SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
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
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
MARGO NURSERY FARMS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
MARGO NURSERY FARMS, INC.
(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 the table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] 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:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on Friday, August 15, 1997
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MARGO NURSERY
FARMS, INC., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the offices
of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez, Suite 1901, Banco Popular Center, 209 Munoz
Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico on Friday, August 15, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.
(local time), to consider and vote upon the following proposals:
(1) To elect five directors; and
(2) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent
accountants of the Company;
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on July 11, 1997, as the
record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Annual Meeting.
In order to assure that your vote will be counted, please complete, date, sign
and promptly return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed, postage paid
envelope.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Margaret D. Spector,
Secretary
Vega Alta, Puerto Rico
July 15, 1997
<PAGE>
MARGO NURSERY FARMS, INC.
ROAD 690
KILOMETER 5.8
VEGA ALTA, PUERTO RICO 00762
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held on August 15, 1997
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the holders of the Common Stock,
$.001 par value (the "Common Stock") of MARGO NURSERY FARMS, INC., a Florida
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of the Company for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the place and time and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This Proxy
Statement and accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders on
or about July 18, 1997.
The Board of Directors has ordered the Annual Meeting for 1997 to be held
on Friday, August 15, 1997, and has fixed the close of business on July 11,
1997, as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determina tion of
stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting
or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The presence, in person or by
proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. In determining
the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, abstentions are counted and
"broker non-votes" are not. A "broker non-vote" results when a broker or nominee
has physically indicated on the proxy that it does not have discretionary
authority to vote on a particular matter (even though those shares may be
entitled to vote on other matters). The current Florida Business Corporation Act
(the "Act") provides that directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast
and all other matters are approved if the votes cast in favor of the action
exceed the votes cast against the action (unless the matter is one for which the
Act or the articles of incorporation require a greater vote). Therefore, under
the Act, abstentions and broker non-votes have no legal effect on whether a
matter is approved.
As of the Record Date, the Company had 1,895,322 outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share,
exercisable in person or by proxy, at all meetings of stockholders. The Common
Stock is the only class of the Company's securities which is entitled to vote on
any matter submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting.
Proxies in the accompanying form, properly executed, duly returned to the
Company and not revoked, will be voted in the manner specified. If no
instructions are made, such shares will, except as provided in the second
paragraph of this Proxy Statement, be voted (i) for the election of the nominees
for directors named in this Proxy Statement, (ii) for the ratification of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent accountants for the Company for the
year ending December 31, 1997, and (iii) in the proxyholder's discretion on any
other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Returning a
signed proxy will not affect a stockholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting
and to vote in person, since proxies are revocable. A proxy
2
<PAGE>
for the Annual Meeting may be revoked at any time prior to its use by submission
of a later dated proxy, by delivery of written notice of revocation to the
President of the Company, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Presence
at the Annual Meeting does not of itself revoke a proxy.
The Company will pay the entire cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual
Meeting. Solicitation of proxies may be made through personal visits or
telephone calls to stockholders or their representatives by officers and other
employees of the Company, who will receive no additional compensation therefor.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, five directors comprising the entire Board of
Directors of the Company are to be elected. The Board of Directors has nominated
the following nominees to serve until the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and until their successors are duly elected and qualified:
Michael J. Spector
Margaret D. Spector
Blas R. Ferraiuoli
Frederick D. Moss
Michael A. Rubin
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election
of the five nominees listed above. Michael J. Spector and Margaret D. Spector
(the "Spectors") jointly own more than a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. As a result, the Spectors have sufficient votes to elect all of
the nominees to the Company's Board of Directors. See "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." The Spectors have indicated that they
intend to vote for each of the nominees listed above.
Once a quorum is present, the directors must be elected by a plurality of
the votes cast by the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not have an effect on the
election of directors of the Company. In the absence of instructions to the
contrary, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares
represented thereby in favor of such nominees. In addition, though management
does not anticipate that any of the persons named above will be unable, or will
decline, to serve, if any of the persons named above is unable to serve or
declines to serve, the persons named in the accompanying proxy may vote for
another person, or persons, in their discretion.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
The following table sets forth information with respect to each nominee for
election to the Board of Directors. The business experience of each individual
is set forth in the paragraphs following the table.
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGE AT POSITION DIRECTOR
NOMINEE JULY 11, 1997 WITH COMPANY SINCE
------- ------------- ------------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michael J. Spector 50 Chairman, President, Chief Executive 1981
Officer and Director
Margaret D. Spector 45 Secretary and Director 1981
Blas R. Ferraiuoli 52 Director 1988
Frederick Moss 68 Director 1990
Michael A. Rubin 55 Director 1995
</TABLE>
MR. SPECTOR currently serves as the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and is a director of the Company. He has held these positions
since the organization of the Company in 1981. His wife, Margaret D. Spector, is
Secretary and a director of the Company.
MRS. SPECTOR currently serves as the Secretary and a director of the
Company. She has held these positions since the organization of the Company in
1981. Since July 1993, Mrs. Spector supervises the Company's lawn and garden
distribution business.
MR. FERRAIUOLI was elected a director of the Company in 1988 and continues
to hold that position. He has had his own law practice since June 1994. Mr.
Ferraiuoli was a partner in the law firm of Axtmayer Adsuar Muniz & Goyco, San
Juan, Puerto Rico from March 1994 to June 1994. Prior to March 1994, he was a
partner in the law firm of Goldman Antonetti Cordova & Axtmayer, San Juan,
Puerto Rico since 1982. Mr. Ferraiuoli practices civil, corporate and
administrative law and has provided legal services to the Company since 1987.
MR. MOSS was elected a director of the Company in 1988 and continues to
hold that position. Since 1986, he has been an independent financial consultant
in New York City. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
the Cincinnati Stock Exchange since 1989. Mr. Moss is a director of Summit High
Yield Fund (mutual fund).
MR. RUBIN was elected a director of the Company in 1995. Mr. Rubin is an
attorney engaged in private practice. He has been a partner in the law firm of
Michael A. Rubin, P.A., Coral Gables, Florida, for more than the past five
years.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company are paid
a quarterly retainer fee of $1,000 and an additional fee of $1,000 for each
meeting of the board (or committee thereof) attended, plus any travel and
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their
duties. No separate fees are paid for committee meetings attended on the same
day as a Board meeting. The directors of the Company who are employed by the
Company do not receive additional compensation for serving as directors.
The Company also provides directors liability insurance for its directors.
4
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS' MEETINGS, COMMITTEES AND FEES
The Board of Directors held four meetings during 1996. Each member of the
Board of Directors (other than Margaret D. Spector who attended 50% of all such
meetings) attended at least 75% all of the Board meetings and meetings held by
all Committees on which he or she served during such period. The Company has an
audit committee which reviews the results of the Company's audits and selects
the Company's account ants. This committee held one meeting during 1996. The
current members of the audit committee are Messrs. Ferraiuoli, Moss and Spector.
The Company also has a Compensation Committee which is responsible for the
development and administration of the Company's compensation program. The
Compensation Committee held three meetings during 1996. The members of the
Compensation Committee are Messrs. Ferraiuoli, Moss, Rubin and Spector.
Presently, the Company's Board of Directors has no standing nominating
committee.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Spector, Ferraiuoli,
Moss, and Rubin, who with the exception of Mr. Spector, are non-employee
directors of the Company. During 1996, none of the executive officers of the
Company served as a director, executive officer or compensation committee member
of another entity which had an executive officer who served as compensation
committee member or director of the Company. Messrs. Ferraiuoli and Rubin, who
are directors of the Company, and each have their own practice, were engaged
during 1996 for various legal services. Also, see "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS" for a description of certain transactions between the
Company and Mr. Spector.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of July 11, 1997 the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company owned beneficially by the following persons and the
percentage of all shares outstanding represented by such ownership: (a) each
director, nominee for director and executive officer of the Company; (b) all
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (c) each person
or entity known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company. Unless otherwise stated, all shares are
held with sole investment and voting power.
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
NAME OF OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS(1)
---------------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND MANAGEMENT
Michael J. Spector.............................................. 1,272,382(2) 65.8%
Highway 690, Km. 5.8
Vega Alta, PR 00646
Margaret D. Spector............................................. 1,272,382(2) 65.8%
Highway 690, Km. 5.8
Vega Alta, PR 00646
Frederick D. Moss .............................................. 7,000(3) (4)
Blas Ferraiuoli................................................. 8,500(3) (4)
Michael A. Rubin................................................ 4,000(3) (4)
All directors, nominees and
executive officers as a group,
consisting of nine persons,
including those named above................................... 1,319,622(5) 67.28%
OTHER PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
J. Morton Davis................................................. 189,149(6) 9.9%
D.H. Blair Holdings, Inc.
D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp.
44 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) The percent of class held by each person includes the number of shares of
Common Stock the named person(s) has the right to acquire upon exercise of
stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of July 15, 1997 (except
in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Spector in which case all shares issuable upon
exercise of stock options are included whether or nor exercisable within 60
days of July 15, 1997). Shares owned by Mr. and Mrs. Spector include the
amount of shares owned by their spouse and therefore are shown more than
once. See footnote (2) below. Such shares are shown only once, however, in
the total for all directors and officers as a group.
(2) Includes 947,194 shares held directly by Mr. Spector and 269,688 shares
held directly by Mrs. Spector. Also, includes stock options to acquire
30,000 and 7,500 shares held by Mr. Spector and Mrs. Spector, respectively.
The Spectors share voting and investment power over the shares owned by
each other.
(3) Includes 4,500, 4,500 and 1,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock
options exercisable on or within 60 days of July 15, 1997, in the case of
Messrs. Moss, Ferraiuoli and Rubin, respectively.
(4) Represents less than 1%.
(5) Includes 37,500 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options to Mr. and
Mrs. Spector and 28,700 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options to
other executive officers and directors that are exercisable on or within 60
days of July 15, 1997.
(6) This amount consists of 189,149 shares held in the name of D.H. Blair
Investment Banking Corp., a registered broker-dealer which is wholly-owned
by D.H. Blair Holdings, Inc., which in turn is wholly-owned by J. Morton
Davis. This amount is based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 9, 1995
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the
Schedule 13G, Mr. Davis shares the power to vote and dispose all 189,149
shares of Common Stock reported with the Boards of Directors of Blair
Investment and Blair Holdings.
6
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers of the Company as of July 11, 1996 who do not serve on the Company's
Board of Directors.
NAME (AGE) POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY
---------- --------------------------
Guillermo Fradera (46) Vice President and General Manager of Miami
Operations
Alfonso Ortega (43) Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
Rene Llerandi (37) Vice President - Marketing
Luis Torres (37) Vice President - Production
Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. All of the
executive officers of the Company except Margaret D. Spector devote their full
time to the operations of the Company.
BACKGROUND OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is a summary of the background of each person who was an
executive officer of the Company as of June 21, 1996, other than executive
officers who also serve as directors.
MR. FRADERA currently serves as the Vice President and General Manager of
the Company's Miami operations. He has held these positions since December 1989.
He joined the Company in 1984 and served as Vice President for Corporate
Development from 1987 to 1989.
MR. ORTEGA currently serves as the Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company. He has held this position since January 1993.
From 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Ortega was an audit manager for the accounting
firm of Vila Del Corral & Company, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
MR. LLERANDI currently serves as Vice President of Marketing. He has held
this position since April 1, 1993. He joined the Company in 1988 as Sales
Manager for Puerto Rico.
MR. TORRES currently serves as Vice President of Production. He has held
this position since April 1, 1993. He joined the Company in 1990 as Production
Manager for Puerto Rico.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company has a Compensation Committee which is principally responsible
for the development and administration of the Company's compensation program.
7
<PAGE>
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to retain
experienced management and to link corporate performance and returns to
shareholders. To this end, the Company has developed a compensation strategy
that ties a portion of executive compensation to the Company's performance and
to appreciation in the Company's stock price. The overall objectives of this
strategy are to attract and retain the best possible executive talent, to
motivate these executives to achieve the goals inherent in the Company's
business strategy and to link executive and shareholder interests through the
use of stock options linked to stock performance.
The key elements of the Company's executive compensation consist of base
salary, an annual bonus and the grant of stock options. The Company's policies
with respect to each of these elements, including the bases for the compensation
awarded to Mr. Michael J. Spector, the Company's chief executive officer, are
discussed below. In addition, while the elements of compensation described below
are considered separately, the Compensation Committee will take into account the
full compensation package afforded by the Company to the individual, including
insurance and other benefits, as well as the programs described below.
BASE SALARIES
Base salaries for new executive officers are initially determined by
evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the
individual, and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive
talent, including a comparison to base salaries for comparable positions at
other companies in similar industries and markets.
Annual salary adjustments are determined by evaluating the performance of
the Company and of each executive officer, and also take into account new
responsibilities. Non-financial performance measures are also considered. These
include increase in market share, efficiency gains, improvements in product
quality and improvements in relations with customers, suppliers and employees.
With respect to the base salary of Mr. Spector, the Compensation Committee
has taken into account a comparison of base salaries of chief executive officers
of similar companies, the performance of the Company's common stock and an
assessment of Mr. Spector's individual performance. Other factors that have and
will be taken into account are the longevity of Mr. Spector's service to the
Company and its belief that Mr. Spector is an excellent representative of the
Company to the public by virtue of his stature in the community and the
industry. Mr. Spector has not received an increase in his base salary since
1990.
ANNUAL BONUS
The Company's executive officers are eligible for an annual bonus based on
the Company's profitability and performance as a whole. All executive bonuses
are recommended by the Compensation Committee and must be approved by the full
Board of Directors.
During 1996, as for prior years, bonuses for all executives, including Mr.
Spector, have been determined principally on a general evaluation of the
performance of the Company as a whole. Based on the results of this evaluation,
the executive officers are paid an annual bonus based on a percentage of their
annual salary. The percentage used for 1996 was 8.5%. The Committee's goal is to
evolve the Company's bonus system to one where more specific performance
measures are established at the beginning of the year and bonuses would be tied
to meeting these goals.
8
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS
Under the Company's 1998 Stock Benefits Plan, which was approved by
shareholders, stock options are granted to the Company's executive officers.
Stock options are designed to align the interests of executives with those of
the shareholders. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the
market price of the common stock on the date of grant and vest over five years.
This approach is designed to incentivize the creation of shareholder value over
the long term since the full benefit of the compensation package cannot be
realized unless stock price appreciation occurs over a number of years.
Grants of options are made by the Compensation Committee based on
guidelines tied to the Company's performance. The Committee may decide not to
grant options in the event of poor corporate performance.
CONCLUSION
Through the programs described above, a portion of the Company's executive
compensation is linked directly to individual and corporate performance and
stock price appreciation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Blas R. Ferraiuoli
Frederick D. Moss
Michael A. Rubin
Michael J. Spector
The Board Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation shall not
be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by
reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise
be deemed filed under such Acts.
9
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid by
the Company to the Chief Executive Officer for services rendered in all
capacities during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. No
other executive officer of the Company received total annual salary and bonus
exceeding $100,000 during 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL
PRINCIPAL POSITION ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------
SALARY BONUS
------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael J. Spector 1996: $160,000 $13,600 $0
Chairman, President, Chief 1995: 160,000 13,600 0
Executive Officer and Director 1994: 160,000 13,600 0
</TABLE>
GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the grant of
stock options made to Michael Spector during the year ended December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
FOR OPTION TERM
-----------------------------
% OF TOTAL
# OF SHARES OPTIONS GRANTED
UNDERLYING TO EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE PRICE
NAME OPTIONS GRANTED(1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE)(2) EXPIRATION DATE 5%($) 10%($)
---- --------------- ----------- --------- --------------- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael J. Spector 17,500(3) 48% $3.44 8/9/2001 $9,641 $27,919
- -------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Options become exercisable at the rate of 20 percent on the first, second,
third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the grant date.
(2) The exercise price is based on the average of the bid and ask prices for
the Company's Common Stock on August 9, 1996, the date of grant.
(3) Includes options to acquire 2,500 shares granted to Margaret D. Spector,
the wife of Michael J. Spector.
10
<PAGE>
OPTIONS EXERCISED DURING 1996 AND OPTION VALUES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
The following table sets information on outstanding options held by the
Company's chief executive officer and their value at December 31, 1996. There
were no exercises of options during 1996. Value is calculated as the difference
between the last sales price of the Common Stock and the exercise price at as of
December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONTH
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS OPTIONS AT
SHARES AT 12/31/96 12/31/96 (1)(2)
ACQUIRED VALUE ------------------------------ ------------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael J. Spector(1) - - 12,000 25,500 $4,080 $3,770
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Includes 7,500 options held by to Margaret D. Spector, the wife of
Michael J. Spector.
(2) Based on the last sales price of $3 1/2 per share on December 31, 1996 and
an exercise price of $3.16 for all exercisable options and an exercise
price of $3.16 and $3.44 for 8,000 and 17,500 of unexercisable options,
respectively.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy
statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under such Acts.
The Performance Graph compares the yearly percentage change in the
Company's cumulative total stockholder return on its Common Stock to that of the
Center for Research in Securities Prices ("CRSP") Index for NASDAQ Stock Market
(US Companies) and a Peer Group Index. The Peer Group Index consists of
corporations engaged in the nursery business (Calloways Nursery Inc., Sunbelt
Nursery Group and General Host Corp.). The Performance Graph assumes (i) that
$100 was invested on December 31, 1991 in the case of each of the CRSP Index for
NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and the Peer Group Index and on March 18,
1993 in the case of the Company's Common Stock; and (ii) the reinvestment of all
dividends.
Prior to August 23, 1991, the Company's Common Stock was quoted on the
NASDAQ National Market System under the Symbol MRGO. On August 23, 1991, the
Common Stock was deleted from the NASDAQ National Market System due to the
Company's failure to meet the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. On March 18, 1993, the Common Stock resumed trading on the NASDAQ
Small Capital market under the symbol MRGO. Since the Performance Graph does not
cover periods during which the Company's Common Stock was not quoted on NASDAQ,
the Performance Graph does not take into account a special $4.00 per share
divided paid in February 1993 to the holders of the Company's Common Stock.
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR-CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
CRSP TOTAL RETURNS INDEX FOR: 12/31/91 12/31/92 12/31/93 12/30/94 12/29/95 12/31/96
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Margo Nursery Farms, Inc. 100.0 100.0 128.6 73.2 117.9 92.0
Nasdaq Stock Market (US Companies) 100.0 116.4 133.6 130.6 184.7 227.1
Self-Determined Peer Group 100.0 115.8 80.9 52.5 49.1 34.0
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
AMOUNT DUE FROM/TO PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER
In connection with the settlement of the Company's litigation with First
Union on May 29, 1996, the Company advanced $340,158 on behalf of Michael J.
Spector, which was the portion of the settlement that corresponded to claims
made by First Union National Bank of Florida against Mr. Spector in his
individual capacity. This amount was reduced by $66,506 that was due to the
shareholder in connection with the purchase of the residence described below
under "Purchase of Residence." Accordingly, at December 31, 1996, Mr. Spector
owed the Company $273,652. The Company is not currently charging Mr. Spector
interest on the amounts owed to the Company.
As of December 31, 1995, the Company owed its principal shareholder,
approximately $107,000 arising principally from lease payments for the Puerto
Rico nursery farm. This balance was paid during 1996.
LEASE AND OPTION TO PURCHASE PUERTO RICO NURSERY FARM
Effective January 1, 1993, the Company and the Spectors entered into a
lease agreement with respect to the Puerto Rico nursery farm. The lease has an
initial term of five years and may be renewed for one additional term of five
years at the option of the Company. During the initial term of the lease, rent
was set at $19,000 per month. During the renewal term, the rent increases to the
greater of (x) $24,000 per month or (y) the original $19,000 per month adjusted
on the basis of the increase in the Wholesale Price Index ("WPI") published by
the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, from the WPI
which was in effect on January 1, 1993 to the WPI in effect on January 1, 1998.
Additionally, the Company must pay all taxes on the property, maintain certain
insurance coverages and otherwise maintain the property. The lease also contains
an option which permits the Company to purchase the property at its appraised
value at any time during the term of the lease. In consideration of the option
the Company must pay the Spectors $1,000 per month.
Effective January 1, 1994, the lease agreement was amended to include an
additional 25-acre tract of land adjacent to the existing nursery facility for a
five-year period. The rent for this additional tract is $1,750 per month. This
lease terms for this additional tract do not include renewal or purchase
options.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, total rent expense related to the
Puerto Rico nursery farm amounted to $249,000. The Company paid an additional
$12,000 during 1996 for the option to purchase the Puerto Rico nursery facility.
PURCHASE OF RESIDENCE
In August 1990, the Company agreed to lease a residence located in Puerto
Rico from a partnership whose partners include Michael J. Spector and Margaret
D. Spector. The lease had an initial term of five years and provided for
payments of $2,000 per month for the first year of the lease and $2,500 per
month each of the remaining four years. The Company also paid utilities, taxes,
insurance, maintenance and repairs on the residence. The Company utilizes the
residence to house employees, including employees traveling from Miami, as well
as off island customers.
In January 1996, the Company purchased the residence from the partnership.
The purchase price, based on an independent appraisal prepared by a certified
appraiser, amounted to $220,800, including the assumption
13
<PAGE>
of the mortgage referred to below. The property was subject to a 10% commercial
loan with a balance of approximately $88,000, which was assumed by the Company.
The Company believes that the purchase price for the residence was comparable to
that which the Company would have obtained in an arm's length transaction with
unaffiliated parties.
CERTAIN OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
During 1996 the Company engaged Blas Ferraiuoli and Michael A. Rubin, each
a director of the Company, to render legal services on behalf of the Company.
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP to
act as the Company's independent accountants subject to ratification by the
Company's shareholders. On July 2, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company
voted to appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as the Company's independent
certified public accountants with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997 and not to renew the engagement of Kaufman, Rossin & Co., which had served
as the Company's independent public accountants since 1991. The decision to
change independent auditors, which was taken by the full Board of Directors
without a recommendation of the Audit Committee, was based on the Board's
conclusion that it was in the best interests of the Company to select an
accounting firm with an office in Puerto Rico, where the Company's principal
operations are located.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to have a representative present at the
Annual Meeting. The representative is expected to be available to answer
appropriate questions and will be given an opportunity, if he so desires, to
make a statement. Kaufman, Rossin & Co. is not expected to have a representative
present at the Annual Meeting.
Neither management nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with Deloitte &
Touche LLP regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that
might be rendered on the Company's financial statements. Neither a written
report or oral advice provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP was considered by the
Company as an important factor in reaching a decision as to the accounting,
auditing or financial reporting issue during the Company's two most recent
fiscal years or the subsequent interim period prior to the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP.
The reports of Kaufman, Rossin & Co. on the Company's financial statements
for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996 did not contain an
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. Since January 1, 1995, the
Company has not had any disagreements with Kaufman, Rossin & Co. on any matter
of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or
auditing scope or procedures that would require disclosure pursuant to the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent
accountants of the Company requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock at the Annual Meeting. The Board
of Directors recommends that the stockholders ratify the appointment of Deloitte
& Touche LLP as the Company's independent accountants for 1997.
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SECTION 16 DISCLOSURE
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the
Company's directors and executive officers to report their ownership of and
transactions in the Company's Common Stock to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") and the National Association of Securities Dealers.
Copies of these reports are also required to be supplied to the Company.
Specific dates for filing these reports have been established by the SEC, and
the Company is required to report in the annual report any failure of its
directors and executive officers to file by the relevant due date any of these
reports during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. Based solely on its
review of the copies of the report received by it, the Company believes that all
such filing requirements were satisfied, except that Michael J. Spector,
Margaret D. Spector, Blas R. Ferraiuoli, Frederick D. Moss, Michael A. Rubin,
Guillermo Fradera, Alfonso Ortega, Rene Llerandi and Luis Torres filed one late
report each relating to the granting of stock options.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposal that a stockholder wishes to present for consideration at the
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at its
principal executive office no later than March 7, 1998. Proposals should be
directed to the attention of the Secretary of the Company. At the present time,
the Company contemplates that its next annual meeting will occur in July 1998.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders containing the
consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 is being mailed to each stockholder together with this Proxy
Statement. Such Annual Report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials.
OTHER MATTERS
Management is not aware of any other matters to be presented for action at
the Annual Meeting other than those described in the accompanying notice of
meeting and routine matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting. However,
if any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the persons named
as proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matter.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Margaret D. Spector
Secretary
Vega Alta, Puerto Rico
July 15, 1997
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MARGO NURSERY FARMS, INC.
PROXY-ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael J. Spector and Alfonso Ortega, and each
of them severally, as proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote on
behalf of the undersigned all of the shares of the Common Stock of MARGO NURSERY
FARMS, INC., a Florida corporation (the "Coompany"), which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
at the offices of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez, Suite 1901, Banco Popular
Center, 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico on Friday, August 15,
1997 at 10:00 a.m. (local time), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof,
upon the following matters:
(1) To elect five directors;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent auditors; and
(3) to transact such other business as may properly come before the
annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
STOCKHOLDER ON THE OTHER SIDE HEREOF. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SUCH SHARES WILL
BE VOTED "FOR" EACH OF THE ABOVE PROPOSALS.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON OTHER SIDE)
<PAGE>
PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTES AS
INDICATED IN
THIS EXAMPLE [X]
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
PROPOSAL (1) Election of Directors.
FOR WITHHOLD
ALL NOMINEES AUTHORITY
LISTED FOR ALL NOMINEES
[ ] [ ]
THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE:
NOMINEES: Blas R. Ferraiuoli, Frederick D. Moss, Michael A. Rubin,
Margaret D. Spector, Michael J. Spector
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, write that nominee's
name on the line immediately below.
___________________________________________________________________
PROPOSAL (2) Ratification of appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as independent auditors of the Company.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
PROPOSAL (3) In the discretion of such proxies, upon such other
matters as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
Dated:_________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder
_______________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder
WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
TRUSTEE, OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH.
JOINT OWNERS SHOULD BOTH SIGN. PLEASE BE SURE TO
DATE THE PROXY AND RETURN THE SAME PROMPTLY.
