document incorporated therein by reference containing an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; and (vi) if
at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by Section 3 below
cease to be true and correct in all material respects; and, if the notification
relates to an event described in clause (v), the Company shall promptly prepare
and furnish to each such seller and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable
number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus
shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not
misleading;
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(f) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as
reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement
(and in any event within 16 months thereafter), an earnings statement (which
need not be audited) covering the period of at least twelve consecutive months
beginning with the first day of the Company's first calendar quarter after the
effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall
satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder;
(g) (i) cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement to be listed on the principal securities exchange on
which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed (if any), if the
listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such
exchange, or (ii) if no similar securities are then so listed, cause all such
Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange or,
failing that, secure inclusion of all such Registrable Securities on the NASDAQ
National Market or, failing that, secure NASDAQ authorization for such shares
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, take all actions that may
be required by the Company as the issuer of such Registrable Securities in order
to facilitate the managing underwriter's arranging for the registration of at
least two market makers as such with respect to such shares with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
(h) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and
registrar for all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(i) enter into such customary agreements (including, if
applicable, an underwriting agreement) and take such other actions as the GS
Parties or the Polo Parties shall reasonably request in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, provided that the
underwriting agreement, if any, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Company. The Holders of the Registrable Securities which are to
be distributed by such underwriters shall be parties to such underwriting
agreement and may, at
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<PAGE> 22
their option, require that the Company make to and for the benefit of such
Holders the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company which are
being made to and for the benefit of such underwriters and which are of the type
customarily provided to institutional investors in secondary offerings;
(j) obtain an opinion from the Company's counsel and a "cold
comfort" letter from the Company's independent public accountants in customary
form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and
"cold comfort" letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public
offerings, which opinion and letter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
underwriter, if any, the GS Parties and the Polo Parties, and furnish to each
Holder participating in the offering and to each underwriter, if any, a copy of
such opinion and letter addressed to such Holder or underwriter;
(k) deliver promptly to each Holder participating in the
offering and each underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the
Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating
to discussions with the Commission or its staff with respect to the registration
statement, other than those portions of any such correspondence and memoranda
which contain information subject to attorney-client privilege with respect to
the Company, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company
may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by any seller
of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, by any
underwriter, if any, participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to
such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent
retained by any such seller or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and
other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and
cause all of the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney,
accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
(l) use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement;
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<PAGE> 23
(m) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not
later than the effective date of the registration statement;
(n) make reasonably available its employees and personnel and
otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account
the needs of the Company's businesses and the requirements of the marketing
process) in the marketing of Registrable Securities in any underwritten
offering;
(o) promptly prior to the filing of any document which is to
be incorporated by reference into the registration statement or the prospectus
(after the initial filing of such registration statement) provide copies of such
document to counsel to the selling holders of Registrable Securities and to the
managing underwriter, if any, and make the Company's representatives reasonably
available for discussion of such document and make such changes in such document
prior to the filing thereof as counsel for such selling holders or underwriters
may reasonably request;
(p) furnish to each Holder participating in the offering and
the managing underwriter, without charge, at least one signed copy of the
registration statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference);
(q) cooperate with the selling holders of Registrable
Securities and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates not bearing any restrictive legends
representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable
Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in
accordance with the underwriting agreement prior to any sale of Registrable
Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in
accordance with the instructions of the selling holders of Registrable
Securities at least three business days prior to any sale of Registrable
Securities; and
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(r) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are
necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
such Registrable Securities.
The Company may require as a condition precedent to the Company's
obligations under this Section 2.4 that each seller of Registrable Securities as
to which any registration is being effected furnish the Company such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may
from time to time reasonably request provided that such information shall be
used only in connection with such registration.
Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that upon receipt of any
notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in
clause (v) of paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4, such Holder will discontinue
such Holder's disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration
statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Holder's receipt of
the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph
(e) of this Section 2.4 and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies,
then in such Holder's possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. In the
event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable period mentioned in
paragraph (b) of this Section 2.4 shall be extended by the number of days during
such period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each seller of any Registrable Securities covered by
such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented
or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4.
If any such registration statement or comparable statement under "blue
sky" laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the Holder of any
securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i)
the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such
Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such
securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the
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investment quality of the Company's securities covered thereby and that such
holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future
financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference
to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company, as
advised by counsel, required by the Securities Act or any similar federal
statute or any state "blue sky" or securities law then in force, the deletion of
the reference to such Holder.
2.5. Registration Expenses . The Company shall, whether or not any
registration pursuant to this Agreement becomes effective, pay all expenses
incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this Article 2,
including (i) Commission, stock exchange or NASD registration and filing fees
and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of securities in
NASDAQ, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky"
laws and in connection with the preparation of a "blue sky" survey, including
without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of blue sky counsel, (iii)
printing expenses, (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) internal expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of the Company's
officers and employees performing legal and accounting duties), (vi) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each
registration, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the selling Holders
(selected by the Holders making the IPO Demand or Demand Registration Request,
in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1, and selected by the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such
registration, in the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2 as well as
of one local counsel (as applicable), (viii) fees and disbursements of all
independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit and/or "cold
comfort" letter) and fees and expenses of other persons, including special
experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to a Qualified
Independent Underwriter and (x) any other fees and disbursements of
underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be
deemed amended to the extent necessary to cause these expense provisions to
comply with "blue sky" laws of
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each state in which the offering is made and (y) in connection with any
registration hereunder, each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered
shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and any capital gains,
income or transfer taxes, if any, attributable to such Holder's Registrable
Securities.
2.6. Certain Limitations on Registration Rights . In the case of any
registration under Section 2.1 pursuant to an underwritten offering, or in the
case of a registration under Section 2.2 if the Company has determined to enter
into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to an
underwriting agreement and no person may participate in such registration unless
such person agrees to sell such person's securities on the basis provided
therein and completes and/or executes all questionnaires, indemnities, lock-ups,
underwriting agreements and other documents (other than powers of attorney), in
each case in customary form and substance, which must be executed in connection
therewith.
2.7. Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities.
(a) If requested in writing by the Company or the managing
underwriter, if any, of any registration effected pursuant to Section 2.1 or
2.2, each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees not to effect any public sale
or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, of any Registrable Securities, or of any other equity security of the
Company or of any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten
public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter, not to exceed 180 days (and the Company hereby also so agrees
(except that the Company may effect any sale or distribution of any such
securities pursuant to a registration on Form S-4 (if reasonably acceptable to
the managing underwriter) or Form S-8, or any successor or similar form which is
then in effect) and agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of
any equity security or of any security convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for any equity
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security of the Company purchased from the Company at any time other than in a
public offering so to agree).
(b) The Company hereby agrees that if it shall previously have
received a request for registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, and if such
previous registration shall not have been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company
shall not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter of such
previous registration, effect any registration of any of its securities under
the Securities Act (other than a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any
successor or similar form which is then in effect), whether or not for sale for
its own account, until a period 180 days shall have elapsed from the effective
date of such previous registration; and the Company shall so provide in any
registration rights agreements hereafter entered into with respect to any of its
securities.
2.8. No Required Sale . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any
Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement.
2.9. Indemnification.
(a) In the event of any registration of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article 2, the Company will,
and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, the seller of any Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement, its directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees and stockholders or
general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, employees and
stockholders thereof), each other individual, partnership, joint venture,
corporation, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity (each, a
"Person") who participates as an underwriter or a Qualified Independent
Underwriter, if any, in the offering or sale of such securities, each officer,
director, employee, stockholder or partner of such underwriter or Qualified
Independent Underwriter, and each other Person, if any, who controls such seller
or any such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any
and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or
proceedings (whether
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commenced or threatened) in respect thereof ("Claims") and expenses (including
reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with
the Company's consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the
Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claims or expenses arise out of or
are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any registration statement under which such
securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary, final or summary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto,
together with the documents incorporated by reference therein, or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any
violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation
applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the
Company in connection with any such registration, and the Company will reimburse
any such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, that the Company shall not be
liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim
or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact
made in such registration statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereto
or in any such prospectus or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party specifically for use therein.
Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified
party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.
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(b) Each Holder of Registrable Securities that are included in
the securities as to which any registration under Section 2.1 or 2.2 is being
effected (and, if the Company requires as a condition to including any
Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with
Section 2.1 or 2.2, any underwriter and Qualified Independent Underwriter, if
any) shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same
manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.9)
to the extent permitted by law the Company, its officers and directors, each
Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and all
other prospective sellers and their directors, officers, general and limited
partners and respective controlling Persons with respect to any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged
omission of any material fact from, such registration statement, any
preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of
such Holder or underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter, if any,
specifically stating that it is for use in such registration statement,
preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement or document
incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the
aggregate amount which any such Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this
Section 2.9(b) and Sections 2.9(c) and (e) shall be limited to the amount of the
net proceeds received by such person upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such claim. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such
securities by such Holder.
(c) Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.9 (with appropriate modifications)
shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable Securities with
respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under
any state securities and "blue sky" laws.
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(d) Any person entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for
indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any
indemnified party to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying
party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9,
except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced thereby and
shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under this Article 2. In case any action or
proceeding is brought against an indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, unless in the reasonable opinion of outside
counsel to the indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified
and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, to assume the
defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to
the extent that it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified
party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party that it so chooses, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided,
however, that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps
necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within 20 days after
receiving notice from such indemnified party that the indemnified party believes
it has failed to do so; or (ii) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in
any action or proceeding which is also brought against the indemnifying party
reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses
available to such indemnified party which are not available to the indemnifying
party; or (iii) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is
otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct,
then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or
continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no
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more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction,
except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to such party or parties
which are not available to the other indemnified parties or to the extent
representation of all indemnified parties by the same counsel is otherwise
inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct) and the
indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying
party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim)
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action
or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is unavailable
or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Sections 2.9(a),
(b) or (c), then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying
party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from such offering
of securities. If, however, the allocation provided in the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law, or if the indemnified party failed
to give the notice required by subsection (d) above and the indemnifying party
is materially prejudiced thereby, then each indemnifying party shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on
the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue
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statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the
indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or
omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) were to be determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this
Section 2.9(e). The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding
anything in this Section 2.9(e) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other
than the Company) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) to
contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds received by such
indemnifying party from the sale of Registrable Securities in the offering to
which the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of the indemnified parties
relate, less the amount of any indemnification payment made pursuant to Sections
2.9(b) and (c).
(f) The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in
addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any
indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract and shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or
omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer
of the Registrable Securities by any such party.
(g) The indemnification and contribution required by this
Section 2.9 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the
course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or
expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred.
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3. Underwritten Offerings.
3.1. Requested Underwritten Offerings . If requested by the
underwriters for any underwritten offering by the Holders pursuant to a
registration requested under Section 2.1, the Company shall enter into a
customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Such underwriting
agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Holders which
requested such registration and shall contain such representations and
warranties by, and such other agreements on the part of, the Company and such
other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including,
without limitation, indemnities and contribution agreements. Any Holder
participating in the offering shall be a party to such underwriting agreement
and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and
warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for
the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of
such Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations
of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent
to the obligations of such Holder. Such underwriting agreement shall also
contain such representations, warranties and indemnities by the participating
Holders as are customary in agreements of that type.
3.2. Piggyback Underwritten Offerings . In the case of a
registration pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, if the Company shall have
determined to enter into any underwriting agreements in connection therewith,
all of the Holders' Registrable Securities to be included in such registration
shall be subject to such underwriting agreements. Any Holder participating in
such registration may, at its option, require that any or all of the
representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the
Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and
for the benefit of such Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent
to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be
conditions precedent to the obligations of such Holder. Such underwriting
agreement shall also contain such representations, warranties and indemnities by
the participating Holders as are customary in agreements of that type.
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4. General.
4.1. Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities . The
Company agrees that it shall not effect or permit to occur any combination or
subdivision of shares which would adversely affect the ability of the Holder of
any Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in any
registration contemplated by this Agreement or the marketability of such
Registrable Securities in any such registration. The Company agrees that it will
take all reasonable steps necessary to effect a subdivision of shares if in the
reasonable judgment of (a) the Holder of Registrable Securities that makes a
Demand Registration Request and (b) the managing underwriter for the offering in
respect of such Demand Registration Request, such subdivision would enhance the
marketability of the Registrable Securities.
4.2. Rule 144 . If the Company shall have filed a registration
statement pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act or a
registration statement pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act in
respect of the Common Stock or securities of the Company convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, the Company covenants that it will
timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144
under the Securities Act), and will take such further action as any Holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from
time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended
from time to time, or (ii) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by
the Commission. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the
Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.
4.3. Preparation; Reasonable Investigation . In connection
with the preparation and filing of each registration statement under the
Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will give the Holders
participating in the offering, their underwriters, if any, and
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<PAGE> 35
their respective counsel, accountants and other representatives and agents the
opportunity to participate in the preparation of such registration statement,
each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission, and, to the
extent practicable, each amendment thereof or supplement thereto, and give each
of them reasonable access to its books and records and properties and such
opportunities to discuss the business of the Company and such other matters with
the Company's directors, officers and employees and the independent public
accountants who have certified its financial statements, and the Company will
supply, or cause its directors, officers, employees and independent accountants
to supply, all other information reasonably requested by each of them, as shall
be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Holders' and such
underwriters' respective counsel, to conduct a reasonable investigation within
the meaning of the Securities Act.
4.4. Nominees for Beneficial Owners . If Registrable
Securities are held by a nominee for the beneficial owner thereof, the
beneficial owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such
Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder
or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (or any
determination of any number or percentage of shares constituting Registrable
Securities held by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities contemplated
by this Agreement); provided that the Company shall have received assurances
reasonably satisfactory to it of such beneficial ownership.
4.5. Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement may be amended,
modified, supplemented or waived only upon the written agreement of the party
against whom enforcement of such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver
is sought provided that (a) the written agreement of the holders of a majority
of the Registrable Securities held by the GS Parties shall be considered to be
signed by all of the GS Parties and (b) the written agreement of the holders of
a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the Polo Parties shall be
considered to be signed by the Polo Parties.
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4.6. Notices . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and
delivered personally, by telecopy (with confirmation sent within three business
days by overnight courier) or by overnight courier, addressed to the Company and
each of the Polo Parties at 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(telecopier 212-318-7183) (Attention: General Counsel), with a copy to Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
10019 (Attention: James M. Dubin) and to the other parties at the "Address for
Notices" specified below its name on Schedule I hereto. Each Holder, by written
notice given to the Company in accordance with this Section 4.6, may change the
address to which such notice or other communications are to be sent to such
Holder. All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
received on the date of delivery thereof, if delivered by hand, on the fifth day
after the mailing thereof, if mailed, on the next day after the sending thereof,
if by overnight courier, when answered back if telexed and when receipt is
acknowledged, if telecopied.
4.7. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. No
Person other than a Holder shall be entitled to any benefits under this
Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. This Agreement and the
rights of the parties hereunder may be assigned by any of the parties hereto to
any transferee of Registrable Securities (i) prior to an IPO who acquires such
securities in accordance with the provisions of the Stockholders Agreement, and
(ii) from and after an IPO, (x) in the case of the GS Parties, who is a Class C
Permitted Transferee or (y) in the case of the Polo Parties, who is a Class B
Permitted Transferee; provided that (A) the rights of the Polo Parties under
Section 2.1(a)(i) shall not be assignable without the consent of the GS Parties
and (B) the rights of the GS Parties under Section 2.1(a)(i) shall not be
assignable without the consent of Lauren. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, upon the death of Lauren
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or the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of an order adjudicating him
incompetent, (i) in the event of Lauren's death, the legal representative of
Lauren's estate, or another representative of Lauren's estate if selected by
beneficiaries holding a majority-in-interest of Lauren's estate's rights in the
Company (it being agreed that, in the case of any trusts that are beneficiaries
of Lauren's estate's rights in the Company, such trusts shall act through the
trustees thereof) will be entitled to exercise the rights under this Agreement
that Lauren would have been entitled to exercise if he had not died, or (ii) in
the event that Lauren is so adjudicated an incompetent, the legal representative
of Lauren will be entitled to exercise the rights under this Agreement that
Lauren would have been entitled to exercise if he had not been so adjudicated an
incompetent.
(b) This Agreement (with the documents referred to herein or
delivered pursuant hereto) embodies the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof (including the terms of the
Original Registration Rights Agreement). The Original Registration Rights
Agreement is hereby terminated.
(c) This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
(d) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. All
section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
(f) Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining
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<PAGE> 38
terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction.
(g) It is hereby agreed and acknowledged that it will be
impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the parties
fail to comply with any of the obligations herein imposed on them and that in
the event of any such failure, an aggrieved person will be irreparably damaged
and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Any such person shall, therefore,
be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce
such obligations, without the posting of any bond and if any action should be
brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of
the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at
law.
(h) Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be
done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and
deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as
any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent
and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
4.8. No Inconsistent Agreements . Without the prior written
consent of (i) Lauren and (ii) GSCP, neither the Company nor any Holder will, on
or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to
its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted in this Agreement
or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof, other than any lock-up
agreement with the underwriters in connection with any registered offering
effected hereunder, pursuant to which the Company shall agree not to register
for sale, and the Company shall agree not to sell or otherwise dispose of,
Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Common Stock, for a specified period following the registered offering. The
Company shall not grant any other Person registration rights without the written
consent of the Holders holding at least a majority of the Registrable Securities
held by all of the Holders. If the Company shall at any time hereafter provide
to any holder of any securities of the Company rights with respect to the
registration of such securities and such
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<PAGE> 39
rights are provided on terms or conditions more favorable to such holder than
the terms or conditions applicable to the Holders herein, the Company shall
provide (by way of amendment to this Agreement or otherwise) such more favorable
terms or conditions to the Holders under this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 40
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Agreement as of the date set forth above.
GS CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: GS Advisors L.P., its general partner
By: GS Advisors, Inc., its general partner
By: /s/
---------------------------------------
STONE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
By: Stone Street Funding Corp., its general partner
By: /s/
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
BRIDGE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
By: Stone Street Funding Corp., its general partner
By: /s/
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: /s/
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-37-
<PAGE> 41
/s/
--------------------------------------------
RALPH LAUREN
RL HOLDING, L.P.
By: /s/
-----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
RL FAMILY, L.P.
By: /s/
-----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE RALPH LAUREN 1997 CHARITABLE
REMAINDER UNITRUST
By: /s/
-----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE> 42
SCHEDULE I
Addresses for Notices
GS Capital Partners, L.P.
Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P.
Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P.
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004
Attention: David J. Greenwald
Telephone: (212) 902-1000
Telecopy: (212) 902-3000
with a copy to:
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004-1980
Attention: Valerie F. Jacob
Telephone: (212) 859-8000
Telecopy: (212) 859-4000
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<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.17
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
made effective as of the 9th day of June, 1997, among Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P.
(the "Partnership"), Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Michael J. Newman (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive has heretofore been employed by the
Partnership pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of October 23, 1993, as
previously amended by Amendment No.1 dated as of October 31, 1994 (the "Prior
Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company is currently contemplating a registered
initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock (the "IPO"), prior to the
consummation of which the rights, duties and obligations of the Partnership
under this Agreement will be assigned to and assumed by the Company;
WHEREAS, the Partnership, the Company and the Executive wish
to amend and restate the Prior Agreement as evidenced by this Agreement
effective as of the date hereof in order to provide for the modification of
certain provisions of the Prior Agreement relating to the Executive's annual and
incentive compensation, equity opportunities and restrictive covenants in the
event the IPO is consummated;
NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be bound the parties hereby agree
as follows with effect from the date first above written.
1. Employment/Prior Agreement. The Company hereby agrees to
employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company, on
the terms and conditions set forth herein. From and after the date hereof, the
terms of this Agreement shall supersede in all respects the terms of the Prior
Agreement which shall cease to be of any further force and effect.
2. Term. The employment of the Executive by the Company as
provided in Section 1 pursuant to this Agreement will be effective on the date
hereof. The Executive will serve at the direction and pleasure of the Board. In
the event a registered initial public offering of the equity securities of the
Company (or any entity which shall be assigned or otherwise assume the rights,
duties or obligations of the Partnership hereunder) shall be consummated on or
prior to December 31, 1997 (a "Qualified Offering"), the term of the Executive's
employment under this Employment Agreement shall continue until the close of
business of the fifth anniversary of the consummation of the Qualified Offering,
subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
(the "Term"). The Term
<PAGE> 2
shall be automatically extended for successive one year periods thereafter
unless either party notifies the other in writing of its intention not to so
extend the Term at least twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the
next scheduled one year extension.
3. Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as Vice
Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and shall have such
responsibilities, duties and authority as he may have as of the date hereof (or
which arise from any comparable position as a key executive officer to which he
may be appointed after the date hereof) and as may from time to time be assigned
to the Executive by the Board that are consistent with such responsibilities,
duties and authority. The Executive shall devote substantially all his working
time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.
4. Compensation and Related Matters.
(a) Salary and Incentive Bonus
(i) Salary. During the period of the
Executive's employment hereunder, the Company shall pay to the Executive an
annual salary of not less than $800,000. Such salary shall be paid in
substantially equal installments on a basis consistent with the Company's
payroll practices. This salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Qualified Offering is consummated,
the Executive's salary for the period following the Qualified Offering shall not
be less than $900,000 per annum. From and after any Qualified Offering, the term
"Company" as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor to
rights, duties and obligations of the Partnership.
(ii) Incentive Bonus.
(A) During the period of the Executive's
employment prior to the consummation of a Qualified Offering, the Executive's
entitlement to an annual incentive bonus shall continue to be governed by the
letter agreement between the Partnership and the Executive dated as of April 10,
1996 (the "1996 Bonus Letter").
(B) In the event a Qualified Offering is
consummated, the 1996 Bonus Letter shall cease to be effective with respect to
the then current fiscal year and with respect to such then current fiscal year
and all future fiscal years that occur following the Qualified Offering the
Executive's annual incentive bonus will be a percentage of Income Before Taxes
("IBT") of the Company as determined under the Bonus Schedule below; provided
that in no event will the annual incentive bonus with respect to any fiscal year
exceed $3 million.
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<PAGE> 3
Incentive Bonus Schedule
For the first $0 to $75 million of IBT:
0%;
From $75 million to $150 million of IBT:
1.75% of IBT in excess of $75 million;
From $150 million to $200 million of IBT:
1% of IBT in excess of $150 million;
For amounts of IBT over $200 million:
.5% of IBT in excess of $200 million.
(C) The annual incentive bonus, whether paid
pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, will be payable in a lump sum within
thirty days after the Company's year-end financial statements have been
certified by the Company's outside auditors and will not be included for any
purposes under the Deferred Compensation Agreement currently in effect between
the Executive and the Partnership (or any successor agreement thereto).
(D) IBT for purposes of this Agreement will
mean the amount reflected on the line with that term in the Company's financial
statements, prior to deducting the Executive's annual incentive bonus.
(E) Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Executive's entitlement to payment of an annual
incentive bonus during any period when the compensation payable to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the deduction limitations of section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), shall be
subject to shareholder approval of a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual
incentive bonus opportunity that complies with the requirements of section
162(m) of the Code.
(b) Expenses. During the term of the Executive's
employment hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred by the
Executive in performing services hereunder, including all expenses of travel and
living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of and in the
service of the Company, provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted
for in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company.
(c) Other Benefits. During the term of the
Executive's employment hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in or receive benefits under any medical, pension, profit sharing or other
employee benefit plan or arrangement generally made available by the Company now
or in the future to its executives and key management employees (or to their
family members), subject to
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<PAGE> 4
and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration
of such plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or
arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed
to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to paragraph (a)
of this Section.
(d) Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to
reasonable vacations consistent with past practice.
(e) Restricted Stock.
(i) If a Qualified Offering is consummated,
then effective as of the date of commencement of the Qualified Offering, the
Executive will be granted a number of restricted shares of Class A Common Stock
of the issuer of securities in the Qualified Offering with a fair market value
equal to $2 million (based upon the initial offering price per share in the
Qualified Offering); provided that any fractional share will be paid to the
Executive in cash. The restricted shares will vest with respect to one third
(1/3) of the aggregate number of restricted shares so granted on each of (x) the
commencement date of the Qualified Offering, (y) the second anniversary of the
commencement date of the Qualified Offering and (z) the third anniversary of the
commencement date of the Qualified Offering, subject to the Executive's
continued employment through each vesting date.
(ii) In the event a Qualified Offering is
not consummated, the Executive shall receive a special cash bonus in respect of
fiscal year 1997 in the amount of $666,667.00, payable in a lump sum, no later
than December 31, 1997.
(f) Options.
(i) If a Qualified Offering is consummated,
then effective as of the date of commencement of the Qualified Offering, the
Executive will be granted options to purchase 350,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock of the issuer of securities in the Qualified Offering with an exercise
price equal to the initial offering price in the Qualified Offering. In
addition, with respect to at least each of the first three fiscal years
occurring after the Qualified Offering, as of a date no later than each
anniversary of the commencement of the Qualified Offering, the Executive will be
granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the of the
issuer of securities in the Qualified Offering with an exercise price equal to
the fair market value per shares as of the date of grant.
(ii) Any options granted to the Executive
pursuant to clause (i) above will vest and become exercisable ratably over three
(3) years on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject
to the Executive's continued employment through each vesting date.
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<PAGE> 5
5. Termination.
(a) Termination by Company. The Executive's
employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board at any time with or without
Cause.
(b) Termination by The Executive. The Executive may
terminate his employment hereunder with or without Good Reason. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean (A) a material diminution in the
Executive's duties or the assignment to the Executive of a title or duties
inconsistent with his position as a Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company, (B) a reduction in the Executive's salary or annual incentive bonus
opportunity, (C) a failure of the Company to comply with any material provision
of this Agreement or (D) the Executive's ceasing to be entitled to the payment
of an annual incentive bonus as a result of the failure of the Company's
shareholders to approve a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual incentive
bonus in a manner that complies with the requirements of section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; provided that the events described in clauses
(A), (B) and (C) above shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until such
diminution, reduction or failure (as applicable) has not been cured within
thirty (30) days after notice of such noncompliance has been given by the
Executive to the Company.
(c) Any termination of the Executive's employment by
the Company or by the Executive (other than termination pursuant to Section
6(d)(i) hereof) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto in accordance with Section 10 hereof. If termination is
pursuant to Sections 6(d)(ii)-(iii) or 5(b) hereof, the "Notice of Termination"
shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated.
6. Compensation Upon Termination.
(a) If the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment for any reason other than an Enumerated Reason as set forth in
Section 6(d) hereof and other than due to the Company's election not to extend
the Term of this Agreement as contemplated by Section 2, or if the Executive
resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof, then so long as the
Executive complies with Section 8 hereof the Executive shall be entitled to the
following:
(i) (x) if such termination of employment
occurs prior to a Qualified Offering, continued salary payments for a
period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of termination (the
"Severance Period") at the rate and in the manner in effect on such
date (unless employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof as a result of a salary reduction, in
which case salary payments shall continue at the rate in
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<PAGE> 6
effect prior to such reduction); plus a pro rata annual incentive bonus
for the year of termination (based on the average annual incentive
bonus paid to the Executive over the preceding two years and based upon
the percentage of the calendar year in which such termination occurs
that shall have elapsed through the date of termination (a "Pro Rata
Annual Incentive Bonus")); or
(y) if such termination of employment occurs
following a Qualified Offering, an amount equal to the greater of:
(A) the sum of (I) three (3) times the Executive's
salary at the rate in effect on such date (unless employment
is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 5(b) hereof as a result of a salary reduction, in
which case, at the rate in effect prior to such reduction),
plus (II) two (2) times the average annual incentive bonus
paid to the Executive over the preceding two years; plus a Pro
Rata Annual Incentive Bonus for the year of termination; and
(B) the sum of (I) (five (5) minus the number of
years (including fractions thereof) that shall have elapsed
since the consummation of the Qualified Offering) times the
Executive's salary at the rate in effect on such date (unless
employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof as a result of a salary
reduction, in which case, at the rate in effect prior to such
reduction), plus (II) two (2) times the average annual
incentive bonus paid to the Executive over the preceding two
(2) years; plus a Pro Rata Annual Incentive Bonus for the year
of termination.
Any amounts paid pursuant to either clause (A) or clause (B)
above shall be paid in equal monthly installments for a period of
thirty-six (36) months from the date of termination, except that the
Pro Rata Annual Incentive Bonus shall be paid in a lump sum in cash
within thirty (30) days following the date of the Executive's
termination of employment. For purposes of clause (A) and clause (B)
above, the Executive's annual incentive bonus for fiscal years 1996 and
1997 shall be deemed to be $1,000,000 and $1,500,000, respectively,
irrespective of the actual bonuses paid to the Executive in respect of
fiscal years 1996 and 1997.
(ii) Continued participation in the
Company's health benefit plans during the Severance Period; provided
that if the Executive is provided with similar coverage by a successor
employer, any such coverage by the Company shall cease;
(iii) Continued use of the Company
automobile until the then existing auto lease term expires;
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<PAGE> 7
(iv) Waiver of collateral interest securing
return to the Company of premiums paid by the Company for the
Executive's existing split dollar life insurance policy;
(v) Any unvested restricted shares granted
to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(e) will continue to vest on their
scheduled vesting dates, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's
compliance with Section 8 hereof;
(vi) Any unvested options granted to the
Executive pursuant to Section 4(f) will continue to vest on their scheduled
vesting dates, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's compliance with
Section 8 hereof and subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's compliance
with Section 8, any vested options granted to the Executive pursuant to Section
4(f) (including any options that continue to vest as described above) will
remain exercisable until the latest to occur of (x) five (5) years from the
commencement of the Qualified Offering, (y) one (1) year from the date the
Executive's termination of employment and (z) thirty (30) days from the date the
option becomes vested and exercisable;
(vii) If a Change of Control shall have
occurred prior to the date of termination, the Executive shall be entitled at
his option, exercisable in writing within fifteen days of the date of
termination, to receive the equivalent of the salary and bonus payments pursuant
to subsection (i) above in two equal lump sum installments, the first payable
within 30 days of the date of termination and the second on the first
anniversary of the date of termination. As used herein, the term "Change of
Control" shall mean Ralph Lauren or members of his family (or trusts or entities
created for their benefit) no longer control 50% or more of the voting power of
the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote for the election
of the Company's directors; and
(viii) Except as provided above, the Company
will have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement following
the Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances described in
this Section 6(a).
(b) If the Executive's employment is terminated by
his death or by the Company due to the Executive's Disability (as defined
below):
(i) The Company shall pay any amounts due to
the Executive through the date of his death or the date of his termination due
to Disability, including a Pro Rata Annual Incentive Bonus for the year of
termination;
(ii) Any unvested restricted shares granted
to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(e) shall vest immediately;
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<PAGE> 8
(iii) Any unvested options granted to the
Executive pursuant to Section 4(f) will vest and all such options held by the
Executive, or his estate, will remain exercisable for three (3) years from the
date of the Executive's death or termination due to disability; and
(iv) Except as provided above, the Company
will have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement following
the Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances described in
this Section 6(b).
(c) If the Executive's employment shall be terminated
by the Company pursuant to section 6(d) (iii) for Cause or by the Executive for
other than Good Reason (including due to the Executive's election not to extend
the Term as contemplated by Section 2), the Company shall pay the Executive his
full salary through the date of termination at the rate in effect prior to such
termination and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive
under this Agreement but the Executive shall be bound by Section 8 hereof.
Following any such termination, any then unvested restricted shares granted to
the Executive pursuant to Section 4(e) shall be forfeited and any options
granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(f) that have not theretofore been
exercised shall cease to be exercisable and shall terminate as of the date of
such termination of employment.
(d) The term "Enumerated Reason" with respect to
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment shall mean any one of
the following reasons:
(i) Death. The Executive's employment
hereunder shall terminate upon his death.
(ii) Disability. If, as a result of the
Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive
shall have been absent from his duties hereunder on a full-time basis
for the entire period of six consecutive months, and within thirty (30)
days after written Notice of Termination is given (which may occur
before or after the end of such six month period) shall not have
returned to the performance of his duties hereunder on a full-time
basis (a "Disability"), the Company may terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder.
(iii) Cause. The Company shall have "Cause"
to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder upon (1) the willful
and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his
duties hereunder after demand for substantial performance is delivered
by the Company that specifically identifies the manner in which the
Company believes the Executive has not substantially performed his
duties, or (2) Executive's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere
to, a crime (whether or not involving the Company) constituting any
felony or (3) the willful engaging by the Executive in gross misconduct
relating to the Executive's employment that is materially injurious
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<PAGE> 9
to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including, but not limited to,
conduct that constitutes competitive activity, in violation of Section
8) or which subjects, or if generally known, would subject the Company
to public ridicule or embarrassment. For purposes of this paragraph, no
act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered
"willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good faith
and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the
best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the
Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without
(x) reasonable written notice to the Executive setting forth the
reasons for the Company's intention to terminate for Cause, (y) an
opportunity for the Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard
before the Board, and (z) delivery to the Executive of a Notice of
Termination, as defined in Section 5(c) hereof, from the Board finding
that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of
conduct set forth above in clauses (A) through (C) hereof, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(e) If the "Term" becomes effective following a
Qualified Offering pursuant to Section 2, and if the Executive's employment with
the Company shall terminate due to the Company's election not to extend the Term
of this Agreement as contemplated by Section 2:
(i) The Executive shall be entitled to
receive an amount, payable in equal monthly installments over a one year period,
equal to the sum of (x) his annual salary, plus (y) his average annual incentive
bonus paid over the preceding two years;
(ii) Any unvested restricted shares granted
to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(e) will continue to vest on their
scheduled vesting dates, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's
compliance with Section 8 hereof;
(iii) Any unvested options granted to the
Executive pursuant to Section 4(f) will continue to vest on their scheduled
vesting dates, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's compliance with
Section 8 hereof and subject to and conditioned upon the Executive's compliance
with Section 8, any vested options granted to the Executive pursuant to Section
4(f) (including any options that continue to vest as described above) will
remain exercisable until the latest to occur of (x) five (5) years from the
effectiveness of the Qualified Offering, (y) one (1) year from the date the
Executive's termination of employment and (z) thirty (30) days from the date the
option becomes vested and exercisable; and
(iv) Except as provided above, the Company
shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement
following the Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances
described in this Section 6(e).
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7. Mitigation. The Executive shall have no duty to mitigate
the payments provided for in Section 6(a) by seeking other employment or
otherwise and such payment shall not be subject to reduction for any
compensation received by the Executive from employment in any capacity following
the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company.
8. Noncompetition.
(a) The Executive agrees that for the duration of his
employment and for a period three (3) years from the date of termination
thereof, he will not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or
entity, hire, solicit, or encourage to leave the employ of the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates any person who is an employee of any of such
companies.
(b) The Executive agrees that for the duration of his
employment and for a period of three (3) years from the date of termination
thereof, the Executive will take no action which is intended, or would
reasonably be expected, to harm (e.g. making public derogatory statements or
misusing confidential Company information, it being acknowledged that the
Executive's employment with a competitor in and of itself shall not be deemed to
be harmful to the Company for purposes of this Section 8(b)) the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates or their reputation.
The following paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) shall only
apply following the consummation of a Qualified Offering:
(c) The Executive agrees that during the duration of
his employment and;
(i) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment due to the Executive's resignation without
Good Reason, until the later of (x) five (5) years from the
commencement of a Qualified Offering and (y) two (2) years from the
date of such termination of employment; and
(ii) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment by the Company without Cause or the
Executive's resignation for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(b), for
two (2) years from the date of such termination of employment; and
(iii) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment by the Company for Cause, at the election of
the Company in consideration for the payment to the Executive of an
amount equal to the Executive's salary and annual incentive bonus
(equal to the average annual incentive bonus paid to the Executive over
the preceding two years) for each year within such period, for a period
of up to two (2) years from the date of such termination of employment,
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<PAGE> 11
then, during the period specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, as
applicable, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) engage in any
"Competitive Business" (as defined below) for his own account, (B) enter into
the employ of, or render any services to, any person engaged in a Competitive
Business, or (C) become interested in any entity engaged in a Competitive
Business, directly or indirectly as an individual, partner, shareholder,
officer, director, principal, agent, employee, trustee, consultant, or in any
other relationship or capacity; provided that the Executive may own, solely as
an investment, securities of any entity which are traded on a national
securities exchange if the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member
of a group that controls such entity and does not, directly or indirectly, own
2% or more of any class of securities of such entity.
For purposes of this Agreement the term "Competitive Business"
shall mean any of the brands and companies that the Company and the Executive
may agree to and acknowledge in writing in the future based upon a good faith
determination that such brands or companies compete with the Company or its
affiliates.
(d) The Executive will not at any time (whether
during or after his employment with the Company) disclose or use for his own
benefit or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, entity or
enterprise, other than the Company or any of its affiliates, any trade secrets,
information, data, or other confidential information relating to customers,
development programs, costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities,
promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes, financing
methods, plans or the business and affairs of the Company generally, or any
affiliate of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to
information which is not unique to the Company or which is generally known to
the industry or the public other than as a result of the Executive's breach of
this covenant. The Executive agrees that upon termination of his employment with
the Company for any reason, he will return to the Company immediately all
memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all
copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of the Company
and its affiliates.
(e) If the Executive breaches, or threatens to commit
a breach of, any of the provisions of this Section 8 (the "Restrictive
Covenants"), the Company shall have the following rights and remedies, each of
which rights and remedies shall be independent of the other and severally
enforceable, and all of which rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and
not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law
or equity:
(i) The right and remedy to have the
Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity
jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or
threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that
money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company;
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(ii) The right and remedy to require the
Executive to account for and pay over to the Company all compensation,
profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits (collectively,
"Benefits") derived or received by the Executive as the result of any
transactions constituting a breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants,
and the Executive shall account for and pay over such Benefits to the
Company; and
(iii) The right to discontinue the payment
of any amounts owing to the Executive under the Agreement.
(f) If any court determines that any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall
be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portion. In addition, if any
court construes any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, to be
unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area covered
thereby, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or area of such
provision and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and
shall be enforced.
9. Successors; Binding Agreement.
(a) The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section
9 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this
Agreement by operation of law.
(b) This Agreement and all rights of the Executive
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any
amounts are payable to him hereunder all such amounts unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such
designee, to the Executive's estate.
10. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices,
demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered
with receipt acknowledged or five business days after having been mailed by
United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
12
<PAGE> 13
If to the Executive:
Mr. Michael J. Newman
40 Glenby Lane
Brookville, New York 11545
if to the Company:
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
11. Miscellaneous. No provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer of the Company as
may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at
any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. The validity, interpretation,
construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
12. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
14. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or
in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in
the City of New York before a single arbitrator in accordance with the rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on
the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that
the Company shall be entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any
court of competent jurisdiction to prevent any continuation of any violation of
the provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement and the Executive hereby consents
that such restraining order or injunction may be granted without the necessity
of the Company's posting any bond, and provided further that the Executive shall
be entitled to seek specific performance of
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<PAGE> 14
his right to be paid until the date of termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement. Fees
and expenses payable to the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator
shall be shared equally by the Company and by the Executive, but the parties
shall otherwise bear their own costs in connection with the arbitration;
provided that the arbitrator shall be entitled to include as part of the award
to the prevailing party the reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by such
party in an amount not to exceed $25,000.
15. Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be
required to be withheld pursuant to applicable law or regulation.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any
officer, employee or representative of any party hereto; and any prior agreement
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is
hereby terminated and cancelled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and the Executive has hereunto set his hand, effective as of
the 9th day of June, 1997.
POLO RALPH LAUREN, L.P
By: POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
General Partner
By: /s/ Victor Cohen
___________________________________
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ralph Lauren
___________________________________
/s/ Michael J. Newman
______________________________________
Executive: Michael J. Newman
14
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.22
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of June 9, 1997, among Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), GS Capital Partners,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("GSCP"), Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Stone Street"), Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Bridge Street"), and Mr. Ralph Lauren ("Lauren"),
RL Holding, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("RL Holding"), RL Family,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("RL Family") and The Ralph Lauren 1997
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (the "Trust"). GSCP, Stone Street, Bridge Street,
other Investors that are Affiliates of GSCP and their permitted assignees are
sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "GS Parties," and Lauren, RL
Holding, RL Family and the Trust and their permitted assignees are sometimes
collectively referred to herein as the "Polo Parties." The parties hereto (other
than the Company) are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the
"Investors."
WHEREAS, (i) pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, dated as of April
6, 1997, by and among the Company, the GS Parties and the Polo Parties as
amended by Amendment dated as of June 9, 1997 (as amended, the "Subscription
Agreement"), the GS Parties and certain of the Polo Parties subscribed for
certain promissory notes of the Company and shares of Class B Common Stock or
Class C Common Stock of the Company (as such terms are hereinafter defined) as
set forth on Schedule 1 to that agreement, and (ii) as consideration for the
promissory notes and the shares of the Company's common stock purchased pursuant
to the Subscription Agreement, each of the GS Parties and the Polo Parties
assigned to the Company all of their interests in Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises,
L.P. (the "Design Studio Partnership"), Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P. (the "Polo
Partnership"), The Ralph Lauren Womenswear Company, L.P. (the "Womenswear
Partnership", together with the Design Studio Partnership and the Polo
Partnership, the "RL Partnerships"), The Ralph Lauren Womenswear Company, Inc.
and
<PAGE> 2
RL Fragrances, LLC., pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated
as of April 6, 1997, by and among the Company, the GS Parties and certain of the
Polo Parties, as amended by Amendment dated as of June 9, 1997 (as amended, the
"Assignment and Assumption Agreement").
WHEREAS, Section 12 of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement requires
the parties to enter into, and the parties hereto deem it to be in their best
interests to enter into, an agreement establishing and setting forth their
agreement with respect to certain rights and obligations associated with
ownership of shares of capital stock of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein set forth, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
ascribed to them below:
"Advisors" means, any member of the Advisory Board of any RL
Partnership.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person or (ii) with respect to any
natural Person, any person having a relationship with such Person by blood,
marriage or adoption of spouse, grandparent, parent, child, grandchild,
descendant, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, sister, brother or first cousin. For the
purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified
Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person
directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" having
meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Agreement" means this stockholders agreement, as it may be amended
from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Amended RL Note" shall have the meaning set forth in the Formation
Agreement.
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company.
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<PAGE> 3
"Business" means the marketing, licensing, manufacturing, designing,
sourcing, developing and selling of products directly and indirectly through
licensees, Subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures and any other
activities approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement.
"Class A Common Stock" means Class A Common Stock, par value $ .01 per
share, of the Company.
"Class B Common Stock" means Class B Common Stock, par value $ .01 per
share, of the Company.
"Class C Common Stock" means Class C Common Stock, par value $ .01 per
share, of the Company.
"Common Stock" means common stock of the Company (including, without
limitation, Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock), and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever of the Company which
may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, shares of
common stock of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
"Debt" means with respect to any Person, at any date, (i) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money, including, without limitation,
all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in connection with any
letters of credit issued under letter of credit facilities, acceptance
facilities or other similar facilities, (ii) all obligations of such Person
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business, (iv) all obligations of such Person as lessee under leases which are
capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (v) all
Debt of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not
such Debt is assumed by such Person, (vi) all interest rate protection
agreements (including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors,
collars and similar agreements) and/or other types of interest rate hedging
agreements and (vii) all Debt of others guaranteed by such Person.
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<PAGE> 4
"Equity Interest" with respect to any Person, means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
interests (however designated) in capital stock or other equity participations,
including partnership interests, whether general or limited, in any such Person.
"Existing Airplane" means the Grumman G-1159 aircraft, Serial No. 025.
"Formation Agreement" means the agreement dated as of August 22, 1994,
relating to the formation of the Design Studio Partnership and the Polo
Partnership by and among the GS Parties, Lauren and Mr. Peter Strom Goldstein.
"GS Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in the Formation Agreement.
"GS Ownership Percentage" means the fraction, expressed as a
percentage, equal to the number of shares of Common Stock owned, in the
aggregate, by the GS Parties, divided by the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding.
"Incurrence" means the incurrence, creation, assumption, guarantee or,
in any other manner, becoming liable with respect to, responsible for, or a
surety for the payment of, any Debt.
"Initial Public Offering" means the initial sale of equity securities
of the Company (including any equity securities issued in connection with the
exercise of any overallotment option granted in connection with such offering)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (other
than a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity
securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company) made (i) in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, (ii) with the prior written
consent of Lauren and GSCP or (iii) as contemplated by the Preliminary
Prospectus.
"Investment" in any Person means the acquisition of any Equity Interest
issued by such Person, any security convertible into an Equity Interest issued
by such Person, or any note, bond or other instrument of indebtedness issued by
such Person, whether from such Person or from another Person or the making of a
loan or advance to such Person; provided, however, that such
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<PAGE> 5
term shall not include the acquisition by operation of law or otherwise of an
Equity Interest or any security convertible into an Equity Interest in
satisfaction of a bona fide debt.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, security assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), or preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement, any capital lease having substantially the same
economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of any financing
statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any
jurisdiction), any right of first refusal, right to call, preemptive right or
similar right, or any option, warrant or similar commitment or any other similar
right or interest of others therein.
"New RL Note" shall have the same meaning set forth in the Formation
Agreement.
"Original GS Parties" means GSCP, Stone Street, and Bridge Street.
"Original Polo Parties" means Lauren, RL Holding, RL Family and the
Trust.
"Own" or any derivation thereof means beneficial ownership as defined
in 17 C.F.R. Section 240.13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, firm,
joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, estate, government, governmental agency or any other entity,
whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
"Permitted Trust" means any trust of which the only beneficiaries are
(i) (x) Lauren and/or his siblings, (y) descendants of any of the foregoing
persons referenced in clause (x), and/or (iii) spouses of any of the foregoing
persons referenced in clauses (x) or (y) (each an "RL Family Member") or (ii)
one or more RL Family Members and one or more persons exempt from federal
taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
"Polo Retail Transactions" means the transactions contemplated by the
agreements entered into by the Company with third parties, effective as of April
3, 1997, to purchase the
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<PAGE> 6
remaining interests in Polo Retail Corporation and related entities that the
Company did not previously own.
"Preliminary Prospectus" means the preliminary prospectus of the
Company which forms part of the registration statement on file on the date
hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the initial
public offering of Class A Common Stock and filed with the consent of GSCP and
Lauren.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1994, by and among the Design Studio
Partnership, the Polo Partnership, the GS Parties, Lauren and the Company (as
successor to Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a New York Corporation) (the
"Original Registration Rights Agreement") as amended pursuant to Section 9.8 of
this Agreement.
"Rule 144" means 17 C.F.R. Section 230.144 (or any similar provision
then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Subsidiary" means any Person of which at least 50% of the Equity
Interests are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by
one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries. The
parties acknowledge that the Womenswear Partnership is a Subsidiary of the
Company.
"Transfer" and any derivation thereof shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.
2. Board of Directors.
2.1. Number of Directors. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the
number of directors of the Company shall be six or seven, at Lauren's election.
2.2. Board of Directors. (a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering the
directors of the Corporation shall be elected in accordance with the provisions
of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. As of the date hereof, pursuant
to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation:
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<PAGE> 7
(i) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock, shall have the right to elect one director (each director which the
holders of Class A Common Stock have the right to elect pursuant to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation, an "A Director");
(ii) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock, shall have the right to elect four directors (if the Board of Directors
of the Company consists of six directors) or five directors (if the Board of
Directors of the Company consists of seven directors); and
(iii) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class C Common
Stock, shall have the right to elect one director.
The parties acknowledge that the Polo Parties currently Own all of the
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and will
accordingly be entitled to elect five directors (if the Board of Directors of
the Company consists of six directors) or six directors (if the Board of
Directors of the Company consists of seven directors) as of the date hereof and
that the GS Parties currently Own all of the outstanding shares of Class C
Common Stock and will accordingly be entitled to elect one director. Subject to
Section 2.2(b), the removal of, and filling of any vacancy of, any director
shall be governed by the terms of the Company's By-Laws.
(b) If an Initial Public Offering shall not occur within thirty days
after the date hereof, then (i) upon the written request of GSCP, (A) the Polo
Parties shall immediately cause an A Director to, and such director shall,
resign and (ii) from and after such date and until an Initial Public Offering,
GSCP shall be entitled to designate a person to be elected as an A Director (the
"GS A Director", and together with any director elected by the holders of Class
C Common Stock, the "GS Directors") and the Polo Parties shall take such action
as is necessary or desirable (including calling a special meeting of
stockholders and voting their shares of Class A Common Stock) to cause the GS A
Director to be elected as an A Director within five business days after GSCP
provides Lauren with written notice of such person's identity. Each Polo Party
agrees to
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<PAGE> 8
vote, in person or by proxy, all shares of Common Stock over which it may
exercise voting power, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the
Company called for the purpose of voting on the election of directors, or, if
necessary, to cause its nominee or nominees on the Board of Directors, if any,
to vote in favor of the election of the GS A Director and to take all other
necessary and appropriate actions to cause the GS A Director to be elected in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(b). The Polo Parties agree
not to take any action to remove, with or without cause, the GS A Director
unless so directed by GSCP in which case the Polo Parties shall take all
necessary and appropriate action to remove such director. In the event of a
vacancy on the Board of Directors by reason of the death, disability, removal or
resignation of the GS A Director, GSCP shall be entitled to designate a new
director in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 2.2(b) within
twenty business days after such vacancy occurs, and the Polo Parties shall take
such action as is necessary or desirable to cause any person nominated by GSCP
to fill any of such vacancies to be elected as a director of the Company within
five business days after GSCP provides the Company with written notice of the
identity of such person.
2.3. Initial Board of Directors; Election of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company as of the date hereof
shall consist of the following individuals:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Names of Directors
- ------------------
<S> <C>
Ralph Lauren Class B
Michael Newman Class B
Richard Friedman Class C
[others]
</TABLE>
Each such person shall hold his office until his death, resignation or removal
or until his successor shall thereafter have been duly elected and qualified.
Each of the parties by executing
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<PAGE> 9
and delivering this Agreement hereby consents to the election of the nominees to
the initial Board of Directors as listed above, effective as of the date hereof.
(b) There shall be no cumulative voting in any election of
directors.
2.4. Meetings of the Board of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings (at least
semi-annually). Notice of each regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be given at least thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting date by the
Secretary of the Company. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
called by any Director at any time on at least five business days' prior notice
by the Secretary of the Company to all directors. All special and regular
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal office of the
Company.
(b) A quorum for any meeting of the Board of Directors shall
require the presence of a majority of the directors.
2.5. Certain Covenants.
(a) Each Investor shall vote all shares of Common Stock over which
it may exercise voting power, and each Investor and the Company shall take all
other actions necessary and appropriate (including, without limitation, removing
any director), to ensure that the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
bylaws do not at any time conflict with the provisions of this Agreement and
shall not vote to approve (or consent to the approval of) any amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws which would be inconsistent with this
Agreement.
(b) The Company shall at all times maintain at least $10 million
of directors' and officers' liability insurance covering the directors against
any liability asserted against any director in such individual's capacity as a
director or arising out of such individual's status as director, unless
otherwise consented to by the GS Director(s).
(c) The Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and other
organizational documents of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall at
all times, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide for indemnification
of, advancement of expenses to, and limitation of
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<PAGE> 10
the personal liability of, the members of the Board of Directors and such other
persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision of such Certificate of
Incorporation, By-Laws or other organizational documents, exercise or perform
any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon members of the
Board of Directors or the boards of directors or other similar managing bodies
of each of the Company's Subsidiaries. Such provisions may not be amended,
repealed or otherwise modified in any manner adverse to any director until at
least six years following the date that there are no outstanding shares of Class
C Common Stock.
(d) The Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by each director of the Board of Directors in connection with his
performing his duties as a member of the Board of Directors, including without
limitation the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such person for
attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or
meetings of any board of directors or other similar managing body (and any
committee thereof) of any Subsidiary of the Company.
2.6. Termination of Designation Rights. The provisions of this Section
2, other than those contained in Sections 2.5(b) and (c) shall terminate upon an
Initial Public Offering. Sections 2.5(b) and (c) shall survive any termination
of this Agreement.
3. Management of the Company.
3.1. Significant Transactions.
(a) Generally. Prior to an Initial Public Offering and subject to
Section 3.1(b), the Company shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to,
take any action regarding any of the following matters (each a "Significant
Transaction") without the prior written consent of both (1) GSCP and (2) Lauren:
(i) any consolidation, combination or merger of the Company or
any Subsidiary with or into any other Person (other than a consolidation,
combination or merger of any wholly owned Subsidiary with another wholly owned
Subsidiary) or any recapitalization of the Company or any Subsidiary;
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<PAGE> 11
(ii) the sale, assignment, transfer or lease of any assets
of the Company or any Subsidiary with a fair market value in excess of $15
million in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Company, other than in the
ordinary course of business;
(iii) the purchase or other acquisition by the Company or any
Subsidiary of another business entity (or entities) or assets during any fiscal
year of the Company with a fair market value in excess of $15 million in the
aggregate, other than in the ordinary course of business;
(iv) the making of Investments by the Company or any
Subsidiary in any Person (other than any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company)
in excess of $5 million in the aggregate through October 31, 2004 excluding the
Polo Retail Transactions;
(v) the Incurrence by the Company or any Subsidiary of Debt
(other than the Incurrence of Debt, in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices, (x) under revolving credit facilities to which
(1) Lauren and (2) GSCP have previously consented and (y) in connection with the
refinancing or modification of the terms of any Debt existing on the date of
this Agreement (or any subsequent refinancing thereof) , in each case, upon
commercially reasonable terms) in excess of $15 million in the aggregate in any
fiscal year of the Company;
(vi) (x) the issuance or sale by the Company or any
Subsidiary of any of its debt or of its equity securities (or securities
exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into such securities) or (y)
the granting of registration rights in connection with securities of the Company
or any Subsidiary, except to the extent provided for in the Registration Rights
Agreement;
(vii) capital expenditures by the Company or any Subsidiary
in excess of $15 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Company and
any capital expenditures by the Company or any Subsidiary that are not in the
ordinary course of business;
(viii) the purchase or redemption by the Company or any
Subsidiary of any securities issued by the Company or any Subsidiary (it being
agreed that for purposes of this
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<PAGE> 12
Section 3.1(a)(viii), Lauren and GSCP shall be deemed to have consented to the
Amended RL Note, the New RL Note and the GS Notes being prepaid, in whole or in
part, in accordance with the terms thereof);
(ix) the adoption by the Company or any Subsidiary of any
employee stock option, phantom stock, equity or profit participation or other
similar plan;
(x) the involvement by the Company or any Subsidiary in any
line of business other than the lines of business currently comprising the
Business (it being understood that the introduction of a new name or logo to an
existing line or product or the licensing of a new logo shall not constitute the
involvement by any such entity in a new line of business; provided, however,
that such introduction shall be subject to clause (xi));
(xi) the entry by the Company or any Subsidiary into a new
line or product or the introduction of a new name or new logo to an existing
line or product, in each case, with expected start-up costs and total capital
requirements in excess of $15 million in the aggregate;
(xii) any transaction, agreement, understanding or
arrangement (including employment and consulting arrangements) entered into by
the Company or any Subsidiary with any Investor or any Affiliate of any Investor
(other than (A) such transactions, agreements, understandings or arrangements
between the Company and any wholly owned Subsidiary or between wholly owned
Subsidiaries or (B) such transactions, agreements, understandings or
arrangements that do not involve payments in any fiscal year of the Company that
exceed $100,000 in the aggregate to any Investor or any Affiliate of an Investor
or $500,000 in the aggregate to all Investors and their respective Affiliates);
(xiii) any agreement or arrangement which restricts or
prohibits dividends or distributions by any Subsidiary to the Company or by the
Company to its stockholders;
(xiv) the winding up, dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or any Subsidiary;
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(xv) the voluntary bankruptcy of the Company or any
Subsidiary;
(xvi) pursuing any business opportunity presented to the
Company pursuant to Section 5.1 or permitting any Polo Party to engage in any
activity prohibited under Section 5.2 or 5.3 (it being agreed that Lauren shall
be deemed to have consented to any such opportunity so presented);
(xvii) the amendment by the Company or any Subsidiary of its
certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar constituent instruments) or
the adoption by the Company or any Subsidiary of any stockholder rights plan or
other antitakeover provisions;
(xviii) the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of
any aircraft (whether fixed wing or otherwise) other than the Existing Airplane;
and
(xix) without limiting Article 5, in the event that Lauren
is no longer the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (by reason of his death
or otherwise), the determination to hire, replace or involuntarily terminate the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company (it being agreed that GSCP's consent
required pursuant to this clause (xix) shall not be unreasonably withheld).
Any consents provided by Lauren and GSCP with respect to prior
transactions of the RL Partnerships shall be deemed consents under this Section
3.1. For purposes of calculating fiscal year expenditures or other amounts
governed by this Section 3.1 during the fiscal year of the Company in which the
date hereof occurs only (and assuming the Company adopts the same fiscal year as
the RL Partnerships), expenditures or other amounts of the RL Partnerships
during the portion of the fiscal year ending upon the date hereof plus the
expenditures or other amounts of the Company after the date hereof shall be
deemed expenditures or other amounts of the Company during the fiscal year of
the Company in which the date hereof occurs. The dollar amounts in subsections
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vii), (xi) and (xii) shall be adjusted annually as of
January 1 of each year (beginning with the January 1 following the date hereof)
to reflect inflation in the immediately preceding year as measured by the
Consumer Price Index (with the year in which this agreement is executed being
treated as the base year). No later than
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January 31 of each year, the Company shall deliver to all of the Investors a
statement, certified as to correctness by the chief financial officer of the
Company, that sets forth (A) the amount, if any, by which the dollar amounts in
subsections (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vii), (xi) and (xii) shall be adjusted
pursuant to the preceding sentence, (B) the adjustment factor used to calculate
any such adjustment and (C) the calculation of the adjustment factor and the
amounts set forth in such statement pursuant to clause (A). Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, Lauren and GSCP shall be deemed to have
consented to the transactions expressly contemplated by the Subscription
Agreement, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the Preliminary
Prospectus.
Lauren and GSCP hereby provide their good faith commitment, if the
Initial Public Offering has not been consummated by August 31, 1997, to
negotiate with the Company appropriate revisions, if any, to the dollar
thresholds contained in Section 3.1(a).
(b) Annual Budget. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, no consent to any Significant Transaction shall be
required pursuant to Section 3.1(a) if such action is expressly provided for,
and disclosed in, the annual budget of the Company that has been approved in
writing by both (i) Lauren and (ii) GSCP.
(c) Termination of Right of Consent. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, no consent to any Significant Transaction shall
be required pursuant to Section 3.1: (i) by Lauren, if at any time prior to an
Initial Public Offering, Lauren Owns less than ten percent of the outstanding
Common Stock, (ii) by GSCP, if at any time prior to an Initial Public Offering,
the GSCP Parties (in the aggregate) Own less than ten percent of the outstanding
Common Stock or (iii) from and after consummation of an Initial Public Offering.
3.2. Conduct of Business. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the
Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into a
transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, licensing
or exchange of property or the rendering of any service or the making of any
loan or advance) or series of related transactions with any Person (other than
between the Company and any wholly owned Subsidiary or between wholly owned
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<PAGE> 15
Subsidiaries) on terms which are not arm's length. For purposes of this Section
3.2, the affiliated transactions described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the
transactions contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement shall be deemed
arm's length transactions.
3.3. Officers of the Company. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the
Board of Directors shall cause the Company to employ qualified and experienced
senior management of the Company. The Company may have employees and agents who
may be designated as officers or authorized representatives of the Company and
who shall (a) serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, (b) have such
powers as are vested in them by the Board of Directors and (c) have the power to
bind the Company through the exercise of such powers. Clause (a) of this Section
3.3 shall not be construed as limiting the Company's right to retain employees
for the Company pursuant to employment contracts for a term of years in
accordance with Section 3.1.
4. Restriction on Disposition of Common Stock.
4.1. No Transfer. (a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, no Investor
shall, directly or indirectly, sell (whether by involuntary or judicial sale or
otherwise), assign, transfer, grant a security interest in, pledge, encumber,
hypothecate, give (by bequest, gift or appointment) or otherwise (voluntarily or
by operation of law) dispose of (any of the foregoing is herein referred to as a
"Transfer") any shares of Common Stock, except in accordance with the provisions
of Sections 4.1(b), 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of
shares of Common Stock not in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement
shall be null and void, and the Company shall not record such Transfer on its
books or treat any purported transferee of such shares as the owner of such
shares for any purpose.
(b) In addition to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(a), until
October 1, 1998, (i) no Polo Party shall (A) Transfer any shares of Class B
Common Stock, or (B) convert any shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of
another class of Common Stock, if, after giving effect to such Transfer or
conversion of Class B Common Stock (whether as a result of such Transfer,
conversion or otherwise), the Original Polo Parties hold (in the aggregate)
Class B Common Stock constituting less than 25% of the outstanding shares of all
Common Stock on the date
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<PAGE> 16
hereof subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock splits,
stock dividends and similar transactions (for purposes of this Section
4.1(b)(i), (w) from and after an Initial Public Offering, any shares of Common
Stock issued and sold by the Company to the public in the Initial Public
Offering shall be treated as having been outstanding on the date hereof and (x)
from and after consummation of the Polo Retail Transactions, any shares of
Common Stock issued in connection therewith shall be treated as having been
outstanding on the date hereof), (ii) Lauren shall not Transfer or otherwise
convert into shares of another class of Common Stock any of the shares of Class
B Common Stock purchased by him pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and
identified on Schedule 1 to that agreement as the 5.0192% acquired by him
pursuant to the Reorganization (as defined therein), (iii) no GS Party shall
Transfer any shares of Common Stock if, after giving effect to such Transfer of
Common Stock (whether as a result of such Transfer or otherwise), the Original
GS Parties hold (in the aggregate) Class C Common Stock constituting less than
11% of the outstanding shares of all Common Stock on the date hereof subject to
appropriate adjustment for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends
and similar transactions (for purposes of this Section 4.1(b)(iii), (I) from and
after an Initial Public Offering, any shares of Common Stock issued and sold by
the Company to the public in the Initial Public Offering shall be treated as
having been outstanding on the date hereof and (II) from and after consummation
of the Polo Retail Transactions, any shares of Common Stock issued in connection
therewith shall be treated as having been outstanding on the date hereof) and
(iv) no Transfer other than by gift, bequest or appointment of Class B Common
Stock or Class C Common Stock in a transaction in which the transferred shares
do not convert into Class A Common Stock shall be made without delivery to all
the parties hereto of an opinion from counsel to the transferor to the effect
that the Transfer should not adversely affect the qualification of the
acquisition of shares of the Common Stock pursuant to Paragraph 1 of the
Subscription Agreement under Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended. For purposes of Sections 4.1(b) (i) and (iii), with respect to any
shares of any class of Common Stock transferred by gift, bequest or appointment
by an Original Polo Party or an Original GS
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<PAGE> 17
Party, as the case may be, to any Permitted Transferee that has executed and
delivered to the Company an instrument or instruments in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company confirming that such Permitted Transferee
agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as if it were a Polo Party
signatory hereto, the transferring Original Polo Party or Original GS Party
shall be treated as holding (i) all of such transferred shares held by the
Permitted Transferee if the Permitted Transferee is a natural person and (ii)
the portion of each class of transferred shares held by the Permitted Transferee
equal to the percentage of the equity or economic interests of the Permitted
Transferee held by the Original Polo Party or Original GS Party, as the case may
be, as of the date of such transfer or as subsequently reduced if the Permitted
Transferee is not a natural person. For purposes of this Section 4.1(b), a
Transfer shall be deemed to occur if any transfer of any partnership interest in
any partnership results in a termination of such partnership within the meaning
of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and in all
other events any such transfer shall not be deemed to constitute a Transfer.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the
provisions of this Section 4.1(b) prohibit the Transfer of shares of Common
Stock (i) by Lauren's estate in order to fund estate taxes or (ii) by any Polo
Party or any GS Party in connection with any business combination transaction or
other acquisition of the Company as a result of which no party to this Agreement
or any of its Affiliates holds any outstanding shares of Common Stock.
4.2. Permitted Transfers. Prior to an Initial Public Offering and
subject to compliance with Section 4.1(b) and 4.3, an Investor may Transfer
shares of Common Stock to an Affiliate (and, in the case of the Polo Parties, to
a Permitted Trust) (such Affiliate or Permitted Trust, a "Permitted
Transferee"), provided that:
(a) such Permitted Transferee agrees that, notwithstanding the
terms of this Section 4.2, such Permitted Transferee shall not thereafter
Transfer such Common Stock to any Person to whom the transferor Investor would
not be permitted to Transfer such Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement;
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<PAGE> 18
(b) such Permitted Transferee shall have executed and delivered to
the Company, as a condition precedent to the Transfer, an instrument or
instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company
confirming that such Permitted Transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of
this Agreement;
(c) the certificates issued to the Permitted Transferee which
represent the Common Stock so Transferred shall bear the legends provided in
Section 7; and
(d) the transferor Investor shall have delivered to the Company an
opinion of counsel, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer is exempt from registration
under the Securities Act.
4.3. Ownership of Common Stock by Lauren. At all times prior to an
Initial Public Offering, (i) Lauren must Own, directly or indirectly, at least a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock, free and clear of any Liens and (ii)
Lauren, his spouse, his children and his siblings must hold, directly or
indirectly, at least a majority of the outstanding Common Stock, free and clear
of any Liens. For purposes of this Section 4.3(ii), any shares of Common Stock
which are held by a Permitted Trust free and clear of any Liens shall be treated
as held by Lauren.
4.4. Private Sale Rights. Prior to an Initial Public Offering and in
addition to the rights contained in Section 4.2, notwithstanding anything
contained in Section 4.3 to the contrary, but subject to Section 4.1(b), each
Polo Party may, from and after the first anniversary of the date hereof,
Transfer shares of Common Stock to any Person who is not a Permitted Transferee
(any such Transfer, a "Section 4.4 Transfer"), only if such Transfer is made in
accordance with the following procedures:
(a) The transferring Polo Party shall first deliver to GSCP a
written notice (the "Participation Notice"), which shall specifically identify
the identity of the proposed transferee (the "Proposed Transferee"), the amount
of Common Stock being Transferred (the "Participation Stock"), the purchase
price therefor, and a summary of the other material terms and conditions of the
proposed transaction, and shall contain an offer (the "Participation Offer")
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<PAGE> 19
by the Proposed Transferee to each GS Party, which shall be irrevocable for a
period of 30 days after the Participation Notice is received (the "Participation
Period"), to purchase from each GS Party an amount of Common Stock equal to its
Pro Rata Portion of the Participation Stock at a price per share equal to the
Per Share Price and upon all such other terms offered by the Proposed Transferee
to the transferring Polo Party including, without limitation, those set forth in
the Participation Notice. A copy of the Participation Notice shall promptly be
sent to the Company. The Participation Offer may be accepted in whole or in part
at the option of each of the GS Parties. Notice of a GS Party's intention to
accept a Participation Offer, in whole or in part, shall be evidenced by a
writing signed by such GS Party and delivered to the transferring Polo Party,
the Proposed Transferee and the Company prior to the end of the Participation
Period, setting forth the amount of Common Stock that such GS Party elects to
Transfer. Any failure by a GS Party to respond to a Participation Offer within
the Participation Period shall mean that such GS Party does not wish to
participate in the Section 4.4 Transfer. To the extent any GS Party does not
participate in a Section 4.4 Transfer, the transferring Polo Party shall be
permitted to transfer to the Proposed Transferee such number of shares that such
GS Party otherwise would have been able to transfer to the Proposed Transferee.
(b) All Transfers of Common Stock to the Proposed Transferee shall
be consummated contemporaneously at the offices of the Company on the later of
(i) a mutually satisfactory business day as soon as practicable, but in no event
more than 15 days after the expiration of the Participation Period and (ii) the
fifth business day following the expiration or termination of all waiting
periods under HSR applicable to such Transfers, or at such other time and/or
place as the parties to such Transfers may agree. The delivery of certificates
or other instruments evidencing such Common Stock duly endorsed for transfer
shall be made on such date against payment of the purchase price for such Common
Stock.
(c) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
simultaneously with, and as a condition to, any Transfer of Common Stock
pursuant to this Section 4.4, the Proposed Transferee must execute and deliver
to the Company and the GS
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Parties an instrument or instruments in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and the GS Parties confirming that such transferee
agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
"Pro Rata Portion of the Participation Stock" means, as to each GS
Party, the product (rounded up to the nearest whole number) of (i) the
Participation Stock multiplied by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the
number of shares of Common Stock owned by such Person on the first day of the
Participation Period (as defined in Section 4.4(a) below) by (b) the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock owned on the first day of the Participation
Period by the transferring Polo Party and the GS Parties.
"Per Share Price" shall mean, with respect to any Section 4.4
Sale, an amount per share equal to the sum of (a) the consideration per share of
Common Stock proposed to be received by the transferring Polo Party in such
Section 4.4 Sale as set forth in the Participation Notice and (b) the quotient
of (I) any other compensation or benefits to be received by the transferring
Polo Party in such Section 4.4 Sale or in connection with any agreement or
transaction entered into by the transferring Polo Party in connection with such
Section 4.4 Sale (a "Related Transaction") divided by (II) the actual number of
shares of Common Stock to be sold by the transferring Polo Party in such Section
4.4 Sale after giving effect to any participation rights of the GS Parties. It
is the intention of the parties that the Per Share Price shall reflect, and that
the GS Parties shall receive in any Section 4.4 Sale, the same economic value
per share of Common Stock as the transferring Polo Party receives in the Section
4.4 Transfer and in all Related Transactions.
4.5. Termination of Transfer Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the provisions of Sections 4.1(a), 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6
shall terminate upon consummation of an Initial Public Offering.
4.6. Transfers to Underwriters. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, any holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common
Stock may Transfer shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as
the case may be, to the underwriters of
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the Initial Public Offering pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement
entered into by such holder of Common Stock with respect to the Initial Public
Offering and in the event the Initial Public Offering does not occur such
underwriters may Transfer such shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common
Stock back to their original holders.
5. Business Opportunities.
5.1. First Opportunity. No Polo Party shall, directly or indirectly, in
any capacity, invest, engage, manage, operate, control or otherwise participate
for his own account or for the account of any other Person in any business
opportunity that may exploit, market or otherwise use the names "Ralph",
"Lauren", "Polo" or "Ralph Lauren", the symbol of the polo player astride a
horse or any name or symbol based on, or derivative of, those names or such
symbol, anywhere in the world (including, without limitation, any business
opportunity that markets any product or service by using any such names or
symbols), regardless of how such opportunity arose, was developed or otherwise
came to the attention of such Polo Entity, without first permitting the Company
to exploit such business opportunity on the terms and conditions provided
herein. If a Polo Party intends, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, to
invest, engage, manage, operate, control or otherwise participate for its own
account or for the account of any other Person in any such business opportunity,
such Polo Party shall first offer to the Company the right to exploit such
business opportunity by delivering written notice thereof to the Company and
GSCP (including specifying, in reasonable detail, in such written notice, the
material terms and conditions of such business opportunity). If within 30 days
after receipt of such written notice, GSCP does not consent to the Company
pursuing such business opportunity, the Polo Party may, subject to Sections 5.2
and 5.3, pursue such business opportunity outside the Company, provided that the
Polo Party gives prior notice to GSCP (or a GS Director) of its decision to do
so. Without limiting the foregoing or Sections 5.2 and 5.3, in the event that a
Polo Party decides, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, to invest, engage,
manage, operate, control or otherwise participate in any other business
activities for its own account, the Polo Party shall first notify GSCP (or a GS
Director) of its decision to do so; provided that this sentence shall not
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apply to passive investments by the Polo Parties in securities of any publicly
traded corporation which constitute, in the aggregate, less than 5% of the
outstanding shares of such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors or similar persons. Notwithstanding Section 5, Lauren may use as
trademarks "Ralph Lauren", "Double RL" and "RRL" in connection with beef and
other agricultural and food products.
5.2. Protection of Business. Notwithstanding Section 5.1, each Polo
Party hereby agrees that during the term of this Agreement it shall not,
directly or indirectly, as a proprietor, partner, stockholder, director,
officer, employee, consultant, joint venture, investor, lender or in any other
capacity, invest, engage in, or manage, operate or control or participate in the
ownership, management, operation or control of any entity which engages in any
of the businesses or activities that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
engages in anywhere in the world; provided that this Section 5.2 shall not apply
to passive investments by a Polo Party in securities of any publicly traded
corporation which constitute, in the aggregate, less than 5% of the outstanding
shares of such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or
similar persons. During the term of this Agreement, no Polo Party shall use,
license, or grant to any Person (other than the Company and the Subsidiaries)
any right to use the names "Ralph," "Lauren" or "Ralph Lauren" or any name or
symbol based on, or derivative of, those names or such symbols, in any manner
which would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the Business.
5.3. Participation in Business. Lauren shall devote substantially all
of his business time, attention, efforts and skill to the Business and the
furtherance of the purposes of the Company and the Subsidiaries, and Lauren
shall use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company and the
Subsidiaries. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, Lauren shall provide the
foregoing services without any compensation, except for compensation currently
being paid and previously approved by GSCP or for other compensation as
expressly agreed to in writing by GSCP. After an Initial Public Offering, Lauren
shall provide such services and will be compensated as determined by the Board
of Directors. Lauren will not, without the prior
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written approval of GSCP, engage in any other activity which would interfere
with his devoting substantially all of his business time, attention, efforts and
skill to the Business and the furtherance of the purposes of the Company and the
Subsidiaries (it being agreed that Lauren may continue to engage in the beef and
ranch business, automobile business and charitable activities to the same extent
that Lauren engages in such businesses and activities on the date hereof).
The agreements of each of the Polo Parties set forth in this Section 5
are in consideration of the continuing investment of the GS Parties in the
Company.
5.4. Termination. The provisions of this Section 5 shall terminate on
the later of (i) the consummation of an Initial Public Offering and (ii) such
date as Lauren enters into an employment agreement with the Company containing
provisions which are substantially similar to those contained in this Section 5
or which are acceptable to GSCP (which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld).
6. Financial Information.
(a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, as soon as practicable
following the end of each fiscal year of the Company, but in any event within 90
days after the end of such fiscal year, the Company shall cause to be prepared
and delivered to each Investor consolidated and consolidating statements of
income and cash flows for the Company for such fiscal year, and a balance sheet
of the Company as of the end of such fiscal year, in each case setting forth
comparative figures for the preceding fiscal year, and certified by Mahoney,
Cohen, Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC, Deloitte & Touche or such other independent
certified public accountants of recognized national standing as shall be
designated by the Company (with the prior consent of GSCP) as to fairness of
presentation, preparation in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and consistency of application.
(b) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, as soon as practicable
following the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company but in any event within
45 days after the end of such fiscal quarter, the Company shall cause to be
prepared and delivered to each Investor consolidated
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and consolidating statements of income and cash flows for the Company for such
fiscal quarter and for the fiscal year to date and an unaudited balance sheet
for the Company as of the end of such fiscal quarter, in each case setting forth
comparative figures for the preceding periods in the prior fiscal year and,
subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, certified
by the chief financial officer of the Company as to fairness of presentation,
preparation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
consistency of application.
(c) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, as promptly as practicable and
in any event within 45 days following the end of each fiscal month of the
Company (other than the third, sixth, ninth and twelfth fiscal months of each
fiscal year of the Company), the Company shall prepare and deliver to each
Investor statements of income and cash flows of the Company for such month and
for the year to date and an unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of the end
of such month, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the related
periods in the prior fiscal year of the Company and, subject to normal year-end
adjustments and the absence of footnotes, certified by the chief financial
officer of the Company as to fairness of presentation, preparation in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and consistency of application.
7. Legend.
(a) A copy of this Agreement, and any amendments hereto, shall be filed
with the Secretary of the Company and kept on file at the offices of the
Company. So long as this Agreement shall be in effect, this Agreement and any
amendments hereto shall be made available for inspection by any Investor at the
principal offices of the Company.
(b) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, each certificate representing
shares of Common Stock and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the
transfer of any shares of Common Stock (if after such transfer such shares
remain subject to this Agreement) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a
legend substantially in the following form:
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(i) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS
OF JUNE 9, 1997, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE
COMPANY. NO TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE MADE ON
THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY EVIDENCE
OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH AGREEMENT.
(ii) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY
NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS THEY
HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THAT ACT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE AND THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED
THE PRIOR WRITTEN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT
REQUIRED.
(iii) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE
SUBJECT TO PROVISIONS RELATING TO VOTING CONTAINED IN THE
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT REFERRED TO ABOVE.
After an Initial Public Offering, each certificate representing
shares of Common Stock owned on the date hereof by an Investor and each
certificate issued in exchange for or upon the transfer of any shares of Common
Stock (if after such transfer such shares remain subject to this Agreement)
shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially similar to
legends (i) and (ii) above.
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8. Term.
Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, this Agreement shall
terminate on the earlier of (a) the tenth anniversary of the date hereof or (b)
the date that the GS Parties (in the aggregate) Own less than five percent of
all outstanding Common Stock. Upon such termination, there shall be no liability
on the part of any party hereto, except that nothing in this Section 8 shall in
any way relieve any party from liability for any breach of the provisions set
forth herein or the period prior to the termination of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge that only Sections
2.5(b) and (c), 4.1(b), 5, 7, 8 and 9 (other than 9.5 and 9.7) and related
definitions shall survive the consummation of the Initial Public Offering except
that certain portions of those provisions as specified therein shall terminate
upon the Initial Public Offering.
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1. Representations and Warranties. Each party hereto represents and
warrants to the other parties hereto as follows:
(a) It has full power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(b) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed
and delivered by it, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of it,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms except to the extent that
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
it does not (x) violate, conflict with, or constitute a breach of or default
under its organizational documents, if any, or any material agreement to which
it is a party or by which it is bound or (y) violate any law, regulation, order,
writ, judgment, injunction or decree applicable to it.
(d) No consent or approval of, or filing with, any governmental or
regulatory body is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.
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(e) It is not a party to any agreement which is inconsistent with
the rights of any party hereunder or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof.
(f) As of the date hereof it has no present plan, intention or
arrangement to sell, exchange, Transfer, distribute, pledge or otherwise dispose
of any Common Stock owned by it including stock purchased under the Subscription
Agreement or acquired under the Merger Agreements (as defined in the
Subscription Agreement) other than subject to Section 4.1(b), (i) to sell Common
Stock in an Initial Public Offering as contemplated by and described in the
Preliminary Prospectus and (ii) in the case of Lauren, to transfer by gift,
bequest or appointment certain shares of Class A Common Stock (including,
without limitation, transfers by gift, bequest or appointment to one or more
charitable remainder trusts).
9.2. Continuing Partnership Provisions. Notwithstanding the
consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Assignment and Assumption
Agreement and/or the dissolution of any RL Partnership (and any termination of
any partnership agreement relating thereto) which may occur by operation of law
or otherwise on or after the date hereof, the Company agrees to be bound by and
to comply with (and the Investors and the Advisors retain their rights and
obligations under) the following provisions of the partnership agreement
governing each RL Partnership with respect to periods prior to the date hereof
to the same extent as the Company would be bound by (and the Investors would
have rights and obligations under) the terms thereof if (i) such RL Partnership
and its governing partnership agreement were still in existence, (ii) the
Company was such RL Partnership and the general partner of such RL Partnership
and the Investors were limited partners in such RL Partnership holding the
partnership interests set forth on Schedule 1 to the Assignment and Assumption
Agreement: (x) in the case of the Design Studio Partnership and the Polo
Partnership - Section 8.5 (Indemnification of Advisors to the Advisory Board),
Section 15.1 (Books of Account), Section 15.2 (Taxable Year), Section 15.3
(Financial Statement; Tax Matters Partner), Section 15.4 (Tax Elections),
Section 15.5 (Tax Information), Section 16.1 to the extent arising from any
action occurring prior to the date hereof of such RL Partnership
(Indemnification) and Section 16.2 (Exculpation) and (y) in the case of
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the Womenswear Partnership - Section 8.5 (Indemnification of Advisors to the
Advisory Board), Section 14.1 (Books of Account), Section 14.2 (Taxable Year),
Section 14.3 (Financial Statement; Tax Matters Partner), Section 14.4 (Tax
Elections), Section 14.5 (Tax Information), Section 15.1 to the extent arising
from any action occurring prior to the date hereof of such RL Partnership
(Indemnification) and Section 15.2 (Exculpation). The parties agree (i) that
appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions set
forth in Section 16.1 (or 15.1 in the case of the Womenswear Partnership) of the
partnership agreement governing each RL Partnership in order to effectuate the
intent of such section recognizing that the Company will satisfy any obligation
of an RL Partnership thereunder and (ii) that the indemnification obligations
under such Section 16.1 (or 15.1 in the case of the Womenswear Partnership)
shall terminate upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. The
Company shall take all necessary or desirable actions to effectuate the
provisions of this Section 9.2.
9.3. Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds from an
Initial Public Offering to repay all amounts, if any, outstanding under the
Amended RL Note, the GS Notes and the New RL Note.
9.4. No Inconsistent Agreements.
(a) Without the prior written consent of (i) Lauren and (ii) GSCP,
the Company will not, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company will
not circumvent this Agreement by taking any action through an Affiliate that
would be prohibited under this Agreement.
(b) Each Investor agrees that it will not, on or after the date of
this Agreement, enter into any agreement or take any action with respect to its
Common Stock which is inconsistent with this Agreement or otherwise conflicts
with the provisions hereof. No Investor will grant any proxy or become a party
to any voting trust or other agreement, in each case which is inconsistent with
or conflicts with this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
-28-
<PAGE> 29
hereof, and no Investor will circumvent this Agreement by taking any action that
would be prohibited under this Agreement through an Affiliate.
9.5. Confidentiality.
(a) Each party hereto agrees not to disclose any non-public,
confidential, proprietary information ("Confidential Information") regarding the
Business or the parties hereto, which has been or is received prior to or after
the date hereof to any Person who is not (i) a partner (including partners of
The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.), director, officer or employee or an Affiliate of
such party (such persons and Affiliates of each party are hereinafter
collectively referred to as "Related Persons") or (ii) a Person acting as an
advisor to or representative of such party in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except (x) with the consent of the other parties
hereto, (y) pursuant to a subpoena, civil investigative demand (or similar
process), order, statute, rule or other legal requirement promulgated or imposed
by a court or by a judicial, regulatory, self-regulatory or legislative body,
organization, agency or committee or otherwise in connection with any judicial
or administrative proceeding (including, in response to oral questions,
interrogatories or requests for information or documents) in which a party
hereto or any of its Related Persons is involved or (z) in furtherance of the
purposes of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the GS Parties
may disclose to their investors in accordance with past practice summary (x)
nonfinancial information relating to the condition, progress (e.g., business
growth) and prospects of the Business and (y) financial information relating to
the Business. Each party assumes responsibility for any breach by its Related
Persons, advisors or representatives of their obligations concerning
confidentiality obligations hereunder only to the extent such party would be
responsible therefor under principles of agency law.
(b) If any party is to disclose Confidential Information pursuant
to clause (y) of the first sentence of subsection (a) of this Section 9.5, such
party will, to the extent practicable, promptly notify the other parties thereof
and cooperate with the other parties to the extent legally permissible if such
other parties should seek to obtain an order or other reliable
-29-
<PAGE> 30
assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to designated portions of
the Confidential Information, and such party shall be entitled to reimbursement
from the Company for expenses incurred by it or any of its Related Persons,
including the fees and expenses of counsel, in connection with any action taken
pursuant to this subsection (b).
(c) Information will not be deemed Confidential Information if it
(i) was already available to, or in the possession of, the recipient prior to
its disclosure by, or at the direction of, the discloser, to the recipient, (ii)
is or becomes available in the public domain (other than as a result of a
disclosure by the recipient or any of its Related Persons, advisors or
representatives), or (iii) is not acquired from a Person known by the recipient
to be in breach of an obligation of confidentiality to a party to this
Agreement.
(d) The provisions of this Section 9.5 shall terminate upon an
Initial Public Offering.
9.6. Expenses. Except as expressly provided herein, the Company shall
bear all reasonable costs and expenses of the Investors, including the fees and
expenses of counsel, in connection with this Agreement.
9.7. Investment Banking Services. Prior to an Initial Public Offering,
Goldman, Sachs & Co. will be the preferred provider of investment banking
services for the Company and its Subsidiaries and will provide those services
for customary compensation and on other terms consistent with an arm's length
transaction. In any instance in which Goldman, Sachs & Co. is unable during such
period to provide a particular type of services or has a conflict, the Company
may use another investment banking firm.
9.8. Registration Rights Agreement. In connection with the execution of
this agreement, the parties shall amend the Original Registration Rights
Agreement to reflect (i) the registration rights described in the Preliminary
Prospectus, (ii) that the parties are entering into the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and this Agreement; (iii) (x)
that Lauren shall have the right to require the Company to file a registration
statement with respect to an Initial Public Offering from and after the date
hereof and (y) that GSCP shall
-30-
<PAGE> 31
have the right to require the Company to file a registration statement with
respect to an Initial Public Offering from and after December 31, 1998, (iv)
that in connection with an IPO Demand under Section 2.1(a) of the Original
Registration Rights Agreement, no party shall have the right to make a Primary
Election (as such terms are defined in the Original Registration Rights
Agreement) but rather the parties shall consult on a good faith basis to
determine whether the Company should sell shares in the Initial Public Offering,
and (v) such other changes as the parties in good faith determine are
appropriate.
9.9. Remedies. The parties hereto agree that money damages or other
remedy at law would not be sufficient or adequate remedy for any breach or
violation of, or a default under, this Agreement by them and that in addition to
all other remedies available to them, each of them shall be entitled to an
injunction restraining such breach, violation or default or threatened breach,
violation or default and to any other equitable relief, including without
limitation specific performance, without bond or other security being required.
9.10. Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, this
Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or waived only by a written
agreement executed by all parties to this Agreement.
9.11. Successors and Affiliates; Assignment.
(a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and Affiliates, so long as they hold shares of
Common Stock. If any Investor shall acquire additional shares of Common Stock in
any manner (including pursuant to the exercise of any option granted under a
stock option plan of the Company or pursuant to any benefit plan of the Company)
(or any Affiliate of an Investor shall acquire shares of Common Stock in any
manner), whether by operation of law or otherwise, such shares of Common Stock
shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and
holding such shares of Common Stock such Person shall be conclusively deemed to
have agreed to be bound by and to comply with all of the terms and provisions of
this Agreement.
-31-
<PAGE> 32
(b) From and after an Initial Public Offering, shares of Common
Stock which have been distributed in a registered public offering or pursuant to
Rule 144 or otherwise Transferred by any party hereto shall no longer be subject
to this Agreement unless acquired by an Investor or an Affiliate of an Investor.
The transferees of such shares of Common Stock shall have no rights or
obligations under this Agreement as a result of such purchase of such shares,
unless such purchasers are Investors or Affiliates of Investors. Without
limiting the immediately preceding two sentences, no Person other than the
Investors shall be entitled to any benefits under this Agreement, except as
otherwise expressly provided herein.
(c) Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights hereunder may be
assigned by any of the parties hereto without the consent of the other parties.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon Lauren's
death, (i) the Person designated by Lauren from time to time in a written notice
to the other parties hereto, or (ii) if no such Person shall have been
designated or be available to serve in such capacity as provided above, the
Person designated to serve in such capacity in Lauren's will, or (iii) if no
such Person shall have been designated in Lauren's will or be available to serve
in such capacity as provided above, the executor of Lauren's estate, or (iv) if
the assets of Lauren's estate shall have been distributed, then, notwithstanding
any designation by Lauren in his will or otherwise, the Person designated in
writing by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Common Stock owned by
Lauren at the time of his death, shall in each such case be entitled to exercise
the rights under this Agreement that Lauren would have been entitled to exercise
if he had not died. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject
to the preceding sentence of this Section 9.11(d), upon the entry by a court of
competent jurisdiction of an order adjudicating Lauren incompetent, the Person
designated by Lauren from time to time in a written notice to the parties
hereto, or if no such Person shall have been designated and be available to
serve in such capacity, Lauren's judicially appointed representative, shall in
each such case be entitled to exercise the rights under this Agreement that
Lauren would have been entitled to exercise if he had not been adjudicated an
incompetent.
-32-
<PAGE> 33
9.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9.13. Descriptive Headings; Plurals. The headings and captions
contained herein are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or
affect the meaning or construction of any provision hereof. As used herein, the
plural form of any noun shall include the singular and the singular shall
include the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. Each of the
masculine, neuter and feminine forms of any pronoun shall include all such forms
unless the context requires otherwise.
9.14. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and delivered personally, by telecopy (with confirmation sent within
three business days by overnight courier) or sent by overnight courier to the
party to whom such notice or communication is to be given at its address set
forth on Schedule I, or such other address for the party as shall be specified
by notice given pursuant hereto.
9.15. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
parties hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts
of law thereof, except that with respect to internal corporate matters of the
Company, the laws of the State of Delaware shall govern, without giving effect
to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
9.16. Invalidity of Provision. The invalidity or unenforceability of
any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that
jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, including that
provision, in any other jurisdiction. If any restriction or provision of this
Agreement is held unreasonable, unlawful or unenforceable in any respect, such
restriction or provision shall be interpreted, revised or applied in the manner
that renders it lawful and enforceable to the fullest extent possible under law.
-33-
<PAGE> 34
9.17. Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform or
cause to be done and performed all further acts and things and shall execute and
deliver all other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any
other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
9.18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and
written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
-34-
<PAGE> 35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date first above written.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
GS CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: GS Advisors, L.P., its general partner
By: GS Advisors, Inc., its general partner
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
STONE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
By: Stone Street Funding Corp., its general partner
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
BRIDGE STREET FUND 1994, L.P.
By: Stone Street Funding Corp., its general partner
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
/s/
___________________________________________________
Ralph Lauren
-35-
<PAGE> 36
RL HOLDING, L.P.
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
RL FAMILY, L.P.
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
THE RALPH LAUREN 1997 CHARITABLE
REMAINDER UNITRUST
By: /s/
________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
-36-
<PAGE> 37
SCHEDULE I
Addresses for Notices: With a Copy to:
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (212) 318-7000
Telecopy: (212) 318-7183
GS Capital Partners, L.P.
Stone Street Funding 1994, L.P.
Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P.
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Carla H. Skodinski
Telephone: (212) 902-1000
Telecopy: (212) 902-3000
Mr. Ralph Lauren.
RL Holding, L.P.
RL Family, L.P.
The Ralph Lauren 1997 Charitable Remainder Unitrust
c/o Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P.
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Chairman
Telephone: (212) 318-7000
Telecopy: (212) 318-7183
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.23
PROMISSORY NOTE
$___,___,___.__ New York, New York
June 9, 1997
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION, a Delaware
Corporation (the "Corporation"), promises to pay to the order of
__________________, a __________________, or its successors or assigns (the
"Holder"), the principal amount of __________________________ ($___,___,___.__).
The principal amount of this Note shall be due and payable at such time as set
forth in Section 4 hereof.
1. Note
This Note is one of a series of "Notes" referred to in, and
issued pursuant to, (i) the Subscription Agreement dated as of April 6, 1997, as
amended on June 9, 1997 (as amended, the "Subscription Agreement"), by and among
Mr. Ralph Lauren, an individual residing in the State of New York, RL Holding,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, RL Family, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, GS Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, GS Capital
Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Stone Street Fund
1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp.,
a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Stone Street, and Bridge
Street Fund 1994, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the Corporation, (ii)
the Agreement of Merger, dated as of June 9, 1997, among the Corporation, GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding I, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and GS Capital
Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("GSCP"), (iii) the Agreement of
Merger, dated as of June 9, 1997, among the Corporation, GS Capital Partners PRL
Holding II, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and GSCP, or (iv) the Agreement of
Merger, dated as of June 9, 1997, among the Corporation, Stone Street 1994
Subsidiary Corp., a Delaware corporation and GSCP.
2. Principal
The principal amount of this Note is ______________________.
3. Interest
The principal amount of this Note shall not bear interest.
<PAGE> 2
2
4. Payment
This Note shall be payable on the Maturity Date (as
hereinafter defined). The Maturity Date shall be the same date as is the
Deferred Dividend (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) but in any event no
later than the earlier of (i) the date of completion of the underwritten public
offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Corporation under a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and (ii) the sixtieth day following the declaration date of
the Deferred Dividend. Payment pursuant to this Note shall be made in lawful
money of the United States by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account designated by the Holder.
5. Defaults and Remedies.
5.1. An "Event of Default" with respect to this Note occurs
if:
(a) the Corporation defaults in the payment of the
principal amount of this Note when the same becomes due and payable.
(b)(i) the Corporation shall commence any case,
proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any
jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution,
composition or other relief with respect to the Corporation or its debts, or (B)
seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official
for the Corporation or for all or any substantial part of the Corporation's
assets, or the Corporation shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Corporation any
case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above
which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication
or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period
of 30 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Corporation any case,
proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment,
execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of
its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which
shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 30 days from the entry thereof, or (iv) the Corporation shall take any
action in furtherance of, or indicating his consent to, approval of, or
acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above;
or (v) the Corporation shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall
admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or
(c) this Note shall cease for any reason to be in
full force and effect, or the Corporation shall so assert in writing.
If an Event of Default occurs then, (in addition to
any other rights or remedies the Holder may have hereunder), (i) if such event
is an Event of
<PAGE> 3
3
Default specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above, automatically all the amounts
outstanding under this Note shall immediately become due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Holder, and (ii) if such event is
any other Event of Default, so long as any such Event of Default shall be
continuing, the Holder may by notice of default to the Corporation declare all
or a portion of the amounts outstanding under this Note as due and payable
forthwith.
5.2. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the
Holder may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to
collect the payment of principal of this Note or to enforce the performance of
any provisions of this Note. A delay or omission by the Holder in exercising any
right or remedy arising upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or
remedy or constitute a waiver of, or acquiescence in, the Event of Default. No
remedy is exclusive of any other remedy.
All available remedies are cumulative.
5.3. The Holder may waive an existing Event of Default and its
consequences. When an Event of Default is waived, it is cured and ceases to
exist for all purposes of this Note.
5.4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, but
subject to the provisions of Section 4, the right of the Holder to receive
payment of principal on this Note, on or after the Maturity Date or to bring
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such Maturity Date
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
6. Expenses. If an Event of Default occurs, the Corporation
shall pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or sustained
by the Holder in connection with the enforcement or protection of rights of the
Holder under this Note, including all costs of collection and the fees and
disbursements of counsel.
7. Waiver.
7.1. The Corporation hereby waives to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, presentment, demand, notice, protest, and all other
demands and notice in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance,
default or enforcement of this Note, and hereby consents to any extensions of
time, renewals, releases of any party to this Note, waivers or modifications
that may be granted or consented to by the holder of this Note in respect of the
time of payment or any other provisions of this Note.
7.2. The Corporation further waives, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, trial by jury and the right to interpose and counterclaim
(other than a compulsory counterclaim) or setoffs of any kind in any litigation
relating to this Note or any such other liabilities.
<PAGE> 4
4
7.3. No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in
exercising any of its rights, powers or privileges hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The remedies
provided herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by
law.
7.4. Neither this Note nor any term hereof may be amended,
waived or discharged except with the written consent of the Holder.
8. No Set-Off, Etc. The Corporation agrees that it shall not assert any
right of set-off or counterclaim that it might have against the Holder in
connection with the enforcement by the Holder of its rights hereunder.
9. Loss, Theft, Destruction, Etc. Upon receipt by the Corporation of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Note, and, in the case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the
Corporation, and upon reimbursement to the Corporation of all reasonable
expenses incidental thereto, or, in the case of mutilation or transfer of this
Note, upon surrender and cancellation of this Note, the Corporation will make
and deliver a new Note of like tenor (payable, in the case of transfer, in the
name of the new holder or its order), in lieu of this Note.
10. Governing Law.
10.1 This Note shall be deemed made and delivered and shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York,
without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
10.2. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of relating
to this Note shall be instituted in the courts of the State of New York or of
the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and all
endorsers and guarantors submit to the jurisdiction of each such court in any
action or proceeding.
11. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Note shall
be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Note shall be prohibited by, or invalid under,
applicable law,
<PAGE> 5
5
such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity, without invalidating the remaining of such provision or the
remaining provisions of this Note.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: ______________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 6
Schedule I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Party Amount of Note
- ----- --------------
<S> <C>
Mr. Ralph Lauren $ 2,197,922.20
RL Holding, L.P. $ 6,585,008.56
GS Capital Partners, L.P. $11,580,544.93
Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P. $ 332,761.96
Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P. $ 348,439.36
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.24
---------------------------------------------
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June __, 1997
---------------------------------------------
Among
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION,
as Borrower
THE LENDERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS PARTIES HERETO
and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Agent
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.................................................... 1
1.1 Defined Terms................................................... 1
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions................................... 21
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF REVOLVING
CREDIT COMMITMENTS..................................... 22
2.1 Revolving Credit Commitments.................................... 22
2.2 Revolving Credit Notes.......................................... 22
2.3 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing........................ 23
2.4 Use of Proceeds................................................. 23
SECTION 3. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF TERM LOANS................................. 23
3.1 Term Loan....................................................... 23
3.2 Term Notes...................................................... 24
SECTION 4. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT.......................... 24
4.1 Letters of Credit............................................... 24
4.2 Issuance of Commercial Letters of Credit........................ 25
4.3 Issuance of Standby Letters of Credit........................... 25
4.4 Participating Interests......................................... 26
4.5 Procedure for Opening Letters of Credit......................... 26
4.6 Payments........................................................ 26
4.7 Further Assurances.............................................. 28
4.8 Letter of Credit Applications................................... 28
4.9 Use of Letters of Credit........................................ 28
SECTION 5. ACCEPTANCES.................................................... 28
5.1 Acceptances..................................................... 28
5.2 Participating Interests......................................... 28
5.3 Payments........................................................ 29
5.4 Termination of Acceptance Commitments........................... 30
5.5 Mandatory Prepayment............................................ 30
SECTION 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS......................... 31
6.1 Interest Rates and Payment Dates................................ 31
6.2 Commitment and Other Fees....................................... 31
6.3 Commercial Letter of Credit Fees................................ 31
6.4 Standby Letter of Credit Fees................................... 32
6.5 Acceptance Fees................................................. 32
6.6 Computation of Interest and Fees................................ 33
6.7 Optional Prepayments............................................ 33
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
6.8 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments;
Extension of Revolving Credit Commitments................... 33
6.9 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments................................. 34
6.10 Conversion and Continuation Options............................ 34
6.11 Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Tranches................. 35
6.12 Inability to Determine Interest Rate........................... 35
6.13 Illegality..................................................... 36
6.14 Indemnity...................................................... 36
6.15 Change of Lending Office....................................... 36
6.16 Taxes.......................................................... 37
6.17 Requirements of Law............................................ 38
6.18 Obligations Absolute........................................... 40
6.19 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions................ 41
6.20 Cash Collateralization of Letter of Credit Obligations and
Acceptance Obligations...................................... 42
SECTION 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT .......................................... 42
7.1 Conditions to Effectiveness..................................... 42
7.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit.......................... 44
SECTION 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................. 45
8.1 Financial Condition............................................. 45
8.2 No Change....................................................... 46
8.3 Existence; Compliance with Law.................................. 46
8.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations................... 46
8.5 No Legal Bar.................................................... 47
8.6 No Material Litigation.......................................... 47
8.7 No Default...................................................... 47
8.8 Ownership of Property; Liens.................................... 47
8.9 No Burdensome Restrictions...................................... 47
8.10 Taxes.......................................................... 48
8.11 Federal Regulations............................................ 48
8.12 ERISA.......................................................... 48
8.13 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations...................... 49
8.14 Subsidiaries................................................... 49
8.15 Chief Executive Office......................................... 49
8.16 General Partners' Existence; Compliance with Law............... 49
8.17 General Partners' Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 49
8.18 Accuracy of Information........................................ 49
8.19 Environmental Matters.......................................... 50
8.20 Material Contracts............................................. 51
SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.......................................... 51
9.1 Financial Statements and Information............................ 51
9.2 Corporate Existence; Nature of Business......................... 53
</TABLE>
- ii -
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
9.3 Payment of Obligations.......................................... 54
9.4 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance............................ 54
9.5 Maintain Trademarks............................................. 54
9.6 Inspection; Books and Records................................... 54
9.7 Notices......................................................... 55
9.8 Maintenance of Liens of the Security Documents.................. 55
9.9 Guarantee and Collateral Agreement Supplement................... 56
9.10 Use of Proceeds................................................ 56
9.11 Observance of Agreements....................................... 56
SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................ 56
10.1 Consolidated Net Worth......................................... 56
10.2 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.................................... 56
10.3 Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio................................ 57
10.4 Limitation on Indebtedness..................................... 57
10.5 Limitation on Liens............................................ 58
10.6 Sale of Assets................................................. 60
10.7 Limitation on Fundamental Changes.............................. 60
10.8 Limitation on Loans, Advances and Other Investments............ 61
10.9 Compliance with ERISA.......................................... 62
10.10 Transactions with Affiliates.................................. 63
10.11 Additional Liens.............................................. 63
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................. 63
SECTION 12. THE AGENT AND ISSUING LENDER.................................. 67
12.1 Appointment; Authorization..................................... 67
12.2 Delegation of Duties........................................... 67
12.3 Exculpatory Provisions......................................... 68
12.4 Reliance by Agent and Issuing Lender........................... 68
12.5 Notice of Default.............................................. 68
12.6 Non-Reliance on Agent, Issuing Lender or Other Lenders......... 69
12.7 Indemnification................................................ 69
12.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity............................... 70
12.9 Successor Agent................................................ 70
SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 70
13.1 Amendments and Waivers......................................... 70
13.2 Notices........................................................ 71
13.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies................................. 72
13.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties..................... 72
13.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes.................................. 72
13.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations......................... 73
13.7 Adjustments; Set-Off........................................... 76
13.8 Confidentiality................................................ 76
</TABLE>
- iii -
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
13.9 Severability................................................... 77
13.10 Counterparts.................................................. 77
13.11 No Third Party Beneficiaries.................................. 77
13.12 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS........................... 77
13.13 GOVERNING LAW................................................. 78
13.14 Integration................................................... 78
13.15 Acknowledgements.............................................. 79
13.16 Satisfaction in Dollars....................................... 79
</TABLE>
- iv -
<PAGE> 6
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 1.1 - Commitments
Schedule 7.1 - Filing Jurisdictions
Schedule 8.6 - Litigation
Schedule 8.8 - Ownership of Property
Schedule 8.12 - ERISA
Schedule 8.14 - Subsidiaries
Schedule 9.1 - Financial Information
Schedule 10.4 - Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 10.5 - Existing Liens
Schedule 10.8 - Existing Investments
Schedule 10.10 - Transactions with Affiliates
EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT A-1 - Form of Revolving Credit Note
EXHIBIT A-2 - Form of Term Loan Note
EXHIBIT B - Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
EXHIBIT C - Form of Standby Letter of Credit Application
EXHIBIT D - Form of Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
EXHIBIT E - Form of PRLE $24,000,000 Subordination Agreement
EXHIBIT F - Form of Company Officer's Certificate
EXHIBIT G - Form of Guarantor Officer's Certificate
- v -
<PAGE> 7
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of June __, 1997, among POLO RALPH LAUREN
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the banks and other
financial institutions from time to time parties hereto (the "Lenders") and THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK ("Chase"), a New York banking corporation, as agent for the
Lenders hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H :
The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
"ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary,
to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in
effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on
such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the
rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Chase
as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the
Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by
Chase in connection with extensions of credit to debtors); "Federal Funds
Effective Rate" shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates
on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published
on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business
Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions
received by the Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it. If for any reason the Agent shall have determined
(which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is
unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason,
including the inability or failure of the Agent to obtain sufficient
quotations in accordance with the terms thereof, the ABR shall be
determined without regard to clause (b) of the first sentence of this
definition until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer
exist. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate or the
Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of
business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the
Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
"ABR Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based
upon the ABR.
"Acceptance": as defined in subsection 5.1.
<PAGE> 8
2
"Acceptance Commission": as defined in subsection 6.5(a).
"Acceptance Discount Rate": with respect to any Acceptance at any
particular time, the bid rate in effect at the principal office of the
Issuing Lender in New York City at such time for discount by the Issuing
Lender of commercial drafts or bills in the same face amount, with the
same maturity, and of the same type as such Acceptance.
"Acceptance Documents": the collective reference to the Drafts, the
Acceptances and any other documents arising out of or in connection with
the creation of Acceptances hereunder.
"Acceptance Obligations": at any particular time, all liabilities of
the Company on or with respect to Acceptances, whether for reimbursement
obligations due or to become due to the Issuing Lender or payments of
Acceptances and whether or not such liability is contingent or unmatured,
including the sum of (a) the then outstanding Acceptance Reimbursement
Loans plus (b) the aggregate face amount of all unmatured Acceptances then
outstanding.
"Acceptance Participating Interest": with respect to any Acceptance,
(a) in the case of the Issuing Lender, its undivided interest in such
Acceptance after giving effect to the granting of any participating
interests therein and (b) in the case of any Participating Lender, its
undivided participating interest in such Acceptance.
"Acceptance Reimbursement Loan": as defined in subsection 5.3(b).
"Acceptance Reimbursement Obligation": the obligation of the Company
to pay the Issuing Lender in accordance with subsection 5.3(a) in respect
of any Acceptances created by the Issuing Lender for the account of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Accountants": as defined in subsection 9.1(a).
"Accounts": as to any Person, all rights to receive payment for
goods sold or leased by such Person or for services rendered in the
ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent not evidenced by
an instrument or chattel paper, together with all interest, finance
charges and other amounts payable by an account debtor in respect thereof.
"Adjustment Date": the fifth Business Day following receipt by the
Agent of both (i) the financial statements required to be delivered
pursuant to subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(b), as the case may be, for the most
recently completed fiscal period and (ii) the certificate required to be
delivered pursuant to subsection 9.1(e) with respect to such fiscal
period.
<PAGE> 9
3
"Affiliate": with respect to any Person, any other Person which
directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is
controlled by, such Person. As used in this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common
control with") shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to
direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through
ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise), provided that, in
any event, any Person which owns directly or indirectly Voting Stock
having 10% or more of the ordinary voting power for the election of
directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited
partner of such other Person) shall be deemed to control such other
Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual shall be deemed to be
an Affiliate of a Person solely by reason of his or her being an officer
or director of such Person.
"Agent": Chase, together with its affiliates, as the arranger of the
Term Loan Commitments and the Revolving Credit Commitments and as the
agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
"Aggregate Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit": on any date of
determination thereof, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of
the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date, (b) the aggregate
amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations on such date and (c) the
aggregate amount of the Acceptance Obligations on such date.
"Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
"Annual Increase": for any Fiscal Year, an amount equal to 50% of
the Net Income of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year
less the amount of any Restricted Payments during such Fiscal Year.
"Applicable Commitment Rate Percentage": shall mean .125% (or .175%
for the period commencing October 1, 1997 and ending on December 30, 1997
in the event that the Initial Public Offering is not consummated on or
before the thirtieth day following the Closing Date); provided that the
Applicable Commitment Rate Percentage will be adjusted, on December 31,
1997 and on each Adjustment Date to occur thereafter, to the Applicable
Commitment Rate Percentage set forth on Annex A opposite the column titled
"Margin Level Status of the Company" which is in effect on such Adjustment
Date (or, in the case of the adjustment to occur on December 31, 1997, in
effect on the last Adjustment Date to occur prior to December 31, 1997),
and provided, further, that in the event that the financial statements
required to be delivered pursuant to subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(b), as
applicable, and the related certificate required to be delivered pursuant
to subsection 9.1(e), are not delivered when due, then during the period
commencing five Business Days after the date upon which such financial
statements were required to be
<PAGE> 10
4
delivered (or, if later, December 31, 1997) until five Business Days
following the date upon which they are actually delivered, the Applicable
Commitment Rate Percentage shall be .25%.
"Applicable Margin": shall mean .30% (or .40% for the period
commencing October 1, 1997 and ending on December 30, 1997 in the event
that the Initial Public Offering is not consummated on or before the
thirtieth day following the Closing Date); provided that the Applicable
Margin for Eurodollar Loans will be adjusted, on the first Adjustment Date
to occur after December 31, 1997 and on each Adjustment Date to occur
thereafter, to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans set forth on
Annex A opposite the column titled "Margin Level Status of the Company"
which is in effect on such Adjustment Date, and provided, further, that in
the event that the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant
to subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(b), as applicable, and the related certificate
required to be delivered pursuant to subsection 9.1(e), are not delivered
when due, then during the period commencing five Business Days after the
date upon which such financial statements were required to be delivered
until five Business Days following the date upon which they are actually
delivered, the Applicable Margin shall be .75%.
"Applicable Sight Draft Fee Percentage": shall mean .0625%; provided
that the Applicable Sight Draft Fee Percentage shall be adjusted, on the
first Adjustment Date to occur after December 31, 1997 and on each
Adjustment Date to occur thereafter to the Applicable Sight Draft Fee
Percentage set forth on Annex A opposite the column titled "Margin Level
Status of the Company" which is in effect on such Adjustment Date, and
provided, further, that in the event that the financial statements
required to be delivered pursuant to subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(b), as
applicable, and the related certificate required to be delivered pursuant
to subsection 9.1(e), are not delivered when due, then during the period
commencing five Business Days after the date upon which such financial
statements were required to be delivered until five Business Days
following the date upon which they are actually delivered, the Applicable
Sight Draft Fee Percentage shall be .125%.
"Approved Foreign Currency": as defined in subsection 4.2(b).
"Assignee": as defined in subsection 13.6(c).
"Available Revolving Credit Commitments": on any date of
determination thereof, the excess, if any, of the Revolving Credit
Commitments over the Aggregate Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit on
such date.
"Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any
successor thereof.
<PAGE> 11
5
"Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified in a notice pursuant to
subsection 2.3, 4.2 or 4.3 as a date on which the Company requests the
Lenders to make Loans or requests the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of
Credit hereunder.
"Business": as defined in subsection 8.20.
"Business Day": a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
to close.
"Capital Expenditures": with respect to any Person for any period,
the sum of the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or
accrued as a liability) by such Person and its Subsidiaries during that
period which, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in
"additions to property, plant or equipment" or similar items reflected in
the consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person. For purposes of
this definition, the purchase price of equipment which is purchased
simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment owned by the
Company or any Subsidiary or with insurance proceeds (as permitted
hereunder) shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of
the gross amount of such purchase price less any credit granted by the
seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or
the amount of such proceeds, as the case may be.
"Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations or
other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation,
any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a
corporation) and any and all warrants or options to purchase any of the
foregoing.
"Capitalized Lease": shall mean any lease which is required to be
capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee pursuant to GAAP.
"Cash Equivalents": (a) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, (b) time deposits and certificates of deposit of
any of the Lenders or any domestic commercial bank having capital and
surplus of at least $100,000,000, (c) commercial paper of any Person
organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof that is
not a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company rated at least A-2 by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or at least P-2 by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., (d) securities with maturities of one year or less from the
date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth
or territory of the United States or by any political subdivision, taxing
authority or foreign government (as the case may be) that are rated at
least A by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or A by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the
date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by
<PAGE> 12
6
any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause
(b) of this definition, (f) shares of money market mutual or similar funds
having assets in excess of $250,000,000 and which invest exclusively in
assets satisfying the requirements of clause (a) of this definition or (g)
shares of money market mutual or similar funds having assets in excess of
$500,000,000 and which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (b) through (e) of this definition.
"CIT Agreements": means (i) that certain Financing Agreement, dated
as of October 17, 1995, by and between The Ralph Lauren Womenswear
Company, L.P. and The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc. and (ii) that
certain Financing Agreement, dated as of October 7, 1996, by and between
Polo Retail Corporation and The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc., each
as heretofore mended, supplemented or otherwise modified.
"CIT Indemnity": the obligations of the Agent to The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc., in connection with the repayment and
termination of the CIT Agreements, to indemnify The CIT Group/Commercial
Services, Inc. for uncollected checks and other obligations arising under
lockbox arrangements related to the CIT Agreements.
"Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set forth
in subsection 7.1 shall be satisfied.
"Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
"Collateral": shall mean all assets of the Credit Parties, now owned
or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any
Security Document.
"Combined Loan Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the
percentage which (a) the sum of (i) such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment plus (ii) such Lender's Term Loans then outstanding, then
constitutes of (x) the sum of (1) the aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitments of all Lenders plus (2) the aggregate principal amount of Term
Loans of all the Lenders then outstanding.
"Commercial Letter of Credit": a commercial documentary letter of
credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries for the purchase of goods in the ordinary course of
business.
"Commercial Letter of Credit Application": as defined in subsection
4.2(a).
<PAGE> 13
7
"Commitment Period": the period from and including the Closing Date
to but not including the Termination Date or such earlier date as the
Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate as provided herein.
"Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not
incorporated, which is under common control with the Company within the
meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which includes the
Company or any Guarantor and which is treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code.
"Consolidated Fixed Charges": with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of Fixed Charges for such period.
"Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio": with respect to any
period, the ratio of (a) Income Available for Fixed Charges for such
period minus Capital Expenditures of the Company and its Subsidiaries
during such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.
"Consolidated Indebtedness": as of the date of any determination
thereof, the aggregate of all Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after eliminating all inter-company
items, in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio": for any period, the ratio of (a)
the average of Consolidated Indebtedness outstanding on the last day of
each Fiscal Quarter ending during such period to (b) Net Income of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for such period plus depreciation,
amortization, federal and state income taxes and Interest Expense deducted
in determining such Net Income.
"Consolidated Net Worth": as of any date of determination thereof,
the excess of (a) the aggregate consolidated net book value of the assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than patents, patent rights,
trademarks, trade names, franchises, copyrights, licenses, permits,
goodwill and other similar intangible assets properly classified as such
in accordance with GAAP) after all appropriate adjustments in accordance
with GAAP (including, without limitation, reserves for doubtful
receivables, obsolescence, depreciation and amortization and excluding the
amount of any write-up or revaluation of any asset) over (b) all of the
aggregate liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including all
items which, in accordance with GAAP, would be included on the liability
side of the balance sheet (other than Capital Stock, treasury stock,
capital surplus and retained earnings) in each case consolidated (after
eliminating all inter-company items) in accordance with GAAP.
"Consummation Date": the date on which the Company receives the net
cash proceeds from the Initial Public Offering.
<PAGE> 14
8
"Contractual Obligation": as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"Credit Documents": the collective reference to this Agreement, the
Notes, the Security Documents, the PRLE $24,000,000 Subordination
Agreement, the Letter of Credit Documents and the Acceptance Documents.
"Credit Parties": the collective reference to the Company and the
Guarantors.
"Default": any of the events specified in Section 11, whether or not
any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or
any other condition, has been satisfied.
"Dollar Equivalent": (a) with respect to any calculation involving
the face amount of any Letter of Credit issued in an Approved Foreign
Currency, the amount in Dollars into which the relevant amount in such
Approved Foreign Currency would be converted based upon the relevant
Exchange Rate in effect at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date of
issuance of such Letter of Credit and (b) with respect to any calculation
involving the amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the amount
in Dollars into which the relevant amount in such Approved Foreign
Currency would be converted based upon the relevant Exchange Rate in
effect at the time the Issuing Lender makes payment under such Letter of
Credit.
"Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United States
of America.
"Domestic Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Company organized under
the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.
"Drafts": as defined in subsection 5.1.
"Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state, local or
municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes,
decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing
liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or
the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
"ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.
"Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to a
Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the rates
(expressed as
<PAGE> 15
9
a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day
(including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and
emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing
with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board)
maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.
"Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal
to the rate at which Chase is offered Dollar deposits at or about 10:00
A.M., New York City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such
Interest Period in the interbank Eurodollar market where the Eurodollar
and foreign currency and exchange operations in respect of its Eurodollar
Loans are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount
comparable to the amount of its Eurodollar Loan to be outstanding during
such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which
is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each Interest
Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the
nearest 1/100th of 1%):
Eurodollar Base Rate
----------------------------------------
1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
"Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 11,
provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time,
or both, or any other condition, event or act has been satisfied.
"Exchange Rate": with respect to any Approved Foreign Currency, the
arithmetic mean of the spot exchange rates for the purchase of such
Approved Foreign Currency with Dollars as listed on the WRLD screen of the
Reuters News Service, and if the Reuters spot exchange rates are
unavailable, the Telerate equivalent shall be used.
"Existing Credit Agreement": the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1994, among Polo Ralph Lauren L.P., the
several banks parties thereto and Chase, as agent for such banks, as
heretofore amended, supplemented or otherwise modified.
"Federal Funds Effective Rate": as defined in the definition of
"ABR" set forth above.
<PAGE> 16
10
"Fiscal Quarter": with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries,
and with respect to any Fiscal Year, (a) each of the quarterly periods
ending 13 calendar weeks, 26 calendar weeks, 39 calendar weeks and 52 or
53 calendar weeks, as the case may be, after the end of the prior Fiscal
Year or (b) such other quarterly periods as the Company shall adopt after
giving prior written notice thereof to the Lenders.
"Fiscal Year": with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (a)
the 52- or 53-week annual period, as the case may be, ending on the
Saturday nearest to March 31 of each calendar year or (b) such other
fiscal year as the Company shall adopt with the prior written consent of
the Required Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
Any designation of a particular Fiscal Year by reference to a calendar
year shall mean the Fiscal Year ending during such calendar year.
"Fixed Charges": with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries
for any period, the sum of (a) all fixed rent paid during the period by
the Company and its Subsidiaries under all leases of real and personal
property, (b) Interest Expense for such period and (c) aggregate payments,
other than Interest Payments, for such period in respect of Indebtedness
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, excluding, however, (i) any
prepayments of Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement or the CIT Agreements, (ii) any prepayments of the Indebtedness
of the Company under the Subordinated Note, dated as of October 31, 1994
in the original principal amount of $24,000,000 payable to Lauren, GS
Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P.,
Store Street Fund 1994, L.P. and Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., (iii)
any payments of Indebtedness outstanding under the Reorganization Notes
and (iv) any voluntary prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans or the
Term Loans.
"Foreign Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Company organized under
the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America.
"Form S-1": the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
333-24733) filed by the Company with the SEC on April 8, 1997, as amended
on May 21, 1997, as the same may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
modified.
"GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America in effect from time to time.
"Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government.
<PAGE> 17
11
"Guarantee and Collateral Agreement": the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Company and each Domestic
Subsidiary of the Company listed on the signature pages thereto,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another
Person (including, without limitation, any bank under any letter of
credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued
a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case
guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends
or other obligations (the "primary obligations") of any other third Person
(the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
including, without limitation, any obligation of the guaranteeing person,
whether or not contingent (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or
any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to
advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such
primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of
the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of
the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services
primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such
primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assume or hold harmless the owner
of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements
of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing
person shall be deemed to be the lower of (x) an amount equal to the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of
which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (y) the maximum amount for
which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary
obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may
be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such
Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's maximum
reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
Company in good faith.
"Guarantor": each of Fashions Outlet of America, Inc., Polo Retail
Corporation, The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P., The Ralph Lauren Womenswear
Company, L.P., RL Fragrances LLC and each other Person which is or will
become a guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.
"Income Available for Fixed Charges": with respect to the Company
and its Subsidiaries for any period, Net Income of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) depreciation, amortization, federal
and
<PAGE> 18
12
state income taxes deducted in determining such Net Income and (b) the
amount of Fixed Charges for such period.
"Indebtedness": with respect to any Person, as of the date of any
determination thereof, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed
money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other
than current trade liabilities or employment or consulting compensation
incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with
customary practices), (b) all indebtedness for borrowed money secured by
any Lien on any property owned by such Person to the extent of such
Person's interest in such property, even though such Person has not
assumed or become liable for the payment thereof, (c) any other
indebtedness of such Person which is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture
or similar instrument, (d) all obligations of such Person as lessee under
Capitalized Leases, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of
acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person, and (f) all
Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness of any
other Person. For purposes of all calculations provided for in this
Agreement, there shall be disregarded any Guarantee Obligations of any
Person in respect of any Indebtedness of any other Person with which the
accounts of such first Person are then required to be consolidated in
accordance with GAAP.
"Initial Public Offering": the sale of the Company's Capital Stock
as described in the Form S-1.
"Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan the condition
that such plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
"Insolvent": pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.
"Interest Expense": for any period, net interest expense in respect
of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, without
duplication, all interest capitalized or to be capitalized on the books of
the Company and its Subsidiaries properly charged or chargeable to income
for such period in accordance with GAAP) for such period.
"Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of
each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is
outstanding, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of
three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) as to
any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months,
each day which is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the
first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest
Period.
<PAGE> 19
13
"Interest Period": with respect to any Eurodollar Loan:
(a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or
conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar
Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, or, if
available, four, five or nine months or one year thereafter, as
selected by the Company in its notice of borrowing or notice of
conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and
(b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day
of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar
Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, or, if
available, four, five or nine months or one year thereafter, as
selected by the Company by irrevocable notice to the Agent not less
than three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current
Interest Period with respect thereto;
provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest
Periods are subject to the following:
(1) if any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan
would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such
Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(2) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
Termination Date shall end on the Termination Date or the final date
of maturity of the Term Loans, in the case of interest payable on
the Term Loans;
(3) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan that
begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for
which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar
month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last
Business Day of a calendar month; and
(4) the Company shall select Interest Periods so as not to
require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an
Interest Period for such Loan.
"Investment": as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect
purchase or other acquisition by such Person of Capital Stock or other
securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of, any other
Person, or any direct or indirect loan, advance or capital contribution by
such Person to any other
<PAGE> 20
14
Person. In computing the amount involved in any Investment at the time
outstanding, (a) undistributed earnings of, and unpaid interest accrued in
respect of Indebtedness owing by, such other Person shall not be included,
(b) there shall not be deducted from the amounts invested in such other
Person any amounts received as earnings (in the form of dividends,
interest or otherwise) on such Investment or as loans from such other
Person and (c) unrealized increases or decreases in value, or write-ups,
write-downs or write-offs, of Investments in such other Person shall be
disregarded.
"Issuing Lender": Chase, in its capacity as issuer of the Letters of
Credit and as creator of Acceptances.
"Lauren": Ralph Lauren, an individual.
"Letter of Credit Applications": the collective reference to
Commercial Letter of Credit Applications and Standby Letter of Credit
Applications.
"Letter of Credit Documents": the collective reference to the Letter
of Credit Applications, and the Letters of Credit and any other documents
arising out of or in connection with the issuance of and participation in
Letters of Credit hereunder.
"Letter of Credit Obligations": at any particular time, all
liabilities of the Company with respect to Letters of Credit, whether or
not such liabilities are contingent or unmatured, including, without
limitation, the sum of (a) the then outstanding Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Loans plus (b) the then aggregate undrawn face amount of all
then outstanding Letters of Credit.
"Letter of Credit Participating Interest": with respect to any
Letter of Credit, (a) in the case of the Issuing Lender, its undivided
interest in such Letter of Credit, the related Letter of Credit
Application, after giving effect to the granting of any participating
interests therein and (b) in the case of any Participating Lender, its
undivided participating interest in such Letter of Credit and the related
Letter of Credit Application.
"Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan": as defined in subsection
4.6(b).
"Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation": the obligation of the
Company to reimburse the Issuing Lender in accordance with subsection
4.6(a) for any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of
Credit issued for the account of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Letters of Credit": the collective reference to Commercial Letters
of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit.
<PAGE> 21
15
"Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement
or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including,
without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic
effect as any of the foregoing).
"Loans": the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans and
the Term Loans and any other loans and extensions of credit made by the
Lenders from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
"Margin Level I Status": shall exist on an Adjustment Date if the
Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements relating to such Adjustment Date is greater
than or equal to 2.0 to 1.
"Margin Level II Status": shall exist on an Adjustment Date if the
Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements relating to such Adjustment Date is less than
2.0 to 1 but greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.
"Margin Level III Status": shall exist on an Adjustment Date if the
Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements relating to such Adjustment Date is less than
1.5 to 1 but greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.
"Margin Level IV Status": shall exist on an Adjustment Date if the
Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements relating to such Adjustment Date is less than
1.25 to 1 but greater than or equal to 1.0 to 1.
"Margin Level V Status": shall exist on an Adjustment Date if the
Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the last day of the period covered
by the financial statements relating to such Adjustment Date is less than
1.0 to 1.
"Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, operations, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or
the rights or remedies of the Agent or the Lenders hereunder or
thereunder.
"Materials of Environmental Concern": any gasoline or petroleum
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated
as such in or under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation,
asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
<PAGE> 22
16
"Multiemployer Plan": a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Net Income" ("Net Loss"): with respect to any Person or group of
Persons, as the case may be, for any fiscal period, the difference between
(a) gross revenues of such Person or group of Persons and (b) all costs,
expenses and other charges incurred in connection with the generation of
such revenue (including, without limitation, taxes on income), determined
on a consolidated or combined basis, as the case may be, and in accordance
with GAAP.
"Non-Consummation Date": the earlier of (a) the date that is 30 days
following the Closing Date if the Consummation Date has not occurred on or
before such date, and (b) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the
Company delivers a certificate to the Agent stating that the Initial
Public Offering will not be consummated within the period of 30 days
following the Closing Date.
"Non-Excluded Taxes": as defined in subsection 6.16(a).
"Notes": the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes and
the Term Notes; each, individually, a 'Note'.
"Participants": as defined in subsection 13.6(b).
"Participating Lender": any Lender (other than the Issuing Lender),
in its capacity as an acquiror of Letter of Credit Participating Interests
in Letters of Credit and as an acquiror of Acceptance Participating
Interests in Acceptances.
"PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA.
"Permitted Acquisition": any acquisition by the Company or any
Subsidiary, on or after the Closing Date, (whether effected through a
purchase of Capital Stock or assets or through a merger, consolidation or
amalgamation), of (i) another Person or (ii) the assets constituting an
entire business or operating business unit of another Person, provided
that:
(a) the assets so acquired or, as the case may be, the assets
of the Person so acquired shall be in a Related Line of
Business;
(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time thereof or would result therefrom;
<PAGE> 23
17
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Agent, as soon as
available but in no event later than the date of disclosure by
the Company to the public, a copy of the executed purchase
agreement with respect thereto (without exhibits, except to
the extent available and requested by the Agent); and
(d) such acquisition shall be effected in such manner so that
the acquired Capital Stock or assets are owned either by the
Company or a Subsidiary and, if effected by merger,
consolidation or amalgamation, the Company or a Subsidiary
shall be the continuing, surviving or resulting entity.
"Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust,
joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture,
Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.
"Plan": at any particular time, any employee benefit plan other than
a Multiemployer Plan which is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the
Company or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were
terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to
be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
"Pre-Consummation Revolving Credit Commitment" as to any Lender, an
amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment at the opening
of business in New York City on the Consummation Date (without giving
effect to any rearrangement of the Revolving Credit Commitments
contemplated by subsection 6.19(b)).
"PRLE $24,000,000 Subordination Agreement": the Subordination
Agreement, dated as of June __, 1997, executed and delivered by Lauren, GS
Capital Partners, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding II, L.P., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P.,
Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P. and Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., and
the Company to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as amended by
the First Amendment thereto, dated as of the date hereof, substantially in
the form of Exhibit E hereto, and as may be further amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
"Properties": as defined in subsection 8.19(a).
"Register": as defined in subsection 13.6(d).
"Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to
time.
<PAGE> 24
18
"Related Line of Business": (a) any line of business in which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is engaged as of, or immediately prior
to, the Closing Date, (b) any wholesale, retail or other distribution of
products or services under any Trademark or any derivative thereof or (c)
any similar business and any business which provides a service and/or
supplies products in connection with any business described in clause (a)
or (b) above.
"Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of
Section 4241 of ERISA.
"Reorganization Notes": means those certain promissory notes, dated
of even date herewith, in the aggregate initial principal amount of
$___________, issued in connection with the reorganization occurring on
the date hereof and described in the Form S-1.
"Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b)
of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period
is waived under subsections .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Reg.
Section 2615.
"Required Lenders": at a particular time, Lenders the Combined Loan
Percentages of which aggregate at least 51%.
"Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Articles or Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws or Certificate of Partnership or partnership
agreement or other organizational or governing documents of such Person,
and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator
or a court or other Governmental Authority, 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.
"Reserve Determination": as defined in subsection 5.4.
"Responsible Officer": with respect to the Company, the chief
executive officer, the chief operating officer, the president or any vice
president of the Company, and with respect to financial matters, the chief
financial officer or the Vice President-Controller or the Vice
President-Treasurer of the Company.
"Restricted Payment": with respect to the Company and any of its
Subsidiaries, (a) any declaration or payment of any dividend on, or the
making of or provision for any distribution on account of, shares of any
class of Capital Stock of such Person (other than to the Company or
another Subsidiary of the Company), now or hereafter outstanding, whether
in cash or property or in obligations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (b) any purchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of such
Person (other than from the Company or another
<PAGE> 25
19
Subsidiary of the Company), or any warrants, rights or options to acquire
any such shares, now or hereafter outstanding and (c) if the Consummation
Date shall not occur prior to the date which is 30 days following the
Closing Date, compensation paid to direct or indirect holders of Capital
Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for employment,
consulting, management fees or other similar personal services performed
for the Company or such Subsidiary to the extent that such compensation to
all such holders exceeds $10,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year.
"Revolving Credit Commitment": at any time, with respect to each
Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1
in the section entitled "Revolving Credit Commitments", as such amount may
be reduced from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement or increased as contemplated by subsection 6.19(c).
"Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage": as to any Lender at any
particular time, the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitments then constituted by such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment
(or, at any time after the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired
or terminated, the percentage which such Lender's portion of the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit constitutes of the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit).
"Revolving Credit Loans": as defined in subsection 2.1.
"Revolving Credit Note": as defined in subsection 2.2.
"Security Documents": the collective reference to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement and all other security documents hereafter delivered
to the Agent granting a Lien on any asset or assets of any Person to
secure the obligations and liabilities of the Company hereunder and under
any of the other Credit Documents or to secure any guarantee of any such
obligations and liabilities.
"SEC": the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Sight Draft Letter of Credit": a Commercial Letter of Credit
providing for payment of sight drafts when presented for honor thereunder
in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by documents
complying with the terms thereof.
"Single Employer Plan": any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.
"Standby Letter of Credit": an irrevocable letter of credit pursuant
to which the Issuing Lender agrees to make payments in Dollars for the
account
<PAGE> 26
20
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to contracts made or
performances undertaken or to be undertaken or like matters relating to
contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or proposes
to become a party in the ordinary course of the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' business, including, without limiting the foregoing, for
insurance purposes and in connection with lease transactions.
"Standby Letter of Credit Application": as defined in subsection
4.3(a).
"Subordinated Indebtedness": (a) the Indebtedness of the Company in
the principal amount of $24,000,000, evidenced by the Subordinated Notes
dated October 31, 1994, payable to Lauren, GS Capital Partners, L.P., GS
Capital Partners PRL Holding I, L.P., GS Capital Partners PRL Holding II,
L.P., Bridge Street Fund 1994, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1994, L.P., and
Stone Street 1994 Subsidiary Corp., and (b) any other Indebtedness of the
Company, provided that with respect to any such other Indebtedness (i) no
part of the principal of such Indebtedness is stated to be payable or is
required to be paid (whether by way of mandatory sinking fund, mandatory
redemption, mandatory prepayment or otherwise) prior to the Termination
Date and the payment of principal of which and (subject to clause (ii)
below) any other obligations of the Company in respect thereof are
subordinated to the prior payment in full of principal of and interest
(including post-petition interest) on the Notes, the Letter of Credit
Obligations, the Acceptance Obligations and all other obligations and
liabilities of the Company to the Agent and the Lenders hereunder on terms
and conditions first approved in writing by the Required Lenders, (ii) no
part of the interest accruing on such Indebtedness (other than interest
payable solely in kind which shall be similarly subordinated) is payable
after a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and
(iii) such Indebtedness otherwise contains terms, covenants and conditions
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, as
evidenced by their prior written approval thereof.
"Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership or other
entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having voting
power (other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening
of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other
managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time
owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries (including a wholly owned
Subsidiary of such Person), or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise
qualified, all references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this
Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
"Term Loan": as defined in subsection 3.1.
<PAGE> 27
21
"Term Loan Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of such
Lender to make a Term Loan in the amount provided for in subsection 3.1."
"Term Loan Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the percentage
of the aggregate Term Loans then constituted by such Lender's Term Loan.
"Term Note": as defined in subsection 3.2.
"Termination Date": December 31, 2002.
"Time Draft Letter of Credit": a Commercial Letter of Credit
providing for acceptance by the Issuing Lender of time drafts when
presented for honor thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof,
provided that no such draft shall be payable more than 180 days after
sight or later than 90 days after the Termination Date, and provided,
further, that each such draft is accompanied by documents complying with
the terms of such Letter of Credit.
"Time Draft and Standby Fee Percentage:" at any time, a percentage
equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect.
"Trademarks": as defined in subsection 9.5.
"Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans the then
current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same
date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall
originally have been made on the same day).
"Type": as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar
Loan.
"Uniform Customs": the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No.
500, as the same may be amended from time to time.
"Voting Stock": stock of any class or classes (however designated),
or other equity ownership interests, of any Person, the holders of which
are at the time entitled, as such holders, to vote for the election of the
directors or other governing body of the Person involved, whether or not
the right so to vote exists by reason of the happening of a contingency.
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise defined
therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
when used in the Notes and the other Credit Documents or any certificate or
other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith.
<PAGE> 28
22
(b) As used herein and in the Notes, the other Credit Documents and
any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith, accounting terms relating to the Company and its
Subsidiaries not defined in subsection 1.1, and accounting terms partly defined
in subsection 1.1 to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings
given to them under GAAP.
(c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
subsection, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless
otherwise specified.
(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF REVOLVING
CREDIT COMMITMENTS
2.1 Revolving Credit Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans
("Revolving Credit Loans") to the Company from time to time during the
Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
not to exceed the amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment; provided,
that no Revolving Credit Loan shall be made if, after giving effect thereto, the
Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be less than zero. During the
Commitment Period the Company may use the Revolving Credit Commitments by
borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part, and
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The
Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be (i) Eurodollar Loans, (ii) ABR
Loans, or (iii) a combination thereof, as determined by the Company and notified
to the Agent in accordance with subsections 2.3 and 6.10, provided that no
Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Loan after the day that is
one month prior to the Termination Date.
2.2 Revolving Credit Notes. The Revolving Credit Loans made by each
Lender shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the Company, substantially in
the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, with appropriate insertions as to payee, date
and principal amount (individually, a "Revolving Credit Note"; collectively, the
"Revolving Credit Notes"), payable to the order of such Lender and in a
principal amount equal to the lesser of (a) the amount set forth opposite each
Lender's name on Schedule 1.1 in the section entitled "Revolving Credit
Commitments" and (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving
Credit Loans made by such Lender. Each Lender is hereby authorized to record the
date and amount of each such Revolving Credit Loan made by such Lender, each
continuation thereof and the date and amount of each payment or prepayment of
principal thereof, on the schedule annexed to and constituting a part of its
Revolving Credit Note, and any such recordation shall constitute prima facie
evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded. Each Revolving Credit
Note shall (i) be dated the Closing Date, (ii) be stated to mature on the
<PAGE> 29
23
Termination Date, and (iii) provide for the payment of interest in accordance
with subsection 6.1.
2.3 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing. The Company may borrow
under the Revolving Credit Commitments during the Commitment Period on any
Business Day, provided that the Company shall give the Agent irrevocable
telephonic notice (which notice must be received by the Agent prior to 11:00
A.M., New York City time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested
Borrowing Date, if all or any part of the requested Revolving Credit Loans are
to be initially Eurodollar Loans or (b) on the requested Borrowing Date,
otherwise), specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed, (ii) the requested
Borrowing Date, (iii) whether the borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Loans, ABR
Loans or a combination thereof and (iv) if the borrowing is to be entirely or
partly of Eurodollar Loans, the amounts of such Type of Loan and the lengths of
the initial Interest Periods therefor. Each borrowing under the Revolving Credit
Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans,
$500,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then Available Revolving Credit
Commitments are less than $500,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000, or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.
Upon receipt of any such notice from the Company, the Agent shall promptly
notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender will make the amount of its pro rata
share of each borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Company at
the office of the Agent specified in subsection 13.2 prior to 1:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the Company in funds
immediately available to the Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available
to the Company by the Agent crediting the account of the Company on the books of
such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Agent by the
Lenders and in like funds as received by the Agent.
2.4 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans
shall be used by the Company for general corporate purposes, including to
finance the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of their businesses, to finance capital expenditures and to refinance
existing Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Existing Credit
Agreement and the CIT Agreements).
SECTION 3. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF TERM LOANS
3.1 Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each
Lender agrees to make a term loan (a "Term Loan") to the Company on the
Non-Consummation Date pursuant to a conversion of Revolving Credit Loans to Term
Loans in accordance with subsection 6.19(c) in an amount equal to such Lender's
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage (after giving effect to the increase in
Chase's Revolving Credit Commitment as provided in clause (i) of subsection
6.19(c)) of the amount provided for in such relevant subsection to be so
converted. The Company shall give the Agent irrevocable notice (which notice
must be received by the Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time) three
Business Days prior to the date Revolving Credit Loans are converted to Term
Loans as provided above, specifying (i) whether such Term Loans are to be
initially Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans, or a combination thereof, and (ii) if
such Term Loans are to be entirely or partly
<PAGE> 30
24
Eurodollar Loans, the respective lengths of the initial Interest Periods
therefor. If the Company fails to give such notice, the Term Loans shall be
initially ABR Loans.
3.2 Term Notes. The Term Loan made by each Lender shall be evidenced
by a promissory note of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2
hereto, with appropriate insertions as to payee, date and principal amount
(individually, a "Term Note; collectively, the "Term Notes"), payable to the
order of each Lender and in a principal amount equal to the amount of the Term
Loan of such Lender. The Term Note of each Lender shall be dated the
Non-Consummation Date and shall be stated to mature in installments on the last
day of each of the Fiscal Quarters set forth in the relevant amortization
schedule below in the amounts equal to such Lender's Term Loan Percentage of the
amounts set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL QUARTER/FISCAL YEAR AMOUNT
-------------------------- ------
<S> <C>
1st Quarter/1999 $10,000,000
3rd Quarter/1999 $10,000,000
1st Quarter/2000 $15,000,000
3rd Quarter/2000 $15,000,000
1st Quarter/2001 $20,000,000
3rd Quarter/2001 $20,000,000
1st Quarter/2002 $20,000,000
3rd Quarter/2002 $20,000,000
1st Quarter/2003 $20,000,000
</TABLE>
On the date that the last installment of principal on the Term Loans is due, the
principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding shall be due and payable
together with all accrued but unpaid interest, fees and other amounts due and
payable hereunder. The Term Notes shall bear interest on the unpaid principal
amount thereof and on any overdue interest at the applicable interest rate per
annum specified in subsection 6.1. Interest on the Term Notes shall be payable
as specified in subsection 6.1.
SECTION 4. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT
4.1 Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the Issuing Lender and each Participating Lender agree to extend credit by the
Issuing Lender's issuing Letters of Credit in the form of Commercial Letters of
Credit or Standby Letters of Credit for the account of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and by each Participating Lender's acquiring its Letter of Credit
Participating Interest in each such Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing
Lender, from time to time during the Commitment Period in an aggregate face
amount at any
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25
one time outstanding not to exceed in the case of Standby Letters of Credit,
$30,000,000, provided, that no Letter of Credit shall be issued hereunder if,
after giving effect thereto, the Available Revolving Credit Commitments would be
less than zero. During the Commitment Period, the Company may use the Revolving
Credit Commitments in this manner by having the Issuing Lender issue Letters of
Credit, having such Letters of Credit expire undrawn upon or, if drawn upon,
reimbursing the Issuing Lender for such drawing, and having the Issuing Lender
issue new Letters of Credit, all in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof. From and after the Closing Date, all outstanding Letters of Credit
issued under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed
for all, if any, purposes hereunder to be Letters of Credit issued under this
Agreement on the Closing Date.
4.2 Issuance of Commercial Letters of Credit. (a) Subject to the
terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, subsection 4.1), the
Company may request the Issuing Lender to issue a Commercial Letter of Credit in
favor of sellers of goods to the Company and its Subsidiaries on any Business
Day during the Commitment Period by delivering to the Agent at its address
specified in subsection 13.2 (or such other lending office of the Agent as the
Agent shall request) a commercial letter of credit application (executed by the
Company and, in the case of any Letter of Credit to be issued for the account of
any Subsidiary of the Company, such Subsidiary) by a transmission in accordance
with past practice (a "Commercial Letter of Credit Application"), completed to
the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, together with such other certificates,
documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender may reasonably
request. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of subsection 4.8, the
Company hereby agrees to observe and perform its covenants, duties and
obligations under each Commercial Letter of Credit Application.
(b) Each Commercial Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall, among
other things, (i) be either a Sight Draft Letter of Credit or a Time Draft
Letter of Credit, (ii) have an expiry date occurring not later than one year
after the date of issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit and in no event
later than 90 days after the Termination Date, and (iii) be denominated in
Dollars (except for Commercial Letters of Credit denominated in foreign
currencies acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion (each an
"Approved Foreign Currency"; provided that the aggregate undrawn face amount of
all such Commercial Letters of Credit issued in an Approved Foreign Currency
shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $10,000,000 at any time outstanding).
Each Commercial Letter of Credit Application and each Commercial Letter of
Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and, to the extent not
inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York.
(c) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue
any Commercial Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with,
or cause the Issuing Lender or any Participating Lender to exceed any limits
imposed by, any applicable Requirements of Law.
4.3 Issuance of Standby Letters of Credit. (a) Subject to the terms
and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, subsection 4.1), the
Company may request the Issuing Lender to issue a Standby Letter of Credit for
the account of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on any Business Day
during the Commitment Period by delivering to the
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26
Agent at its address specified in subsection 13.2 (or such other lending office
of the Agent as the Agent shall request) a standby letter of credit application
(executed by the Company and, in the case of any Letter of Credit issued for the
account of any Subsidiary of the Company, such Subsidiary) substantially in the
form of Exhibit D hereto (a "Standby Letter of Credit Application"), completed
to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, together with such other
certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender
may reasonably request. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of
subsection 4.8, the Company hereby agrees to observe and perform its covenants,
duties and obligations under each Standby Letter of Credit Application.
(b) Each Standby Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall, among
other things, (i) be in such form and for such purposes requested by the Company
as shall be acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion, (ii) have
an expiry date occurring not later than one year after the date of issuance of
such Standby Letter of Credit and in no event occurring later than 90 days after
the Termination Date and (iii) be denominated in Dollars and have a minimum face
amount of $25,000. Each Standby Letter of Credit Application and each Standby
Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and, to the extent not
inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York.
(c) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue
any Standby Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or
cause the Issuing Lender or any Participating Lender to exceed any limits
imposed by, any applicable Requirements of Law.
4.4 Participating Interests. Effective in the case of each Letter of
Credit as of the date of the issuance thereof, the Issuing Lender agrees to
allot and does allot, to itself and each Participating Lender, and each
Participating Lender irrevocably agrees to take and does take, a Letter of
Credit Participating Interest in each Letter of Credit, the related Letter of
Credit Application and all obligations of the Company with respect thereto
(other than fees payable to the Issuing Lender pursuant to subsections 6.3(b)
and 6.4(b)) in a percentage equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage. Each Participating Lender hereby agrees that its participation
obligations described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be irrevocable
and unconditional.
4.5 Procedure for Opening Letters of Credit. Upon receipt of any
Letter of Credit Application from the Company, the Issuing Lender will process
such Letter of Credit Application and the other certificates, documents and
other papers delivered to the Issuing Lender in connection therewith, in
accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly open such Letter of
Credit by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary
thereof and by furnishing a copy thereof to the Company. The Issuing Lender will
send monthly reports to each Participating Lender and the Company, on the third
Business Day of each calendar month, indicating the Letters of Credit opened
during the previous month.
4.6 Payments. (a) The Company agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender
in Dollars and in immediately available funds, forthwith on the date the Issuing
Lender is
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presented with a draft under any Letter of Credit (whether issued for the
account of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) and otherwise in
accordance with the terms of the Letter of Credit Application relating thereto,
for any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Sight Draft Letter of
Credit and any Standby Letter of Credit issued for its account. In the case of
any Letter of Credit issued in an Approved Foreign Currency, such reimbursement
obligation with respect to any payment thereunder made in an Approved Foreign
Currency shall be in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of
such payment. The Issuing Lender is hereby authorized to charge the account(s)
maintained by the Company at Chase for all amounts payable pursuant to this
subsection 4.6(a).
(b) The failure by the Company on any day to have sufficient
aggregate Dollar funds on deposit in its account(s) maintained at Chase to pay
all Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations due on such day in accordance
with subsection 4.6(a) (such deficiency being hereinafter referred to as a
"Letter of Credit Reimbursement Deficiency") shall constitute the making by the
Issuing Lender of a loan to the Company (a "Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Loan") in a principal amount equal to the amount of the Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Deficiency as of such day. Each Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Loan shall (i) be payable on demand, (ii) be evidenced by a loan account
maintained on the books and records of the Issuing Lender (the "Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Loan Account") and (iii) bear interest from the date of the
creation of the applicable Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation until paid
in full at a rate per annum equal to (x) for the Business Day on which such
Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan is created, the ABR and (y) thereafter, the
ABR plus 2%. Interest on each Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan shall be
payable on demand. The entries in the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan
Account shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information
set forth therein.
(c) In the event that the Issuing Lender makes a Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Loan in accordance with subsection 4.6(b), the Issuing Lender will
promptly notify each Participating Lender. Forthwith upon its receipt of any
such notice, each Participating Lender will transfer to the Issuing Lender, in
Dollars and in immediately available funds, an amount equal to such
Participating Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Letter of
Credit Reimbursement Loan plus interest thereon calculated from the date of such
notice at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
(d) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment
under any Sight Draft Letter of Credit or Standby Letter of Credit and has
received from each Participating Lender its Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan in accordance with
subsection 4.6(c), the Issuing Lender receives any payments related to such
Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loan (whether received directly from the Company
or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing
Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will
distribute to each Participating Lender its pro rata share thereof; provided,
however, that in the event that the receipt by the Issuing Lender of such
payments or such payment of interest (as the case may be) is required to be
returned, each Participating Lender will return to the Issuing Lender any
portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.
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(e) Within fifteen days after the end of each calendar quarter, the
Issuing Lender will notify each Participating Lender (with copies to the
Company) of (i) each payment made by the Issuing Lender during such calendar
quarter under any Sight Draft Letter of Credit or Standby Letter of Credit and
(ii) each payment made by the Company during such calendar quarter to the
Issuing Lender in reimbursement of amounts paid by the Issuing Lender under any
such Letter of Credit.
4.7 Further Assurances. The Company hereby agrees to do and perform,
from time to time, any and all acts and to execute any and all further
instruments reasonably requested by the Issuing Lender more fully to effect the
purposes of this Agreement and the issuance of the Letters of Credit opened
hereunder for its account.
4.8 Letter of Credit Applications. The provisions of this Section 4
in respect of any Letters of Credit are supplemental to, and not in derogation
of, any rights and remedies of the Issuing Lender and the Lenders under the
Letter of Credit Applications related to such Letters of Credit and under the
Uniform Customs and other applicable laws. In the event of any conflict between
the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Letter of Credit Applications,
the terms set forth in this Agreement shall control.
4.9 Use of Letters of Credit. The Commercial Letters of Credit
opened for the account of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be used solely
to finance purchases of inventory by such Persons in the ordinary course of
their business, and the Standby Letters of Credit shall be used solely for the
purposes described in the definition of such term in subsection 1.1.
SECTION 5. ACCEPTANCES
5.1 Acceptances. The Issuing Lender and each Participating Lender
confirm that the Issuing Lender's issuance of Time Draft Letters of Credit and
each Participating Lender's acquisition of Letter of Credit Participating
Interests therein constitutes an agreement by the Issuing Lender and the
Participating Lenders to extend credit by the Issuing Lender's accepting drafts
("Drafts") for the account of the Company that are presented for honor under
Time Draft Letters of Credit in compliance with the terms thereof (each such
accepted Draft, an "Acceptance") and each Participating Lender's acquiring its
Acceptance Participating Interest in such Acceptance created by the Issuing
Lender, from time to time during the period from the Closing Date to and
including the Termination Date, provided, that each Draft shall be denominated
in Dollars and shall be stated to mature on a Business Day which is 30, 60, 90
or 180 days after the date thereof, at the option of the Company. From and after
the Closing Date, all then outstanding Acceptances, if any, created under, and
as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes
hereunder to be Acceptances created under this Agreement on the Closing Date.
5.2 Participating Interests. Effective in the case of each
Acceptance as of the date of the creation thereof, the Issuing Lender agrees to
allot and does allot, to itself and each Participating Lender, and each
Participating Lender irrevocably agrees to take and does
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29
take, an Acceptance Participating Interest in each Acceptance, the related Draft
and all obligations of the Company with respect thereto (other than fees payable
to the Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 6.5(b)) in a percentage equal to
such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. Each Participating Lender
hereby agrees that its participation obligations described in the immediately
preceding sentence shall be irrevocable and unconditional.
5.3 Payments. (a) The Company shall be obligated, and hereby
unconditionally agrees, to pay to the Issuing Lender the face amount of each
Acceptance created by the Issuing Lender hereunder on the maturity thereof, or
such earlier date on which the obligations of the Company under this Agreement
become due and payable. The Issuing Lender is hereby authorized to charge the
account(s) maintained by the Company at Chase for all amounts payable pursuant
to this subsection 5.3(a).
(b) The failure by the Company on any day to have sufficient
aggregate Dollar funds on deposit in its account(s) maintained at Chase to pay
all Acceptance Reimbursement Obligations due on such day in accordance with
subsection 5.3(a) (such deficiency being hereinafter referred to as an
"Acceptance Reimbursement Deficiency") shall constitute the making by the
Issuing Lender of a loan to the Company (an "Acceptance Reimbursement Loan") in
a principal amount equal to the amount of the Acceptance Reimbursement
Deficiency as of such day. Each Acceptance Reimbursement Loan shall (i) be
payable on demand, (ii) be evidenced by a loan account maintained on the books
and records of the Issuing Lender (the "Acceptance Reimbursement Loan Account"),
and (iii) bear interest from the date of the creation of the applicable
Acceptance Reimbursement Obligation until paid in full at a rate per annum equal
to (x) for the Business Day on which such Acceptance Reimbursement Loan is
created, the ABR and (y) thereafter, the ABR plus 2%. Interest on each
Acceptance Reimbursement Loan shall be payable on demand. The entries in the
Acceptance Reimbursement Loan Account shall constitute prima facie evidence of
the accuracy of the information set forth therein.
(c) If the Issuing Lender makes an Acceptance Reimbursement Loan in
accordance with subsection 5.3(b), the Issuing Lender will promptly notify each
Participating Lender. Forthwith upon receipt of such notice, each Participating
Lender will transfer to the Issuing Lender, in Dollars and in immediately
available funds, an amount equal to such Participating Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of such Acceptance Reimbursement Loan plus interest
thereon calculated from the date of such notice at the Federal Funds Effective
Rate.
(d) Upon each Participating Lender's payment in full to the Issuing
Lender of its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any Acceptance
Reimbursement Loan in accordance with subsection 5.3(b), such Participating
Lender shall acquire the Issuing Lender's claim against the Company in respect
of such Acceptance Reimbursement Loan to the extent of the amount paid by such
Participating Lender. Each Participating Lender agrees that the Issuing Lender
shall have full authority and responsibility for enforcing all claims against
the Company with respect to Acceptances and Acceptance Reimbursement Loans and
exercising all rights and remedies with respect thereto.
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(e) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has received from
each Participating Lender its pro rata share of any Acceptance Reimbursement
Loan in accordance with subsection 5.3(c), the Issuing Lender receives any
payments related to such Acceptance Reimbursement Loan (whether received
directly from the Company or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied
thereto by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof,
the Issuing Lender will distribute to each Participating Lender its pro rata
share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that the receipt by the
Issuing Lender of such payments or such payment of interest (as the case may be)
is required to be returned, each Participating Lender will return to the Issuing
Lender any portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.
(f) Within fifteen days after the end of each calendar quarter, the
Issuing Lender will notify each Participating Lender and the Company of (i) each
creation of an Acceptance by the Issuing Lender during such calendar quarter and
(ii) each payment made by the Company to the Issuing Lender during such calendar
quarter on account of any Acceptance Reimbursement Obligation.
5.4 Termination of Acceptance Commitments. In the event that (a)
there is a determination made by any regulatory body or instrumentality thereof
(including, without limitation, any Federal Reserve Lender or any bank
examiner), or there is a change in, or change in interpretation of, any
applicable law, rule or regulation (such determination or such change, a
"Reserve Determination"), in either case to the effect that bankers' acceptances
created hereunder or in connection with a substantially similar facility
(whether or not the Company or any Lender is directly involved as parties) will
be ineligible for reserve-free treatment (or if already discounted, should have
been ineligible for reserve-free treatment) with Federal Reserve Banks, and as a
result any Lender is required to maintain, or determines as a matter of prudent
banking that it is appropriate for it to maintain, additional reserves, or (b)
any restriction is imposed on any Lender (including, without limitation, any
change in acceptance limits imposed on any Lender) which would prevent such
Lender from creating or purchasing participating interests in bankers'
acceptances, as the case may be, or otherwise performing its obligations in
respect of Acceptances, then, with the consent of the Participating Lenders, the
Issuing Lender may, or upon the direction of any Participating Lender, the
Issuing Lender shall, by notice to the Company in accordance with subsection
13.2 terminate the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue Time Draft Letters
of Credit and to create Acceptances in whole, effective on the date on which the
Issuing Lender gives such notice, and the Issuing Lender shall have no further
obligation to issue Time Draft Letters of Credit.
5.5 Mandatory Prepayment. The Company shall, within one Business Day
of its receipt of a notice of termination from the Issuing Lender pursuant to
subsection 5.4, prepay the Acceptance Obligations with respect to each
Acceptance then outstanding by paying to the Issuing Lender the face amount of
each Acceptance less a prepayment discount calculated by the Issuing Lender
based upon the then prevailing rate for U.S. Treasury Bills maturing on or about
the maturity date of such Acceptance (and communicated to the Company in its
notice of termination pursuant to subsection 5.4); provided that in the event
the Company fails to make such prepayment as provided in this subsection 5.5,
each Lender's
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pro rata share of the Acceptance Obligation with respect to each Acceptance then
outstanding shall be deemed to be a Revolving Credit Loan made on the Business
Day on which such prepayment was due in a principal amount equal to such
Lender's pro rata share of the face amount of such Acceptance and subject to the
terms and conditions of Section 2 and Section 6 hereof.
SECTION 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS
6.1 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall
bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a
rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day plus the
Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the ABR.
(c) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan,
(ii) any interest payable thereon or (iii) any commitment fee or other amount
payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate
per annum which is (x) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would
otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
subsection plus 2% or (y) in the case of overdue interest, commitment fee or
other amount, the rate described in paragraph (b) of this subsection plus 2%, in
each case from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full
(as well after as before judgment).
(d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
subsection shall be payable from time to time on demand.
6.2 Commitment and Other Fees. (a) The Company agrees to pay to the
Agent, for the account of the Lenders, a commitment fee for the period from and
including the first day of the Commitment Period to the Termination Date,
computed at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Commitment Rate
Percentage on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Credit
Commitments during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in
arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the
Termination Date, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date
hereof.
(b) The Company agrees to pay to the Agent, for the account of the
Agent, an agent's fee and the other fees described in the fee letter dated May
22, 1997 between the Company and the Agent.
6.3 Commercial Letter of Credit Fees. (a) The Company agrees that on
the date of each drawing under a Commercial Letter of Credit, it will pay to the
Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, a Commercial Letter of Credit fee.
In the case of a Sight Draft Letter of Credit, such fee shall be equal to the
higher of (i) $50 and (ii) the Applicable Sight Draft Fee Percentage then in
effect of the amount of such drawing (calculated on the
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basis of the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of any Letter of Credit
issued in an Approved Foreign Currency). In the case of a Time Draft Letter of
Credit, such fee shall equal the higher of (i) $120 and (ii) a percentage of the
amount of such drawing equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect (calculated
on the basis of the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of any Letter of
Credit issued in an Approved Foreign Currency). On the last day of each March,
June, September and December, the Issuing Lender will allocate and pay to each
Participating Lender a fee equal to such Participating Lender's pro rata share
of the amount of such fees received from the Company during the immediately
preceding three-month period calculated on the basis of the Applicable Sight
Draft Fee Percentage or the Applicable Margin.
(b) The Company agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
account the customary fees (including, without limitation, issuing fees,
amendment fees and processing fees) charged by the Issuing Lender in connection
with its issuance and administration of commercial letters of credit.
6.4 Standby Letter of Credit Fees. (a) The Company agrees to pay the
Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender and the Participating Lenders, a
Standby Letter of Credit fee calculated at the rate per annum equal to the
Applicable Margin from time to time in effect of the amount available to be
drawn under each Standby Letter of Credit issued for its account (and in no
event less than $500 with respect to each such Standby Letter of Credit),
payable to the Issuing Lender semi-annually in advance on the date of issue of
any Standby Letter of Credit and, thereafter, on each six-month anniversary of
such date of issue. The Issuing Lender will promptly pay to the Participating
Lenders their pro rata shares of any amounts received from the Company in
respect of any such fees.
(b) The Company agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
account the customary fees (including, without limitation, issuing fees and
processing fees) charged by the Issuing Lender in connection with its issuance
and administration of standby letters of credit.
6.5 Acceptance Fees. (a) The Company agrees to pay the Issuing
Lender an acceptance commission (an "Acceptance Commission") on the face amount
of each Acceptance created by the Issuing Lender hereunder for the period from
the date of such Acceptance to the date of its maturity at a rate per annum
equal to the Acceptance Discount Rate in effect on the date of creation of such
Acceptance plus the Applicable Margin, payable in full on the date of creation
of such Acceptance; provided that such Acceptance Commission shall be an amount
equal to at least $120. On the last day of each March, June, September and
December, the Issuing Lender will allocate and pay to each Participating Lender
such Participating Lender's pro rata share of the Applicable Margin portion of
the Acceptance Commissions paid during the immediately preceding three-month
period.
(b) The Company agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender for its own
account the customary fees (including, without limitation, processing fees)
charged by the Issuing Lender in connection with its creation and administration
of bankers' acceptances.
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6.6 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest on ABR Loans,
Letter of Credit Reimbursement Loans, Acceptance Reimbursement Loans, Letter of
Credit Reimbursement Obligations and Acceptance Reimbursement Obligations, and
per annum fees shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366, as the case
may be) day year for the actual days elapsed; otherwise interest shall be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed. The Agent
shall as soon as practicable notify the Company and the Lenders of each
determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan
(or on any other obligation accruing interest under the terms hereof) resulting
from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become
effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes
effective. The Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Company and the
Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest
rate.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent pursuant to
any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Company
and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
6.7 Optional Prepayments. The Company may at any time and from time
to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon
irrevocable notice to the Agent prior to 11:00 A.M. on such date of prepayment,
specifying the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of
Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination
thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of any such notice the Agent
shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the
amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified
therein, together with any amounts payable pursuant to subsection 6.14 and, in
the case of prepayments of the Term Loans only, accrued interest to such date on
the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to
the installments of principal thereof in the inverse order of their scheduled
maturities. Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a
whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. In the event any prepayment
pursuant to this subsection 6.7 of Eurodollar Loans is not made on the last day
of an Interest Period, the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the Lenders
in respect thereof pursuant to subsection 6.14.
6.8 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments;
Extension of Revolving Credit Commitments. The Company shall have the right,
upon not less than five Business Days' notice to the Agent, to terminate the
Revolving Credit Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the
Revolving Credit Commitments, provided that no such termination or reduction
shall be permitted (i) to the extent that, after giving effect thereto and to
any prepayments of the Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit then outstanding would exceed the
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect or (ii) prior to the Consummation
Date. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and shall reduce permanently the
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.
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6.9 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by the
Company from the Lenders under the Revolving Credit Commitments, each payment by
the Company on account of any commitment fee hereunder and any reduction of the
Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to
the respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of the Lenders. Each
payment (including each prepayment) by the Company on account of principal of
and interest on the Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective
outstanding principal amounts of the Loans then held by the Lenders. All
payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Company hereunder and under
the Notes, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall
be made without set off or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon,
New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Agent at the Agent's office
specified in subsection 13.2, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The
Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in
like funds as received. If any payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a
day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next succeeding
Business Day, and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall
be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(b) Unless the Agent shall have been notified in writing by any
Lender prior to a Borrowing Date that such Lender will not make the amount that
would constitute its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the borrowing on
such date available to the Agent, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made
such amount available to the Agent on such Borrowing Date, and the Agent may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Company a corresponding
amount. If such amount is made available to the Agent on a date after such
Borrowing Date, such Lender shall pay to the Agent on demand an amount equal to
the product of (i) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during such
period as quoted by the Agent, times (ii) the amount of such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage of such borrowing, times (iii) a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed from and including
such Borrowing Date to the date on which such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of such borrowing shall have become immediately available
to the Agent and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Agent
submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this subsection
shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage of such borrowing is not in fact made available to
the Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such Borrowing Date, the
Agent shall be entitled to recover (without duplication) such amount with
interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans hereunder, on
demand, from the Company.
6.10 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Company may elect
from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the Agent
at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of such election, provided
that in the event any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans is not made on the
last day of an Interest Period, the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the
Lenders in respect thereof pursuant to Section 6.14. The Company may elect from
time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Agent at
least three Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of such election. Any such
notice of conversion to Eurodollar Loans shall specify the length of the initial
Interest Period or Interest Periods therefor. Upon receipt of any such notice
the Agent shall
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35
promptly notify each Lender thereof. All or any part of outstanding Eurodollar
Loans and ABR Loans may be converted as provided herein, provided that (i) no
Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Agent has or the Required Lenders have
determined that such a conversion is not appropriate and (ii) no Loan may be
converted into a Eurodollar Loan after the date that is one month prior to the
Termination Date or the date final payment is due on the Term Loans.
(b) Any Eurodollar Loans may be continued as such upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the
Company giving notice to the Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions
of the term "Interest Period" set forth in subsection 1.1, of the length of the
next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided that no Eurodollar
Loan may be continued as such (i) when any Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and the Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined that such a
continuation is not appropriate or (ii) after the date that is one month prior
to the Termination Date and provided, further, that if the Company shall fail to
give such notice or if such continuation is not permitted such Loans shall be
automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring
Interest Period.
6.11 Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Tranches. All borrowings,
conversions and continuations of Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest
Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such
elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount
of the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000 or
a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. In no event shall there be more
than 15 Eurodollar Tranches outstanding at any time.
6.12 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the first day
of any Interest Period:
(a) the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Company) that, by reason of circumstances
affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist
for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or
(b) the Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders
that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest
Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as
conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their
affected Loans during such Interest Period,
the Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Company and
the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Unless the Company shall have
notified the Agent promptly upon receipt of such notice that if it wishes to
rescind or modify its request (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on
the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans and (y) any
Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period
to Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to or continued as ABR Loans. In
addition, in the case any such notice is given, any outstanding Eurodollar Loans
shall be converted, on the first day of such Interest Period, to ABR Loans.
Until such notice has been
<PAGE> 42
36
withdrawn by the Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued
as such, nor shall the Company have the right to convert Loans to Eurodollar
Loans.
6.13 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the
adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or
application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain
Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the commitment of such
Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and
convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be cancelled and (b) such
Lender's Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted
automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current
Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as
required by law. If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day
which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
thereto, the Company shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be
required pursuant to subsection 6.14.
6.14 Indemnity. The Company agrees to indemnify each Lender and to
hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain
or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Company in making a borrowing
of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Company has
given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, (b) default by the Company in making any prepayment of Eurodollar
Loans after the Company has given notice thereof in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar
Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect
thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any,
of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid,
or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such
prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of
such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such
failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided
for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any)
over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which
would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on
deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar
market. A certificate setting forth the calculations as to any additional
amounts payable pursuant to this subsection 6.14 shall be submitted by an
officer of a Lender, through the Agent, to the Company and shall be conclusive
in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and the payment of the Loans, the Notes, the Acceptance
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Obligations and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
6.15 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that if it makes
any demand for payment under subsection 6.16 or 6.17, or if any adoption or
change of the type described in subsection 6.13 shall occur with respect to it,
it will use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal
and regulatory restrictions and so long as such efforts would not be
disadvantageous to it, as determined in its sole discretion) to designate a
different lending office if the making of such a designation would reduce or
obviate the need
<PAGE> 43
37
for the Company to make payments under subsection 6.16 or 6.17, or would
eliminate or reduce the effect of any adoption or change described in subsection
6.13.
6.16 Taxes. (a) All payments shall be made by the Company under this
Agreement and the Notes free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental
Authority, excluding, in the case of the Agent and each Lender, net income and
franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on the Agent or
such Lender, as the case may be, as a result of a present or former connection
between the Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental
Authority imposing such tax, or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Agent
or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or
received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any Note). If any such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions and
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") are required to be withheld from any amounts
payable to the Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the Notes, the amounts so
payable to the Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary
to yield to the Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes)
interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the
amounts specified in this Agreement and the Notes, provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender
that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state
thereof (a "Non-U.S. Lender") with respect to any taxes that are attributable to
such Non-U.S. Lender's failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)
of this subsection. Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes specified in the preceding
sentence are payable by the Company, as promptly as possible thereafter the
Company shall send to the Agent for its own account or for the account of such
Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt
received by the Company showing payment thereof. If the Company fails to pay any
Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to
remit to the Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence,
the Company shall indemnify the Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by the Agent or any Lender as a
result of any such failure. The agreements in this subsection shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the outstanding Notes,
Acceptance Obligations, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other amounts
payable hereunder.
(b) Each Non-U.S. Lender agrees that prior to the first Interest
Payment Date it will deliver to the Company and the Agent (i) two duly completed
copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 or successor
applicable form, as the case may be, and (ii) an Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8 or W-9 or successor applicable form. Each such Lender also agrees to deliver
to the Company and the Agent two new, duly completed copies of the said Form
1001 or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable forms or other manner
of certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a
change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Company, and
such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be requested by the
Company or the Agent.
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38
Such Lender shall certify (i) in the case of a Form 1001 or 4224, that it is
entitled to receive payments under the Agreement without deduction or
withholding of any United States federal income taxes, unless in any such case
an event (including, without limitation, any change in treaty, law or
regulations) has occurred after the Closing Date and prior to the date on which
any such delivery would otherwise be required which renders all such forms
inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and
delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender advises the Company
that it is not capable of so receiving payments without any deduction or
withholding, and (ii) in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9, that it is entitled to a
complete exemption from United States backup withholding tax. Each Person that
shall become a Lender or a Participant pursuant to subsection 13.6 shall, upon
the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the
forms and statements required pursuant to this subsection, provided that in the
case of a Participant, such Participant shall furnish all such required forms
and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have
been purchased.
(c) Each Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (including
reasonable efforts to change the office in which it is booking its Loans)
consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions and so
long as such efforts would not be disadvantageous to it, as determined in its
sole discretion, to avoid or minimize any amounts which might otherwise be
payable pursuant to this subsection 6.16.
(d) If the Agent or any Lender receives a refund which in the good
faith judgment of such Lender is allocable to Non-Excluded Taxes paid by the
Company, it shall promptly pay such refund, together with any other amounts paid
by the Company in connection with such refunded Non-Excluded Taxes, to the
Company, net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender incurred in obtaining
such refund, provided, however, that the Company agrees to promptly return such
refund to the Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, if it receives
notice from the Agent or applicable Lender that such Agent or Lender is required
to repay such refund.
6.17 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in
any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the dates hereof:
(i) does or shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind
whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Note, any Eurodollar Loan,
any Letter of Credit Document or any Acceptance Document, or change the
basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except
for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by subsection 6.16 and changes in the rate
of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);
(ii) does or shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
special deposit, compulsory loan, assessment or similar requirement
against Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender or participated in
by the Participating Lender or against assets held by, deposits or other
liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or
<PAGE> 45
39
other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any
office of such Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination
of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder; or
(iii) does or shall impose on such Lender any other condition;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans, issuing,
maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit or creating or
participating in any Acceptance, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in
respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Company shall promptly pay such
Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such
Lender for such additional increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any
Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this
subsection, it shall promptly notify the Company, through the Agent, of the
event by reason of which it has become so entitled. A certificate as to any
additional amounts payable pursuant to this paragraph, submitted by such Lender,
through the Agent, to the Company shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest
error.
(b) In the event that any Acceptance created hereunder is not, for
any reason, a bankers' acceptance with respect to which no reserves are required
to be maintained by the Issuing Lender or any Participating Lender under
Regulation D of the Board in effect from time to time or under any other law or
regulation (an "Eligible Acceptance"), the Company shall, upon demand by the
Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of the Lenders, such additional amounts
as are sufficient to indemnify each Lender against any additional costs, as
determined by the Lenders and notified in writing to the Agent, incurred by the
Lenders (including, without limitation, costs resulting from any Reserve
Determination, or reserve requirements, or premium liability to the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, or a higher discount rate) resulting from such
Acceptance not constituting an Eligible Acceptance hereunder.
(c) In the event that after the date hereof, any Lender shall
determine that the adoption of any Requirement of Law, rule, regulation or
guideline regarding capital adequacy or any change in any Requirement of Law,
rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender with any
request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force
of law) from any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, the
issuance of any final rule, regulation or guideline, does or shall have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's capital as a consequence
of its obligations hereunder (including, without limitation, the issuance of any
Letters of Credit and the creation and discount of Acceptances) to a level below
that which such Lender could have achieved but for such Requirement of Law,
rule, regulation or guideline, change or compliance (taking into consideration
such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such
Lender to the Company (with a copy to the Agent) of a written request therefor,
the Company shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender for such reduction.
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40
(d) The agreements in this subsection 6.17 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and payment of the outstanding Notes, Acceptance
Obligations, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
6.18 Obligations Absolute. (a) The Company's payment obligations
under this Agreement shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances,
including, without limitation, the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or
other right which the Company may have at any time against the Issuing Lender,
any Participating Lender, any Lender or the Agent, or against any beneficiary of
any Letter of Credit or any holder of any Acceptance, or any transferee from any
such beneficiary or holder (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary, holder
or transferee may be acting), or against any other Person, whether in connection
with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or any unrelated
transaction; provided, however, that this provision shall be deemed a waiver by
the Company of the assertion of a compulsory counterclaim only to the extent
permitted by applicable law. The Company assumes all risks of the acts or
omissions of the users of the Letters of Credit and Acceptances and all risks of
the misuse of the Letters of Credit and Acceptances. Neither the Issuing Lender,
nor any of its correspondents, nor any Participating Lender, nor the Agent shall
be responsible: (i) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness
or legal effect of any document specified in any of the Letter of Credit
Documents, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid,
insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the validity or
sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to
transfer or assign any of the Letters of Credit or any of the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) for failure of any draft to bear
any reference or adequate reference to any of the Letters of Credit, or failure
of anyone to note the amount of any draft on the reverse of any of the Letters
of Credit or to surrender or to take up any of the Letters of Credit or to send
forward any such document apart from drafts as required by the terms of any of
the Letters of Credit, each of which provisions, if contained in a Letter of
Credit itself, it is agreed, may be waived by the Issuing Lender; (iv) for
errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be
in cipher; (v) for any error, neglect, default, suspension or insolvency of any
correspondents of the Issuing Lender; (vi) for errors in translation or for
errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vii) for any loss or delay, in the
transmission or otherwise, of any such document or draft or of proceeds thereof;
or (viii) for any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make
payment under a Letter of Credit, except only that the Company shall have a
claim against the Issuing Lender, and the Issuing Lender shall be liable to the
Company, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to
consequential, damages suffered by the Company which the Company proves were
caused by the Issuing Lender's willful misconduct or gross negligence in
determining whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the
terms of such Letter of Credit. None of the foregoing shall affect, impair or
prevent the vesting of any of the rights or powers of the Issuing Lender, the
Agent or any of the Participating Lenders. The Issuing Lender or the Agent shall
have the right to transmit the terms of the Letter of Credit involved without
translating them.
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41
(b) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the
specific provisions in subsection 6.18(a), (i) any action taken or omitted by
the Issuing Lender, the Agent or by any of their respective correspondents under
or in connection with any of the Letters of Credit, if taken or omitted in good
faith, shall be binding upon the Company and shall not put the Issuing Lender,
the Agent or their respective correspondents under any resulting liability to
the Company and (ii) the Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on
their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation,
regardless of any notice or information to the contrary; provided that if the
Issuing Lender shall receive written notification from both the beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit and the Company that sufficiently identifies (in the opinion of
the Issuing Lender) documents to be presented to the Issuing Lender which are
not to be honored, the Issuing Lender agrees that it will not honor such
documents.
6.19 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) If, at any
time during the Commitment Period, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Extensions of
Credit exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, the
Company shall, without notice or demand, immediately prepay the Revolving Credit
Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess, together with
interest accrued to the date of such payment or prepayment and any amounts
payable under subsection 6.14. Prepayments shall be applied, first to ABR Loans
and second, to Eurodollar Loans. To the extent that after giving effect to any
prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans required by the first sentence of this
paragraph (a), the Aggregate Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit exceed the
aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, the Company shall,
without notice or demand, immediately deposit in a cash collateral account with
the Agent, having terms and conditions satisfactory to the Agent, as cash
collateral security for the liability of the Issuing Lender (whether direct or
contingent) under any Letters of Credit or Acceptances then outstanding, an
aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Credit
Extensions of Credit exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in
effect.
(b) On the Consummation Date, (i) the aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitments shall be automatically reduced to an amount equal to $225,000,000,
(ii) in connection with such reduction the amounts of the respective Revolving
Credit Commitments of each Lender shall be rearranged such that after giving
effect to clause (i) above each Lender's (other than Chase's) Revolving Credit
Commitment shall equal the lesser of (x) such Lender's Pre-Consummation
Revolving Credit Commitment and (y) the product of (1) $175,000,000 multiplied
by (2) a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender's Pre-Consummation
Revolving Credit Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount
of the Pre-Consummation Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders other than
Chase and Chase's Revolving Credit Commitment shall equal the greater of (x)
$50,000,000 and (y) the excess, if any, of $225,000,000 over the aggregate
amount of Pre-Consummation Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders other
than Chase and (iii) the Company shall prepay all then outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans and simultaneously reborrow from all Lenders, ratably according to
their respective Revolving Credit Commitments after giving effect to the
rearrangements thereof effected pursuant to clause (ii) above, an amount equal
to
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42
the lesser of (x) $225,000,000 and (y) the aggregate amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans so prepaid.
(c) On the Non-Consummation Date (i) Chase's Revolving Credit
Commitment shall automatically increase by $75,000,000, (ii) the Company shall
prepay all the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and simultaneously reborrow
from all Lenders ratably according to their respective Revolving Credit
Commitments (after giving effect to Chase's increase pursuant to clause (i)
above) an amount equal to the lesser of (x) $225,000,000 and (y) the aggregate
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans so prepaid, and (iii) that portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect
to clause (ii) above) that does not exceed $150,000,000 shall be converted to
Term Loans in accordance with subsection 3.1.
6.20 Cash Collateralization of Letter of Credit Obligations and
Acceptance Obligations. With respect to all Letters of Credit and Acceptances
that shall not have matured or been paid or with respect to which presentment
for honor shall not have occurred on or prior to the Termination Date, the
Company shall, on the Termination Date, deposit in a cash collateral account
maintained by the Agent (and under the exclusive dominion and control of the
Agent) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit
Obligations plus the aggregate amount of Acceptance Obligations for application
to payments of drafts drawn under Letters of Credit and to payment of
Acceptances at maturity, and the unused portion thereof after such application,
if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Company hereunder or
under the Notes or any of the other Credit Documents, and after all Letters of
Credit have expired, all drafts and Acceptances have matured and been repaid and
all other obligations of the Company hereunder or any of the other Credit
Documents are paid in full, the balance, if any, shall be returned to the
Company.
SECTION 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
7.1 Conditions to Effectiveness. The agreement of each Lender to
make the initial Loan requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction,
immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of such Loan, on the
Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Notes. The Agent shall have received a Revolving Credit Note for
each Lender, each conforming to the requirements hereof and executed by a
duly authorized officer of the Company.
(b) Legal Opinions. The Agent shall have received, with a
counterpart for each Lender, an opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &
Garrison, counsel to the Company and the Guarantors, substantially in the
form of Exhibit F, and covering such other matters incident to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Notes and the other
Credit Documents as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
(c) Collateral Security, Guarantees and Subordination Agreements.
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43
(i) The Agent shall have received, with a counterpart for
each Lender, each of the following Credit Documents satisfactory to
the Agent, duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and
each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(A) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
(B) the PRLE $24,000,000 Subordination Agreement.
(d) Closing Certificates. The Agent shall have received, with a
counterpart for each Lender, (i) a closing certificate of the Company,
dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, executed
by a duly authorized officer of the Company and (ii) a closing certificate
of each Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
Exhibit H, executed by a duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, in
each case with appropriate attachments thereto.
(e) Evidence of Insurance. The Agent shall have received evidence,
satisfactory to it, that the Company has obtained the policies of
insurance required pursuant to subsection 9.4 and by the Security
Documents.
(f) Recordings and Filings. Any documents (including, without
limitation, financing statements and termination statements) required to
be filed, registered or recorded under any of the Security Documents in
order to create, in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, a
perfected first-priority security interest in the collateral thereunder
with respect to which a security interest may be perfected by a filing
under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law shall be duly
executed and in form to be properly filed, registered or recorded in each
office in each jurisdiction (other than Puerto Rico) required in order to
create in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected
Lien on the respective collateral described in any Security Document in
the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 7.1.
(g) Lien Searches. The Agent shall have received the results of a
recent search, by a Person satisfactory to the Agent, of the Uniform
Commercial Code filings which may have been filed with respect to personal
property of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the state and local filing
offices in each of the states indicated on Schedule 7.1.
(h) Other Documents. The Agent shall have received, with a copy for
each Lender, such other certificates, opinions, documents and instruments
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as may have been
reasonably requested by any Lender.
(i) Corporate Proceedings of the Company. The Agent shall have
received a copy of the resolutions, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agent, of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which the
Company is a party and (ii) the granting by it of
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the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents to which the Company
is a party, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company as of the Closing Date, which certificate shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent and shall state that the resolutions
thereby certified have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded.
(j) Corporate Documents. The Agent shall have received true and
complete copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the
Company, certified as of the Closing Date as complete and correct copies
thereof by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.
(k) Additional Matters. All corporate and other proceedings and all
other documents (including, without limitation, all documents referred to
herein and not appearing as exhibits hereto) and legal matters in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Notes
and the other Credit Documents shall be satisfactory in form and substance
to the Agent.
(l) Fees. The Agent shall have received the fees required to be paid
on the Closing Date pursuant to the fee letter referred to in subsection
6.2 hereof and the fees and disbursements of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett,
counsel to the Agent.
(m) Consolidated Net Worth. The Agent shall have received a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company (together with
supporting financial statements) certifying that the Consolidated Net
Worth of the Company as of the Closing Date is at least $150,000,000.
(n) Reorganization. The Agent shall have received evidence in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to it that the reorganization
described in Form S-1 shall have occurred.
7.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligation of each
Lender to make any Loan and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue any
Letter of Credit or create any Acceptance (including the Revolving Credit Loan
made or initial Letter of Credit or Acceptance issued hereunder) is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the date such Loan is
made or such Letter of Credit or Acceptance is issued or created:
(a) Payments. All applicable fees and commissions and any other
amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall have been paid in full.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The respective representations
and warranties made by each of the Company and the other Credit Parties in
the Credit Documents to which each is a party or which are contained in
any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any
time under or in connection herewith shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date
(other than (i) such
<PAGE> 51
45
representations as are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case
such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date and (ii) as previously notified
to the Agent and waived by the Required Lenders).
(c) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect
to the Loans to be made, the Letters of Credit to be issued or the
Acceptances to be created and discounted, on such date.
(d) Delivery of Documents. All documents required or otherwise
requested in connection with the issuance of any Letters of Credit or the
creation of any Acceptances hereunder shall have been delivered to the
Issuing Lender, the Participating Lenders, the Lenders or the Agent, as
the case may be, completed in a manner in form and substance satisfactory
to the party to whom such documents are delivered.
Each borrowing by the Company hereunder and each issuance of a Letter of Credit
or creation of an Acceptance shall constitute a representation and warranty by
the Company as of the date of such borrowing or issuance that the conditions in
clauses (b) and (c) of this subsection 7.2 have been satisfied.
SECTION 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans, issue and participate in the Letters
of Credit and create and participate in the Acceptances as herein provided, the
Company hereby represents and warrants to the Agent, the Issuing Lender and to
each Lender that:
8.1 Financial Condition. (a) The combined balance sheets of Polo
Ralph Lauren L.P. and its Subsidiaries, Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P., The
Ralph Lauren Womenswear Company, L.P. and its Subsidiary and Polo Retail
Corporation and its Subsidiaries (all of the foregoing, collectively, the "Polo
Company") as at March 29, 1997 and the related combined statements of income and
retained earnings and of changes in financial position for the fiscal year ended
on such date, reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP, copies of which have
heretofore been furnished to each Lender, are complete and correct and present
fairly the financial condition of the Polo Company as at such date, and the
results of Polo Company's operations and changes in financial position for the
fiscal year then ended. All such financial statements, including the related
schedules and notes to all such financial statements, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved
(except as concurred in by such accountants or Responsible Officers, as the case
may be, and as disclosed therein). No Polo Company had, at the date of the most
recent balance sheet referred to above, any material Guarantee Obligation,
contingent liabilities or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual
forward or long-term commitment, which is not reflected in the foregoing
statements or in the notes thereto (and, in the case of such lease or
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46
commitment, which is required in accordance with GAAP to be reflected in such
statements or notes) or which has not otherwise been disclosed to the Lenders in
writing.
(b) The consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Polo Company and
its Subsidiaries as at March 29, 1997, a copy of which is set forth in the Form
S-1, adjusted to give effect to the Initial Public Offering, is complete and
correct and presents fairly on a pro forma basis the financial condition of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as at such date.
8.2 No Change. Since March 29, 1997 (a) there has been no
development or event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect and (until the Closing Date) there has been no material
adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial or other
condition of the Polo Company, taken as a whole; and (b) prior to the Closing
Date, except as described in the Form S-1 no dividends or other distributions
have been declared, paid or made upon any shares of Capital Stock of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Polo Companies and neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of the Polo Companies has redeemed, retired,
purchased or otherwise acquired for value any of its own Capital Stock.
8.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Credit Party (a) is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate or partnership, as the
case may be, power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its
property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged and in which it proposes to be engaged
after the Closing Date, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or
partnership, as the case may be, and in good standing under the laws of each
jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct
of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so
qualify could not have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is in compliance with
all Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply
therewith could not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. (a) The Company
has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver
and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party and to borrow hereunder
and has taken all necessary action to authorize the borrowings on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and the Notes and to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. Each
other Credit Party has the power and authority and the legal right to execute,
deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party and has taken
all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the
Credit Documents to which it is a party.
(b) No consent or authorization of, filing with or other act by or
in respect of any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of the Credit Documents, except for
those which have been duly obtained or made and are in full force and effect.
<PAGE> 53
47
(c) This Agreement has been and each other Credit Document has been
or will be (as the case may be) duly executed and delivered on behalf of each
Credit Party thereto, and each constitutes or will constitute (as the case may
be) a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable
against such Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
8.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of the
Credit Documents, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof
will not violate any applicable usury laws or any other Requirement of Law
applicable to, or any Contractual Obligation of, any Credit Party, and will not
result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its or
their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law
or Contractual Obligation, other than the Liens created by the Security
Documents.
8.6 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or,
to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened by or against any Credit Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of its or their respective properties
or revenues (i) with respect to any of the Credit Documents to which any of them
is a party or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (ii)
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule
8.6 lists all litigation pending on the date hereof against the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in which the amount in controversy or potential liability of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exceeds $5,000,000 and is not covered by
insurance.
8.7 No Default. Neither the Company nor any other Credit Party is in
default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation or any order, award
or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator binding upon it or its
properties in any respect which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
8.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Except as set forth in Schedule
8.8, each Credit Party has good record and marketable title in fee simple to or
valid leasehold interests in all its real property that is material to the
operation of its business, and good title to all its other property, and none of
such property is subject to any Lien, except as permitted by subsection 10.5.
8.9 No Burdensome Restrictions. No Contractual Obligation of the
Company or any other Credit Party and no Requirement of Law could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.10 Taxes. Each Credit Party has filed or caused to be filed all
material tax returns which to the knowledge the Company are required to be filed
and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any
assessments made against it or any of its property and all other material taxes,
fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its
<PAGE> 54
48
property by any Governmental Authority (other than those the amount or validity
of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on
the books of such Credit Party), and no material tax Liens have been filed and,
to the knowledge of the Company, no material claims are being asserted with
respect to any such taxes, fees or other charges.
8.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans
hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for "purchasing" or "carrying"
any "margin stock" within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms
under Regulation G or Regulation U of the Board as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect or for any purpose which violates, or which would be
inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of such Board. If requested
by the Agent or any Lender, the Company will furnish to the Agent and each
Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements
of FR Form G-1 or FR Form U-1 referred to in said Regulation G or Regulation U,
as the case may be.
8.12 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated funding
deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or
ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Single Employer Plan,
and each Plan and, to the Company's knowledge, Multiemployer Plan, has complied,
and has been administered in compliance, in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer
Plan has occurred, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during
such five-year period. The present value of all accrued benefits under each
Single Employer Plan maintained by the Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity
(based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan) did not, as of the last
annual valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such
Plan allocable to such accrued benefits. Except as disclosed on Schedule 8.12,
neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or
partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan, and the liability to which the
Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity would become subject under ERISA if
the Company or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely
from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made is not in excess of
$5,000,000. To the knowledge of the Company, no such Multiemployer Plan is in
Reorganization or Insolvent. The present value (determined using actuarial and
other assumptions which are reasonable in respect of the benefits provided and
the employees participating) of the liability of the Company and each Commonly
Controlled Entity for post retirement benefits to be provided to their current
and former employees under Plans which are welfare benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA) does not in the aggregate, exceed the assets under all
such Plans allocable to such benefits by an amount in excess of $5,000,000.
8.13 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Credit Party is
an "investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment company",
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The
Company is not subject to regulation under any Federal or state statute or
regulation (other than Regulation X of the Board) which limits its ability to
incur Indebtedness.
<PAGE> 55
49
8.14 Subsidiaries. Schedule 8.14 sets forth as of the date hereof
the name, and, where applicable, the jurisdiction of organization, number of
authorized and issued shares and ownership of each Subsidiary of the Company and
each general partner of each Credit Party which is a partnership.
8.15 Chief Executive Office. The Company's chief executive office on
the date hereof is located at 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
8.16 General Partners' Existence; Compliance with Law. The corporate
general partner of each Credit Party that is a partnership (a) is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, (b) has the power and authority and the legal
right to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates and to
conduct the business in which it is currently engaged and in which it proposes
to be engaged after the Closing Date, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation or partnership, as the case may be, and in good standing under the
laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
failure to so qualify could not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in
compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to
comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
8.17 General Partners' Power; Authorization; Enforceable
Obligations. The general partner of any Credit Party that is a partnership has
the power and authority and the legal right to make, deliver and perform on
behalf of the Credit Party of which it is a general partner, and thereby legally
bind such Credit Party to perform, (a) in the case of the Company, this
Agreement, and has taken all necessary action to authorize the borrowings by the
Company on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any Notes and (b) in
the case of each such Credit Party (including the Company), the Credit Documents
to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the
execution and delivery on behalf of such Credit Party of, and thereby legally
bind such Credit Party to perform, this Agreement, the Notes and the other
Credit Documents to which such Credit Party is a party. This Agreement has been,
and each of the other Credit Documents has been or will be (as the case may be),
duly executed and delivered by each such general partner on behalf of each
Credit Party which is a party thereto.
8.18 Accuracy of Information. All factual information heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its
Affiliates to the Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all other such factual
information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of
its Affiliates to the Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate in all
material respects, taken as a whole, on the date as of which such information is
dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact
necessary to make such information not misleading at such time.
8.19 Environmental Matters.
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50
(a) To the best knowledge of the Company, the facilities and
properties owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not contain any Materials of
Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute a
violation of, or (ii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to
liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, any
Environmental Law which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) To the best knowledge of the Company, the Properties and all
operations at the Properties are in compliance, and have in the last five
years been in compliance, in all material respects with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or about the
Properties or violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the
Properties or the business operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (the "Business") which could materially interfere with the
continued operation of the Properties.
(c) To the best knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of violation, alleged
violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding
environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard to
any of the Properties or the Business, nor does the Company have knowledge
or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being
threatened except insofar as such notice or threatened notice, or any
aggregation thereof, does not involve a matter or matters that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) To the best knowledge of the Company, Materials of Environmental
Concern have not been transported or disposed of from the Properties in
violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could reasonably be
expected to give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law, nor have
any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored or
disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of, or in a
manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under,
any applicable Environmental Law except insofar as any such violation or
liability referred to in this paragraph, or any aggregation thereof, could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) To the best knowledge of the Company, no judicial proceeding or
governmental or administrative action is pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the Company
or any Subsidiary is or will be named as a party with respect to the
Properties or the Business, nor are there any consent decrees or other
decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other
administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any
Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business except
insofar as such proceeding, action, decree, order or other requirement, or
any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
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(f) To the best knowledge of the Company, there has been no release
or threat of release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the
Properties, or arising from or related to the operations of the Company or
any Subsidiary in connection with the Properties or otherwise in
connection with the Business, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner
that could reasonably give rise to liability under Environmental Laws
except insofar as any such violation or liability referred to in this
paragraph, or any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.20 Material Contracts. The Exhibit Index to the Form S-1 (as
amended through the date hereof) sets forth, as of the date hereof, all material
contracts of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be filed pursuant to
item 601 of Regulation S-K.
SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Company hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Credit
Commitments remain in effect, any Note, any Letter of Credit Obligation or any
Acceptance Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any other amount is
owing to any Lender or the Agent hereunder, the Company shall and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to:
9.1 Financial Statements and Information. Deliver to each Lender:
(a) as soon as available and, in any event, within 90 days following
the end of each Fiscal Year, (i) for any Fiscal Year ending prior to the
Consummation Date, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the
related consolidated (and, as to statements of income, consolidating)
statements of income and retained earnings and statements of cash flows
for such Fiscal Year, in each case setting forth in comparative form the
figures for the previous comparable period, all in reasonable detail and
as reported to the holders of Capital Stock of the Company, and reported
upon by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent certified public
accountants of national standing approved by the Required Lenders (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) (the "Accountants"), which
report shall state that such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied consistently with prior periods; and (ii) for
any Fiscal Year ending after the Consummation Date, the Annual Report of
the Company on Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year signed by a Responsible
Officer of the Company;
(b) as soon as available and, in any event, within 75 days after the
end of each Fiscal Quarter of the Company, (i) for any Fiscal Quarter of
the Company ending prior to the Consummation Date, (x) consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated (and, as to
statements of income, consolidating) statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flows for the portion of the Company's Fiscal Year ended
at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and (y) the information described in
Section II of Schedule 9.1, all in reasonable detail and certified by a
Responsible Officer of the
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52
Company as presenting fairly, in accordance with GAAP applied (except as
specifically set forth therein and approved by such Responsible Officer)
consistently with such prior periods, the information contained therein,
subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments and
setting forth comparable figures for the same accounting period in the
preceding Fiscal Year; and (ii) for any Fiscal Quarter of the Company
ending after the Consummation Date, the Quarterly Report of the Company on
Form 10-Q for the relevant Fiscal Quarter signed by a Responsible Officer
of the Company;
(c) prior to the Consummation Date, promptly upon receipt thereof,
copies of all reports submitted to the Company, any Guarantor or any other
Credit Party by the Accountants in connection with each annual, interim or
special audit of the books of the Company, any Guarantor or any such
Credit Party made by the Accountants, including, without limitation, the
comment letter submitted by the Accountants to management in connection
with their annual audit;
(d) concurrently with the delivery of each set of the financial
statements referred to in paragraph (a) above, a certificate of the
Accountants certifying such financial statements, stating that in making
the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any
Default or Event of Default (except as specified in such certificate);
(e) concurrently with the delivery of each set of the financial
statements referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a certificate of a
Responsible Officer of the Company (i) stating that such Officer has
obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default (except as
specified in such certificate) and (ii) showing in reasonable detail the
calculations supporting such statement in respect of subsections 10.1,
10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.8, 10.10 and 10.11 and (iii) for each fiscal
period ending prior to the Consummation Date, describing any litigation or
proceeding affecting the Company, the Guarantors or any other Credit Party
in which the amount involved is $2,000,000 or more and not covered by
insurance or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought involving
potential damages of $2,000,000 or more;
(f) forthwith upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company setting
forth the details thereof and the action which the Company is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto;
(g) immediately upon any authorized officer of the Company or any
Guarantor or of any Commonly Controlled Entity obtaining knowledge of the
occurrence of any (i) "reportable event", as such term is defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA, or (ii) "prohibited transaction", as such term is
defined in Section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any
trust created thereunder, a written notice specifying the nature thereof,
what action the Company or such Guarantor has taken, is taking or proposes
to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or
threatened by the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC with respect
thereto, provided that, with respect to the occurrence of any "reportable
event" as to which the PBGC has waived
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53
the 30-day reporting requirement, such written notice need be given only
at the time notice is given to the PBGC;
(h) from time to time, such additional information regarding the
business, affairs or financial or other position of the Company, any
Guarantor and any other Credit Party as any Lender may reasonably request,
such information to be provided as soon as practicable after such request;
(i) for each Fiscal Year ending prior to the Consummation Date,
promptly upon completion but, in any event within 45 days after the end of
such Fiscal Year, a copy of the operating budget and projections by the
Company of cash flow of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole
and of the Company and each Subsidiary individually for the next
succeeding Fiscal Year of the Company, such operating budget and
projections of cash flow to be accompanied by a certificate of a
Responsible Officer to the effect that such operating budget and
projections of cash flow have been prepared on the basis of sound
financial planning practice and that such Responsible Officer has no
reason to believe they are incorrect or misleading in any material
respect;
(j) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all
financial statements and reports which the Company and/or its Subsidiaries
sends to its public holders of Capital Stock or debtholders, and within
five days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and
reports which the Company may make to, or file with, the SEC or any
successor or analogous Governmental Authority; and
(k) for any fiscal month of the Company ending prior to the
Consummation Date, as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days
following the end of such fiscal month of the Company, a certificate of a
Responsible Officer setting forth the information described in Section I
of Schedule 9.1 and certifying that such information is, to the best
knowledge of such Responsible Officer, true and correct in all respects.
9.2 Corporate Existence; Nature of Business. Except as otherwise
permitted under this Agreement, preserve and maintain its partnership or
corporate or other (as the case may be) existence and all of its material
rights, privileges and franchises; comply with all Requirements of Law, except
to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and pay and discharge
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on
its income or profits or on any of its property prior to the date on which
penalties attach thereto, unless the failure to pay and discharge any such
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies could not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is
being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against which
adequate reserves are being maintained; not discontinue, and will actively
engage in and continue to pursue, the current business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no other business which is not a Related
Line of Business, provided that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to
prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from making an Investment permitted by
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54
subsection 10.8(g) in the Capital Stock of, or any assets constituting a
business unit of, any other Person (including the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries) which is engaged in a business that is not a Related Line of
Business.
9.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy when
the same shall become due, all its obligations of whatever nature, except when
the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves with respect thereto are
maintained on the books of the Company or the appropriate Subsidiary, as the
case may be, in accordance with GAAP and, except to the extent that failure to
comply with this subsection 9.3 results from a good faith error (which shall be
corrected promptly following the Company becoming aware of such error) and such
failure could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
9.4 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. Maintain or cause to be
maintained in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
all material properties used in the businesses of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries, may in accordance
with good business practices, make determinations with respect to the timeliness
of necessary repairs. The Company and its Subsidiaries will maintain or cause to
be maintained such insurance with respect to their respective properties and
businesses as a prudent Person engaged in the same or similar business of a
similar size and otherwise similarly situated would maintain.
9.5 Maintain Trademarks. Take all action reasonably necessary or
desirable in accordance with good business practices to (a) maintain in full
force and effect such domestic and foreign patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights and licenses and such material rights with respect to
the foregoing, in each case necessary for the conduct of its business as now
conducted (collectively, the "Trademarks") and (b) protect all domestic and
foreign Trademarks against infringement by third parties.
9.6 Inspection; Books and Records. Keep proper books of records and
accounts in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all
Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation
to its business and activities. The Company and each other Credit Party will
permit on an annual basis at the request of the Agent (or at any time and from
time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or
Event of Default) any authorized representatives designated by the Lenders to
visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company and such Credit Party,
all during reasonable business hours, including their respective books of
accounts, and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to analyze such
data of the Company and such Credit Party, and to discuss their respective
affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers and the
Accountants (and by this provision the Company and each Credit Party authorize
the Accountants to discuss with such representatives the affairs, finances and
accounts of the Company and any such Credit Party, whether or not a
representative of the Company or such Credit Party is present). The Company
shall reimburse the Lenders for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by
such Lenders in connection with the audit and verification activities
contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence. So long as no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Agent shall, prior
to
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55
commencing any such verification activities, provide an estimate to the Company
of the costs thereof, but any failure to give such an estimate shall not impair
any of the rights of the Agent and the Lenders under this subsection.
9.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Agent and each Lender:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (including,
without limitation, any event referred to in Section 11(j));
(b) of any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
Obligation of the Company or any other Credit Party or (ii) litigation,
investigation (known to the Company) or proceeding which may exist at any
time between the Company or any other Credit Party and any Governmental
Authority or Person, which in either case, if not cured or if adversely
determined, as the case may be, would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the
Company knows or has reason to know of the following events: (i) the
occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan, or any
withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any
Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of
any other action by PBGC, the Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity,
or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to the withdrawal from,
Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan, or the
terminating of any Plan; and
(d) of a material adverse change in the business, operations,
property or financial or other condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Each notice pursuant to this subsection 9.7 shall be accompanied by a statement
of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action the Company proposes to take with respect
thereto.
9.8 Maintenance of Liens of the Security Documents. Promptly, upon
the reasonable request of any Lender, at the Company's expense, execute,
acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgement and delivery
of, and thereafter register, file or record, or cause to be registered, filed or
recorded, in an appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument
supplemental to or confirmatory of the Security Documents or otherwise necessary
or desirable for the continued validity, perfection and priority of the Liens on
the collateral covered thereby.
9.9 Guarantee and Collateral Agreement Supplement. Each Domestic
Subsidiary that is or becomes a "significant subsidiary" (as that term is
defined in Regulation S-X (part 210 of the Code of Federal Regulations)) shall
promptly execute and deliver to the Agent (with a counterpart for each Lender) a
supplement to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant to which such
Subsidiary shall become a party thereto as a Guarantor, together with such other
documents and opinions as the Lenders shall reasonably request.
<PAGE> 62
56
9.10 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the
Company solely for the purposes set forth in subsection 2.4. No portion of the
proceeds of any Loan shall be used by the Company in any manner which might
cause the borrowing or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation G,
T, U or X of the Board or any other regulation of such Board.
9.11 Observance of Agreements. Observe and perform all the terms and
conditions of all material agreements to which any of them or any other Credit
Party is party and shall diligently protect and enforce their respective rights
under all such agreements in a manner consistent with prudent business judgment.
SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Company hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Credit
Commitments remain in effect, any Note, any Letter of Credit Obligation or any
Acceptance Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any other amount is
owing hereunder to any Lender or the Agent:
10.1 Consolidated Net Worth. (a) The Company will not permit
Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter ending after the
Closing Date and after the consummation of the Initial Public Offering to be
less than $300,000,000.
(b) Prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering or in
the event that the Initial Public Offering is not consummated on or before the
thirtieth day following the Closing Date, the Company will not (i) permit
Consolidated Net Worth as of the last day of the second Fiscal Quarter of Fiscal
Year 1998 to be less than $165,000,000, (ii) commencing with the last day of the
third Fiscal Quarter of Fiscal Year 1998, and any Fiscal Quarter thereafter,
permit Consolidated Net Worth to be less than the sum of (a) $165,000,000 and
(b) the aggregate of the Annual Increases for each Fiscal Year that shall have
ended during the period from the Closing Date through the date as at which
compliance with this covenant is being determined.
10.2 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. If the Initial Public Offering is
not consummated on or before the thirtieth day following the Closing Date, the
Company will not permit, for the period of three consecutive fiscal quarters
ending September 30, 1997 and for any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters
ending thereafter, the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio to be less than
1.25 : 1.00.
10.3 Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio. The Company will not permit
(a) for the period of three consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending September 30,
1997, the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio to be greater than 2.75 : 1.00, and
(b) for any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending during any Test
Period set forth below after September 30, 1997, the Consolidated Indebtedness
Ratio to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such Test Period:
<PAGE> 63
57
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Test Period Ratio
----------- -----
<S> <C>
October 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997 2.75 : 1
January 1, 1998 through March 30, 1999 2.50 : 1
March 31, 1999 to Termination Date 2.25 : 1
</TABLE>
10.4 Limitation on Indebtedness. The Company will not, nor will it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Indebtedness except:
(a) Indebtedness not secured by any Lien in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $200,000,000, provided that (i) no part of the
principal of such Indebtedness (except in the case of any such
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount, when added to the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness then outstanding as permitted by
subsection 10.4(g), not greater than $50,000,000) is stated to be payable
or is required to be paid (whether by way of mandatory sinking fund,
mandatory redemption, mandatory prepayment or otherwise) prior to the
Termination Date, (ii) the material terms, conditions and restrictive
covenants contained in the instrument governing such Indebtedness, taken
as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, than the terms, conditions and
restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement and (iii) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred after giving effect to the incurrence
of such Indebtedness;
(b) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by subsection 10.5(g) in
an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not in excess of the
amount set forth in said subsection;
(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date, not otherwise
permitted under this Agreement, described in Schedule 10.4 hereto, and any
refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof on terms no less
favorable (taken as a whole) to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, provided that the principal amount of such Indebtedness is
not increased;
(d) Subordinated Indebtedness;
(e) Indebtedness incurred under this Agreement;
(f) Indebtedness of the Company to its Subsidiaries or Indebtedness
of any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; and
(g) Indebtedness of any Person which becomes a Subsidiary of the
Company after the date hereof (provided that (i) such Indebtedness was in
existence on the date such Person became a Subsidiary, (ii) such
Indebtedness was not created, incurred or assumed in anticipation thereof,
and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at any one
time outstanding, when added to the aggregate principal amount of
Indebtedness then outstanding as permitted by the parenthetical phrase
included in clause (i) of the proviso to subsection 10.4(a), shall not be
in excess of
<PAGE> 64
58
$50,000,000) and any Indebtedness resulting from the refinancing of any
such Indebtedness.
For purposes of this subsection 10.4, any Person becoming a
Subsidiary of the Company after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to
have incurred all of its then outstanding Indebtedness at the time it becomes a
Subsidiary.
10.5 Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, nor will it permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or
upon any income or profits therefrom, or acquire any property pursuant to any
conditional sale, lease purchase or other title retention agreement, except:
(a) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents or securing the
Notes, the Letter of Credit Obligations, the Acceptance Obligations and
all amendments, extensions, renewals and substitutions thereof;
(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date, not otherwise permitted
under this Agreement, described in Schedule 10.5 hereto, securing the
Indebtedness described in such Schedule, and extensions, renewals and
substitutions thereof, provided that the principal amount so secured is
not increased and the Lien is not extended to any other property;
(c) Liens for taxes and duties, assessments, governmental charges or
levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if
adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the
Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;
(d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of and incidental to the
conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or the
ownership of its property, including, without limitation, Liens incurred
in connection with the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any
credit card receivable of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Liens
for workmen's compensation, bids, tenders, lessors, vendors, bank
deposits, trade letters of credit and trust receipts, which were not
incurred in connection with the borrowing of money and which do not in the
aggregate materially detract from the value of the property of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or materially impair the use
thereof in the operation of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries;
(e) Liens imposed by law in favor of mechanics, repairmen, carriers
or warehousemen for sums not yet due or which are being contested in good
faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly initiated and diligently
conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the
books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;
<PAGE> 65
59
(f) Liens existing on property or assets of a Person immediately
prior to its becoming a Subsidiary of the Company and which Lien was not
created, incurred or assumed in anticipation thereof, provided that such
Lien shall at all times be confined solely to the property subject thereto
at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company;
(g) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof on terms
no less favorable (taken as a whole) to the Company or such Subsidiary, as
the case may be, provided that the principal amount of such Indebtedness
is not increased) incurred after the Closing Date solely for the purpose
of financing the acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
real or personal property or solely for the purpose of financing the cost
of construction or improvements to or on real or personal property, or
Liens existing on such property so acquired at the time of acquisition
thereof, provided that:
(i) each such Lien shall at all times be confined solely to
the property so acquired;
(ii) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by each such
Lien shall at no time exceed the lesser of (A) the cost to such
Person of the property subject thereto or (B) the fair value of such
property (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
such Person) at the time of the acquisition thereof or completion of
construction thereon.
(h) Liens solely constituting the right of any other Person to a
share of any licensing royalties (pursuant to a licensing agreement or
other related agreement entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with such Person in the ordinary course of the Company's or
such Subsidiary's business) otherwise payable to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, provided that such right shall have been conveyed to such
Person for consideration received by the Company or such Subsidiary on an
arm's-length basis; and
(i) in the case of real property owned by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, easements, rights of way, restrictive covenants,
encroachments and other non-monetary Liens which Liens would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
For purposes of this subsection 10.5, any Person becoming a Subsidiary of the
Company after the date hereof shall be deemed to have incurred all of its then
outstanding Liens at the time it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, and any
Person extending, renewing or refunding any Indebtedness secured by any Lien
shall be deemed to have incurred such Lien at the time of such extension,
renewal or refunding.
10.6 Sale of Assets. Except in the ordinary course of business
(including the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any credit card
receivable of the Company or any
<PAGE> 66
60
of its Subsidiaries), the Company will not, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets
or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Capital Stock of any of its
Subsidiaries, provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, no such disposition
of assets or Capital Stock out of the ordinary course of business shall
constitute a violation of this subsection 10.6 so long as (i) the aggregate fair
market value of the assets or Capital Stock so disposed of during any Fiscal
Year of the Company shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth as at the end
of the preceding Fiscal Year, or (ii) the net cash proceeds are used within 180
days after the receipt thereof to purchase assets to be utilized by the Company
in any Related Line of Business and if not so used within such time period, such
proceeds shall be applied to the prepayment of principal of any outstanding Term
Loans in inverse order of maturity and thereafter, 50% of such proceeds shall,
if Margin Level I Status then exists, be applied to the mandatory reduction of
the Revolving Credit Commitments. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
subsection 10.6 to the contrary, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall dispose of any of its right, title or interest in any Collateral or any
material Trademark, except for (i) licensing of Trademarks and sales of
inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) sales, leases, transfers
or other dispositions of Trademarks by the Company to any of its Subsidiaries
which is a Guarantor or by any Subsidiary to any other Subsidiary which is a
Guarantor or to the Company.
10.7 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. The Company will not, nor
will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any merger, consolidation
or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of its property, business or
assets, except:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Company may be merged or consolidated with
or into the Company (provided that the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving entity) or with or into any one or more wholly owned
Subsidiaries of the Company (provided that the wholly owned Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries shall be the continuing or surviving entity);
(b) any wholly owned Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation
or otherwise) to the Company or any other wholly owned Subsidiary of the
Company;
(c) the Company or any Subsidiary may effect any Investment
permitted by subsections 10.8(h), (i) or (j) by means of a merger of the
Person that is the subject of such acquisition with the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries (provided that, in the case of a merger with the Company,
the Company is the survivor); and
(d) the Company may, and may permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
enter into any transaction otherwise permitted pursuant to subsection
10.6.
<PAGE> 67
61
10.8 Limitation on Loans, Advances and Other Investments. The
Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any
Investment other than:
(a) advances or loans made in the ordinary course of business to
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) Investments in Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments by the Company in and to its Domestic Subsidiaries
and any Foreign Subsidiary that becomes a party to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement as a Guarantor or of which 66% of such Foreign
Subsidiary's Capital Stock is pledged to the Lenders pursuant to a pledge
agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
(d) Investments by any Subsidiaries of the Company in and to the
Company and any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that becomes a party to the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Guarantor;
(e) Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not
in excess of $75,000,000;
(f) existing Investments not otherwise permitted under this
Agreement and described in Schedule 10.8 hereto;
(g) Investments received in connection with the bona fide settlement
of any defaulted Indebtedness or other liability owed to the Company or
any Subsidiary;
(h) Investments in Permitted Acquisitions provided that if, as a
result of Permitted Acquisition, a new Domestic Subsidiary shall be
created, such Domestic Subsidiary shall become a party to the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement as a Guarantor;
(i) Investments in Permitted Acquisitions in Persons organized under
the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States in an aggregate
amount not in excess of the sum of (x) $200,000,000 plus (y) the Annual
Increase for each full Fiscal Year which shall have been completed and for
which financial statements and the related compliance certificate shall
have been delivered pursuant to subsections 9.1(a) and (e) hereof, during
the period from the Closing Date through the date at which compliance with
this paragraph is being determined (as reflected in such financial
statements and compliance certificate) less an amount equal to the
aggregate amount of Investments, if any, made pursuant to clause (j) of
this subsection 10.8 in excess of $100,000,000; and
(j) additional Investments in an amount not in excess of an amount
equal to the sum of (x) $100,000,000, and (y) the Annual Increase for each
full Fiscal Year which shall have been completed, and for which financial
statements and the related compliance certificate shall have been
delivered pursuant to subsections 9.1(a) and (e)
<PAGE> 68
62
hereof, during the period from the Closing Date through the date as at
which compliance with this paragraph is being determined (as reflected in
such financial statements and compliance certificate) less an amount equal
to the aggregate amount of Investments, if any, made pursuant to clause
(i) of this subsection 10.8 in excess of $200,000,000; provided that the
Investments under this subsection 10.8(j) shall in no event exceed
$175,000,000.
10.9 Compliance with ERISA. The Company and its Subsidiaries will
not:
(a) knowingly engage in any transaction in connection with which the
Company or any Subsidiary might reasonably be likely to be subject to
either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a
tax imposed by Section 4975 of the Code, terminate any Plan in a manner,
or take any other action with respect to any such Plan, which is likely to
result in any liability of the Company or any Subsidiary to the PBGC, fail
to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions
of any Plan, the Company or any Subsidiary is required to pay as
contributions thereto, or permit to exist any accumulated funding
deficiency, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan), if, in any such case, such penalty or tax or such
liability, or the failure to make such payment, or the existence of such
deficiency, as the case may be, would have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(b) permit at any time the aggregate complete or partial withdrawal
liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries under Title IV of ERISA with
respect to Multiemployer Plans to exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Worth as
at the end of the then most recently ended Fiscal Quarter.
For purposes of subdivision (b) of this subsection 10.9, the amount of the
withdrawal liability of the Company or its Subsidiaries at any date shall be the
aggregate present value of the amount claimed to have been incurred less any
portion thereof as to which the Company or its Subsidiaries reasonably believes,
after appropriate consideration of possible adjustments arising under Sections
4219 and 4221 of ERISA, it and its Subsidiaries will have no liability, provided
that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall obtain prompt written advice from
independent actuarial consultants supporting such determination. The Company and
its Subsidiaries shall, promptly upon request by any Lender, transmit a copy of
any current statement of withdrawal liability from each Multiemployer Plan, if
and when available, after the Company or any Subsidiary receives the same. As
used in this subsection 10.9, the term "accumulated funding deficiency" has the
meaning specified in Section 301 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, and the
terms "accrued benefit" and "current value" have the meanings specified in
Section 3 of ERISA.
10.10 Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any
transactions, including, without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of
property, the making of any Investment or the rendering of any service, with any
Affiliate of the Company or a spouse or any relative (by blood, adoption or
marriage) within the third degree of any such Affiliate or any other Person
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63
which is an Affiliate of any such spouse or relative, except (a) in the ordinary
course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Company's
or such Subsidiary's business and upon reasonable terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate of the Company, (b) any
transaction listed in Schedule 10.10 hereto and (c) any transaction between the
Company and any Subsidiary of the Company or between any Subsidiary and any
other Subsidiary.
10.11 Additional Liens. If at any time subsequent to the Closing
Date any Domestic Subsidiary shall distribute menswear products being
distributed by the Company on the date hereof under the Polo by Ralph Lauren,
Polo Sport, Ralph Lauren/Purple Label Collection and Polo Golf brands, the
Company will cause such Subsidiary to become a party to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement as a Grantor of Liens on the Collateral described therein
and will deliver to the Lenders such legal opinions with respect thereto as the
Agent may reasonably request.
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) (i) The Company shall fail to pay any principal of any Note, any
Letter of Credit Obligation or any Acceptance Obligation, in each case
within two days after such principal or Obligation becomes due or (ii) the
Company shall fail to pay any interest on any Note, any Letter of Credit
Obligation or any Acceptance Obligation, or any fee, commission or other
amount owing hereunder, in each case within five days after such interest,
fee or other amount is due; or
(b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
Company herein or by the Company or any other Credit Party in any other
Credit Document or which is contained in any certificate, document or
financial or other statement furnished at any time under or in connection
with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material
respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or
(c) The Company shall default in the observance or performance of
any covenant or agreement contained in Section 10 or subsection 6.19; or
(d) The Company shall default in the observance or performance of
any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than in
Section 10 or subsection 6.19 hereof) or in any Security Document to which
it is a party; or any other Credit Party shall default in the observance
or performance of any covenant or agreement contained in any Credit
Document to which it is a party, and, in each case, such default is not
remediable or, if remediable, continues unremedied for a period of 30 days
after the earlier to occur of (i) the date on which such default is known
or reasonably should have become known to any officer of the Company or
such other Credit Party and (ii) the date on which the Agent or any Lender
shall have notified the Company or such other Credit Party of such
default; or
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(e) Any Security Document shall for any reason cease to be in full
force and effect; the Liens on the collateral described therein purported
to be created thereby shall cease to be or are not valid and perfected
first Liens to the extent contemplated thereby; any Guarantor shall assert
that it has no liability under the Guarantee to which it is a party; or
any Guarantee shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect;
or
(f) The Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign Subsidiary
shall (A) default in any payment of principal of or interest on any
Indebtedness (other than the Notes, the Acceptance Obligations or the
Letter of Credit Obligations) or in the payment of any Guarantee
Obligation in respect of Indebtedness (other than the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement), the aggregate principal amount of which exceeds
$5,000,000 in the case of the Company or any Subsidiary, beyond the period
(without giving effect to any extensions, waivers, amendments or other
modifications of or to such period) of grace, if any, provided in the
instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness or Guarantee
Obligation was created; or (B) default in the observance or performance of
any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or
Guarantee Obligation or contained in any instrument or agreement
evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur
or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or
condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such
Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee Obligation
(or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary
or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time, or both, if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its
stated maturity or such Guarantee Obligation to become payable; or
(g) (i) The Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign
Subsidiary shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under
any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign,
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors,
seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking
to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition
or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official
for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company,
any other Credit Party or any Foreign Subsidiary shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be
commenced against the Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign
Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in
clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or
any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed,
undischarged or unbonded for a period of 45 days; or (iii) there shall be
commenced against the Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign
Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a
warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all
or any substantial part of its assets which results in the entry of an
order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated, discharged,
or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 45 days from the entry thereof;
or (iv) the Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign
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65
Subsidiary shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its
consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in
clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above; or (v) the Company, any other Credit
Party or any Foreign Subsidiary shall generally not, or shall be unable
to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they
become due; provided, however, that the occurrence of any of the events
specified in this paragraph (g) with respect to any Person other than the
Company shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default unless (x) the net
assets of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP, shall have
exceeded $3,000,000 as of the date of the most recent audited financial
statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to subsection 9.1 or on the
date of occurrence of any such event and/or (y) the aggregate net assets
of all Credit Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of which any of
the events specified in this paragraph (g) shall have occurred shall have
exceeded $5,000,000 as of the date of the most recent audited financial
statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to subsection 9.1 or on the
date of occurrence of any such event; or
(h) (i) Any Person shall engage in any "prohibited transaction" (as
defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any
Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302
of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or
any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of the
Company or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall
occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee
appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate,
any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of
proceedings or appointment of a trustee is, in the reasonable opinion of
the Required Lenders, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for
purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall
terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the Company or any
Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the
Required Lenders is likely to, incur any liability (except as set forth in
Schedule 8.12) in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or
Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or
condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in
clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all
other such events or conditions, if any, could subject the Company or any
other Credit Party to any tax, penalty or other liabilities in the
aggregate material in relation to the business, operations, property or
financial or other condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole; or
(i) One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the
Company, any other Credit Party or any Foreign Subsidiary involving in the
aggregate a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance) of
$5,000,000 or more and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been
vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from
the entry thereof; or
(j) Lauren, his estate or Persons related to him by blood, adoption
or marriage and/or trusts or other entities principally for the benefit of
any of the foregoing (the "Lauren Interests") shall cease to own in the
aggregate, directly or indirectly (i) at any time before the consummation
of the Initial Public Offering, Voting Stock of the
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66
Company having more than 50% of the voting power for the election of the
board of directors of the Company or (ii) at any time after the
consummation of the Initial Public Offering, either (x) Voting Stock of
the Company having the voting power to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company or (y) Voting Stock representing more than 25% of
the voting power of the Company's Capital Stock; or
(k) Prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, Lauren
shall cease to be the principal manager of the Company by reason of death,
disability, retirement or otherwise, and the Company shall fail within 360
days after such event to (i) find a replacement chief executive officer
for Lauren acceptable to the Required Lenders and (ii) have presented a
business plan acceptable to the Required Lenders; or
(l) The PRLE $24,000,000 Subordination Agreement shall be amended
without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default in respect
of the Company specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (g) above,
automatically the Revolving Credit Commitments shall immediately terminate and
the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing
under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all amounts of Letter of
Credit Obligations whether or not the beneficiaries thereof shall have presented
the documents required thereunder and all amounts of Acceptance Obligations
whether or not matured) and the Notes shall immediately become due and payable,
and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, any or all of the following
actions may be taken: the Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required
Lenders, the Agent shall, (i) declare the Revolving Credit Commitments to be
terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments shall
immediately terminate; (ii) declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest
thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, all amounts of Letter of Credit Obligations whether or not the
beneficiaries thereof shall have presented the documents required thereunder and
all amounts of Acceptance Obligations whether or not matured) and the Notes to
be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due
and payable; and (iii) exercise any and all remedies and other rights provided
pursuant to this Agreement and/or the other Credit Documents.
With respect to all Letters of Credit and Acceptances that shall not
have matured or been paid or with respect to which presentment for honor shall
not have occurred, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Company shall
deposit in an interest bearing cash collateral account opened by the Agent (and
under the exclusive dominion and control of the Agent) an amount equal to the
aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations plus the aggregate
outstanding amount of Acceptance Obligations for application to payments of
drafts drawn under Letters of Credit and to payment of Acceptances at maturity,
and the unused portion thereof after such application, if any, shall be applied
to repay other obligations of the Company hereunder or under the Notes or any of
the other Credit Documents, and after all Letters of Credit have expired, all
drafts and Acceptances have matured and been repaid and all other obligations of
the Company hereunder or any of the other Credit Documents are paid in full, the
balance, if any, shall be returned to the Company.
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67
Except as expressly provided above in this Section 11, presentment,
demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived.
SECTION 12. THE AGENT AND ISSUING LENDER
12.1 Appointment; Authorization. Each Lender hereby irrevocably
designates and appoints Chase as the Agent of such Lender under this Agreement
and each of the other Credit Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes (a) Chase, as the Agent for such Lender, to take such action on its
behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each of the other Credit
Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly
delegated to the Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto
and (b) Chase, in its capacity as Issuing Lender, to issue the Letters of
Credit, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to pay the amount of any
draft presented under any Letter of Credit upon presentation of documents which,
upon their face, conform to the terms of such Letter of Credit, to create
Acceptances, to receive from the Company reimbursement for the amount of each
draft paid under each Letter of Credit and each Acceptance and payment of all
commissions, charges and interest in respect of the Letters of Credit and the
Acceptances, and to take such action on behalf of such Lender under this
Agreement, the Letter of Credit Documents and the Acceptance Documents and to
exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are
specifically delegated to or required of the Issuing Lender by the terms hereof
and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement,
neither the Agent nor the Issuing Lender shall have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents or otherwise exist against the Agent or
the Issuing Lender.
12.2 Delegation of Duties. Each of the Agent and the Issuing Lender
may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents
by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of
counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Neither the Agent nor
the Issuing Lender shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any
agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.
12.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Agent nor the Issuing
Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with
this Agreement or any Credit Document (except for its or such Person's own gross
negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of
the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by
the Company, any other Credit Party or any officer thereof contained in this
Agreement or any other Credit Document or in any certificate, report, statement
or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent or
the Issuing Lender under or in connection with,
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68
this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, any
other Credit Document or the Notes or for any failure of the Company or any
other Credit Party to perform its or his obligations hereunder or thereunder.
Neither the Agent nor the Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to any
Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of
the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Company
or any other Credit Party.
12.4 Reliance by Agent and Issuing Lender. Each of the Agent and the
Issuing Lender shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any Note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate,
affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message,
statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or
Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without
limitation, counsel to the Company), independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Agent or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be. The Agent may
deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes
unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall
have been filed with the Agent. Each of the Agent and the Issuing Lender shall
be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this
Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it shall first receive such advice
or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first
be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability
and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to
take any such action. Each of the Agent and the Issuing Lender shall in all
cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this
Agreement, the Credit Documents and the Notes in accordance with a request of
the Required Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of
the Notes.
12.5 Notice of Default. Neither the Agent nor the Issuing Lender
shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or
Event of Default hereunder unless the Agent has received written notice from a
Lender or the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or
Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the
event that the Agent receives such a notice, the Agent shall give notice thereof
to the Lenders. The Agent shall take such action with respect to any Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders,
provided that unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions,
the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from
taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.
12.6 Non-Reliance on Agent, Issuing Lender or Other Lenders. Each
Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agent nor the Issuing Lender nor
any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it
and that no act by the Agent or the Issuing Lender hereinafter taken, including
any review of the affairs of the Company or any other Credit Party, shall be
deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Agent or the
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Issuing Lender to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agent and the
Issuing Lender that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent,
the Issuing Lender or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Company and the other Credit Parties and
made its own decision to make its Loans, to purchase Acceptance Participating
Interests, to purchase Letter of Credit Participating Interests and to enter
into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent, the Issuing Lender or any other Lender, and
based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the
time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement, and to make such investigation
as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Company and the other
Credit Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly
required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent or the Issuing Lender
hereunder, neither the Agent nor the Issuing Lender shall have any duty or
responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or
creditworthiness of the Company or any other Credit Party, which may come into
the possession of the Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.
12.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Agent and
the Issuing Lender in their capacities as such (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Company and without limiting the obligation of the Company to do so),
ratably according to their respective Combined Loan Percentages in effect on the
date on which indemnification is sought under this subsection (or, if
indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Revolving Credit
Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full,
ratably in accordance with their Combined Loan Percentages immediately prior to
such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at
any time following the payment of the Notes and all other amounts payable
hereunder) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent or the
Issuing Lender, as the case may be, in any way relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, the Notes, the other Credit Documents or any documents
contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Agent or
the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under or in connection with any of the
foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from the
Agent's or Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
agreements in this subsection shall survive the payment of the Notes and all
other amounts payable hereunder.
12.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Agent and its Affiliates
may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of
business with the Company and the other Credit Parties as though the Agent were
not the Agent hereunder. With respect to Loans made or renewed by it,
Acceptances created by it, Letters of Credit issued by it, and any Note issued
to it, Chase shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as
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any Lender (as well as those of the Issuing Lender) and may exercise the same as
though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" shall include
Chase in its individual capacity.
12.9 Successor Agent. The Agent may resign as Agent upon 10 days'
notice to the Lenders. If the Agent shall resign as Agent under this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint a
successor agent for the Lenders (and if no successor agent shall have been so
appointed within 10 days of the retiring Agent's having given notice of its
resignation, then the retiring Agent shall, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a
successor agent), which successor agent shall be approved by the Company (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), whereupon such successor agent
shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Agent, and the term
"Agent" shall mean such successor agent effective upon its appointment, and the
former Agent's rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated, without
any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the
parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Notes. After any retiring
Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 12 shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Agent under this Agreement.
SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any Note, any
other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended,
supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this
subsection 13.1. Upon the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Agent
(or, in the case of the Letter of Credit Documents and the Acceptance Documents,
the Issuing Lender) and the Company may, from time to time, enter into written
amendments, supplements or modifications for the purpose of adding, deleting or
changing any provisions to this Agreement, the Notes or the other Credit
Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Company
hereunder or thereunder or waiving, on such terms and conditions as the Agent
(or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be) may specify in such instrument, any
of the requirements of this Agreement or the Notes or the other Credit Documents
or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that
no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (a)
extend the Termination Date or the maturity of any Note or any installment
thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon,
or reduce any fee payable to the Lenders hereunder, or reduce the principal
amount of any Note, or change the amount of any Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment, or amend, modify or waive any provision of this subsection 13.1, or
amend or modify the definition of Required Lenders, or consent to the release of
all or substantially all of the Collateral, or consent to the assignment or
transfer by the Company of any of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement, in each case without the written consent of all the Lenders, or (b)
amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 12 without the written consent
of the then Agent and Issuing Lender. Any such waiver and any such amendment,
supplement or modification shall apply to each of the Lenders equally and shall
be binding upon the Company, the Lenders, the Issuing Lender, the Agent and all
future holders of the Notes. In the case of any waiver, the Company, the
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Lenders and the Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights
hereunder and under the outstanding Notes, and any Default or Event of Default
waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any
right consequent thereon.
13.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telegraph or facsimile), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall
be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or five days
after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid and return
receipt requested, or, in the case of telegraphic notice, when delivered to the
telegraph company, or, in the case of facsimile, when sent, telephonic
confirmation received, addressed as follows, or to such other address as may be
hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and any future holders of
the Notes:
The Company: Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Michael Newman,
Vice Chairman and C.O.O.
and Victor Cohen, Esq.,
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Telecopier: (212) 318-7183
Telephonic Confirmation: (212) 318-7351
with a copy to:
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
9 Polito Avenue
Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071
Attention: Nancy Platoni Poli
Vice President-Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No: (201) 531-6766
Telephonic Confirmation: (201) 531-6250
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The Agent and
the Issuing
Lender: The Chase Manhattan Bank
1411 Broadway
New York, New York 10018
Attention: John Murphy
Vice President
Facsimile: (212) 391-7118
Telephonic Confirmation: (212) 391-6073
The Lenders: To the addresses set forth on Schedule 1.1 hereto
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Agent, the Issuing
Lender or the Lenders pursuant to subsections 2.3, 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6.7 and 6.8
shall not be effective until received.
13.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder or under the other Credit Documents, shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right,
remedy, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided or provided in the
other Credit Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies,
powers and privileges provided by law.
13.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties made hereunder, in the other Credit Documents and in any
document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection
herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Notes.
13.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Company agrees (a) to pay or
reimburse the Agent for all its out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of, and any
amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement, the Notes, the other
Credit Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or
therewith, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including, without limitation, the disbursements and reasonable fees of
counsel to the Agent, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Agent for all
their costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or
preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the Notes, the other Credit
Documents and any such other documents, including, without limitation,
disbursements and reasonable fees of counsel to the Agent and to the several
Lenders, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Agent harmless
from, any and all recording and filing fees, and any and all liabilities with
respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other
taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection
with the execution and delivery of, or consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated by, or any amendment,
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73
supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of,
this Agreement, the Notes, the other Credit Documents and any such other
documents, (d) to pay or reimburse the Agent on demand for any amounts paid by
it under the CIT Indemnity and (e) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and
the Agent harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution,
delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the
Notes, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents (all the
foregoing, collectively, the "indemnified liabilities"), provided that the
Company shall have no obligation hereunder to the Agent or any Lender with
respect to indemnified liabilities arising from (i) the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Agent or any such Lender, or (ii) legal proceedings
commenced against the Agent or any such Lender by any other Lender or by any
Participant. The agreements in this subsection 13.5 shall survive repayment of
the Notes and all other amounts payable hereunder.
13.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations. (a) This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Lenders, the
Agent, all future holders of the Notes and their respective successors and
assigns, except that the Company may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each
Lender. Assignments by any Lender of its rights and obligations hereunder may be
either in whole or in part.
(b) Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial banking
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more
banks or other entities ("Participants") participating interests in any Loan
owing to such Lender, any Note held by such Lender, the Revolving Credit
Commitment of such Lender, any Acceptance Participating Interest, any Letter of
Credit Participating Interest or any other interest of such Lender hereunder. In
the event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a
Participant, such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance
thereof, such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for all purposes
under this Agreement, and the Company, the Agent and the Issuing Lender shall
continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Each participation
agreement entered into between any Lender and any Participant shall provide that
such Lender shall not be required to seek the consent of such Participant before
agreeing to amend, waive or otherwise modify any Credit Document or taking any
other action with respect thereto, except that such participation agreement may
provide that the selling Lender thereunder must obtain the prior written consent
of the Participant thereunder to extend the Termination Date or the maturity of
any Note or any installment thereof or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount of any Note. The
Company agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the Notes
are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and
payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be
deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of its participating interest in
amounts owing under this Agreement and any Note to the same extent as if the
amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under
this Agreement or any Note, provided that such right of setoff shall be subject
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to the obligation of such Participant to share with the Lenders, and the Lenders
agree to share with such Participant, as provided in subsection 13.7. The
Company also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
subsections 6.14, 6.16 and 6.17 with respect to its participation in the
Commitments, the Acceptances, the Letters of Credit and the Loans outstanding
from time to time; provided that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any
greater amount pursuant to such subsections than the transferor Lender would
have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation
transferred by such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer
occurred.
(c) Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial lending
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time and from time to
time assign to any Lender or any affiliate thereof or, with the consent of the
Company and the Agent (which in each case shall not be unreasonably withheld),
to any additional bank, financial institution or other lending entity (each an
"Assignee"), all or any part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
and the Notes pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent (each an "Assignment and Acceptance"),
executed by such Assignee, such assigning Lender (and, in the case of an
Assignee that is not then a Lender or an affiliate thereof, by the Agent and the
Company) and delivered to the Agent for its acceptance and recording in the
Register (as defined in paragraph (d) below); [provided that any such assignment
shall, in the case of Revolving Credit Commitments and Term Loans, be in an
amount at least equal to $________________ in the case of any such assignment by
Chase occurring within 90 days from the Closing Date (except in the case where
the original syndication hereof is oversubscribed), or $______________] [will be
set based on size of Syndication] in the case of any other assignment; and
provided, further, that any assignment by any Lender of all or any part of its
Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loans must be made ratably in accordance
with the respective amounts of such Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loans
then held by such Lender immediately prior to such assignment. Upon such
execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date
determined pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the Assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder
with a Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loans as set forth therein, and (y)
the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment
and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in
the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion
of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such
assigning Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).
(d) The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in
subsection 13.2 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a
register (the "Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the
Lenders and the Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loans of, and principal
amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time. The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Company,
the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the
Register as the owner of the Loan recorded therein for all purposes of this
Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company or any
Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.
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75
(e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an
assigning Lender and an Assignee (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not
then a Lender or an affiliate thereof, by the Agent and the Company) together
with payment to the Agent of a registration and processing fee of $4,000 (or
$1,500 in the case of an Assignment to a Lender or affiliate thereof), the Agent
shall (i) promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) on the
effective date determined pursuant thereto record the information contained
therein in the Register and give notice of such acceptance and recordation to
the Lenders and the Company. On or prior to such effective date, the Company, at
its own expense, shall execute and deliver to the Agent (in exchange for the
Notes of the assigning Lender) new Notes to the order of such Assignee in an
amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment and Term Loan assumed by it
pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Lender has
retained a Revolving Credit Commitment and a Term Loan hereunder, new Notes to
the order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit
Commitment and Term Loan retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall be dated
the Closing Date and shall otherwise be in the form of the Notes replaced
thereby.
(f) The Company authorizes each Lender to disclose to any
Participant, Assignee and any prospective Participant or Assignee any and all
financial information in such Lender's possession concerning the Company and its
affiliates which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the
Company pursuant to this Agreement or which has been delivered to such Lender by
or on behalf of the Company in connection with such Lender's credit evaluation
of the Company and its affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement;
provided that any prospective Participant or Assignee shall have acknowledged in
writing that it is receiving such information subject to the provisions of
subsection 13.8.
(g) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
acknowledge that the provisions of this subsection concerning assignments of
Loans and Notes relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do
not prohibit assignments creating security interests, including, without
limitation, any pledge or assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with applicable law.
13.7 Adjustments; Set-Off. (a) If any Lender (a "Benefitted Lender")
shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans, or interest
thereon, or any other amount payable to it hereunder, or receive any collateral
in respect thereof or any amount under any guarantee in respect thereof (whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of
the nature referred to in paragraph (g) of Section 11, or otherwise) in a
greater proportion than any such payment to and collateral received by any other
Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender's Loans, or interest thereon, or
any other amount payable to it hereunder, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase
for cash from the other Lender such portion of such other Lender's Loans, or
shall provide such other Lender with the benefits of any such collateral, or the
proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share
the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each
of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such
purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to
the extent of such recovery, but
<PAGE> 82
76
without interest. The Company agrees that each Lender so purchasing a portion of
another Lender's Loans may exercise all rights of payment (including, without
limitation, rights of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such
Lender were the direct holder of such portion.
(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided
by law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of the
obligations owing in connection with this Agreement, each Lender shall have the
right, without prior notice to the Company, any such notice being expressly
waived by the Company to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set-off and
apply against any indebtedness, whether matured or unmatured, of the Company to
such Lender, any amount owing from such Lender to the Company, at or at any time
after, the happening of any of the above-mentioned events, and the aforesaid
right of set-off may be exercised by such Lender against the Company or against
any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of
creditors, receiver or executor, judgment or attachment creditor of the Company,
or against anyone else claiming through or against the Company or such trustee
in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors,
receiver or executor, judgment or attachment creditor, notwithstanding the fact
that such right of set-off shall not have been exercised by such Lender prior to
the making, filing or issuance, or service upon such Lender of, or of notice of,
any such petition, assignment for the benefit of creditors, appointment or
application for the appointment of a receiver, or issuance of execution,
subpoena, order or warrant. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Company
and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender,
provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of
such set-off and application.
13.8 Confidentiality. Each Lender agrees that it will not disclose
Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) to any Person other than (a)
as may be consented to by the Company, (b) as may be required by law or pursuant
to legal process and (c) to prospective Participants and Assignees and those of
such Lender's directors, officers, employees, examiners and professional
advisors who have a need to know the Confidential Information in accordance with
customary banking practices and who receive the Confidential Information having
been made aware of the restrictions of this subsection 13.8. As used herein, the
term "Confidential Information" means all information contained in materials
relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries provided to the Lenders by the
Company or its representatives or agents other than (i) information which is at
the time so provided or thereafter becomes generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure by one or more Lenders, (ii) information
which was available to any Lender prior to its disclosure to the Lenders by the
Company, its representatives or agents and (iii) information which becomes
available to one or more Lenders from a source other than the Company, its
representatives or agents.
13.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provisions in any other jurisdiction.
<PAGE> 83
77
13.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of
the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts and all of
said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties
shall be lodged with the Company and the Agent.
13.11 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the
benefit of the Agent, the Lenders (and Participants and Assignees to the extent
provided in subsection 13.6) and the Company, and nothing expressed in, or to be
implied from, this Agreement shall or shall be deemed to confer upon anyone
other than the Company, the Agent and the Lenders (and such Participants and
Assignees) any benefit, or legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
virtue of this Agreement or any provision hereof, including, without limitation,
the right to insist upon or to enforce the performance or observance of any of
the obligations contained herein. All conditions to the obligations of the
Lenders to make the Loans, the Issuing Lender and the Participating Lenders to
issue and participate in the Letters of Credit and the Lenders to create and
participate in the Acceptances are imposed solely and exclusively for the
benefit of the Lenders, and no other Person shall have standing to require
satisfaction of such conditions in accordance with their terms or be entitled to
assume that the Lenders will not refuse to make such extensions of credit in the
absence of strict compliance with any or all thereof and no other Person shall
under any circumstances be deemed to be a beneficiary of such conditions, any or
all of which may be freely waived in whole or in part by the Lenders at any time
if, in their sole discretion, the Lenders deem it advisable or desirable to do
so.
13.12 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS. (a) EACH OF THE COMPANY,
THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY:
(i) SUBMITS FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT TO
WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN
RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE GENERAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF;
(ii) CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE BROUGHT IN
SUCH COURTS, WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT
TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME;
(iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR
CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY
<PAGE> 84
78
SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL), POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS
SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION 13.2 OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OF WHICH THE AGENT
SHALL HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED PURSUANT THERETO; AND
(iv) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO EFFECT
SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE
RIGHT TO SUE IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (a) ABOVE.
13.13 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES AND THE OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT,
THE NOTES AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
13.14 Integration. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents
represent the agreement of the Company, the Agent and the Lenders with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings,
representations or warranties by the Agent or any Lender relative to the subject
matter hereof not expressly set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents.
13.15 Acknowledgements. The Company hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents;
(b) neither the Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship
with or duty to the Company arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and the relationship
between the Agent and the Lenders, on one hand, and the Company, on the
other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor
and creditor; and
(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit
Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated
hereby among the Lenders or among the Company and the Lenders.
13.16 Satisfaction in Dollars. The obligation of the Company
hereunder, under the Notes and in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations and
Acceptance Obligations to make payments in Dollars shall not be discharged or
satisfied by any tender or recovery
<PAGE> 85
79
pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than
Dollars or any other realization in such currency, whether as proceeds of
set-off, security, guarantee, distributions, or otherwise, except to the extent
to which such tender, recovery or realization shall result in the effective
receipt by the Agent and the Lenders of the full amount of Dollars expressed to
be payable hereunder, under the Notes and in respect of Letter of Credit
Obligations and Acceptance Obligations and the Company shall indemnify the Agent
and each Lender (as an alternative or additional cause of action) for the amount
(if any) by which such effective receipt shall fall short of the full amount of
Dollars expressed to be payable hereunder, under the Notes and in respect of
Letter of Credit Obligations and Acceptance Obligations and such obligation to
indemnify shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sums
due under this Agreement, the Notes and in respect of Letter of Credit
Obligations and Acceptance Obligations.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: _____________________________
Name:
Title:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Agent,
Issuing Lender and a Lender
By: _________________________
Name: John Murphy
Title: Vice President
<PAGE> 86
ANNEX A
PRICING GRID
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================================================================================
STATUS APPLICABLE
MARGIN FOR APPLICABLE
EURODOLLAR COMMITMENT APPLICABLE SIGHT
LOANS RATE PERCENTAGE DRAFT FEE PERCENTAGE
============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MARGIN LEVEL STATUS I 0.75% 0.2500% 0.1250%
============================================================================================
MARGIN LEVEL STATUS II 0.50% 0.1875% 0.1250%
============================================================================================
MARGIN LEVEL STATUS III 0.40% 0.1750% 0.0625%
============================================================================================
MARGIN LEVEL STATUS IV 0.35% 0.1500% 0.0625%
============================================================================================
MARGIN LEVEL STATUS V 0.30% 0.1250% 0.0625%
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.25
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
made by
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
and certain of its Subsidiaries
in favor of
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Agent
Dated as of June ___, 1997
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C>
SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS.............................................................................. 1
1.1 Definitions.............................................................................. 1
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions............................................................ 3
SECTION 2. GUARANTEE.................................................................................. 4
2.1 Guarantee................................................................................ 4
2.2 Right of Contribution.................................................................... 5
2.3 No Subrogation........................................................................... 5
2.4 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations................................ 5
2.5 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional..................................................... 6
2.6 Reinstatement............................................................................ 6
2.7 Payments................................................................................. 7
SECTION 3. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST................................................................. 7
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES............................................................. 7
4.1 Representations in Credit Agreement...................................................... 7
4.2 Title; No Other Liens.................................................................... 8
4.3 Perfected First Priority Liens........................................................... 8
4.4 Chief Executive Office................................................................... 8
4.5 Farm Products............................................................................ 8
4.6 Receivables.............................................................................. 8
SECTION 5. COVENANTS.................................................................................. 9
5.1 Covenants in Credit Agreement............................................................ 9
5.2 Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper................................................ 9
5.3 Payment of Obligations................................................................... 9
5.4 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation........................ 9
5.5 Changes in Locations, Name, etc.......................................................... 10
5.6 Notices.................................................................................. 10
5.7 Receivables.............................................................................. 10
SECTION 6. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS........................................................................ 10
6.1 Certain Matters Relating to Receivables.................................................. 11
6.2 Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable..................................... 11
6.3 Proceeds to be Turned Over To Agent...................................................... 12
6.4 Application of Proceeds.................................................................. 12
6.5 Code and Other Remedies.................................................................. 12
6.6 Waiver; Deficiency....................................................................... 13
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
SECTION 7. THE AGENT.................................................................................. 13
7.1 Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc............................................. 13
7.2 Duty of Agent............................................................................ 15
7.3 Execution of Financing Statements........................................................ 15
7.4 Authority of Agent....................................................................... 16
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS.............................................................................. 16
8.1 Amendments in Writing.................................................................... 16
8.2 Notices.................................................................................. 16
8.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies...................................... 16
8.4 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification.................................................... 16
8.5 Successors and Assigns................................................................... 17
8.6 Set-Off.................................................................................. 17
8.7 Counterparts............................................................................. 18
8.8 Severability............................................................................. 18
8.9 Section Headings......................................................................... 18
8.10 Integration............................................................................. 18
8.11 GOVERNING LAW........................................................................... 18
8.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers..................................................... 18
8.13 Acknowledgements........................................................................ 19
8.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.................................................................... 19
8.15 Additional Guarantors; Additional Grantors.............................................. 19
8.16 Releases................................................................................ 20
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of June 9, 1997,
made by Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (the "Company") and each of the other
signatories hereto (together with any other entity that may become a party
hereto as provided herein but excluding the Company, the "Guarantors"), in favor
of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as agent (in such capacity, the "Agent") for the
banks and other financial institutions (the "Lenders") from time to time parties
to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1997 (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the
Company, the Lenders and the Agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have
severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS, the Company is a member of an affiliated group of
companies that includes each Guarantor;
WHEREAS, the proceeds of the extensions of credit under the
Credit Agreement will be used in part to enable the Company to make valuable
transfers to one or more of the other Guarantors in connection with the
operation of their respective businesses;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Guarantors are engaged in related
businesses, and the Company and each Guarantor will derive substantial direct
and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the
Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the
Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company under the
Credit Agreement that the Company and the Guarantors shall have executed and
delivered this Agreement to the Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce
the Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the
Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company thereunder,
the Company and each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Agent, for the ratable
benefit of the Lenders, as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS
1.1 Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms
defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to
them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms which are defined in the
Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof
are used herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Farm Products,
Instruments and Proceeds.
<PAGE> 5
2
(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Agreement": this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the
same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.
"Borrower Obligations": the collective reference to the unpaid
principal of and interest on the Loans, the Acceptance Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and all
other obligations and liabilities of the Company (including, without
limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in
the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans, the Acceptance
Reimbursement Obligations, the Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided
in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy,
or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like
proceeding, relating to the Company, whether or not a claim for
post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to
the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of any Hedge Agreement
referred to below, any Affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing
or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection
with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Credit Documents,
any Letter of Credit, any Acceptance or any Hedge Agreement entered
into by the Company with any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or
any other document made, delivered or given in connection therewith, in
each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement
obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise
(including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel
to the Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the
Company pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).
"Collateral": as defined in Section 3.
"Collateral Account": any collateral account established by
the Agent as provided in Section 6.1 or 6.4.
"Fully Satisfied": shall mean, with respect to the Obligations
as of any date, that, on or before such date, (a) the principal of and
interest accrued to such date on such Obligations (other than Letters
of Credit and Acceptances that have been cash collateralized in
accordance with Section 6.20 of the Credit Agreement) shall have been
paid in full in cash, (b) all fees, expenses and other amounts then due
and payable which constituted Obligations (other than Letters of Credit
and Acceptances that have been cash collateralized in accordance with
Section 6.20 of the Credit Agreement) shall have been paid in full in
cash, (c) the Revolving Credit Obligations shall have expired or
irrevocably been terminated and (d) any Letters of Credit or Acceptance
outstanding on the Termination Date shall have been cash collateralized
in accordance with Section 6.20 of the Credit Agreement; provided,
however, that, on such date, none of the Agent or the Lenders shall
have made any claims in respect of
<PAGE> 6
3
Obligations against the Company or any Guarantor under any provision of
any of the Credit Documents that has not been cash collateralized by an
amount sufficient in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and such
Lender to secure such claim.
"Grantors": the collective reference to the Company and each
Guarantor that executes and delivers a Grantor Assumption Agreement in
the form of Annex 2 hereto.
"Guarantor Obligations": with respect to any Guarantor, the
collective reference to (i) the Borrower Obligations and (ii) all
obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or
in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document to which
such Guarantor is a party, in each case whether on account of guarantee
obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs,
expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Agent or to the Lenders that are
required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document).
"Hedge Agreements": as to any Person, all interest rate
protection agreements, interest rate futures, interest rate options,
interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements or other interest rate
hedge arrangements or other similar agreements or arrangements entered
into by such Person providing for protection against fluctuations in
interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal
interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.
"New York UCC": the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to
time in effect in the State of New York.
"Obligations": (i) in the case of the Company, the Borrower
Obligations, and (ii) in the case of each Guarantor, its Guarantor
Obligations.
"Receivable": any right to payment for goods sold or leased or
for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an
Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by
performance (including, without limitation, any Account); provided that
"Receivables" shall exclude any right to payment for goods sold at
retail to individuals for personal use; provided, further, that
Receivables of any Grantor other than the Company shall be limited to
Receivables solely in respect of menswear distributed under the Polo by
Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Ralph Lauren/Purple Label Collection and Polo
Golf brands.
"Securities Act": the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) The words "hereof,"
"herein", "hereto" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when
used in this Agreement shall refer to this
<PAGE> 7
4
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and
Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.
(b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
SECTION 2. GUARANTEE
2.1 Guarantee. (a) Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and
severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees,
transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the
Company when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
of the Borrower Obligations.
(b) Anything herein or in any other Credit Document to the
contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can
be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating
to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution
established in Section 2.2).
(c) Each Guarantor agrees that the Borrower Obligations may at
any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such
Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2
or affecting the rights and remedies of the Agent or any Lender hereunder.
(d) The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in
full force and effect until all the Guarantor Obligations shall have been Fully
Satisfied, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit
Agreement the Company may be free from any Borrower Obligations.
(e) No payment made by the Company, any of the Guarantors, any
other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Agent or any
Lender from the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other
Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or
application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of
the Borrower Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise
affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any
such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the
Borrower Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in
respect of the Borrower Obligations), remain liable for the Borrower Obligations
up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Borrower
Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit or Acceptance shall be
outstanding and the Revolving Credit Commitments are terminated.
<PAGE> 8
5
2.2 Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that
to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share
of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and
receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has
not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Guarantor's right of
contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.3. The
provisions of this Section 2.2 shall in no respect limit the obligations and
liabilities of any Guarantor to the Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor
shall remain liable to the Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed
by such Guarantor hereunder.
2.3 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any
Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by
the Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any
of the rights of the Agent or any Lender against the Company or any other
Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the
Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations, nor shall any
Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the
Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor
hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Agent and the Lenders by the Company
on account of the Borrower Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit or
Acceptance shall be outstanding and the Revolving Credit Commitments are
terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such
subrogation rights at any time when all of the Borrower Obligations shall not
have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for
the Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and
shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Agent in
the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to
the Agent, if required), to be applied against the Borrower Obligations, whether
matured or unmatured, in such order as the Agent may determine.
2.4 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations.
Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without
any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further
assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Borrower
Obligations made by the Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Agent or
such Lender and any of the Borrower Obligations continued, and the Borrower
Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof,
or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect
thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended,
amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by
the Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be
amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Agent
(or the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable
from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at
any time held by the Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower
Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the
Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or
insure any Lien at any time
<PAGE> 9
6
held by it as security for the Borrower Obligations or for the guarantee
contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.
2.5 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. Each Guarantor
waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any
of the Borrower Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Agent or
any Lender upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the
guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Borrower Obligations, and any of
them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred,
or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee
contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Company and any of the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand,
likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in
reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives
diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or
nonpayment to or upon the Company or any of the Guarantors with respect to the
Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee
contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and
unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or
enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, any of the
Borrower Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or
right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by
the Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a
defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be
asserted by the Company or any other Person against the Agent or any Lender, or
(c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of
the Company or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to
constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Company for the Borrower
Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section
2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or
otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the
Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar
demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against
the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral
security or guarantee for the Borrower Obligations or any right of offset with
respect thereto, and any failure by the Agent or any Lender to make any such
demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from
the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such
collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any
release of the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such
collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any
Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or
affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a
matter of law, of the Agent or any Lender against any Guarantor. For the
purposes hereof "demand" shall include the commencement and continuance of any
legal proceedings.
2.6 Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section 2
shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Borrower Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by
<PAGE> 10
7
the Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any Guarantor, or upon or as a
result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or
trustee or similar officer for, the Company or any Guarantor or any substantial
part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been
made.
2.7 Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments
hereunder will be paid to the Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars
at the office of the Agent located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
SECTION 3. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
Each Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Agent, and
hereby grants to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, a security
interest in, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter
acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the
future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the
"Collateral"), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and
performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise) of such Grantor's Obligations,:
(a) all Receivables;
(b) all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and
(c) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and
products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security
and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the
foregoing.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit
Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of
credit to the Company thereunder, the Company and each Guarantor hereby
represents and warrants to the Agent and each Lender that:
4.1 Representations in Credit Agreement. In the case of each
Guarantor, the representations and warranties set forth in subsection 8 of the
Credit Agreement as they relate to such Guarantor or to the Credit Documents to
which such Guarantor is a party, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference, are true and correct, and the Agent and each Lender shall be entitled
to rely on each of them as if they were fully set forth herein, provided that
each reference in each such representation and warranty to the Company's
<PAGE> 11
8
knowledge shall, for the purposes of this Section 4.1, be deemed to be a
reference to such Guarantor's knowledge.
4.2 Title; No Other Liens. Except for the security interest
granted to the Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders pursuant to this
Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral by the Credit
Agreement, each Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any
and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other public notice
with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any
public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted
by the Credit Agreement.
4.3 Perfected First Priority Liens. In the case of each
Grantor, the security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon
completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 2 (which, in
the case of all filings and other documents referred to on said Schedule, have
been delivered to the Agent in completed and duly executed form) will constitute
valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral in favor of the
Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as collateral security for such
Grantor's Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against
all creditors of such Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any
Collateral from such Grantor (except as to the ability of the Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders, to have the U.S. federal government make
payments directly to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in
respect of Receivables arising under contracts with the U.S. federal government
as to which no filing has been or will be made under the Federal Assignment of
Claims Act) and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence
on the date hereof except for (i) unrecorded Liens permitted by the Credit
Agreement which have priority over the Liens on the Collateral created hereby by
operation of law and (ii) Liens permitted under subsection 10.5 of the Credit
Agreement which have priority over the Liens on the Collateral created hereby by
operation of law.
4.4 Chief Executive Office. In the case of each Grantor, on
the date hereof, such Grantor's jurisdiction of organization and the location of
such Grantor's chief executive office or sole place of business are specified on
Schedule 3.
4.5 Farm Products. None of the Collateral constitutes, or is
the Proceeds of, Farm Products.
4.6 Receivables. (a) In the case of each Grantor, no amount
payable to such Grantor under or in connection with any Receivable is evidenced
by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to the Agent.
(b) In the case of each Grantor, the amounts represented by
such Grantor to the Lenders from time to time as owing to such Grantor in
respect of the Receivables will at such times be accurate.
<PAGE> 12
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SECTION 5. COVENANTS
The Company and each Guarantor covenants and agrees with the
Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until the
Obligations shall have been Fully Satisfied:
5.1 Covenants in Credit Agreement. In the case of each
Guarantor, such Guarantor shall take, or shall refrain from taking, as the case
may be, each action that is necessary to be taken or not taken, as the case may
be, so that no Default or Event of Default is caused by the failure to take such
action or to refrain from taking such action by such Guarantor or any of its
Subsidiaries.
5.2 Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper. If any amount
payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become
evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper, such Instrument or Chattel Paper
shall be immediately delivered to the Agent, duly indorsed in a manner
satisfactory to the Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
5.3 Payment of Obligations. In the case of each Grantor, such
Grantor will pay and discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or
before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon the Collateral or in respect of
income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims of any kind (including,
without limitation, claims for labor, materials and supplies) against or with
respect to the Collateral, except that no such charge need be paid if the amount
or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been
provided on the books of such Grantor and such proceedings could not reasonably
be expected to result in the sale, forfeiture or loss of any material portion of
the Collateral or any interest therein.
5.4 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further
Documentation. (a) In the case of each Grantor, such Grantor shall maintain the
security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest
having at least the priority described in Section 4.3 and shall defend such
security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.
(b) Such Grantor will furnish to the Agent and the Lenders
from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing
the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the
Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.
(c) At any time and from time to time, upon the written
request of the Agent, and at the sole expense of each Grantor, such Grantor,
will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further
instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Agent may
reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the
<PAGE> 13
10
full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted,
including, without limitation, the filing of any financing or continuation
statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) in effect
in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby.
5.5 Changes in Locations, Name, etc. In the case of each
Grantor, such Grantor will not, except upon 15 days' prior written notice to the
Agent and delivery to the Agent of all additional executed financing statements
and other documents reasonably requested by the Agent to maintain the validity,
perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein:
(i) change the location of its chief executive office or sole
place of business from that referred to in Section 4.4; or
(ii) change its name, identity or corporate structure to such
an extent that any financing statement filed by the Agent in connection
with this Agreement would become misleading.
5.6 Notices. In the case of each Grantor, such Grantor will
advise the Agent and the Lenders promptly, in reasonable detail, of:
(a) any Lien (other than security interests created hereby or
Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement) on any of the Collateral which would
adversely affect the ability of the Agent to exercise any of its remedies
hereunder; and
(b) of the occurrence of any other event which could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the aggregate value
of the Collateral or on the security interests created hereby.
5.7 Receivables. (a) In the case of each Grantor, other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice, such
Grantor will not (i) grant any extension of the time of payment of any
Receivable, (ii) compromise or settle any Receivable for less than the full
amount thereof, (iii) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the
payment of any Receivable, (iv) allow any credit or discount whatsoever on any
Receivable or (v) amend, supplement or modify any Receivable in any manner that
could adversely affect the value thereof.
(b) Such Grantor will deliver to the Agent a copy of each
material demand, notice or document received by it that questions or calls into
doubt the validity or enforceability of more than 5% of the aggregate amount of
the then outstanding Receivables.
SECTION 6. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS
<PAGE> 14
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6.1 Certain Matters Relating to Receivables. (a) The Agent
shall have the right to make test verifications of the Receivables in any manner
and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and each Grantor
shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Agent may require in
connection with such test verifications. At any time and from time to time, upon
the Agent's request and at the expense of the relevant Grantor, such Grantor
shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Agent
to furnish to the Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test
verifications of, and trial balances for, the Receivables.
(b) The Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such
Grantor's Receivables, subject to the Agent's direction and control, and the
Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default. If required by the Agent at
any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
any payments of Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be
forthwith (and, in any event, within two Business Days) deposited by such
Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Agent
if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and
control of the Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Agent for the account of the
Lenders only as provided in Section 6.4, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be
held by such Grantor in trust for the Agent and the Lenders, segregated from
other funds of such Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall
be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and
source of the payments included in the deposit.
(c) At the Agent's request, each Grantor shall deliver to the
Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the
agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Receivables, including,
without limitation, all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.
6.2 Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable. (a)
The Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with
obligors under the Receivables to verify with them to the Agent's satisfaction
the existence, amount and terms of any Receivables.
(b) Upon the request of the Agent at any time after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall
notify obligors on the Receivables that the Receivables have been assigned to
the Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and that payments in respect
thereof shall be made directly to the Agent.
(c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each
Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Receivables to observe and perform
all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it
thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise
thereto. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability
under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or
arising
<PAGE> 15
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out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Agent or any Lender of any payment
relating thereto, nor shall the Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner
to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any
Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make
any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or
as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or
file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the
payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be
entitled at any time or times.
6.3 Proceeds to be Turned Over To Agent. In addition to the
rights of the Agent and the Lenders specified in Section 6.1 with respect to
payments of Receivables, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing,
all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other
near-cash items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Agent and the
Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon
receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Agent in the exact form
received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Agent, if
required). All Proceeds received by the Agent hereunder shall be held by the
Agent in a Collateral Account maintained under its sole dominion and control.
All Proceeds while held by the Agent in a Collateral Account (or by such Grantor
in trust for the Agent and the Lenders) shall continue to be held as collateral
security for all the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until
applied as provided in Section 6.4.
6.4 Application of Proceeds. If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Agent's election, the Agent may
apply all or any part of Proceeds held in any Collateral Account in payment of
the Obligations in such order as the Agent may elect, and any part of such funds
which the Agent elects not so to apply and deems not required as collateral
security for the Obligations shall be paid over from time to time by the Agent
to the Company or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.
Any balance of such Proceeds remaining after the Obligations shall have been
Fully Satisfied shall be paid over to the Company or to whomsoever may be
lawfully entitled to receive the same.
6.5 Code and Other Remedies. If an Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in
addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and
in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the
Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC
or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest,
advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred
to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which
demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such
circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the
Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give
option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the
Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one
or more parcels
<PAGE> 16
13
at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker's board or office of
the Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may
deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or
for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Agent or any
Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the
extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the
whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of
redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released.
Each Grantor further agrees, at the Agent's request, to assemble the Collateral
and make it available to the Agent at places which the Agent shall reasonably
select, whether at such Grantor's premises or elsewhere. The Agent shall apply
the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.5, after
deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection
therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or
in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Agent and the Lenders
hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such
order as the Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the
payment by the Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law,
including, without limitation, Section 9-504(1)(c) of the New York UCC, need the
Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted
by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may
acquire against the Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of
any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of
Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and
proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.
6.6 Waiver; Deficiency. Each Grantor waives and agrees not to
assert any rights or privileges which it may acquire under Section 9-112 of the
New York UCC. Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the
proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to
pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by
the Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.
SECTION 7. THE AGENT
7.1 Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc. (a) Each
Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Agent and any officer or
agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful
attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and
stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for
the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all
appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which
may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the
Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or
assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following:
<PAGE> 17
14
(i) in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise,
take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes,
acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under
any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral and file any
claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or
equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Agent for the purpose of
collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or with
respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;
(ii) upon such Grantor's failure to do so, pay or discharge
taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the
Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms
of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and
the costs thereof;
(iii) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in
Section 6.5, any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of
conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and
(iv) (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of
the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become
due thereunder directly to the Agent or as the Agent shall direct; (2)
ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any
and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any
time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and
indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading,
storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments,
verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of
the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or
proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction
to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any
other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action
or proceeding brought against such Guarantor with respect to any
Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or
proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or
releases as the Agent may deem appropriate; and (7) generally, sell,
transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise
deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the
Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the
Agent's option and such Grantor's expense, at any time, or from time to
time, all acts and things which the Agent deems necessary to protect,
preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Agent's and the
Lenders' security interests therein and to effect the intent of this
Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.
Anything in this Section 7.1(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney
provided for in this Section 7.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.
<PAGE> 18
15
(b) If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its
agreements contained herein, the Agent, at its option, but without any
obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or
compliance, with such agreement. The Agent shall use its best efforts to notify
each Grantor if the Agent shall itself perform or comply, or otherwise, cause
performance or compliance, with any of such Grantor's agreements hereunder, but
failure of the Agent to so notify such Grantor should not effect the obligations
of such Grantor.
(c) The expenses of the Agent incurred in connection with
actions undertaken as provided in this Section 7.1, together with interest
thereon at a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum at which interest would
then be payable on past due ABR Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date
of payment by the Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be
payable by such Grantor to the Agent on demand.
(d) Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and
agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are
irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests
created hereby are released.
7.2 Duty of Agent. The Agent's sole duty with respect to the
custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its
possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to
deal with it in the same manner as the Agent deals with similar property for its
own account. Neither the Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective officers,
directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or
realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be
under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the
request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action
whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers
conferred on the Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the
Agent's and the Lenders' interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any
duty upon the Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. The Agent and the
Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a
result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their
officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for
any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or
willful misconduct.
7.3 Execution of Financing Statements. Pursuant to Section
9-402 of the New York UCC and any other applicable law, each Grantor authorizes
the Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording
documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of
such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Agent reasonably determines
appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Agent under this Agreement.
A photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a
financing statement or other filing or recording document or instrument for
filing or recording in any jurisdiction.
<PAGE> 19
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7.4 Authority of Agent. The Company and each Guarantor
acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Agent under this
Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Agent or the exercise or
non-exercise by the Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or
other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this
Agreement shall, as between the Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit
Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from
time to time among them, but, as between the Agent and the Company and the
Guarantors, the Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for
the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and
neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be under any obligation, or
entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of
this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except
in accordance with subsection 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.
8.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
Agent or the Company or any Guarantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner
provided for in subsection 13.2 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any such
notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such
Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.
8.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies.
Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written
instrument pursuant to Section 8.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be
deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any
Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in
exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Lender, any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
A waiver by the Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one
occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Agent
or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and
remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently
and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.
8.4 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification. (a) Each Guarantor
agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee
contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which such Guarantor is a
party, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to
each Lender and of counsel to the Agent.
<PAGE> 20
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(b) The Company and each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save
the Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect
to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or
other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any
of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(c) The Company and each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save
the Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution,
delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the
extent the Company would be required to do so pursuant to subsection 13.5 of the
Credit Agreement.
(d) The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive repayment
of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and
the other Credit Documents.
8.5 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the Company and each Guarantor and shall
inure to the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders and their successors and
assigns; provided that neither the Company nor any Guarantor may assign,
transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the Agent.
8.6 Set-Off. The Company and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent and each Lender at any time and from time to time following
the occurrence of and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of
Default, without notice to the Company or such Guarantor or any other Guarantor,
any such notice being expressly waived by the Company and each Guarantor, to
set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time
or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits,
indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or
owing by the Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of such
Person, or any part thereof in such amounts as the Agent or such Lender may
elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Person
to the Agent or such Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description
of the Agent or such Lender against such Person, in any currency, whether
arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or
otherwise, as the Agent or such Lender may elect, whether or not the Agent or
any Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations,
liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Agent and each Lender
shall notify such Person promptly of any such set-off and the application made
by the Agent or such Lender of the proceeds thereof, provided that the failure
to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and
application. The rights of the Agent and each Lender under this Section 8.6 are
in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other
rights of set-off) which the Agent or such Lender may have.
<PAGE> 21
18
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts
(including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
8.8 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
8.9 Section Headings. The Section headings used in this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the
construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.
8.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Credit
Documents represent the agreement of the Company, the Guarantors, the Agent and
the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are
no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Agent or any
Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or
referred to herein or in the other Credit Documents.
8.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
8.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. The Company and each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to
which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment
in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the
Courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of
America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts
from any thereof;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought
in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter
have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or
that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and
agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or
proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
prepaid, to the Company or such Guarantor, as the case
<PAGE> 22
19
may be, at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other
address of which the Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or
consequential damages.
8.13 Acknowledgements. The Company and each Guarantor hereby
acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
to which it is a party;
(b) neither the Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary
relationship with or duty to the Company or any Guarantor arising out
of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents, and the relationship between the Company and the Guarantors,
on the one hand, and the Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in
connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor;
and
(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit
Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions
contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Company or the
Guarantors and the Lenders.
8.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE COMPANY AND EACH
GUARANTOR AND, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE BENEFITS HEREOF, EACH OF THE LENDERS AND THE
AGENT, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT AND
FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
8.15 Additional Guarantors; Additional Grantors. (a) Each
Subsidiary of the Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement
pursuant to subsection 9.9, 10.8(c) or 10.11 of the Credit Agreement shall
become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and
delivery by such Subsidiary of a Guarantor Assumption Agreement in the form of
Annex 1 hereto.
(b) Each Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that is required
to become a Grantor pursuant to subsection 10.11 of the Credit Agreement shall
become a Grantor for all
<PAGE> 23
20
purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of a
Grantor Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 2 hereto.
8.16 Releases. (a) At such time as Obligations have been Fully
Satisfied, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created hereby, and
this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive
such termination) of the Agent, the Company and each Guarantor hereunder shall
terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by
any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors. At the
request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the
Agent shall deliver to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Agent hereunder,
and execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such termination.
(b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of by any Grantor in a transaction permitted by the Credit
Agreement, then the Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor,
shall execute and deliver to such Grantor all releases or other documents
reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on
such Collateral. At the request and sole expense of the Company, a Guarantor
shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event that all the
Capital Stock of such Guarantor shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed
of in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE> 24
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the
date first above written.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
RL FRAGRANCES LLC
By: POLO RALPH LAUREN
CORPORATION, its Managing
Member
By:
---------------------------
Title:
THE RALPH LAUREN WOMENSWEAR
COMPANY, L.P.
By: POLO RALPH LAUREN
WOMENSWEAR, INC., its General
Partner
By:
----------------------------
Title:
POLO RETAIL CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------
Title:
FASHIONS OUTLET OF AMERICA, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Title:
<PAGE> 25
22
THE POLO/LAUREN COMPANY, L.P.
By: POLO RALPH LAUREN
CORPORATION, its General
Partner
By:
-------------------------------
Title:
<PAGE> 26
Schedule 1
NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GUARANTORS
<PAGE> 27
Schedule 2
FILINGS AND OTHER ACTIONS
REQUIRED TO PERFECT SECURITY INTERESTS
Uniform Commercial Code Filings
[List each office where a financing statement is to be filed]
Other Actions
[Describe other actions to be taken]
<PAGE> 28
Schedule 3
LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Name Location
---- --------
<PAGE> 29
Annex 1 to
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
GUARANTOR ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of ________________,
199_, made by ______________________________, a ______________ corporation (the
"Additional Guarantor"), in favor of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as agent (in such
capacity, the "Agent") for the banks and other financial institutions (the
"Lenders") parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized
terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit
Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), the Lenders and the Agent have entered into a Credit Agreement,
dated as of June ___, 1997 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement");
WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company
and certain of its Subsidiaries (other than the Additional Guarantor) have
entered into the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of June ___, 1997
(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Guarantee and Collateral Agreement") in favor of the Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders;
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires the Additional
Guarantor to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Additional Guarantor has agreed to execute and
deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. By executing and
delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Guarantor, as provided in
Section 8.15(a) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a
party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Guarantor thereunder with
the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all
obligations and liabilities of a Guarantor thereunder. The information set forth
in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedules
____________* to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Additional
Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and
warranties contained in Section 4 of the
- --------
* Refer to each Schedule which needs to be supplemented.
<PAGE> 30
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof
(after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such
date.
2. GOVERNING LAW. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
[ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 31
Annex 2 to
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
GRANTOR ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of ________________,
199_, made by ______________________________, a ______________ corporation (the
"Additional Grantor"), in favor of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as agent (in such
capacity, the "Agent") for the banks and other financial institutions (the
"Lenders") parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized
terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit
Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), the Lenders and the Agent have entered into a Credit Agreement,
dated as of June ___, 1997 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement");
WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company
and certain of its Subsidiaries have entered into the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, dated as of June ___, 1997 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement") in favor
of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders;
WHEREAS, subsection 10.11 of the Credit Agreement requires the
Additional Grantor to become a "Grantor" under the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and
deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a "Grantor" under the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. By executing and
delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in
Section 8.15(b) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a
Grantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with the same force and
effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and
liabilities of a Grantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex 2-A
hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedules ____________**
to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby
represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties
contained in Section 4 of the Guarantee and
- --------
** Refer to each Schedule which needs to be supplemented.
<PAGE> 32
Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving
effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.
2. GOVERNING LAW. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.26
FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made this day of , between Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and (the
"Indemnitee").
WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company and its stockholders
to attract and retain qualified and capable directors, officers, employees,
agents and fiduciaries; and
WHEREAS, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company (the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation") requires the
Company to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers to the
fullest extent authorized by law and allows the Company to indemnify employees
and agents to the fullest extent authorized by law; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Company to indemnify its
directors and officers so as to provide them with the maximum possible
protection permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's need for protection
against personal liability in order to induce Indemnitee to serve or continue to
serve the Company in an effective manner, and, in the case of directors and
officers, to supplement or replace the Company's directors' and officers'
liability insurance coverage, and in part to provide Indemnitee with specific
contractual assurance that the protection promised by the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other
things, any amendment to or revocation of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or any change in the composition of the Company's Board of
Directors or any acquisition transaction relating to the Company), the Company,
with the prior approval of the Company's stockholders, wishes to provide the
Indemnitee with the benefits contemplated by this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the provision of such benefits
Indemnitee has agreed to serve or to continue to serve the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, shall
have the following respective meanings:
<PAGE> 2
2
(a) An Affiliate: of a specified Person is a Person who
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. The term
Associate used to indicate a relationship with any Person shall mean (i) any
corporation or organization (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) of which
such Person is an officer or partner or is, directly, or indirectly, the
Beneficial Owner of ten (10) percent or more of any class of Equity Securities,
(ii) any trust or other estate in which such Person has a substantial beneficial
interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary
capacity (other than an Employee Plan Trustee), (iii) any Relative of such
Person, or (iv) any officer or director of any corporation controlling or
controlled by such Person.
(b) Beneficial Ownership: shall be determined, and a Person
shall be the Beneficial Owner of all securities which such Person is deemed to
own beneficially, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor rule or
statutory provision), or, if said Rule 13d-3 shall be rescinded and there shall
be no successor rule or statutory provision thereto, pursuant to said Rule 13d-3
as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that a Person shall, in any
event, also be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any Voting Shares: (A) of
which such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates is, directly or
indirectly, the Beneficial Owner, or (B) of which such Person or any of its
Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise, or (ii) sole or
shared voting or investment power with respect thereto pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise (but shall not
be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any Voting Shares solely by reason of a
revocable proxy granted for a particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a
public solicitation of proxies for such meeting, with respect to shares of which
neither such Person nor any such Affiliate or Associate is otherwise deemed the
Beneficial Owner), or (C) of which any other Person is, directly or indirectly,
the Beneficial Owner if such first mentioned Person or any of its Affiliates or
Associates acts with such other Person as a partnership, syndicate or other
group pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the
Company; and provided further, however, that (i) no director or officer of the
Company, nor any Associate or Affiliate of any such director or officer, shall,
solely by reason of any or all of such directors and officers acting in their
capacities as such, be deemed for any purposes hereof, to be the Beneficial
Owner of any Voting Shares of which any other such director or officer (or any
Associate or Affiliate thereof) is the Beneficial Owner and (ii) no trustee of
an employee stock ownership or similar plan of the Company or any Subsidiary
("Employee Plan Trustee") or any Associate or Affiliate of any such Trustee,
shall,
<PAGE> 3
3
solely by reason of being an Employee Plan Trustee or Associate or Affiliate of
an Employee Plan Trustee, be deemed for any purposes hereof to be the Beneficial
Owner of any Voting Shares held by or under any such plan.
(c) A Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if
(A) any Person (other than (i) the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any pension,
profit sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the
Company or any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any
such plan when acting in such capacity, or (iii) any Person who is as of [ ](1),
1997 the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the total voting power of the Voting
Shares) is or becomes, after the date of this Agreement, the Beneficial Owner of
20% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Shares, (B) during any
period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose
election or appointment by the Board of Directors or nomination or
recommendation for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either
were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a
majority thereof, (C) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the Voting Shares of the Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into Voting Shares of the surviving entity) at
least 80% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Shares of the
Company or such surviving entity outstanding, or the stockholders of the Company
approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets, or (D) a change in control of a nature that would be required to be
reported in response to Item 5(f) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14 promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.
(d) Claim: means any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit, arbitration or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether
brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, that Indemnitee in good
faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit,
arbitration or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
investigative or other, or any appeal therefrom.
- --------
(1) Use date immediately following date of restructuring.
<PAGE> 4
4
(e) Equity Security: shall have the meaning given to such term
under Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date hereof.
(f) D&O Insurance: means any valid directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy maintained by the Company for the benefit of the
Indemnitee, if any.
(g) Determination: means a determination, and "Determined"
means a matter which has been determined based on the facts known at the time,
by: (i) a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors, or (ii) if such
a quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or, in
the event there has been a Change in Control, by the Special Independent Counsel
(in a written opinion) selected by Indemnitee as set forth in Section 6, or
(iii) a majority of the disinterested stockholders of the Company, or (iv) a
final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(h) Excluded Claim: means any payment for Losses or Expenses
in connection with any Claim: (i) based upon or attributable to Indemnitee
gaining in fact any personal profit or advantage to which Indemnitee is not
entitled; or (ii) for the return by Indemnitee of any remuneration paid to
Indemnitee without the previous approval of the stockholders of the Company
which is illegal; or (iii) for an accounting of profits in fact made from the
purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning
of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar
provisions of any state law; or (iv) resulting from Indemnitee's knowingly
fraudulent, dishonest or willful misconduct; or (v) the payment of which by the
Company under this Agreement is not permitted by applicable law.
(i) Expenses: means any reasonable expenses incurred by
Indemnitee as a result of a Claim or Claims made against Indemnitee for
Indemnifiable Events including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and all
other costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with
investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on
appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in any Claim
relating to any Indemnifiable Event.
(j) Fines: means any fine, penalty or, with respect to an
employee benefit plan, any excise tax or penalty assessed with respect thereto.
(k) Indemnifiable Event: means any event or occurrence,
occurring prior to or after the date of this Agreement, related to the fact that
Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary
of the
<PAGE> 5
5
Company or its Predecessor Entities, or is or was serving at the request of the
Company or its Predecessor Entities as a director, officer, employee, trustee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee
benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not
done by Indemnitee, including, but not limited to, any breach of duty, neglect,
error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission, or other act done or
wrongfully attempted by Indemnitee, or any of the foregoing alleged by any
claimant, in any such capacity.
(l) Losses: means any amounts or sums which Indemnitee is
legally obligated to pay as a result of a Claim or Claims made against
Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Events including, without limitation, damages,
judgments and sums or amounts paid in settlement of a Claim or Claims, and
Fines.
(m) Person: means any individual, partnership, corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint
venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
(n) Potential Change in Control: shall be deemed to have
occurred if (A) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which
would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (B) any Person (including
the Company) publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking
actions which if consummated would constitute a Change in Control; (C) any
Person (other than (i) the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any pension, profit
sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company
or any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan
when acting in such capacity, or (iii) any Person who is as of [ ], 1997 the
Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Shares),
who is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 9.5% or more of the total voting power
of the Voting Shares, increases his Beneficial Ownership of such voting power by
5% or more over the percentage so owned by such Person on the date hereof; or
(D) the Board of Directors adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes
of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.
(o) Predecessor Entities: includes: Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation, Polo Ralph Lauren Womenswear, Inc., Polo Ralph Lauren, L.P., Polo
Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P., The Polo/Lauren Company, L.P., The Ralph Lauren
Womenswear Company, L.P. and all of their Affiliates.
(p) Relative: means a Person's spouse, parents, children,
siblings, mothers- and father-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, and brothers-
and sisters-in-law.
<PAGE> 6
6
(q) Reviewing Party: means any appropriate person or body
consisting of a member or members of the Company's Board of Directors or any
other person or body appointed by the Board (including the Special Independent
Counsel referred to in Section 6) who is not a party to the particular Claim for
which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification.
(r) Subsidiary: means any corporation of which fifty percent
of any class of Equity Security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company.
(s) Trust: means the trust established pursuant to Section 7
hereof.
(t) Voting Shares: means any issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors.
2. Basic Indemnification Agreement. In consideration of, and as an
inducement to, the Indemnitee rendering valuable services to the Company, the
Company agrees that in the event Indemnitee is or becomes a party to or witness
or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or
other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in part out of) an
Indemnifiable Event, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent
authorized by law, against any and all Expenses and Losses (including all
interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in
respect of such Expenses and Losses) of such Claim, whether or not such Claim
proceeds to judgment or is settled or otherwise is brought to a final
disposition, subject in each case, to the further provisions of this Agreement.
3. Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 2, Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless from any Losses
or Expenses (a) which have been Determined, as provided herein, to constitute an
Excluded Claim; (b) to the extent Indemnitee is indemnified by the Company and
has actually received payment pursuant to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, D&O Insurance, or otherwise; or (c) other than pursuant to the
last sentence of Section 4(d) or Section 14, in connection with any Claim
initiated by Indemnitee, unless the Company has joined in or the Board of
Directors has authorized such Claim.
4. Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of any
Claim, Indemnitee shall, if indemnification with respect thereto may be sought
from the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement
thereof and Indemnitee agrees further not to make any admission or effect any
<PAGE> 7
7
settlement with respect to such Claim without the consent of the Company, except
any Claim with respect to which the Indemnitee has undertaken the defense in
accordance with the second to last sentence of Section 4(d).
(b) If, at the time of the receipt of such notice, the Company
has D&O Insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the
commencement of Claim to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all
necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of
Indemnitee, all Losses and Expenses payable as a result of such Claim.
(c) To the extent the Company does not, at the time of the
Claim have applicable D&O Insurance, or if a Determination is made that any
Expenses arising out of such Claim will not be payable under the D&O Insurance
then in effect, the Company shall be obligated to pay the Expenses of any Claim
in advance of the final disposition thereof and the Company, if appropriate,
shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Claim, with counsel satisfactory
to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election
so to do. After delivery of such notice, the Company will not be liable to
Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other Expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such defense other than reasonable
Expenses of investigation; provided that Indemnitee shall have the right to
employ its counsel in such Claim but the fees and expenses of such counsel
incurred after delivery of notice from the Company of its assumption of such
defense shall be at the Indemnitee's expense; provided further that if: (i) the
employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the
Company; (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a
conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any
such defense; or (iii) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to
assume the defense of such action, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
shall be at the expense of the Company.
(d) All payments on account of the Company's indemnification
obligations under this Agreement shall be made within sixty (60) days of
Indemnitee's written request therefor unless a Determination is made that the
Claims giving rise to Indemnitee's request are Excluded Claims or otherwise not
payable under this Agreement, provided that all payments on account of the
Company's obligation to pay Expenses under Section 4(c) of this Agreement prior
to the final disposition of any Claim shall be made within 20 days of
Indemnitee's written request therefor and such obligation shall not be subject
to any such Determination but shall be subject to Section 4(e) of this
Agreement. In the event the Company takes the position that the Indemnitee is
not entitled to indemnification in connection with the proposed settlement of
any Claim, the Indemnitee shall have the right at its own expense to undertake
defense of any such Claim, insofar as such
<PAGE> 8
8
proceeding involves Claims against the Indemnitee, by written notice given to
the Company within 10 days after the Company has notified the Indemnitee in
writing of its contention that the Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification. If it is subsequently determined in connection with such
proceeding that the Indemnifiable Events are not Excluded Claims and that the
Indemnitee, therefore, is entitled to be indemnified under the provisions of
Section 2 hereof, the Company shall promptly indemnify the Indemnitee.
(e) Indemnitee hereby expressly undertakes and agrees to
reimburse the Company for all Losses and Expenses paid by the Company in
connection with any Claim against Indemnitee in the event and only to the extent
that a Determination shall have been made by a court of competent jurisdiction
in a decision from which there is no further right to appeal that Indemnitee is
not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Losses and Expenses
because the Claim is an Excluded Claim or because Indemnitee is otherwise not
entitled to payment under this Agreement.
5. Settlement. The Company shall have no obligation to indemnify
Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim
effected without the Company's prior written consent. The Company shall not
settle any Claim in which it takes the position that Indemnitee is not entitled
to indemnification in connection with such settlement without the consent of the
Indemnitee, nor shall the Company settle any Claim in any manner which would
impose any Fine or any obligation on Indemnitee, without Indemnitee's written
consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold their
consent to any proposed settlement.
6. Change in Control; Extraordinary Transactions. The Company and
Indemnitee agree that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (other than
a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Company's Board
of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control)
then all Determinations thereafter with respect to the rights of Indemnitee to
be paid Losses and Expenses under this Agreement shall be made only by a special
independent counsel (the "Special Independent Counsel") selected by Indemnitee
and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld)
or by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company shall pay the reasonable
fees of such Special Independent Counsel and shall indemnify such Special
Independent Counsel against any and all reasonable expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
The Company covenants and agrees that, in the event of a Change in
Control of the sort set forth in clause (B) of Section 1(c), the Company will
use its
<PAGE> 9
9
best efforts (a) to have the obligations of the Company under this Agreement
including, but not limited to those under Section 7, expressly assumed by the
surviving, purchasing or succeeding entity, or (b) otherwise to adequately
provide for the satisfaction of the Company's obligations under this Agreement,
in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.
7. Establishment of Trust. In the event of a Potential Change in
Control, the Company shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a trust
(the "Trust") for the benefit of the Indemnitee and from time to time upon
written request of Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to
satisfy any and all Losses and Expenses which are actually paid or which
Indemnitee reasonably determines from time to time may be payable by the Company
under this Agreement. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust
pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the
Reviewing Party, in any case in which the Special Independent Counsel is
involved. The terms of the Trust shall provide that upon a Change in Control:
(i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded without the
written consent of the Indemnitee; (ii) the trustee of the Trust shall advance,
within twenty days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and all Expenses to the
Indemnitee (and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the
circumstances under which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the
Company under Section 4(e) of this Agreement); (iii) the Company shall continue
to fund the Trust from time to time in accordance with the funding obligations
set forth above; (iv) the trustee of the Trust shall promptly pay to the
Indemnitee all Losses and Expenses for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) all unexpended funds in the
Trust shall revert to the Company upon a final determination by a court of
competent jurisdiction in a final decision from which there is no further right
of appeal that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this
Agreement. The Trustee of the Trust shall be chosen by the Indemnitee.
8. No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of
any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court
approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any
particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has
determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.
9. Non-exclusivity, Etc. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall
be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's By-laws, the Delaware General
Corporation Law, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in the Indemnitee's official capacity and as to
action in any other capacity by holding such office, and shall continue after
the Indemnitee ceases to
<PAGE> 10
10
serve the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, for so
long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any Claim by reason of (or arising in
part out of) an Indemnifiable Event. To the extent that a change in the Delaware
General Corporation Law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits
greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and this Agreement, it is the intent of
the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater
benefits so afforded by such change.
10. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains
an insurance policy or policies providing directors' and officers' liability
insurance, Indemnitee, if an officer or director of the Company, shall be
covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to
the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director or officer of the
Company.
11. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement,
the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the
rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and
shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the
execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring
suit to enforce such rights.
12. Partial Indemnity, Etc. If Indemnitee is entitled under
any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a
portion of the Expenses and Losses of a Claim but not, however, for all of the
total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for
the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. Moreover, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any or all Claims relating
in whole or in part to any Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or
matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be
indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith. In connection
with any Determination as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified
hereunder the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that
Indemnitee is not so entitled.
13. Liability of Company. The Indemnitee agrees that neither
the stockholders nor the directors nor any officer, employee, representative or
agent of the Company shall be personally liable for the satisfaction of the
Company's obligations under this Agreement and the Indemnitee shall look solely
to the assets of the Company for satisfaction of any claims hereunder.
<PAGE> 11
11
14. Enforcement.
(a) Indemnitee's right to indemnification and other rights
under this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable by Indemnitee only in the
state or Federal courts of the States of Delaware or New York and shall be
enforceable notwithstanding any adverse Determination by the Company's Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel, the Special Independent Counsel or the
Company's stockholders and no such Determination shall create a presumption that
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder. In any such action the
Company shall have the burden of proving that indemnification is not required
under this Agreement.
(b) In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee
under this Agreement, or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and
reasonable expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by Indemnitee
with respect to such action, unless the court determines that each of the
material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action were not made
in good faith or were frivolous.
15. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
determined by a court to require the Company to do or to fail to do an act which
is in violation of applicable law, such provision (including any provision
within a single section, paragraph or sentence) shall be limited or modified in
its application to the minimum extent necessary to avoid a violation of law,
and, as so limited or modified, such provision and the balance of this Agreement
shall be enforceable in accordance with their terms to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such State.
17. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and the Indemnitee each hereby
irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the States of Delaware
and New York for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which
arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted
under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state and Federal courts of
the States of Delaware and New York.
18. Notices. All notices, or other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes if in writing and
personally delivered, telegraphed, telexed, sent by facsimile transmission or
sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage
prepaid addressed as follows, or to such other address as the parties shall have
given notice of pursuant hereto:
<PAGE> 12
12
(a) If to the Company, to:
Victor Cohen, Esq.
Senior Vice President
and General Counsel
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(b) If to the Indemnitee, to:
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19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be (i) binding upon
all successors and assigns of the Company, including any direct or indirect
successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, and (ii) shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors and assigns, heirs,
and personal or legal representatives of Indemnitee.
21. Amendment; Waiver. No amendment, modification, termination or
cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in a writing
signed by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision
hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing
waiver.
<PAGE> 13
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Indemnitee have executed
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
INDEMNITEE
------------------------------
Name:
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 10.27
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made effective as of the 9th day of June, 1997,
between Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and Ralph Lauren (the "Executive").
The Executive is the founder of the predecessor entities of
the Company and has acted as Chief Executive Officer of such entities for more
than twenty-nine years.
The Company recognizes that the Executive's talents and
abilities are unique and have been integral to the success of such predecessor
entities.
The Company wishes to retain the services of the Executive and
recognizes that the Executive's contribution to the growth and success of the
Company will be substantial. The Company desires to provide for the continued
employment of the Executive and to make employment arrangements which will
reinforce and encourage the attention and dedication to the Company of the
Executive as a member of the Company's senior management, in the best interest
of the Company. The Executive is willing to commit himself to serve the Company,
on the terms and conditions herein provided.
In order to effect the foregoing, the Company and the
Executive wish to enter into an employment agreement on the terms and conditions
set forth below. Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the
respective covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ the
Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. Term. The term of the Executive's employment hereunder
shall commence as of the date hereof and shall continue until the close of
business on the fifth anniversary of the consummation of the registered initial
public offering of the Company's Class A Common Stock or, if such offering is
not consummated on or prior to December 31, 1997, until the close of business on
March 31, 2002, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement (the "Term"). The Term shall be automatically extended for
successive one year periods thereafter unless either party notifies the other in
writing of its intention not to so extend the Term at least ninety (90) days
prior to the commencement of the next scheduled one year extension.
<PAGE> 2
3. Position and Duties.
(a) Title and Duties. The Executive shall serve as
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Board"), and shall have such duties, authority and
responsibilities as are normally associated with and appropriate for such
positions. The Executive shall report directly to the Board. The Executive shall
devote substantially all of his working time and efforts to the business and
affairs of the Company.
(b) Office and Facilities. The Executive shall be
provided with appropriate office and secretarial facilities in each of the
Company's principal executive offices in New York City and any other location
that the Executive reasonably deems necessary to have an office and support
services in order for the Executive to perform his duties to the Company. In
addition, the Executive shall continue to be entitled to have certain employees
of the Company perform services for the Executive which are non-Company related
in a manner consistent with past practice; provided that the Executive
reimburses the Company for the full amount of salary, benefits and other
expenses relating to such employees.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall
pay to the Executive an annual base salary of $1,000,000. The Executive's base
salary shall be paid in substantially equal installments on a basis consistent
with the Company's payroll practices and shall be subject to such increases, if
any, as may be determined in the sole discretion of the Board. The Executive's
base salary, as in effect at any time, is hereinafter referred to as the "Base
Salary."
(b) Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company
that occurs during the Term (including the fiscal year beginning on April 1,
1997 and ending March 31, 1998), the Executive shall be eligible to earn an
annual cash bonus (the "Bonus") based upon the achievement by the Company and
its subsidiaries of performance goals for each such fiscal year established by
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation
Committee"). The Compensation Committee shall establish objective criteria to be
used to determine the extent to which such performance goals have been
satisfied. The range of the Bonus opportunity for each fiscal year will be
$2,000,000 to $5,000,000 based upon the extent to which such performance goals
are achieved, with a Bonus of $3,500,000 payable if the Company achieves 100% of
its targeted performance goal for the fiscal year. The Bonus, if any, payable to
the Executive in respect of each such fiscal year will be paid at the same time
that bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company, but in any event
within seventy-five days after the conclusion of each applicable fiscal year.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Executive's
entitlement to payment of a Bonus during any period when the compensation
payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement is subject to
2
<PAGE> 3
the deduction limitations of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), shall be subject to shareholder approval of a
plan or arrangement evidencing such Bonus opportunity that complies with the
requirements of section 162(m) of the Code.
5. Stock Options.
(a) In the event a registered initial public offering
of the Class A Common Stock of the Company ("Common Shares") shall be
consummated on or prior to December 31, 1997 (a "Qualified Offering"), then
effective as of the date of commencement of the Qualified Offering the Executive
will be granted an option (the "Initial Option") to purchase 500,000 Common
Shares pursuant to the terms of the Company's 1997 Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan (the "Option Plan"). In addition, with respect to at least each of the
first three fiscal years occurring after the Qualified Offering, as of a date no
later than each anniversary of the commencement of the Qualified Offering, the
Executive will be granted options (the "Annual Options") to purchase 250,000
Common Shares. The Initial Option and the Annual Options will have a term of ten
(10) years (subject to earlier termination as described below and in Section 7)
and will be transferable by the Executive to family members (or trusts for their
benefit) pursuant to the terms of the Option Plan.
(b) The Initial Option will be fully vested as of the
date of grant and will have an exercise price per Common Share equal to the
offering price per share on the commencement date of the Qualified Offering. The
Annual Options will vest and become exercisable ratably over three (3) years on
each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the
Executive's continued employment through each vesting date and subject to the
provisions of Section 7, and will have an exercise price per Common Share equal
to the fair market value per Common Share as of the date of grant.
6. Employee Benefits.
(a) Benefit Plans. The Executive shall continue to
participate in all existing employee benefit plans, perquisite and fringe
benefit arrangements of the Company or its affiliates in which he is currently
participating and shall be entitled to participate in any future employee
benefit plans, perquisite and fringe benefit arrangements of the Company or its
affiliates that are provided to other officers of the Company on terms no less
favorable than are provided to any other senior executive of the Company.
(b) Life Insurance. The Company shall continue to
maintain, and make premium contributions with respect to, those certain split
dollar and other life insurance arrangements between the Company and the
Executive, his family members and/or life insurance trusts for the benefit of
any of them, that are
3
<PAGE> 4
currently maintained or contributed to by the Company or its affiliates or
predecessor entities.
(c) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and customary expenses incurred
by the Executive in performing services hereunder, including all expenses of
travel and living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of
and in the service of the Company (including hotel, travel and meal expenses for
the Executive's spouse should the Executive's spouse elect to travel with
Executive), provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in
accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company.
(d) Perquisites. The Company shall (i) provide the
Executive with a car and driver for his use during the term of his employment
with the Company and (ii) reimburse the Executive for club dues and initiation
fees at a social club or country club of the Executive's choosing.
(e) Corporate Aircraft. For security purposes, the
Executive and his family members shall be required to use the Company's or other
acceptable private aircraft for any travel; provided that in connection with any
use which is solely for personal non-business reasons, the Executive shall
reimburse the Company at swap rates charged to owners of airplanes, which rates
are set by an independent management company.
(f) Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to
vacations and holidays on a basis consistent with that offered to other senior
executive officers of the Company.
(g) Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the
Executive to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against damages and
expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with his
status or performance of duties as an officer or director of the Company and its
affiliates (including any predecessor entities) and shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to maintain customary and appropriate directors and officers
liability insurance for the benefit of the Executive's protection. The Company's
obligations under this Section 6(g) shall survive any termination of the
Executive's employment hereunder.
7. Termination of Employment. The Company and the Executive
may each terminate the Executive's employment hereunder and the Term for any
reason.
(a) Termination by the Company without Cause,
Non-Extension of Term or by the Executive for Good Reason. If the Company shall
terminate the Executive's employment without "Cause" (as defined in Section
7(e)), if the Company elects not to extend the Term, or if the Executive resigns
for Good
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<PAGE> 5
Reason (as defined in Section 7(e)) then, the Executive shall be entitled to the
following:
(i) A lump sum cash payment equal to the sum
of:
(1) The Executive's Base Salary that
would be payable through the later of (A) the fifth anniversary of the
commencement date of the Qualified Offering or (B) three years from the date of
the Executive's termination of employment (the "Severance Period");
(2) Any accrued but unpaid
compensation as of the date of termination of employment; and
(3) A Bonus for each full or partial
fiscal year that occurs during the Severance Period equal to the average annual
bonus paid to the Executive in each of the immediately preceding two fiscal
years prior to the Executive's termination of employment, provided, however,
that the amount of the Bonus for any partial fiscal year beyond the third fiscal
year following the date of the Executive's termination of employment will be
prorated; and
(ii) During the Severance Period, the
Company shall (A) continue to provide the Executive with office facilities and
secretarial assistance in New York City and any other location that the
Executive maintained an office during the term of his employment that the
Executive reasonably deems necessary, (B) continue to maintain and make premium
contributions with respect to those life insurance arrangements described in
Section 6(b), (C) permit the Executive to continue to participate in all welfare
and medical plans on the same terms as active officers of the Company and (D)
continue to provide the Executive with the use of a car and driver; and
(iii) Any unvested options granted pursuant
to Section 5 will continue to vest on their scheduled vesting dates, subject to
and conditioned upon the Executive's compliance with Section 9 hereof. In
addition, subject to, and conditioned upon, the Executive's compliance with
Section 9 hereof, any vested options (and any options that continue to vest as
described above) will remain exercisable until the latest to occur of (A) five
(5) years from the commencement date of the Qualified Offering, (B) one (1) year
from the date of the Executive's termination of employment and (C) thirty (30)
days from the date the option becomes vested and exercisable.
(iv) Except as expressly provided above and
for the Company's indemnification obligation under Section 6(g), the Company
will have no further obligations to the Executive hereunder following the
Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances described in this
Section 7(a).
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<PAGE> 6
(b) Termination due to Death or Disability. If the
Executive's employment is terminated due to his death or "Disability" (as
defined in Section 7(e)), the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to the
following:
(i) A lump sum cash payment equal to the sum
of:
(1) the Executive's Base Salary
through the date on which his termination due to death or Disability occurred;
(2) any accrued and unpaid
compensation for any prior fiscal year; and
(3) a pro-rata portion of the Bonus
he would otherwise have received for the fiscal year in which his termination
due to death or Disability occurred; and
(ii) Any unvested options granted pursuant
to Section 5 will vest immediately and options held by the Executive, or his
estate, will remain exercisable for three (3) years from the date of the
Executive's death or termination due to Disability.
(iii) Except as expressly provided above and
for the Company's indemnification obligation under Section 6(g), the Company
will have no further obligations to the Executive hereunder following the
Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances described in this
Section 7(b).
(c) Termination by the Company for Cause, by
Executive Other than for Good Reason or Due To The Executive's Election Not To
Extend The Term. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause, by the Executive other than for Good Reason or due to the Executive's
election not to extend the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to:
(i) an immediate lump sum cash payment equal
to the sum of:
(1) his Base Salary through the
date of termination; and any accrued but unpaid compensation for any prior
fiscal year; and
(2) a pro-rata portion of his Bonus
for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, to be paid when bonuses
are paid to other executives of the Company; and
(ii) Any options granted pursuant to Section
5 that have not previously been exercised shall be forfeited.
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<PAGE> 7
(iii) Except as expressly provided above and
for the Company's indemnification obligation under Section 6(g), the Company
will have no further obligations to the Executive hereunder following the
Executive's termination of employment under the circumstances described in this
Section 7(c).
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive (other than
termination pursuant to the Executive's death) shall be communicated by written
Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11
hereof. If the Company terminates the Executive's employment for Cause or due to
Disability or if the Executive resigns for Good Reason, the "Notice of
Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail
the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
(e) Definitions. For purpose of this Agreement:
(i) "Cause" shall mean (A) the willful and
continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his duties hereunder
after demand for substantial performance is delivered by the Company that
specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes the Executive
has not substantially performed his duties; or (B) the Executive's conviction
of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a crime (whether or not involving the
Company) constituting a felony; or (C) willful engaging by the Executive in
gross misconduct relating to the Executive's employment that is materially
injurious to the Company or subjects the Company, monetarily or otherwise
(including, but not limited to, conduct that constitutes competitive activity,
in violation of Section 9) or which subjects, or if generally known, would
subject the Company to public ridicule or embarrassment. For purposes of this
paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be
considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good
faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best
interest of the Company. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Executive shall not
be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without (x) reasonable written
notice to the Executive setting forth the reasons for the Company's intention to
terminate for Cause, (y) an opportunity for the Executive, together with his
counsel, to be heard before the Board, and (z) delivery to the Executive of a
Notice of Termination, as defined in Section 7(d) hereof, from the Board finding
that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of conduct
set forth above in clauses (A) through (C) hereof, and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.
(ii) "Good Reason" shall mean (A) a material
diminution in the Executive's duties or the assignment to the Executive of a
title or duties inconsistent with his position as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (B) a reduction in the Executive's
salary or annual incentive
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bonus opportunity, (C) a failure of the Company to comply with any material
provision of this Agreement or (D) the Executive's ceasing to be entitled to the
payment of an annual incentive bonus as a result of the failure of the Company's
shareholders to approve a plan or arrangement evidencing such annual incentive
bonus in a manner that complies with the requirements of section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; provided that the events described in clauses
(A), (B) and (C) above shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until such
diminution, reduction or failure (as applicable) has not been cured within
thirty (30) days after notice of such noncompliance has been given by the
Executive to the Company.
(iii) For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean that as a result of the Executive's incapacity due to
physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from his duties
hereunder on a full-time basis for the entire period of six consecutive months,
and within thirty (30) days after written Notice of Termination is given by the
Company (which may occur before or after the end of such six month period) the
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties hereunder on
a full-time basis.
8. No Mitigation. The Executive shall have no duty to mitigate
the payments provided for hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise and
such payment shall not be subject to reduction for any compensation received by
the Executive from employment in any capacity following the termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company.
9. Non-Solicitation/Non-Competition.
(a) The Executive agrees that for the duration of his
employment and for a period of three (3) years from the date of termination
thereof, he will not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or
entity, hire, solicit, or encourage to leave the employ of the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates any person who is an employee of any of such
companies.
(b) The Executive agrees that for the duration of his
employment and for a period of three (3) years from the date of termination
thereof, the Executive will take no action which is intended, or would
reasonably be expected, to harm (e.g., making public derogatory statements or
misusing confidential Company information, it being acknowledged that the
Executive's employment with a competitor in and of itself shall not be deemed to
be harmful to the Company for purposes of this Section 9(b)) the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates of their reputation.
(c) The Executive agrees that during the duration of
his employment and;
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(i) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment due to the Executive's resignation without Good
Reason, until the later of (x) five (5) years from the commencement of a
Qualified Offering and (y) two (2) years from the date of such termination of
employment; and
(ii) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment by the Company without Cause or the Executive's
resignation for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(a), for two (2) years from the
date of such termination of employment; and
(iii) in the event of the Executive's
termination of employment by the Company for Cause, at the election of the
Company in consideration for the payment to the Executive of an amount equal to
the Executive's salary and Bonus (equal to the average Bonus paid to the
Executive over the preceding two years) for each year within such period, for a
period of up to two (2) years from the date of such termination of employment,
then, during the period specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii)
above, as applicable, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
(A) engage in any "Competitive Business" (as defined below) for his own
account, (B) enter into the employ of, or render any services to, any
person engaged in a Competitive Business, or (C) become interested in
any entity engaged in a Competitive Business, directly or indirectly as
an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal,
agent, employee, trustee, consultant, or in any other relationship or
capacity; provided that the Executive may own, solely as an investment,
securities of any entity which are traded on a national securities
exchange if the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member
of a group that controls such entity and does not, directly or
indirectly, own 2% or more of any class of securities of such entity.
(iv) For purposes of this Agreement the term
"Competitive Business" shall include the design, manufacture, sale, marketing or
distribution of branded or designer apparel and other products in the categories
of products sold by, or under licence from, the Company or its affiliates within
the United States.
(d) The Executive will not at any time (whether during or
after his employment with the Company) disclose or use for his own benefit or
purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, entity or enterprise,
other than the Company or any of its affiliates, any trade secrets, information,
data, or other confidential information relating to customers, development
programs, costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion,
credit and financial data, manufacturing processes, financing methods, plans or
the business and affairs of the Company generally, or any affiliate of the
Company; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to information which is not
unique to the Company or which is generally known to the industry or the public
other than as a result of the Executive's breach of this
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covenant. The Executive agrees that upon termination of his employment with the
Company for any reason, he will return to the Company immediately all memoranda,
books, papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies
thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of the Company and its
affiliates.
(e) If the Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach
of, any of the provisions of this Section 9 (the "Restrictive Covenants"), the
Company shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and
remedies shall be independent of the other and severally enforceable, and all of
which rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
rights and remedies available to the Company under law or equity:
(i) The right and remedy to have the Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it
being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach will
cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages will not provide
an adequate remedy to the Company;
(ii) The right and remedy to require the Executive to
account for and pay over to the Company all compensation, profits, monies,
accruals, increments or other benefits (collectively, "Benefits") derived or
received by the Executive as the result of any transactions constituting a
breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants, and the Executive shall account for
and pay over such Benefits to the Company; and
(iii) The right to discontinue the payment of any
amounts owing to the Executive under the Agreement.
(f) If any court determines that any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full
effect, without regard to the invalid portion. In addition, if any court
construes any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, to be
unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area covered
thereby, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or area of such
provision and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and
shall be enforced.
10. Successors; Binding Agreement.
(a) The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in
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this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as herein defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers
the agreement provided for in this Section 10 or which otherwise becomes bound
by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b) This Agreement and all rights of the Executive
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any
amounts are payable to him hereunder all such amounts unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such
designee, to the Executive's estate.
11. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices,
demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered
with receipt acknowledged or five business days after having been mailed by
United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Mr. Ralph Lauren
c/o Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
If to the Company:
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
12. Miscellaneous. No provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer of the Company as
may be specifically designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at
any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or
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provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New
York without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
13. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
15. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or
in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in
the City of New York in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in
any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Company shall be
entitled to seek a restraining order or injunction in any court of competent
jurisdiction to prevent any continuation of any violation of the provisions of
Section 9 of this Agreement and the Executive hereby consents that such
restraining order or injunction may be granted without the necessity of the
Company's posting any bond, and provided further that the Executive shall be
entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid until the date of
termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or
in connection with this Agreement.
16. Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be
required to be withheld pursuant to applicable law or regulation.
17. Prior Agreements; Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets
forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises,
covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether
oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto;
and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter
contained herein is hereby terminated and canceled.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and the Executive has hereunto set his hand, effective as of
the 9th day of June, 1997.
POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By: /s/ Victor Cohen
--------------------------------------
/s/ Ralph Lauren
-----------------------------------------
Executive: Ralph Lauren
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EXHIBIT 16.1
June 9, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 50th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read the statements made by Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (copy
attached), which we understand will be filed with the Commission, pursuant to
Item 304 of Regulation S-K, in Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Form S-1 (No.
333-24733). We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form S-1.
Very truly yours,
/s/ MAHONEY COHEN RASHBA & POKART, CPA, PC
Mahoney Cohen Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the inclusion in this Amendment No. 3 to Registration
Statement No. 333-24733 on Form S-1 of our report dated June 21, 1996 (March 14,
1997 as to Note 1(a)), on our audits of the financial statements and schedule of
Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation. We also consent to the reference to our firm
under the caption "Experts."
/s/ Mahoney Cohen Rashba & Pokart, CPA, PC
MAHONEY COHEN RASHBA & POKART, CPA, PC
New York, New York
June 10, 1997
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE
To the Partners
Polo Ralph Lauren Enterprises, L.P.
We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement No.
333-24733 relating to 33,925,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation of our report dated May 15, 1997 (June 9, 1997 as to Note 7)
appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement, and
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
Our audit of the financial statements referred to in our aforementioned
report also included the financial statement schedule of Polo Ralph Lauren
Corporation. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audit. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
June 10, 1997
