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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: April 30, 1996
Dixon Ticonderoga Company
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-2655 23-0973760
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(State or other juris- (Commission (IRS Employer
diction of incorporation) File Number) Identification
Number)
195 International Parkway Heathrow, Florida 32746
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone # including area code (407) 829-9000
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Item 5.
Dixon Ticonderoga Company (AMEX:DXT) announced on April 26,1996
that on April 24, 1996, a decision was rendered by the Superior
Court of New Jersey in Hudson County finding Dixon responsible
for $1.94 million in certain environmental clean-up costs
relating to the 1984 sale by Dixon to a development group of
certain property located in Jersey City, New Jersey, previously
owned and operated by Dixon as a factory.
The plaintiffs had originally sought over $18 million in damages,
and though the final judgment is substantially less, the Company
was disappointed with the result. "While we do not have
substantial disagreement with the total amount of ECRA-related
costs which the Court deemed appropriate, it is disappointing
that the Court allocated 100% of the responsibility to Dixon.
In the Company's view, the prior decision of the New Jersey
Supreme Court in this case seems to require a more equitable
apportionment of damages between the plaintiffs and Dixon," said
Richard F. Joyce, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal
Officer of the Company.
Pre-judgment interest on the damage award has not been finally
calculated, but the Company estimates that at the time the
judgment is entered by the trial court, the exposure including
pre-judgment interest will not exceed $3.3 million. Dixon
continues to evaluate pursuing other responsible parties for
indemnification and/or contribution to the payment of this claim,
including its insurance carriers and a legal malpractice claim
against the attorneys who originally closed the transaction. In
the interim, it is also in the process of preparing and filing an
appeal.
Prior to the decision, the Company had reached an agreement in
principle with its primary lender increasing its revolving credit
facility to accommodate anticipated growth. Although the
judgment, when entered, will cause the Company to be in technical
default of certain covenants under its current loan agreement,
the Company is negotiating relief from these default provisions
with its lender and is hopeful the new facility will proceed as
anticipated.
As a result of the judgment, Dixon will be reporting an after-tax
charge of approximately $1.3 million against earnings for its
second quarter.
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The Dixon Ticonderoga Company is a diversified manufacturer and
marketer of the well-known Dixon Ticonderoga, Wearever and Prang
writing and art products, a producer of graphite and lubricant
products and an operator of refractories.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
By
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Laura Van Camp
Corporate Secretary
Dated: April 30, 1996
