JACLYN INC
DEF 14A, 1998-10-28
LEATHER & LEATHER PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>




                                 SCHEDULE 14A
                    Information Required in Proxy Statement

                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )
        
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] 


Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement         
[_]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-
     6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement 
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials 
[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12

                                JACLYN, INC.
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                         
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

   
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.

[_]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

   
      1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


      2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


      3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
         the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      

      4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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      5) Total fee paid:

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[_]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
     
[_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
     Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
     was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
     
     (1) Amount Previously Paid:
 
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     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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     (3) Filing Party:
      
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     (4) Date Filed:

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<PAGE>
 
                                 JACLYN, INC.
 
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
To The Stockholders Of
 JACLYN, INC.
 
  PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of JACLYN, INC.
(the "Company") will be held at the offices of the Company, 635 59th Street,
West New York, New Jersey 07093, on Wednesday, December 2, 1998, at 9:30
o'clock a.m., prevailing local time, for the following purposes:
 
    1. To elect seven directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
  stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and
  qualified;
 
    2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
  auditors, to serve as the auditors of the Company for the fiscal year
  ending June 30, 1999; and
 
    3. To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the
  Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
 
  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 22, 1998 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment
thereof.
 
  Your attention is called to the Proxy Statement on the following pages. We
hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting. If you do not plan to attend,
please complete, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy in the envelope
provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.
 
                                     By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                            Jaclyn Hartstein
                                                Secretary
 
October 30, 1998
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REQUESTS ALL STOCKHOLDERS TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND
MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
<PAGE>
 
                                 JACLYN, INC.
                                635 59TH STREET
                        WEST NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY 07093
 
                               ----------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                               ----------------
 
  This Proxy Statement is being furnished to stockholders on or about October
30, 1998 in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of
Jaclyn, Inc. (the "Company") of proxies in the enclosed form for use at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 2, 1998 and at any
adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). Any proxy given pursuant to such
solicitation and received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted with
respect to all shares represented by it in accordance with the instructions,
if any, given in such proxy. Any proxy may be revoked by the person giving the
proxy by written notice received by the Secretary of the Company at any time
prior to its use or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
 
  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 22, 1998
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On October
22, 1998, there were outstanding 2,711,391 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, $1 par value per share ("Common Stock"). Each share of Common Stock
entitles the record holder thereof to one vote. The holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented in person or by proxy,
will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
 
  The affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting is
required to elect directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of shares of
Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1999.
 
                SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
  The following table sets forth information at October 22, 1998 with respect
to each person (including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) who is known to the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's Common
Stock, its only class of voting securities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      AMOUNT AND
                                                      NATURE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                 BENEFICIAL      PERCENT OF
     OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                              OWNERSHIP         CLASS
     -------------------                         -------------------- ----------
     <S>                                         <C>                  <C>
     Allan Ginsburg............................. 211,793 (1)(2)(3)(4)    7.7%
      635 59th Street
      West New York, New Jersey 07093
     Robert Chestnov............................ 201,288 (1)(2)(3)(5)    7.3%
      635 59th Street
      West New York, New Jersey 07093
     Howard Ginsburg............................ 187,354 (1)(2)(3)(6)    6.8%
      635 59th Street
      West New York, New Jersey 07093
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        AMOUNT AND
                                                        NATURE OF
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                   BENEFICIAL   PERCENT OF
     OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                OWNERSHIP      CLASS
     -------------------                              -------------- ----------
     <S>                                              <C>            <C>
     Bonnie Sue Levy................................. 221,449 (1)(7)    8.1%
      635 59th Street
      West New York, New Jersey 07093
     Jaclyn, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan...... 144,202           5.3%
      c/o Jaclyn, Inc.
      635 59th Street
      West New York, New Jersey 07093
     Dimensional Fund Advisors....................... 174,397 (8)       6.4%
      1299 Ocean Avenue
      Santa Monica, California 90401
     Michael J. Crew, Investment Advisor ............ 144,700 (9)       5.3%
      681 Falmouth Road, Box C-2
      Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649
</TABLE>
- --------
 
* Except as otherwise indicated below, each person listed above has sole
  voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as
  beneficially owned by such person.
 
(1) Such stockholder is a party, along with certain of his or her family
    members, trusts and custodianships for the benefit of such stockholder and
    his or her family members, and the Company, to a stockholders agreement,
    described below under the caption "Stockholders Agreement," which
    provides, among other things, that a committee of four of the signatory
    stockholders may direct the vote of the shares as to which such
    stockholder may have or share voting power. At October 22, 1998, 1,025,644
    shares of Common Stock (37.8%) were subject to such stockholders
    agreement.
 
(2) Includes 22,654 shares of Common Stock owned by the Jaclyn, Inc.
    Employees' Pension Trust, of which Messrs. Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg,
    Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg are co-trustees, with respect to which
    each shares voting and investment power and with respect to which each
    disclaims beneficial ownership. See the table below under the caption
    "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT" for certain information with respect to
    the beneficial ownership by Abe Ginsburg of Common Stock of the Company.
 
(3) Except as described in footnotes (4), (5) and (6) to this table with
    respect to Messrs. Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg,
    respectively, excludes 144,202 shares of Common Stock owned by the Jaclyn,
    Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), with respect to which Messrs.
    Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg, as co-
    trustees, share investment power. If the 144,202 shares of Common Stock
    owned by the ESOP were included in the beneficial ownership of such
    individuals, Abe Ginsburg would be deemed to own 8.7% of the Company's
    Common Stock; Allan Ginsburg, 12.6%; Robert Chestnov, 12.1%; and Howard
    Ginsburg, 11.7%. Each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
 
(4) Includes 39,692 shares of Common Stock which Allan Ginsburg has the right
    to acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options. Also includes
    29,884 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Ginsburg as custodian
    for his children, 10,769 shares owned by Mr. Ginsburg's wife and 4,609
    shares owned by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Ginsburg serves as an
    officer and trustee, with respect to which Mr. Ginsburg shares voting and
    investment power. Mr. Ginsburg disclaims beneficial ownership of all of
    such shares. In addition, includes 9,931 shares allocated to Mr.
    Ginsburg's account under the ESOP.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
(5) Includes 41,161 shares of Common Stock which Robert Chestnov has the right
    to acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options. Also includes
    22,400 shares held of record by Mr. Chestnov as trustee of two trusts with
    respect to which he shares voting power and has sole investment power,
    27,423 shares held of record by Mr. Chestnov as co-trustee of a trust with
    respect to which he shares voting and investment power and 3,500 shares
    owned by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Chestnov serves as an
    officer and director, with respect to which Mr. Chestnov shares voting and
    investment power. Mr. Chestnov disclaims beneficial ownership of the
    shares he holds as trustee, co-trustee and as officer and director of the
    charitable foundation. In addition, includes 372 shares of Common Stock
    owned by Mr. Chestnov's wife and 6,906 shares held of record by her as
    custodian for their children, with respect to which shares Mr. Chestnov
    disclaims beneficial ownership, and 9,931 shares allocated to Mr.
    Chestnov's account under the ESOP.
 
(6) Includes 39,692 shares of Common Stock which Howard Ginsburg has the right
    to acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options. Also includes
    55,114 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Howard Ginsburg as
    custodian for his children and 1,800 shares owned by his wife, with
    respect to all of which shares Mr. Ginsburg disclaims beneficial
    ownership. In addition, includes 9,931 shares allocated to Mr. Ginsburg's
    account under the ESOP.
 
(7) Includes 12,500 shares of Common Stock which Mrs. Levy has the right to
    acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options and 5,145 shares
    allocated to Mrs. Levy's account under the ESOP.
 
(8) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G, as amended, filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors
    Inc. ("DFA") with the Securities and Exchange Commission, DFA has
    indicated that all shares listed in the immediately preceding table
    opposite its name are owned by advisory clients of DFA, no one of which,
    to DFA's knowledge, owns more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock. DFA
    has indicated that it has sole dispositive power with respect to all such
    shares of Common Stock, that it has sole voting power with respect to
    123,070 of such shares. In addition, DFA has indicated that certain of its
    officers, who also serve as officers of DFA Investment Dimensions Group
    Inc. (the "Fund") and The DFA Investment Trust Company (the "Trust"), each
    an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment
    Company Act of 1940, in their capacities as officers of the Fund and the
    Trust, vote an additional 23,427 shares of Common Stock which are owned by
    the Fund and an additional 27,900 shares of Common Stock which are owned
    by the Trust.
 
(9) Michael J. Crew, Investment Advisor has advised the Company that he shares
    voting and investment power with respect to all of the shares listed in
    the immediately preceding table opposite his name.
 
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
 
  The following table sets forth information at October 22, 1998 as to the
ownership of shares of the Company's Common Stock, its only outstanding class
of equity securities, with respect to (a) each director and nominee for
director, (b) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table
under the caption "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION" below and (c) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group (9 persons):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          AMOUNT AND
                                                           NATURE OF    PERCENT
                                                          BENEFICIAL      OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                 OWNERSHIP (1)   CLASS
- ------------------------                                 -------------  -------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>
Abe Ginsburg............................................     91,294(2)    3.4%
Allan Ginsburg..........................................    211,793(3)    7.7%
Robert Chestnov.........................................    201,288(4)    7.3%
Howard Ginsburg.........................................    187,354(5)    6.8%
Martin Brody............................................      4,387(6)      *
Richard Chestnov........................................     50,273(7)    1.9%
Albert Safer............................................      4,000(8)      *
Anthony Christon........................................     33,921(9)    1.2%
Bonnie Sue Levy.........................................    221,449(10)   8.1%
All directors and executive officers as a group (9
 persons)...............................................    906,874(11)  31.4%
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than one (1%) percent.
 
 (1) Except as otherwise indicated below, each person named above and each
     person in the group referred to above has sole voting and investment
     power with respect to shares indicated as beneficially owned by such
     person or group.
 
 (2) Reference is made to footnotes (1), (2) and (3) to the table above under
     the caption "SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS". Includes
     65,769 shares of Common Stock and 2,581 shares of Common Stock,
     respectively, owned by two charitable foundations in which Abe Ginsburg
     serves as an officer and director, with respect to which Mr. Ginsburg
     shares voting and investment power. Mr. Ginsburg disclaims beneficial
     ownership of such shares.
 
 (3) See footnotes (1), (2), (3) and (4) to the table above under the caption
     "SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS" for certain information
     concerning the beneficial ownership by Allan Ginsburg of Common Stock of
     the Company.
 
 (4) See footnotes (1), (2), (3) and (5) to the table above under the caption
     "SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS" for certain information
     concerning the beneficial ownership by Robert Chestnov of Common Stock of
     the Company.
 
 (5) See footnotes (1), (2), (3) and (6) to the table above under the caption
     "SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS" for certain information
     concerning the beneficial ownership by Howard Ginsburg of Common Stock of
     the Company.
 
 (6) Includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock which Mr. Brody has the right to
     acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options.
 
 (7) Richard Chestnov holds 27,423 of the shares set opposite his name as co-
     trustee of a trust, 3,500 of the shares set opposite his name as an
     officer and director of a charitable foundation, with respect to which,
     in each case, he shares voting and investment power, and 200 shares as
     custodian for his child. Mr. Chestnov
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
    disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Also includes 4,000 shares
    of Common Stock which Mr. Chestnov has the right to acquire pursuant to
    presently exercisable stock options.
 
 (8) Includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock which Mr. Safer has the right to
     acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options.
 
 (9) Includes 32,500 shares of Common Stock which Mr. Christon has the right
     to acquire pursuant to presently exercisable stock options, 600 shares
     held by him in an individual retirement account and 821 shares allocated
     to his account under the ESOP.
 
(10) See footnotes (1) and (7) to the table above under the caption "SECURITY
     OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS" for certain information
     concerning the beneficial ownership by Bonnie Sue Levy of Common Stock of
     the Company.
 
(11) Reference is made to footnotes (2) through (10) above. Includes an
     aggregate of 177,545 shares of Common Stock which directors and executive
     officers of the Company have the right to acquire pursuant to presently
     exercisable stock options and an aggregate of 36,049 shares of Common
     Stock allocated to the respective accounts of executive officers of the
     Company under the ESOP.
 
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT.
 
  Messrs. Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg,
certain other family members, trusts and custodianships for the benefit of
such individuals and family members, and the Company are parties to an amended
and restated stockholders agreement dated as of July 30, 1996 (the
"Stockholders Agreement"). The Stockholders Agreement, among other things,
entitles Messrs. Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov and Howard
Ginsburg, in their capacity as a stockholders' committee (in such capacity,
collectively, the "Stockholders Committee"), acting by the vote of at least
two-thirds, or by the unanimous written consent, of the members of the
Stockholders Committee, for a period of ten years from the date of the
Stockholders Agreement, to direct the voting of the shares of Common Stock
with respect to which the signatory stockholders have or share, or may
hereafter have or share, voting power with respect to all matters submitted to
stockholders of the Company at any annual or special meeting of stockholders
of the Company or pursuant to a written consent in lieu thereof. At October
22, 1998, the Stockholders Committee was entitled, pursuant to the
Stockholders Agreement, to direct the vote as to 1,025,644 shares of Common
Stock (37.8%).
 
                         ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION.
 
  A Board of Directors consisting of seven directors is to be elected by
stockholders at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified. Unless otherwise specified in the proxies, the shares
represented by all proxies received will be voted for the election of the
nominees named in the following table, all of whom are now directors of the
Company. All nominees have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement
and to serve if elected. While the Board of Directors has no reason to believe
that any of those named will not be available as a candidate for election as a
director of the Company, should such a situation arise, proxies may be voted
for the election of the remaining named nominees and for such substitute
nominee or nominees as the holders of the proxies may determine.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
  Certain information with respect to each director is set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 DIRECTOR
            NAME             AGE  SINCE            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
            ----             --- --------          --------------------
<S>                          <C> <C>      <C>
Abe Ginsburg................  81   1968   Chairman of the Executive Committee of
                                           the Company
Allan Ginsburg..............  56   1968   Chairman of the Board of the Company
Robert Chestnov.............  50   1981   President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           of the Company
Howard Ginsburg.............  56   1981   Vice Chairman of the Board of the
                                           Company; President of the Company's
                                           Shane Handbag Division
Martin Brody................  77   1980   Private Investor
Richard Chestnov............  53   1988   Private Investor
Albert Safer................  50   1997   President of Safer Textile Processing
                                           and Kuttner Prints, textile mills
</TABLE>
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
 
  The business experience during the last five years of the directors of the
Company is as follows:
 
  Abe Ginsburg has been Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Company
since November 29, 1988.
 
  Allan Ginsburg has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since November
29, 1988.
 
  Robert Chestnov has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since November 29, 1988.
 
  Howard Ginsburg has been Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company since
November 29, 1988 and has been President of the Company's Shane Handbag
Division for more than the past five years.
 
  Martin Brody has been a private investor since his retirement on January 1,
1994. From April 1990 through December 1993, Mr. Brody was Vice Chairman of
the Board of Restaurant Associates Corporation, the owner and operator of
specialty restaurants, and was Chairman of its Board for more than five years
prior thereto. Mr. Brody also serves as a director of a number of Smith Barney
mutual funds and preferred income funds.
 
  Richard Chestnov has been a private investor since 1992. Prior thereto, he
was a partner of Chego International, an apparel importer.
 
  Albert Safer has been President of Safer Textile Processing and Kuttner
Prints, textile mills, for more than the past five years. Mr. Safer has also
served as President of Safer Development and Management, which is engaged in
real estate development and management, for more than the past five years.
 
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES.
 
  During the Company's fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 the Board of Directors
held four meetings. Each director except Martin Brody attended at least 75% of
the meetings of the Board of Directors, and of committees of the Board of
Directors on which he served, during such fiscal year. Each director who is
not an employee of the Company (a "non-employee director") receives an annual
fee of $12,000 for serving as a director. In addition, each non-employee
director in office immediately after each annual meeting of stockholders at
which directors are elected, and each non-employee director on the date such
person is first elected a director, automatically is granted an option to
purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998, Messrs. Brody, Richard Chestnov and Albert Safer were each
granted options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock at a per share
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
exercise price of $4.5625. In addition, under the terms of the Director Plan
and as described above, during fiscal 1998 Mr. Safer was automatically granted
an option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock effective on the date he
was first elected to the Board of Directors, at a per share exercise price of
$4.375.
 
  The Company does not have a nominating committee, the functions of which are
performed by the Board of Directors, or a compensation committee, the
functions of which are performed by the Company's Executive Committee and
Stock Option Committee to the extent set forth below under the caption
"Executive Committee and Stock Option Committee Report on Executive
Compensation." The Executive Committee, whose members are Abe Ginsburg
(Chairman), Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg, meets
informally throughout the Company's fiscal year. The Stock Option Committee,
whose present members are Abe Ginsburg, Richard Chestnov and Albert Safer, did
not meet during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. The Company's Audit
Committee, which met once during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998,
presently consists of Messrs. Martin Brody, Richard Chestnov and Albert Safer.
The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of independent auditors to
audit the Company's consolidated financial statements and to perform
professional services related to the audit, reviews with the independent
auditors the scope and results of their audit, reviews and recommends the
performance by the independent auditors of professional services in addition
to those which are audit-related and considers the possible effect the
performance of such services would have on the independence of the auditors,
reviews with the independent auditors the Company's system of internal
controls, and reviews with management and the independent auditors the annual
certified financial statements.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
 
  The executive officers of the Company are set forth in the table below. All
executive officers are elected at the annual meeting or at interim meetings of
the Board of Directors. No arrangement or understanding exists between any
executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he or she was elected
as an executive officer.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         NAME          AGE              POSITION AND PERIOD SERVED
         ----          ---              --------------------------
<S>                    <C> <C>
Abe Ginsburg..........  81 Chairman of the Executive Committee since November
                            29, 1988
Allan Ginsburg........  56 Chairman of the Board since November 29, 1988
Robert Chestnov.......  50 President and Chief Executive Officer since November
                            29, 1988
Howard Ginsburg.......  56 Vice Chairman of the Board since November 29, 1988
                            and President of the Company's Shane Handbag
                            Division for more than the past five years
Bonnie Sue Levy.......  53 Vice President for more than the past five years;
                            President of the Company's Aetna Kiddie Bag
                            Division since April 1995 (Co- President from May
                            1994 to April 1995 and President for more than five
                            years prior to May 1994)
Anthony Christon......  53 Chief Financial Officer since August 22, 1995
                            (employed by the Company since May 1, 1995; for
                            more than five years prior to 1995, Vice President
                            and Controller of Calvin Klein Sport, Inc., an
                            apparel manufacturer)
</TABLE>
 
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
 
  Abe Ginsburg, Chairman of the Executive Committee and a director of the
Company, is the father of Howard Ginsburg, Vice Chairman of the Board and a
director of the Company. Allan Ginsburg, Chairman of the Board and a director
of the Company, is the brother of Bonnie Sue Levy, Vice President of the
Company, is a nephew of Abe Ginsburg and is a first cousin of Howard Ginsburg.
Robert Chestnov, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the
Company, and Richard Chestnov, a director of the Company, are brothers.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE.
 
  The following table sets forth certain summary information for each of the
Company's fiscal years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 concerning the
compensation of the Company's chief executive officer and each of its four
other most highly compensated executive officers:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                --------------------------------------
                                   ANNUAL
                                COMPENSATION                    AWARDS
                              ----------------- --------------------------------------  ALL OTHER
NAME AND                       SALARY   BONUS   RESTRICTED STOCK SECURITIES UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION       YEAR   ($)      ($)      AWARD(S)($)         OPTIONS (#)         ($)(1)
- ------------------       ---- -------- -------- ---------------- --------------------- ------------
<S>                      <C>  <C>      <C>      <C>              <C>                   <C>
Robert Chestnov,........ 1998 $325,150 $115,000     $83,750(2)                           $18,863
 President and Chief     1997  306,950   80,000                         25,000            14,918
 Executive Officer       1996  285,900   75,000                                           15,052
Allan Ginsburg,......... 1998 $325,150 $ 55,000                                          $26,267
 Chairman of the Board   1997  306,950   80,000                         25,000            14,767
                         1996  285,900   75,000                                            8,627
Howard Ginsburg,........ 1998 $325,150 $ 55,000                                          $10,009
 Vice Chairman of the    1997  306,950   80,000                         25,000            22,846
 Board                   1996  285,900   75,000                                           18,011
Anthony Christon,....... 1998 $209,780 $ 25,000                                          $10,847
 Chief Financial Officer 1997  200,680   30,000                          7,500             7,741
                         1996  178,405   50,000                                            3,514
Bonnie Sue Levy,........ 1998 $183,405 $ 10,000                                          $10,465
 Vice President          1997  182,205   10,000                          7,500            16,671
                         1996  179,405    7,500                                           11,594
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Amounts in this column for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 include (i)
    premiums paid during fiscal 1998 by the Company for term life insurance
    for the benefit of certain of the named executive officers (Robert
    Chestnov--$3,445, Allan Ginsburg--$3,445, Howard Ginsburg--$3,445, Anthony
    Christon--$1,713 and Bonnie Sue Levy--$1,765), (ii) reimbursement during
    fiscal 1998 of medical and/or dental expenses under a supplemental medical
    and dental expense reimbursement program for executive officers and
    certain other employees of the Company (Robert Chestnov--$13,104, Allan
    Ginsburg--$20,508, Howard Ginsburg--$4,250, Anthony Christon--$6,820 and
    Bonnie Sue Levy--$6,386) and (iii) the value, as at June 30, 1998, of
    shares of Common Stock allocated to accounts of the named executive
    officers under the ESOP during fiscal 1998 (Robert Chestnov--$2,314, Allan
    Ginsburg--$2,314, Howard Ginsburg--$2,314, Anthony Christon--$2,314 and
    Bonnie Sue Levy--$2,314).
 
(2) Amount in this column for Mr. Chestnov includes the dollar value on the
    date of grant of an award to Mr. Chestnov during fiscal 1998 of 20,000
    shares of Common Stock which are restricted pursuant to an agreement
    between the Company and Mr. Chestnov. All shares are presently vested and
    future dividends, if any, would be payable with regard to such shares. At
    June 30, 1998, the dollar value of such shares, which represent the only
    restricted shares of Common Stock awarded by the Company to Mr. Chestnov,
    was $102,500.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
STOCK OPTIONS.
 
  FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES. The following table sets forth certain
information concerning the number and value at June 30, 1998 of shares of
Common Stock subject to unexercised options held by the executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table. No stock options were granted to or
exercised by such executive officers during the Company's fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      NUMBER OF SECURITIES  VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                           UNDERLYING           IN-THE-MONEY
                                       UNEXERCISED OPTIONS   OPTIONS AT FISCAL
                                      AT FISCAL YEAR END(#)     YEAR END($)
                                      --------------------- --------------------
                                          EXERCISABLE/          EXERCISABLE/
                   NAME                   UNEXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE(1)
                   ----               --------------------- --------------------
      <S>                             <C>                   <C>
      Robert Chestnov................       41,161/--          $26,562.50/--
      Allan Ginsburg.................       39,692/--          $16,406.25/--
      Howard Ginsburg................       39,692/--          $16,406.25/--
      Anthony Christon...............       32,500/--          $32,968.75/--
      Bonnie Sue Levy................       12,500/--          $ 4,921.88/--
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based on the closing price on the American Stock Exchange on June 30, 1998
    of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock options.
 
PENSION PLAN.
 
  The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan entitled the "Jaclyn,
Inc. Employees Pension Trust" (the "Pension Plan") which covers all non-union
employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries who have attained age
21 and have completed at least six months of service to the Company. The
following table sets forth the estimated annual benefit payable under the
Pension Plan to an employee who retires at age 65 in 1998 at the remuneration
and years-of-service classifications set forth in the table. The benefits do
not take into account voluntary employee contributions, are not subject to any
deduction for Social Security benefits and represent annual benefits payable
for life with one hundred twenty (120) monthly payments guaranteed, commencing
at age 65. The table gives effect to the limitations imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), on the accrual of benefits on
compensation above certain levels (presently a maximum of $160,000).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                ASSUMED YEARS OF SERVICE
 ASSUMED ANNUAL                          ---------------------------------------
 AVERAGE COMPENSATION                      15      20      25      30      35
 --------------------                    ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S>                                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
  $100,000.............................. $14,250 $19,000 $23,750 $28,500 $33,250
  $125,000..............................  18,000  24,000  30,000  36,000  42,000
  $150,000..............................  21,750  29,000  36,250  43,500  50,750
  $160,000 and greater .................  23,250  31,000  38,750  46,500  54,250
</TABLE>
 
  Compensation under the Pension Plan includes all cash compensation subject
to withholding (as reflected on each participant's Form W-2 as reported for
the preceding year) plus salary deferral contributions made by the employee to
the Jaclyn, Inc. Premium Payment Plan, excluding commissions, and, as to the
individuals named in the table under the caption "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION--
Summary Compensation Table," would be the amounts set forth opposite their
respective names under the captions "Salary" and "Bonus" (subject, however, to
the Code limitations referred to above). As of June 30, 1998, the following
individuals had the number of years of credited service under the Pension Plan
indicated after their names: Allan Ginsburg, 37; Robert Chestnov, 28; Howard
Ginsburg, 37; Anthony Christon 3; and Bonnie Sue Levy, 23.
 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
 
  The Company does not have a compensation committee. The Executive Committee
of the Board of Directors determines compensation of the Company's executive
officers. The Stock Option Committee is
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
responsible for the grant of options to purchase shares of Common Stock under
the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan and for the administration of all stock
option plans of the Company.
 
  The primary objectives of the Company's executive compensation structure are
to maintain executive compensation at competitive levels to retain qualified
personnel and to reward individuals for their respective contributions to the
Company's success. Bonuses, in particular, are granted in order to reward and
acknowledge employees for, among other things, individual initiative and
achievement. The grant of stock options is intended to provide executives with
a stake in the long-term success of the Company and to coordinate executives'
and stockholders' long-term interests by creating a direct link between a
portion of executive compensation and increases in the market price of Common
Stock.
 
  The Executive Committee and the Stock Option Committee each consider a
number of factors in determining compensation of executives, such as
historical financial results, anticipated revenues and earnings for the next
fiscal year, individual contributions to, and length of service with, the
Company, compensation levels at other companies (both within and outside the
Company's industry), and equity and fairness within the top levels of
management. Historically, the Executive Committee has fostered the objective
of equity and fairness by setting substantially equal salaries and bonuses for
the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Vice-Chairman of the Board.
Decisions by the Executive Committee and the Stock Option Committee are,
however, primarily subjective. No specific corporate performance-related
targets are formally used and no pre-determined weight is generally assigned
to any of the factors mentioned above.
 
  The salary of Robert Chestnov, the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 was $325,150. Mr. Chestnov
also received bonus compensation consisting of cash and an award of 20,000
shares of Common Stock. In determining Mr. Chestnov's salary for fiscal 1998
and in granting such bonus compensation, the Executive Committee generally
considered that in fiscal 1997 the Company had completed a second straight
year of increased profitability and Mr. Chestnov's continuing central role in
the achievement by the Company of those increases. The stock award to Mr.
Chestnov of 20,000 shares of Common Stock was intended to link a portion of
Mr. Chestnov's bonus compensation with stockholders' interests. The terms of
the stock award prohibit Mr. Chestnov from, among other things, pledging,
assigning or otherwise disposing of any of the shares until January 1, 2000.
 
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE                       THE STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
Abe Ginsburg, Chairman                        Abe Ginsburg
Allan Ginsburg                                Richard Chestnov
Robert Chestnov                               Albert Safer
Howard Ginsburg
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION.
 
  The Company's Executive Committee consists of Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg,
Robert Chestnov and Howard Ginsburg and its Stock Option Committee consists of
Abe Ginsburg, Richard Chestnov and Albert Safer. During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998, the Company purchased fabric in the ordinary course of business
from Rainbow Mills Dyeing and Finishing, Inc., a corporation in which Albert
Safer, a director of the Company, holds an indirect, majority equity interest,
at an aggregate purchase price of $622,073.71. In addition, during such fiscal
year the Company purchased fabric in the ordinary course of business from F&M
Fabrics, Inc., in which Mr. Safer's wife holds a 50% indirect equity interest,
at an aggregate purchase price of $861,577.36. The Company believes that the
foregoing transactions were on terms no less favorable than it could have
received from unrelated third parties.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
PERFORMANCE GRAPH.
 
  The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total return on the Company's Common Stock for the five fiscal years ended
June 30, 1998 with (i) Media General Financial Services' American Stock
Exchange Market Value Index and (ii) a peer group of three companies,
consisting of Sirco International Corp., Swank, Inc. and Tandy Brands
Accessories, Inc., which either compete with the Company in one of its product
categories or are engaged in related industries. Tandy Brands Accessories,
Inc. replaces Fuqua Enterprises, Inc., which is no longer publicly traded. The
comparison assumes an investment of $100 on July 1, 1993 in the Company and in
each of the comparison groups and that all dividends were reinvested.
 
 
 
 
 
                     JACLYN, INC.   PEER GROUP INDEX   AMEX MARKET INDEX
                     ------------   ----------------   -----------------
1993                    100               100                100
1994                    114.65             91.51              96.53
1995                     51.6              49.46             116.15
1996                     40.33             53.32             132.99
1997                     42.7              66.51             141.99
1998                     49.23            122.31             163.53
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                         ITEM 2: SELECTION OF AUDITORS
 
  The Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, to audit the books and accounts of the Company for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1999. This firm is the successor to the firm of auditors which
has audited the books of the Company or its predecessor since 1965. A
representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will be given an
opportunity to make a statement if such representative desires to do so.
 
  The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP is subject to ratification by a
majority of the shares of Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. If the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP is not ratified by such stockholder vote, the Board of Directors
will reconsider its action and select independent auditors without further
stockholder action.
 
  The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment
of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors of the Company. Unless otherwise
specified in the proxies, the shares represented by all proxies received will
be voted FOR the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING.
 
  Consistent with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, stockholder
proposals intended to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for
the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received at the principal
executive offices of the Company, 635 59th Street, West New York, New Jersey
07093, no later than July 2, 1999. Any such proposals, as well as any
questions relating thereto, should be directed to the Secretary of the
Company. As to any proposals intended to be presented by a stockholder without
inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy for the 1999
Annual Meeting, the proxies named in the Company's form of proxy for that
meeting will be entitled to exercise discretionary authority on that proposal
unless the Company receives notice of the matter on or before September 15,
1999. However, even if such notice is timely received, such proxies may
nevertheless be entitled to exercise discretionary authority on that matter to
the extent permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.
 
GENERAL.
 
  The solicitation of proxies in the accompanying form will be made, at the
Company's expense, primarily by mail and through brokerage and banking
institutions. In addition, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone
or facsimile, by officers, directors and regular employees of the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokerage firms, nominees, fiduciaries and other
custodians their reasonable expenses for forwarding the proxy material to
beneficial owners and obtaining their instructions.
 
  Proxies submitted which contain abstentions or broker non-votes will be
deemed present at the Annual Meeting in determining the presence of a quorum.
Shares of Common Stock that are voted to abstain with respect to any matter
are considered shares entitled to vote, and cast, with respect to that matter.
Shares of Common Stock subject to broker non-votes with respect to any matter
will not be considered as shares entitled to vote with respect to that matter.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  The Board of Directors has not received notice of and is not aware of any
other matters that are to be presented to stockholders for formal action at
the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons named
in the enclosed form of proxy to vote such proxies in accordance with their
judgment on such matters.
 
                                     By Order of the Board of Directors.
 
                                            Jaclyn Hartstein
                                                Secretary
 
October 30, 1998
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
JACLYN, INC                                                                PROXY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned stockholder hereby appoints JACLYN HARTSTEIN and LLOYD
FRANK, and any one of them, the proxies of the undersigned, with power of
substitution, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given, to vote all shares
which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of JACLYN, INC. (the "Company") to be held at the Company's
executive offices, 635 59th Street, West New York, New Jersey 07093, on December
2, 1998 at 9:30 a.m., and at any adjournments thereof, with all powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present, and the undersigned authorizes
and instructs said proxies to vote as follows:

ITEM 1 -- Election of the following nominees as directors:

          Abe Ginsburg, Allan Ginsburg, Robert Chestnov, Howard Ginsburg,
          Martin Brody, Richard Chestnov and Albert Safer.
          (TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
           STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME.)

                         FOR  [_]        WITHHOLD  [_]

                                  (Continued and to be signed on the other side)
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2 -- Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors.

               FOR [_]         AGAINST [_]         ABSTAIN  [_]

ITEM 3 -- In their discretion, upon any other matters as may properly come
          before the meeting.

          Date ______________________________________________________________

          Signature _________________________________________________________
          
          Signature _________________________________________________________

          PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ABOVE AND RETURN IN
          THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF ACTING AS EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE,
          GUARDIAN, ETC., YOU SHOULD SO INDICATE WHEN SIGNING. IF THE SIGNER IS
          A CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN THE FULL CORPORATE NAME BY A DULY
          AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, EACH STOCKHOLDER NAMED
          SHOULD SIGN.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEMS 1
AND 2.


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