<PAGE> 1 of 43
Exhibit Index on Page 23
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 1997
Registration No. 33-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 23-0973760
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
195 International Parkway
Heathrow, FL 32746
(407) 829-9000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Richard A. Asta
Dixon Ticonderoga Company
195 International Parkway
Heathrow, FL 32746
(407) 829-9000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Philip M. Shasteen, Esquire
Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, P.A.
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 1800
Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 225-2500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the 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. [X]
If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to
Securityholders or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
11(a)(1) of this Form, 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 of 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. [ ]
<PAGE> 2
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
============================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
Proposed Proposed
Maximum Maximum
Title of Shares Amount to be Offering Price Aggregate Amount of
to be Registered Registered<F1>Per Share Offering Price Registration Fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock Purchase Warrants 300,000 N/A N/A N/A
Common Stock, $1.00 par value,
issuable upon exercise of warrants 300,000 $7.23<F2> $2,169,000 $747.93
============================================================================================================
<F1> Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this
Registration Statement also relates to an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be issued
as result of anti-dilution provisions of the Warrants.
<F2> Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457 under
the Securities Act, based upon $7.23, the per share average of high and low sale prices of the Common
Stock as reported by the American Stock Exchange for trading on February 18, 1997.
</TABLE>
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> 3
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1997
P R O S P E C T U S
300,000 Common Stock Purchase Warrants
300,000 Shares Common Stock
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
This Prospectus relates to the reoffer and resale by certain selling
Securityholders (the "Selling Securityholders") of (i) Common Stock Purchase
Warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase 300,000 shares (the "Shares") of Common
Stock, $1.00 par value (the "Common Stock") of Dixon Ticonderoga Company (the
"Company"), and (ii) the Shares that will be issued by the Company to the
Selling Securityholders upon exercise of the Warrants. The Warrants and
Shares are being offered and sold for the account of the Selling
Securityholders and the Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of the Shares. No period of time has been fixed within which the
securities covered by this Prospectus may be offered or sold. The Company has
agreed to bear certain expenses (other than underwriting discounts and
commissions and transfer taxes, if any) in connection with the registration
and sale of the Warrants and Shares being offered by the Selling
Securityholders.
The Selling Securityholders have advised the Company that the sale of the
Warrants and the Shares may be effected by the Selling Securityholders, or by
pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest therefrom, from
time to time in one or more negotiated transactions, as to the Common Stock,
in one or more transactions on the AMEX, or otherwise at market prices
prevailing at the time of the sale or at prices otherwise negotiated. The
Selling Securityholders may effect such transactions by selling the Warrants
or the Shares to or through broker-dealers who may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Securityholders
and/or the purchasers of the Warrants or the Shares for whom such
broker-dealers may act as agent or to whom they sell as principal, or both
(which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be in excess of
customary commissions). Any broker-dealer acquiring the Warrants or the
Shares from the Selling Securityholders may sell the Shares in its normal
market making activities, or may sell the Warrants or the Shares through other
brokers on a principal or agency basis, in negotiated transactions, to its
customers or through a combination of such methods. See "Plan of
Distribution."
The Warrants are not listed for trading on any exchange. The Common Stock
is traded on the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") under the symbol "DXT." On
February 18, 1997, the last sale price for the Common Stock on the AMEX was
$7.125.
See "Risk factors, at page 3, for certain considerations relevant to an
investment in the securities offered hereby.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is _____________, 1997
<PAGE> 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Available Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference. . . . . . . . . . . .4
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Principal Executive Offices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Selling Securityholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Transfer Agent and Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Plan of Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Description of Warrants and Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Legal Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Experts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
Registration Statement on Form S-2 (together with all amendments and exhibits
thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect
to the Shares offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the Rules and regulations of the Commission.
For further information with respect to the Company and the securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained
in this Prospectus as to 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 document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements, and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements, and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois, 60661; and Seven World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Judiciary
Plaza, 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 Common Stock is listed
on the AMEX and such reports and other information may also be inspected at
the offices of the AMEX, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which are on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("Commission") are incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference and made a part hereof: (i) The Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996, filed with the Commission on
December 19, 1996; (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the
quarter ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Commission on February 14,
1997, and; (iii) following portions of the Company's Proxy Statement dated
January 27, 1997 and filed with the Commission January 24, 1997: "Major
Stockholders," "Security Ownership of Management," "Compensation of
Directors," "Officers of the Company," "Executive Compensation," "Employment
Agreements," and "Outstanding Stock Options." All other portions of such
<PAGE> 5
Company's Proxy Statement are not part of the registration statement of
which this Prospectus is a part. All other reports filed by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since
September 30, 1996 and prior to the termination of this offering are deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and filed
with the Commission prior to the date of this Prospectus shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document which
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
This Prospectus is accompanied by a copy of the Company's latest Annual
Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Commission. The Company hereby will
provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has
been delivered, on the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of
any or all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such
documents including, without limitation, the Company's latest Form 10-Q.
Written requests for such copies should be directed Dixon Ticonderoga Company,
at its executive offices at 195 International Parkway, Heathrow, FL 32746,
Attention: Laura Hemmings. Oral requests should be directed to such
individual (telephone number (407) 829-9000).
_______________
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer made hereby, and, if given or made,
such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company or the Selling Securityholders. This Prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy,
the securities offered hereby to any person in any state or other jurisdiction
in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The delivery of this
Prospectus at any time does not imply that information contained herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 195 International
Parkway, Heathrow, Florida 32746, and its telephone number at that address is
(407) 829-9000.
RISK FACTORS
The securities offered hereby involve a high degree of risk. Prospective
investors should carefully consider the following factors before making an
investment decision.
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER. Gino N. Pala, the Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, through his
beneficial ownership (including options exercisable within the next 60 days)
has the power to vote approximately 23.6% of the Common Stock. As a result of
his holdings, Mr. Pala currently exerts, and is likely to continue to exert,
significant control over the Company.
<PAGE> 6
SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS. At December 31, 1996, the Company had
outstanding approximately $38.2 million in borrowings. Of that amount, $21.7
million was senior debt and $16.5 million was subordinated debt. The level of
the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences to its future
prospects, including the following: (i) the ability of the Company to obtain
any necessary financing in the future for working capital, capital
expenditures, debt service requirements or other purposes may be limited; (ii)
a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be
dedicated to the payment of principal of and interest on its indebtedness and
other obligations and will not be available for other purposes; (iii) the
Company's level of indebtedness could limit its flexibility in planning for or
reacting to changes in its business; (iv) the Company will be more highly
leveraged than some of its competitors, which may place it at competitive
disadvantage; and (v) the Company's high level of indebtedness will make it
more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in its business.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS.
The Company's senior and subordinated debt instruments impose significant
operating and financial restrictions on the Company. Such restrictions
affect, and in certain cases significantly limit or prohibit, among other
things, the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness or to
create liens on its assets, pay dividends, sell assets, engage in mergers or
acquisitions or make investments. The failure to comply with any such
covenant could result in a default thereunder, which could result in an
acceleration of such indebtedness.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS. Although none of the Company's customers
account for over 10% of revenues, the loss of one or more key customers could
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
COMPETITION. Both of the Company's business segments are highly
competitive. Many of these competitors have greater financial, technological
and marketing resources than those available to the Company.
NO DIVIDENDS. The Company has not paid a cash dividend on its common
stock since 1990. There can be no assurance that the Company will be in a
position to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Certain covenants
in the documents relating to the Company's indebtedness restrict its ability
to pay dividends.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS. The Company's Certificate of
Incorporation contains certain provisions, including a classified Board of
Directors, which may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in
control of the Company, including a grant of authority to the Company's Board
of Directors, without any further vote or action by the Company's
Securityholders, to issue up to 100,000 shares of preferred stock with such
designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by
the Board of Directors. Pursuant to such authority, in 1995, the Board of
Directors created a series of 10,000 shares of preferred stock designated as
Series A Junior Preferred Stock for issuance pursuant to a Shareholder Rights
Plan. When issued, each share of Series A Junior Preferred Stock will entitle
the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
Securityholders of the Company. No shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock
have been issued or are outstanding and the Company has no present intention
to issue any such shares. However, in the event of issuance, the preferred
stock could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a
change in control of the Company. See "Description of Warrants and Common
Stocks."
<PAGE> 7
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the offer and sale
of the Warrants or the Shares offered hereby by the Selling Securityholders.
Except to the extent that they elect to credit the purchase price against the
Company's subordinated debt held by them, the Company will receive the
exercise price of the Warrants held by the Selling Securityholders, if and
when exercised. Such proceeds will be used by the Company for working capital
purposes.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The Warrants and the Common Stock offered for sale by the Selling
Securityholders are issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants issued by the
Company in connection with the refinancing of the Company's subordinated debt in
September, 1996. All Selling Securityholders are lenders to the Company. The
following table sets forth (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by each Selling Securityholder; (ii) the number of shares to be offered
for sale by each Selling Securityholder; and (iii) the number and percentage
of shares of Common Stock to be held by each Selling Securityholder after the
completion of the offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Warrant/Shares/
Number of Percentage of
Number of Warrants/Shares Class to be Owned
Warrants/Shares to be Offered After Completion
Name Beneficially Owned for Sale of the Offering <F1>
________________________________________________ _______________ ____________________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States 163,637/0 163,637/163,637 0/0/0
John Hancock Mutual Life
Insurance Company 63,636/0 63,636/63,636 0/0/0
Signature IA Cayman, Ltd. 72,727/0 72,727/72,727 0/0/0
<FN>
<F1> Assumes that all Warrants/Shares offered by the Selling Securityholder are sold.
</FN>
</TABLE>
All of the Selling Securityholders are holders of subordinated debt of
the Company. The Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part was
filed by the Company pursuant to certain registration rights granted to the
Selling Securityholders. There is no assurance that the Selling
Securityholders will sell any of the Warrants or the Shares offered hereby.
To the extent required, the specific Warrants and Shares to be sold, the names
of the Selling Securityholders, other additional shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such Selling Securityholders, the offering price of the
Warrants and the Shares to be sold, the names of any agent, dealer or
underwriter employed by such Selling Stockholder in connection with such sale,
and any applicable commission or discount with respect to a particular offer
will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
<PAGE> 8
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, 230 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28288-1154.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Warrants offered by the Selling Securityholders are not listed on an
exchange, and may be offered and sold from time to time at prices and terms
then prevailing or at prices then related to the then-current market price of
the Shares or in negotiated transactions. The Shares offered by the Selling
Securityholders may be offered and sold from time to time as market conditions
permit on the AMEX, or otherwise, at prices and terms then prevailing or at
prices related to the then-current market price of the Shares, or in
negotiated transactions. The Warrants may be sold by one or more of the
following methods, without limitation: (i) purchases by a broker or dealer as
principal in resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this
Prospectus; (ii) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker solicits purchasers; and (iii) transactions between Sellers and
Purchasers without a broker or dealer. The Shares may be sold by one or more
of the following methods, without limitation: (i) a block trade in which a
broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the Shares as agent but may
position and resale a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction; (ii) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by
such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus; (iii)
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits
purchasers; and (iv) transactions between sellers and purchasers without a
broker-dealer. In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the Selling
Securityholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Such
brokers or dealers may receive commissions or discounts from Selling
Securityholders in amounts to be negotiated. Such brokers and dealers and any
other participating brokers and dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning the Securities Act, in connection with such sale.
The Selling Securityholders are not restricted as to the price or prices
at which they may sell their Warrants or Shares. Sales of the Shares may have
an adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock. Moreover, the
Selling Securityholders are not restricted as to the number of Shares that may
be sold at any time and it is possible that a significant number of Shares
could be sold at the same time which may also have an adverse effect on the
market price of the Common Stock.
The Company has agreed to pay all fees and expenses incident to the
registration of the Warrants and Shares, except selling commissions and fees.
Brokerage commissions and fees, if any, attributable to the sale of the
Warrants and Shares will be borne by the Selling Securityholders.
<PAGE> 9
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS AND COMMON STOCK
GENERAL
The following summarizes the provisions of the Warrants and Common Stock.
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 8,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $1.00 par value and 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par
value (the "Preferred Stock"). At February 11, 1997, there were 3,293,778
shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, held of record by approximately
450 securityholders. No shares of Preferred Stock have been issued. The
Warrants were issued by the Company to the Selling Securityholders in
September, 1996 in conjunction with the refinancing of the Company's previous
subordinated debt.
WARRANTS
The Warrants are exercisable at any time or from time to time on or after
September 27, 1997 and prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City Time, on September
26, 2003 and entitle the holders thereof to purchase 300,000 shares of Common
Stock at a purchase price of $7.24 per share, subject to adjustment as provided
for in the Warrants. All Warrants are currently outstanding. The summary set
forth below is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Warrants.
The exercise price of the Warrants is subject to adjustment in case the
Company, at any time or from time to time after September 26, 1996, issues or
sells additional shares of Common Stock without consideration or for a
consideration per share less than a base price provided for in the Warrant.
The base price is the greater of the current market price of the Common Stock
and the Warrant price specified in the Warrants (initially $7.24 per share).
In such event, the Warrant price is reduced concurrently with such issue or
sale to a price determined by multiplying the Warrant price then in effect by
a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is (i) the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issue or sale, plus (ii) the
number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration received by
the Company for the total number of such additional shares of Common Stock so
issued or sold would purchase at the base price, and (b) the denominator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such issue or sale. In addition, if the Company declares or makes a dividend
or other distribution on any Common Stock other than the dividend payable in
additional shares of Common Stock or options for Common Stock or a regular,
periodic dividend payable in cash and declared out of the earned surplus of
the Company, the Warrant price in effect immediately prior to such dividend or
distribution is reduced to a price determined by multiplying the Warrant price
by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the current market price in effect
on such record date or, if the Common Stock trades on an ex-dividend basis, on
the date prior to the commencement of ex-dividend trading, less the value of
such dividend or distribution applicable to one share of Common Stock and (ii)
the denominator of which is the current market price. The Warrants also
provide for an adjustment of the exercise price in the event of certain
issuances by the Company of options or convertible securities, in the event
that the outstanding shares of Common Stock are combined or consolidated into
a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, and in the event that the Company
fails to maintain an effective registration of the Warrants and the Common
Stock in accordance with the registration provisions set forth in the
Warrants.
<PAGE> 10
The Warrants require the Company to give each Warrant holder notice in the
event of a consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of
its properties or assets to another person or in the event it effects a
capital reorganization or reclassification of Common Stock or other securities
and requires that proper provision be made so that the Warrant holders, upon
exercise of the Warrants at any time after the consummation of such a
transaction, are entitled to receive, at the aggregate warrant price in effect
at the time of such consummation, in lieu of the Common Stock (or other
securities) issuable upon such exercise prior to such consummation, either of
the following, as such holder may elect: (i) the highest amount of cash,
securities or other property to which such holder would have been entitled as
a shareholder upon such consummation if such holder had exercised its Warrant
immediately prior thereto, subject to certain adjustments; or (ii) the number
of shares of voting Common Stock of the acquiring person or its parent
determined by dividing (x) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number
of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) to which the holder of the
Warrant would have been entitled had such holder exercised the Warrant
immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, times (B) the
greater of the acquisition price and the Warrant price in effect on the date
immediately preceding the date of such consummation, by (y) the current market
price per share of the voting Common Stock (or equivalent equity interests) of
the acquiring person or its parent on the date immediately preceding the date
of consummation.
The Warrants restrict the Company from entering into certain mergers,
consolidations, sales of assets or reorganizations except in compliance with
the terms of the Warrants and the Warrants preclude the Company from taking
certain actions that would dilute or impair the rights of the Warrant holders.
The Warrants contain certain demand and incidental registration rights and
provide for indemnification in the event of the registration of the Warrants
and the Common Stock underlying the Warrants.
COMMON STOCK
The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the Securityholders, including elections of
directors, and, except as otherwise required by law or provided in any
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors (the "Board") with respect to any
series of Preferred Stock, the holders of such shares exclusively possess all
voting power.
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of Preferred
Stock created by the Board from time to time, the holders of the Common Stock
are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board from funds legally available therefor and, upon liquidation, are
entitled to receive pro rata all assets of the Company available for
distribution to such holders.
The Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and is not
subject to further call for assessments by the Company. The Common Stock
currently outstanding is, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon
exercise of the Warrants will be, validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.
<PAGE> 11
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE. The Company's
Certificate of Incorporation contains certain provisions, including a
classified Board of Directors, which may have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company. The Certificate provides that
the directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote
of the holders of 66-2/3 or more of the outstanding share of capital stock of
the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors cast at a
meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, and the affirmative vote
of the holders of 66-2/3 or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is
required to amend or repeal that provision.
The Certificate also provides that if any part to any merger or
consolidation or any sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of
the property and assets of the Company is a person or entity owning,
immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, of record or
beneficially 2% or more of the stock of the Company issued and outstanding
having voting power, the Board of Directors may approve such transaction only
when and as duly authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than 66-2/3 of the capital stock of the Company at a stockholders' meeting
duly called for that purpose. Such provisions may not be altered, amended or
repealed except by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66-2/3
of the capital stock of the Company given at a stockholders' meeting duly
called for that purpose.
In addition, under the Company's Certificate, the Board of Directors,
without shareholder approval, is authorized to issue shares of Preferred Stock
in one or more series and to designate, with respect to each such shares of
Preferred Stock, the number of shares in each such series, the dividend rates,
preferences, and date of payment, liquidation preferences, the availability of
redemption and the prices at which it may occur, whether or not dividends
shall be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which the same
shall be cumulative, the sinking funds provisions, if any, for redemption or
purchase of shares, the rights, if any, and the terms and conditions on which
shares can be converted into or exchanged for shares of any other class or
series , and the voting rights, if any. Any Preferred Stock issued may be
senior to the Common Stock as to dividends and as to distribution in the event
of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company. The shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock authorized by the Company's Certificate
provide the Board of Directors with as much flexibility as possible in using
such shares for corporate purposes. However, these additional shares may also
be used by the Board of Directors to deter future attempts to gain control of
the Company. The Board of Directors has sole authority to determine the terms
of any series of the Preferred Stock, including voting rights, conversion
rates, and liquidation preferences. As a result of the ability to fix voting
rights for a series of Preferred Stock, the Board has the power to issue a
series of Preferred Stock to persons friendly to management in order to
attempt to block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction by which a
third party seeks control, and thereby assist management to retain its
position.
In 1995, the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan and pursuant
thereto the Board of Directors created a series of 10,000 shares of Preferred
Stock designated as Series A Junior Preferred Stock, each share of which
entitles the holder to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of the Company. No shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock
have been issued or are outstanding and the Company has no present intention
to issue any such shares. The existence of the Shareholder Rights Plan may
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company.
<PAGE> 12
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Warrants and the Shares offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, P.A.,
Tampa, Florida. Philip M. Shasteen, a shareholder of Johnson, Blakely, Pope,
Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, P.A., is a director of the Company and holds 8,969
shares of Common Stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the
report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, as set forth in their
report dated November 27, 1996, accompanying such financial statements, and
are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm,
which report is given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Any financial statements and schedules hereafter incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part
that have been audited and are the subject of a report by independent
accountants will be so incorporated by reference in reliance upon such reports
and upon the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing to
the extent covered by consents filed with the Commission.
<PAGE> 13
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the various expenses which will be
paid by the Company in connection with the securities being registered. With
the exception of the SEC Registration Fee, all amounts are estimates.
SEC Registration Fee $ 747.93
Nasdaq Listing Fees 1,000.00
Printing Expenses 1,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses 1,500.00
Legal Fees and Expenses (including Blue Sky) 10,000.00
Miscellaneous Expenses 1,000.00
----------
TOTAL $17,747.93
==========
Item 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Article Fourteenth of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
contains the following provision with respect to indemnification of directors
and officers:
Each director and officer of this corporation (and each officer
or director of any other corporation and serving as such at the
request of this corporation because of this corporation's interest in
such other corporation) shall be indemnified by the corporation
against all costs and expenses (including but not limited to counsel
fees, amounts of judgments paid, and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any claim,
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
or other, in which he or they may be involved by virtue of such
person's being or having been such director, officer or employee;
provided, however, that such indemnity shall not be operative with
respect to (a) any matter as to which such person shall have been
finally adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for
negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duties as such
director, officer or employee, or (b) any matter settled or
compromised, unless, in the opinion of independent counsel selected
by or in a manner determined by the Board of Directors, there is not
reasonable ground for such person's being adjudged liable for
negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duties as such
director, officer or employee, or (c) any amount paid or payable to
the corporation of such other enterprise. The foregoing
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,
vote of shareholders, or otherwise.
Article VI of the Company's By-laws contains the following provision
with respect to indemnification of directors and officers:
<PAGE> 14
SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION; CLAIMS OTHER THAN IN THE RIGHT OF
CORPORATION. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists
or may hereafter be amended (but in the case of any such amendment,
only to the extent such amendment permits the Corporation to provide
broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), 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 he is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee
benefit plan, against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he 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 his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendre or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a presumption
that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action proceeding,
had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
Provided, however, except as provided in Section 6 with respect to
proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation
shall indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or
any part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding
(or any part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION; CLAIMS IN RIGHT OF CORPORATION.
The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended (but in the case of any such amendment, only
to the extent such amendment permits the Corporation to provide
broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), 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 he is or was a Director or officer of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a Director or officer of another corporation partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
an employee benefit plan, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall
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
reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses which the Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
<PAGE> 15
SECTION 3. EXPENSES. To the extent that a Director or officer
of the Corporation has been successful on the merits, or otherwise,
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections
1 and 2, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he
shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. If
a Director or officer is or was a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding not only in his capacity as a Director or officer, but
also in his capacity as a shareholder or in any other capacity, and
there is no convenient way to separate out expenses incurred in such
separate capacities, all of such expenses shall be indemnified
against by the Corporation.
SECTION 4. AUTHORIZATION. Any indemnification under Sections
1 and 2 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation
only as authorized in the specific case upon determination that
indemnification of the Director or officer is proper in the
circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in Sections 1 and 2. Such determination shall be made (1)
by a majority vote of the Directors who are not parties to such
action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if
there are no such Directors, or if such Directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
Securityholders.
SECTION 5. RIGHT TO ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The right to
indemnification conferred in Article VI shall include the right to be
paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding for which such right to indemnification is applicable in
advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advancement of
expenses"); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General
Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an
indemnitee in his or her capacity as a Director or officer (and not
in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee
benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of
an undertaking (hereinafter an "undertaking"), by or on behalf of
such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there
is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a "final adjudication")
that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such
expenses under this Article or otherwise.
SECTION 6. RIGHT OF INDEMNITEE TO BRING SUIT. The rights to
indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in
Article VI shall be contract rights. If a claim hereunder is not
paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after a written
claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a
claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable
period shall be twenty days, the indemnitee may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid
amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such
suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an
advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or
defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the indemnitee to
enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit
brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of
<PAGE> 16
expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) any suit by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover
such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not
met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its Securityholders) to have made a determination prior
to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the
indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has
met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware
General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
Securityholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable
standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee
has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of
such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In
any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to
indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is
not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses,
under this Article VI or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
SECTION 7. APPLICABILITY. In the event of any amendment or
repeal of this Article VI, the persons entitled to indemnification
hereunder nevertheless shall be entitled to its benefits as to any
act or events which occurred during the period during which it was in
effect. All rights provided by this Article VI shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors or administrators of any person
entitled to indemnification hereunder. The foregoing right of
indemnification shall exist whether or not such person continues to
be a Director or officer at such time any expenses, judgments, and
fines are incurred or any claims or liabilities arise or any
settlement is effected and, whether the act or omission upon which
such claims or liabilities are or are alleged to be based on occurred
prior to or subsequent to the adoption of this Article VI.
SECTION 8. NON-EXCLUSIVITY. The indemnification and rights to
advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
may be entitled to under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
Securityholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to
action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a Director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
SECTION 9. INSURANCE. The Corporation shall have power to
purchase and maintain insurance at its expense on behalf of any
person who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this
Article.
<PAGE> 17
SECTION 10. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE
CORPORATION. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time
to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification,
and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article
VI with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of
Directors and officers of the Corporation.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides as
follows:
(a) A corporation may 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 action by or in the right
of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he 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 him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he 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 his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of NOLO CONTENDERE or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he 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 reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may 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 he 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 him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except
that no indemnification shall 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 reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall
deem proper.
<PAGE> 18
(c) 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 subsections
(a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or
matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this
section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper
in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such
determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum
is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion or (3) by the Securityholders.
(e) Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a
civil or criminal 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 he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses incurred by
other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and
conditions if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of Securityholders or disinterested
directors of otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A 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 another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by
him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to "the
corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation,
any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its
separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority
to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so
that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation partnership, joint venture trust or
other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section
with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would
have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
<PAGE> 19
(i) For purposes of this section, references to "other
enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to
"fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes
duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee,
or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants
or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
participant and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation" as referred to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a
person.
The Company maintains a directors and officers insurance and company
reimbursement policy. The policy insures directors and officers against
unindemnified loss arising from certain wrongful acts in their capacities and
reimburses the Company for such loss for which the Company has lawfully
indemnified the directors and officers. The policy contains various
exclusions none of which relate to the offering hereunder.
The Company has entered into indemnity agreements with each director
of the Company. The contracts provide for indemnification of such persons
against expenses, liabilities and losses.
The Company maintains a $3,000,000 directors and officers liability
insurance policy.
Item 16. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
4.1 Specimen Certificate of Company's Common Stock
4.2* Form of Warrant
5 Opinion of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel
& Burns, P.A. with respect to the legality of
the Common Stock
23.1 Consent of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel
& Burns, P.A., included in Exhibit No. 5
23.2 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.
24 Power of Attorney (included on signature page to
this Registration Statement)
99 Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 1996
*Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, File Number 0-2655, filed in Washington,
D.C.
<PAGE> 20
Item 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement 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.
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 foregoing provisions, 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 the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against each 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 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 Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE> 21
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Orlando, State of Florida, on this
17th day of February, 1997.
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY.
By: /s/ Gino N. Pala
----------------------------
Gino N. Pala, Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: Each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gino N. Pala and Richard A. Asta his true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration Statement, and
to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
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 date indicated.
Signature Capacity Date
- -------------------- -------------------------- ----------------
/s/ Gino N. Pala Chairman of the Board, February 17, 1997
- -------------------- President, Chief Executive
Gino N. Pala Officer and Director
/s/ Richard F. Joyce Vice Chairman of the Board, February 17, 1997
- -------------------- President and Chief Operating
Richard F. Joyce Officer, Consumer Group,
Executive Vice President,
Chief Legal Executive and
Director
/s/ Richard A. Asta Executive Vice President February 17, 1997
- --------------------- of Finance and Chief
Richard A. Asta Financial Officer
<PAGE> 22
s/ John Adornetto Vice President,Corporate February 17, 1997
- --------------------- Controller and Chief
John Adornetto Accounting Officer
/s/ Philip M. Shasteen Director February 17, 1997
- ----------------------
Philip M. Shasteen
/s/ John Ramondo Director February 17, 1997
- ----------------------
John Ramondo
/s/ Ben Berzin, Jr. Director February 17, 1997
- ----------------------
Ben Berzin, Jr.
<PAGE> 23
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
4.1 Specimen Certificate of Company's Common Stock
4.2* Form of Warrant
5 Opinion of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel
& Burns, P.A. with respect to the legality of
the Common Stock
23.1 Consent of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel
& Burns, P.A., included in Exhibit No. 5
23.2 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.
24 Power of Attorney (included on signature page to
this Registration Statement)
99 Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 1996
*Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, File Number 0-2655, filed in Washington,
D.C.
<PAGE> 24
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
EXHIBIT 4.1
Specimen Certificate of the Company's Common Stock
Common Stock
Number Par Value $1.00 per share
P5961
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
DIXON LOGO
Shares
[SPECIMEN]
See reverse side for
certain definitions
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
This certificate is transferrable in the cities of Charlotte or New York.
[CUSIP 255860 10 8]
THIS CERTIFIES THAT
SPECIMEN
is the owner of
Shares of the fully paid and non-assessable common stock of the par value $1.00 per share of
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
ransferable on the books of the Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender
of this certificate properly endorsed.
This certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions
of (1) the Articles of Incorporation and all amendments and (2) any statement on the reverse side of this
certificate. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the
Registrar.
WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signature of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
Countersigned and Registerd: CORPORATE /s/ Gino N. Pala
First Union National Bank of North Carolina SEAL President
(Charlotte, North Carolina)
Transfer Agent and Registrar, /s/ Kenneth Baer
By: Treasurer
Authorized Officer
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 25
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[REVERSE SIDE OF SPECIMEN STOCK CERTICIATE]
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
The Company will furnish to any shareholder, upon request and without charge, a fully or summary statement of
the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of each class authorized to be issued,
and the variations in the relative rights and preferences between (1) the shares of Common, Preferred and Preference
Stock, (2) any classes of Preference Stock and (3) any series within classes of Preference Stock, so far as the same
have been fixed and determined the Articles of Incorporation fo this Company and in addition, with respect to the
Preference Stock, in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of Preference Stock adopted from time to
time by the board of directors, without the necessity of any action by the shareholders.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of this certificate, shall be construed as though
they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT__________Custodian ___________
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of under Uniform Gifts to Minors
survivorship and not as tenants in common Act ________________________________
(State)
UNIF TRF MIN ACT________Custodian (until age ___)
________ under uniform Transfers
(Minor)
to Minors Act ___________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
[_________________________]________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address, including ZIP Code of assignee)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Shares
of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Attorney
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the
premises.
Dated______________________________
X________________________________________________________
X________________________________________________________
NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must
correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of
the certificate in every particular, without alteration
or enlargement or any change whatever.
SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED:
By:_______________________________
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan
associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC
Rule 17Ad-15.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 26
EXHIBIT 5
Opinion of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, P.A.
February 20, 1997
VIA FACSIMILE: 407/829-2570
Dixon Ticonderoga Company
P.O. Box 958413
Heathrow, Florida 32795-8413
Re: Dixon Ticonderoga Company - Registration Statement on Form S-2
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 dated the
date hereof (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Dixon Ticonderoga Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with
respect to common stock purchase warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase 300,000
shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $1.00 par value of the company and the
Shares that will be issued by the company upon exercise of the Warrants.
We have examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we
have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth
below. With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as reproduced or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of
those latter documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we
have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of
certain officers of the company. Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion
the Warrants are duly authorized and legally issued, and are fully paid and
nonassessable and that when applicable provisions of state securities laws
have been complied with the Shares to be issued by the company upon exercise
of the Warrants have been duly authorized and, when issued and sold in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and paid for in the
manner provided in the Warrants, will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
We are members of the Bar of the State of Florida, and the opinions
expressed herein are limited to the general corporation law of the state of
Delaware. We do not express any opinion as to the laws, or to matters
governed by the laws, of any other jurisdiction or, in the case of Delaware,
any other laws.
In giving this opinion, we have assumed that all certificates for the
Shares, prior to their issuance, will be duly executed on behalf of the
company by the company's transfer agent and will conform, except as to
denominations, to specimens we have examined. We advise you that Philip M.
Shasteen, a shareholder of Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns,
P.A., is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the owner of
8,969 shares of common stock of the Company.
This opinion is rendered to you solely for your benefit in connection
with the Company's preparation in filing of the Registration Statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may not be relied upon, used,
circulated, summarized, referred to or quoted by any other person or for any
other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by any person, in whole or in
part, without our prior written consent.
<PAGE> 27
Dixon Ticonderoga Company
February 20, 1997
Page 2
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your counsel, and to all
references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus
forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that
we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
/s/ JOHNSON, BLAKELY, POPE, BOKOR
RUPPEL & BURNS, P.A
Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor
Ruppel & Burns, P.A
PMS/lmw
<PAGE> 28
EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of our report dated November 27, 1996, on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule of
Dixon Ticonderoga Company and Subsidiaries. We also consent to the reference
to our Firm under the caption "Experts."
Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.
/s/ Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.
Orlando, Florida
February 17, 1997
<PAGE> 29
Exhibit 99 - Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended December 31, 1996
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMMISSION FILE NO. O-2655
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 23-0973760
- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.
195 International Parkway, Heathrow, FL 32746
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) Zip Code
(407) 829-9000
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: ----------------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [ X ] No [ ]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.
Class Outstanding as of December 31, 1996
- ---------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Common Stock $1 par value 3,293,778
<PAGE> 30
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
------------------------------------------
INDEX
-----
Page
----
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Information
Consolidated Balance Sheets --
December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1996 31-32
Consolidated Statements of Operations --
For The Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 33
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows --
For The Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 34-35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 36-37
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 38-41
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. Other Information 42
Item 6. Exhibits 42
Signatures 43
<PAGE> 31
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
- -------
<TABLE>
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
December 31, September 30,
1996 1996
------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,806,583 $ 2,597,032
Receivables, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $974,629
at December 31, 1996 and $1,352,411
at September 30, 1996 16,931,007 23,442,889
Inventories 34,217,079 31,460,934
Other current assets 3,433,395 3,044,796
----------- -----------
Total current assets 56,388,064 60,545,651
----------- -----------
PROPERTY, PLANT and EQUIPMENT:
Land and buildings 15,977,066 15,711,724
Machinery and equipment 16,696,434 16,537,994
Furniture and fixtures 905,130 917,222
----------- -----------
33,578,630 33,166,940
Less accumulated depreciation (18,208,528) (17,730,505)
----------- -----------
15,370,102 15,436,435
OTHER ASSETS 2,213,845 1,866,054
----------- -----------
$73,972,011 $77,848,140
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, September 30,
1996 1996
------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable $11,829,535 $14,159,143
Current maturities of long-term debt 1,639,583 1,613,773
Accounts payable 5,380,160 5,461,348
Accrued liabilities 9,320,104 10,934,838
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 28,169,382 32,169,102
----------- -----------
LONG-TERM DEBT 24,769,513 25,119,305
----------- -----------
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER 1,434,968 1,051,171
----------- -----------
MINORITY INTEREST 3,515,351 3,517,006
----------- -----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par $1, authorized
100,000 shares, none issued --- ---
Common stock, par $1, authorized
8,000,000 shares; issued 3,537,211
shares 3,537,211 3,537,211
Capital in excess of par value 2,489,674 2,489,674
Retained earnings 13,740,889 13,526,520
Cumulative translation adjustment (2,792,159) (2,669,031)
----------- -----------
16,975,615 16,884,374
Less - treasury stock, at cost
(243,433 shares) (892,818) (892,818)
----------- -----------
16,082,797 15,991,556
----------- -----------
$73,972,011 $77,848,140
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE> 33
<TABLE>
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUES $22,307,880 $20,945,721
----------- -----------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold 14,660,470 14,289,772
Selling and administrative
expenses 6,354,592 5,676,154
----------- -----------
21,015,062 19,965,926
----------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME 1,292,818 979,795
INTEREST EXPENSE ( 799,622) (614,415)
----------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
AND MINORITY INTEREST 493,196 365,380
INCOME TAXES 125,974 100,647
----------- -----------
367,222 264,733
MINORITY INTEREST 152,845 114,110
----------- -----------
NET INCOME $ 214,377 $ 150,623
=========== ===========
EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE $ .07 $ .05
=========== ===========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
SHARES OUTSTANDING 3,293,778 3,194,153
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE> 34
<TABLE>
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 214,377 $ 150,623
Adjustment to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 646,973 599,675
Deferred taxes 75,380 85,131
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable 94,292 78,713
Income attributable to currency translation (36,164) (46,089)
Income attributable to minority interest 152,844 114,110
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables 6,276,321 1,641,853
Inventories (2,891,501) (823,300)
Other current assets (428,320) (398,139)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,699,027) (1,567,732)
Other assets 50,334 (91,051)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operations 2,455,509 (256,206)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of plant and equipment, net (513,073) (1,157,217)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from (principal
reductions of) notes payable (2,293,508) 2,181,101
Principal reductions of long-term debt (326,500) (283,637)
Employee stock options -- 26,104
Other non-current liabilities (2,565) (1,809)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (2,622,573) 1,921,759
----------- -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (110,312) (212,274)
----------- -----------
<PAGE> 35
Net decrease in cash and
cash equivalents (790,449) 296,062
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 2,597,032 1,513,622
---------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents,
end of period $1,806,583 $ 1,809,684
========== ===========
Supplemental Disclosures:
Cash paid during the period:
Interest (net of amount capitalized) $1,054,706 $ 429,281
Income taxes 105,758 101,978
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE> 36
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been
prepared by the Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information
and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed
or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Registrant
believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented
not misleading. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in
the Registrant's latest annual report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the
Registrant, all adjustments (solely of a normal recurring nature) necessary to
present fairly the financial position of Dixon Ticonderoga Company and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and the results of their operations and
cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, have been
included. The results of operations for such interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
Certain fiscal 1996 balances have been reclassified to conform to current year
presentation.
2. INVENTORIES:
Since amounts for inventories under the LIFO method are based on annual
determinations of quantities and costs as of the end of the fiscal year, the
inventories at December 31, 1996 (for which the LIFO method of accounting are
used) are based on certain estimates relating to quantities and costs as of
year end.
Inventories consist of (in thousands):
December 31, September 30,
1996 1996
------------ -------------
Raw materials $15,282 $12,538
Work in process 4,245 4,268
Finished goods 15,690 14,655
------- -------
$34,217 $31,461
======= =======
3. EFFECT OF CERTAIN NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement
No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of". This statement establishes accounting standards
with respect to the impairment of long-lived assets. No material impairment
of the Company's long-lived assets has been identified.
<PAGE> 37
In 1995, the FASB also issued Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." The statement is effective for the Company in fiscal 1997 and
requires that certain specific disclosures regarding the value of stock option
grants made in fiscal 1996 and thereafter be included in its 1997 annual
report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt the compensation recognition
provision of the Statement, and, accordingly, it is not expected to affect the
future results of operations or financial position of the Company. The
specific disclosures required by this statement have not been determined at
this time.
4. ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES:
The difference between income taxes calculated at the U.S. statutory federal
income tax rate and the provision in the consolidated financial statements is
primarily due to foreign and state income taxes and other permanent items.
5. CONTINGENCIES:
The Company, in the normal course of business, is party in certain litigation.
Ongoing litigation includes a claim under New Jersey's Environmental Clean-Up
Responsibility Act (ECRA) by a 1984 purchaser of industrial property from the
Company. In April 1996, a decision was rendered by the Superior Court of New
Jersey in Hudson County finding the Company responsible for $1.94 million in
certain environmental clean-up costs relating to this matter. Including pre-
judgment interest on the damage award, it is estimated that the Company's
exposure will not exceed approximately $3.3 million. The Company intends to
pursue other responsible parties for indemnification and/or contribution to
the payment of this claim (including its insurance carriers and a legal
malpractice action against its former attorneys) and has filed an appeal. As
a result of the judgment, a provision of approximately $2 million ($1.44
million, net of tax) was recorded in fiscal 1996. This amount is in addition
to approximately $1.3 million ($800,000, net of tax) provided in prior
periods. No anticipated recoveries from insurance carriers or other third
parties have been considered in these recorded loss provisions.
The Company has evaluated the merits of other litigation and believes their
outcome will not have a further material effect on the Company's future
results of operations or financial position.
The Company is aware of several environmental matters related to certain
facilities purchased or to be sold. The Registrant assesses the extent of
these matters on an ongoing basis. In the opinion of management (after taking
into account accruals of approximately $400,000 as of December 31, 1996), the
resolution of these matters will not materially affect the Company's future
results of operations or financial position.
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT:
On February 7, 1997, the Company repurchased 9,900,000 shares (or
approximately 30%) of its subsidiary, Dixon Ticonderoga de Mexico, S.A. de
C.V., from a consortium of Mexican financial institutions. The shares, which
were repurchased for approximately $2.5 million (or 25 cents per share), were
originally issued in 1994, when the Company sold 16,627,760 shares of Dixon
Ticonderoga de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., in an initial public offering on the
Mexico Intermediate Market at a price of approximately 40 cents per share
(U.S. equivalency).
<PAGE> 38
Item 2.
- -------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
REVENUES for the quarter ended December 31, 1996, increased $1,362,000 from
the same quarter last year. The changes by segment are as follows:
Increase % Increase (Decrease)
(Decrease) ---------------------
(in thousands) Total Volume Price/Mix
------------ ----- ------ ---------
Consumer U.S. $ 52 -- (1) 1
Consumer Foreign 1,196 50 46 4
Industrial 114 2 3 (1)
Consumer U.S. revenues increased slightly despite a continuing shift in
educational market business to later fiscal quarters. The increased Foreign
Consumer revenue was primarily due to increased volume in Mexico, reflecting a
successful government bid and aggressive efforts in the mass market. The
value of the Mexican peso was relatively stable, thus having only a minimal
effect on revenue in the first quarter.
While the Company has operations in Canada, Mexico and the U.K., historically
only the operating results in Mexico have been materially impacted by currency
fluctuations. There has been a significant devaluation of the Mexican peso
once in each of the last three decades, the last one being in December 1994.
In the short term after such a devaluation, consumer confidence has been
shaken, leading to an intermediate reduction in revenues in the months
following the devaluation. Then, after the immediate shock, and as the peso
stabilizes, revenues tend to grow. Selling prices tend to rise over the long
term to offset any inflationary increases in costs. The peso, as well as any
currency value, depends on many factors including international trade,
investor confidence, and government policy, to name a few. These factors are
impossible for the Company to predict, and thus, an estimate of potential
effect on results of operations for the future cannot be made. The Company
does not employ any currency hedging practices. This currency risk in Mexico
is managed through local currency financing and by export sales to the U.S.
denominated in U.S. dollars.
As of January 1, 1997, Mexico will once again be considered as a highly
inflationary economy for the purpose of applying FASB Statement No. 52
"Foreign Currency Translation." Translation gains or losses will therefore
impact the results of operations going forward, although management does not
presently expect these gains or losses to be material.
<PAGE> 39
Revenues decreased $9,650,000 from the prior quarter as follows:
Increase % Increase (Decrease)
(Decrease) ---------------------
(in thousands) Total Volume Price/Mix
------------ ----- ------ ---------
Consumer U.S. $(6,960) (35) (35) --
Consumer Foreign (2,908) (45) (42) (3)
Industrial 218 4 4 --
U.S. and Foreign Consumer reflects the seasonality of demand for their
products. Historically, this quarter represents approximately 20% of annual
revenues being shipped, while the prior quarter represents 30%. The higher
percentage in the prior quarter represents seasonal school and mass market
sales.
OPERATING INCOME increased $313,000 over the same quarter last year. U.S.
Consumer increased $265,000. Increased manufacturing efficiencies contributed
to lower total cost of goods sold (65.7% of sales as compared with 68.2% in
the prior year quarter). This improvement was partially offset by higher
distribution and promotional costs incurred to service the retail and mega-
store markets, which largely contributed to an increase in total selling and
administrative expenses (28.5% of sales as compared with 27.0% last year).
Foreign operating income also increased $145,000 on higher revenue.
Industrial operating income decreased $60,000 due to somewhat higher general
and administrative expenses.
Operating income decreased $1,427,000 from the prior quarter due primarily to
the aforementioned seasonality that generates higher revenues and related
operating income in the final fiscal quarter.
INTEREST EXPENSE increased $185,000 over the same quarter last year. The
increase was primarily due to new mortgage debt for the Company's corporate
headquarters building and higher effective rates and balances of subordinated
debt. An additional $41,000 relates to the Foreign Consumer segment. Interest
expense decreased $296,000 over the prior quarter primarily due to lower
cyclical borrowing levels.
INCOME TAXES increased $25,000 over the same quarter last year and decreased
$313,000 from the prior quarter principally due to changes in before tax
income.
MINORITY INTEREST represents 49.9% of the net income of the consolidated
subsidiary, Dixon Ticonderoga de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. in each period
presented. In February 1997, the Company increased its ownership, thus
reducing minority interest to approximately 20%. See Note 6 to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
<PAGE> 40
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's financial condition has benefited from its recent operating
success and the completion of major financing initiatives. Cash flows from
operating activities in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 improved by
approximately $2.7 million over the same quarter last year, due principally to
increased receivable collections from strong fourth quarter 1996 revenues.
These cash flows were partially offset by higher inventory levels needed to
service the Company's growing U.S. and Foreign Consumer business.
Investing activities in the same quarter last year included approximately $1
million of costs related to the construction of the Company's new corporate
headquarters. Total capital expenditures in fiscal 1997 are expected to return
to more customary levels (approximately $2.2 million). Such expenditures
approximated $573,000 in the first quarter. In addition, the Company has
financed certain strategic manufacturing equipment (in the amount of $2.5
million) under a long-term operating lease arrangement. Generally, all other
major capital projects are discretionary in nature and thus no material
purchase commitments exist. Other capital expenditures will continue to be
funded from operations and existing financing arrangements.
In July 1996, the Company entered into new financing arrangements with a
consortium of lenders to provide additional working capital. The new loan and
security agreement provides for a total of $48 million in financing. This
includes a revolving line of credit facility in the amount of $40 million
which bears interest at either the prime rate, plus 0.5%, or the prevailing
LIBOR rate plus 2.5%. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are
based upon eligible accounts receivable and inventories of the Company's U.S.
and Canada operations, as defined. The financing agreement also includes a
term loan in the original amount of $7.75 million. The term loan bears
interest at the same rate, and is payable in varying monthly installments
through 2001. The Company previously executed certain interest rate "swap"
agreements which effectively fix the rate of interest on approximately $13
million of this debt at 8.75% to 8.87%.
The new financing arrangements are collateralized by the tangible and
intangible assets of the U.S. and Canada operations (including accounts
receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment, patents and
trademarks) and a pledge of the capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries.
The loan and security agreement contains provisions pertaining to the
maintenance of certain financial ratios and annual capital expenditure levels,
as well as restrictions as to payment of cash dividends. The Company is
presently in compliance with all such provisions. These new arrangements
provide up to $10 million in additional financing as compared with the
Company's previous primary lender agreement. At December 31, 1996, the
Company had approximately $28 million of unused lines of credit available
under this new financing arrangement.
In September 1996, the Company also completed the private placement of $16.5
million of new 12% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2003. The net proceeds were
used to retire early the remaining $7 million of the Company's prior issue of
Senior Subordinated Notes due 1999, and to reduce short-term borrowings, thus
providing additional working capital. This transaction also reduced the
Company's annual debt service obligations by approximately $3.3 million
through 1998. The Company executed a reverse interest rate "swap" agreement
which converts $10 million of the notes to a floating rate of interest
(approximately 10.6% at December 31, 1996). In connection with the private
placement, the Company issued to noteholders warrants to purchase 300,000
shares of Company stock at its market value of $7.24 per share. The note
agreement contains provisions which limit the payment of dividends and
requires the maintenance of certain financial covenants and ratios, with which
the Company is presently in compliance.
<PAGE> 41
The Company entered into the aforementioned interest rate "swap" agreements to
balance and manage overall interest rate exposure and minimize overall cost of
borrowings. The "swaps" are not presently expected to have a material effect
on total interest expense over the term of the underlying agreements.
The new and existing sources of financing and cash expected to be generated
from future operations will, in management's opinion, be sufficient to fulfill
all current and anticipated requirements of the Company's ongoing business and
to meet all of its obligations.
<PAGE> 42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. Other Information
- ------- -----------------
Information regarding the Company's repurchase of shares in its subsidiary,
Dixon Ticonderoga de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (See PART I - Item 1., Note 6 to
Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 2., Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) is incorporated by
reference herein and in lieu of a separate report on Form 8-K.
Item 6. Exhibits
- ------- --------
Note applicable.
<PAGE> 43
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DIXON TICONDEROGA COMPANY
Dated: February 14, 1997 By: /s/ Gino N. Pala
----------------------------
Gino N. Pala
Chairman of the Board,
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
Dated: February 14, 1997 By: /s/ Richard A. Asta
----------------------------
Richard A. Asta
Executive Vice President of
Finance and Chief Financial
Officer
Dated: February 14, 1997 By: /s/ John Adornetto
----------------------------
John Adornetto
Vice President/Corporate
Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
