<PAGE>
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 Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
WESTERN BEEF, INC.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
MERRILL CORPORATION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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)(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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
WESTERN BEEF, INC.
47-05 METROPOLITAN AVENUE
RIDGEWOOD, NEW YORK 11385
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 11, 1997
To the Stockholders of Western Beef, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Western Beef, Inc., (the
"Company ) will be held at the La Guardia Marriott Hotel, 102-05 Ditmars
Boulevard, East Elmhurst, N.Y. 11369, on July 11, 1997 at 10:00 A.M., New York
time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting;
2. To consider and vote for the selection of BDO Seidman, LLP as
independent auditors for Western Beef, Inc. for the fiscal year ending
January 2, 1998;
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 22, 1997
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote will be
available for inspection by stockholders at the executive offices of the Company
at least ten days before the date of the meeting.
The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1997,
including financial statements is also enclosed.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Peter R. Admirand,
SECRETARY
Dated: May 30, 1997
Ridgewood, New York
IMPORTANT -- PLEASE SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE PREPAID
RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED, PARTICULARLY IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE
MEETING IN PERSON.
<PAGE>
WESTERN BEEF, INC.
47-05 METROPOLITAN AVENUE
RIDGEWOOD, NEW YORK 11385
-------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
-------------------
PROXIES
This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of Western Beef, Inc. (the "Company") to be used at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the Meeting ) to be held on July
11, 1997 at 10:00 A.M., New York time, at the La Guardia Marriott Hotel, 102-05
Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, N.Y. 11369, for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If the enclosed form of
proxy is executed and returned, it nevertheless may be revoked at any time
before it is exercised in person at the Meeting, by written notice or by a duly
executed proxy, bearing a later date, sent to the Secretary of the Company. The
Company anticipates mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy to
stockholders on or about June 6, 1997.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This solicitation of proxies is being made by the Board of Directors of the
Company and the expenses thereof will be borne by the Company. The principal
solicitation is being made by mail. However, arrangements have been made with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy
material to the beneficial owners of the Company s common stock, par value $.05
per share (the "Common Stock"), and such persons will be reimbursed for their
reasonable expenses.
OUTSTANDING VOTING STOCK
As of May 22, 1997, there were 5,465,350 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Only holders of record of
Common Stock as of the close of business on May 22, 1997 will be entitled to
vote at the Meeting. All questions will be determined by a majority vote of
those present and voting in person or by proxy.
QUORUM AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS
The Company's By-Laws provide that the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of stock shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of
stockholders for the transaction of any business. The stockholders present may
adjourn the meeting despite the absence of a quorum. Each share of Common Stock
shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. For the election of directors, a
plurality of the votes cast shall elect. Any other action shall be authorized
by a majority of the votes cast except where the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the General Corporation Law") prescribes a different
percentage of votes and/or a different exercise of voting power. For the
election of directors, voting need not be by ballot. Voting by ballot shall not
be required for any other corporate action, except as otherwise provided by the
General Corporation Law.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership (determined in accordance
with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), of the Company's Common Stock (the Company's only voting
securities)) by each director, each named executive officer designated in the
section of this Proxy Statement captioned "Executive Compensation", all
directors and named executive officers as a group and each person (including any
"group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) known by
the Company to own more than 5% of the Common Stock as of May 22, 1997. The
Company has been advised that, except as otherwise indi-
1
<PAGE>
cated in the notes to such table, all those listed have the sole power to vote
and dispose of the number of shares set forth opposite their respective names,
and their respective addresses are in care of the Company:
NAME NUMBER OF SHARES % OF CLASS
---- ---------------- ----------
PSL Foods, Inc. (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,690,007 30.9
Camile Magliocco (2) (3) . . . . . . . . . . 446,126 8.2
Joseph Castellana (2) (4) (5). . . . . . . . 486,138 8.9
Frank Castellana (2) (4) (6) . . . . . . . . 453,529 8.3
Peter Castellana, Jr. (2) (4) (7). . . . . . 446,126 8.2
Michael Castellana (2) (4) (8) . . . . . . . 406,114 7.4
Stephen R. Bokser (4). . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 *
Richard G. Klein (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000 *
Arnold B. Becker (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 *
Robert C. Ludlow (4) (9) . . . . . . . . . . 600 *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(nine persons ) (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,507,114 64.2
- - ---------------------
* Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) PSL Foods, Inc. is owned in equal proportions by the individuals named in
note (2) below.
(2) Frank Castellana, Joseph Castellana, Peter Castellana, Jr., Michael
Castellana and Camile Magliocco are siblings.
(3) Includes 32,818 shares owned by the minor children of Camile Magliocco.
(4) Member of the Company's Board of Directors and/or a named executive
officer of the Company. Includes options to purchase 10,000, 5,000 and
10,000 shares of Common Stock for Messrs. Bokser, Klein and Becker,
respectively.
(5) Includes 38,968 shares owned by the wife and minor children of Joseph
Castellana.
(6) Includes 17,528 shares owned by the wife and minor children of Frank
Castellana.
(7) Includes 158,048 shares owned by the wife and minor children of Peter
Castellana, Jr.
(8) Includes 22,234 shares owned by the wife and minor children of Michael
Castellana.
(9) Mr. Ludlow resigned from the Company as of March 5, 1997.
(10) Includes shares owned by PSL Foods, Inc. Also includes options to
purchase 25,200 shares of Common Stock held by certain Directors and
Executive Officers.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Four directors are to be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors intends to present for action at the Meeting the election
of Messrs. Joseph Castellana, Peter Castellana, Jr., Arnold B. Becker, and
Stephen R. Bokser to serve as directors until the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and their successors have been elected and qualified. All of these
persons were elected as Directors of the Company at the last Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Frank Castellana and Richard G. Klein, current members of the
Board of Directors, have decided not to run for re-election and their terms will
expire at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2
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The enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of such nominees. It is
not anticipated that any of these nominees will become unavailable for any
reason. But, if that should occur before the Meeting, the appointees named in
the proxy reserve the right in the exercise of their sole discretion to
substitute and to vote for any other person of their choice as a nominee in
place of such nominee or to vote for such lesser number of Directors as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations,
the enclosed proxy card provides stockholders with an opportunity to grant to,
or withhold from, the appointees named therein, the authority to vote for the
election of any director nominee.
Approval of the nominees for Director requires the affirmative vote of a
plurality of the votes of the outstanding shares of Common Stock cast at the
Meeting. The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote for the
election of the nominees listed below.
Set forth below is information with respect to the directors and executive
officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTORS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS AGE
- - --------- ----------------------------------------------- ---
<S> <C> <C>
Joseph Castellana Vice-Chairman, Executive Vice-President -- Retail 39
Operations and Executive Assistant to the President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March
1995; prior to that, Vice-President and Secretary for
more than the past five years; Director of the Company
from 1982 through 1993 and since 1995.
Peter Castellana, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company 37
since March 1995; prior to that, Vice-President and
President of Retail Operations since May 1992; General
Manager -- Retail Operations of the Company for more
than the past five years; Director of the Company since
1995.
Stephen R. Bokser President and Chief Executive Officer of White Rose 54
Food, a wholesale distributor and a division of Di
Giorgio Corp., for more than the past five years;
Director of Di Giorgio Corp.; Director of the Company
since 1993.
Arnold B. Becker President of The Arnold Becker Group, Inc., provider of 62
management consulting services to retail companies since
February 1996; prior to that, President of Vendamerica,
Inc., the U.S. investment arm of Vendex International
N.V. for more than the past five years; Director of the
Company since 1995.
DIRECTORS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION
- - ---------------------------------
Frank Castellana Chairman and Executive Vice-President -- Planning and 41
Development since February 1997; prior to that, Chairman
and Executive Vice-President -- Wholesale Operations of
the Company since March 1995; prior to that, President
of the Company for more than the past five years;
Director of the Company since 1982.
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Richard G. Klein Partner at the law firm of Hofheimer, Gartlir & Gross, 48
LLP, since February 1995; prior to that, partner at the
law firm of Bondy & Schloss for more than the past five
years; Director of the Company since 1996.
NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
- - -------------------------------
Michael Castellana Senior Vice-President -- Retail Operations of the 33
Company since March 1995; prior to that, General
Manager -- Produce Division of the Company for more
than the past five years.
Chris Darrow Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March 1997; 40
prior to that, Vice-President and Controller of
Waldbaums, Inc., a subsidiary of The Great Atlantic &
Pacific Tea Co. for more than the past five years.
Peter R. Admirand Controller -- Retail Operations, for more than the past 57
five years; Secretary of the Company since March, 1995.
</TABLE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held two meetings during fiscal 1996 with every
director attending all of the meetings held during his term as director, and
acted by unanimous written consent on one occasion. The Board of Directors has a
Compensation and Benefits Committee (the "Compensation Committee") consisting of
Arnold B. Becker and Richard G. Klein, and an Audit Committee, consisting of
Stephen R. Bokser and Richard G. Klein. Mr. Klein joined the Compensation
Committee and the Audit Committee on April 1, 1996 and will serve on the
Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee until the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, at which time he will be replaced by Arnold B. Becker on the Audit
committee and by Stephen R. Bokser on the Compensation Committee. Non-employee
directors received a quarterly fee of $1,250 and a $1,000 reimbursement for
travel and related expenses for each meeting they attended. The Compensation
Committee met once in fiscal 1996. No meetings were held by the Audit Committee
in fiscal 1996.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Company's compensation policy, each non-employee director
will receive:
1. A $5,000 annual retainer to be paid in quarterly installments of $1,250.
2. In 1996 the Western Beef, Inc., 1995 Non-Employee Director Plan (the
"Non-Employee Plan") provided that: (a) each year, on the date of the Company's
annual meeting of Stockholders, each non-employee director shall be
automatically granted on such date without further action by the Board of
Directors an option to purchase five thousand (5,000) shares of the Company's
Common Stock and (b) such option shall vest and become exercisable one year from
the date such option is granted.
On April 17, 1997, the Board of Directors amended the Non-Employee Plan to
provide for a grant of options to be made to purchase 5,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at a price equal to the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant when the non-employee director is first elected to
the Company's Board of Directors. Such options shall vest and become exercisable
as to 20% if the shares of Common Stock covered thereby in five equal
installments on the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the
date of grant.
3. On April 17, 1997, the Board of Directors decreased the travel
compensation from $1,000 per meeting to cover only reimbursement for reasonable
out-of pocket travel expenses that each non-employee director incurs for each
meeting of the Board that such member attended to cover travel and related
expenses.
4
<PAGE>
In addition, all members of the Board will continue to be indemnified, in a
manner consistent with the requirements of the General Corporation Law, by a
standard Directors and Officers liability policy.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors, executive
officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership
and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of Common Stock and other equity
securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent
stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies
of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely upon its review of copies of such reports furnished to the
Company through the date hereof, or written representations that no reports were
required to be filed, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended
January 3, 1997, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors
and ten percent stockholders were complied with, subject to the exceptions set
forth below:
Peter R. Admirand, Secretary and Controller--Retail Operations of the
Company, did not file a Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of
Securities on Form 5 in connection with the grant of an Employee Stock Option,
dated November 13, 1995. Mr. Admirand filed an Annual Statement of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 disclosing this event on April 23, 1997.
Arnold B. Becker and Stephen R. Bokser, each a Director of the Company, did
not file a statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 5
in connection with grants of Non-Employee Director Stock Options, dated June 13,
1995 and June 12, 1996, respectively. Both Mr. Becker and Mr. Bokser filed an
Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 5 disclosing these
events on April 29, 1997 and April 24, 1997, respectively.
Chris Darrow, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, did not file an Initial
Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 in connection with his
appointment as an officer of the Company, dated as of March 3, 1997. Mr. Darrow
filed an Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3
disclosing this event on April 23, 1997.
Robert C. Ludlow, former Senior Vice-President of the Company, did not file a
Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 5 in
connection with a grant of Employee Stock Options, dated November 13, 1995. Mr.
Ludlow filed an Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4
disclosing this event on April 10, 1997.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
GENERAL
The following table sets forth information as to the 1996 compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company (the "named executive officers") for services
in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries in 1996, 1995 and 1994.
5
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS
-----------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
------------------- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY(1) BONUS (1) OPTIONS (#) COMPENSATION(2)
- - --------------------------- ---- --------- --------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frank Castellana............ 1996 $333,320 $ 87,316 - $6,000
Chairman and Executive 1995 330,000 70,417 - 6,000
Vice-President 1994 312,000 75,133 - 6,000
Joseph Castellana........... 1996 369,309 106,376 - 6,000
Vice-Chairman and 1995 330,000 70,417 - 6,000
Executive Vice-President 1994 330,000 75,133 - 6,000
Peter Castellana, Jr........ 1996 591,347 170,285 - 6,000
President and CEO 1995 575,000 124,583 6,000
1994 390,000 75,133 - 6,000
Michael Castellana.......... 1996 284,550 82,214 - 6,000
Senior Vice-President 1995 275,000 59,383 - 6,000
1994 280,559 69,999 - 6,000
Robert C. Ludlow............ 1996 154,659 25,249 - 6,000
Senior Vice-President 1995 151,250 16,250 3,000 6,000
and CFO 1994 93,500 15,818 - N/A
</TABLE>
(1) Amounts shown include cash compensation earned by the named executive
officers during each respective year covered, including amounts deferred,
if any, at the election of those officers. Bonuses are shown for the year
in which they were earned.
(2) Amounts shown represent the Company's contributions to its Profit Sharing
Plan.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
No options or Stock Appreciation rights (SAR) were issued to the named
executive officers during the Company's 1996 fiscal year.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL
YEAR-END OPTION VALUES.
The following table provides information on option exercises by each of the
named executive officers during the past fiscal year, and the value of such
officers' unexercised options at January 3, 1997, the last day of the Company's
fiscal year. No SARS were outstanding during this period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
AT FISCAL YEAR END (#) AT FISCAL YEAR END $ (2)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE ---------------------- ------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISED
- - ---- ----------- -------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert C. Ludlow -0- -0- 600(3) 2,400 2,625 10,500
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
(1) All options were granted under the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Employees.
All options are fully exercisable five years after grant (with 20% becoming
exercisable each year on the first through fifth anniversaries of the date
of grant). The exercise price may be paid in cash, by the surrender of
currently owned Common Stock (valued at 100% of the market price) or by the
delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable instructions to a
stockbroker to sell shares of Common Stock to be acquired upon exercise of
the option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount sufficient to
pay such purchase price or by any combination of the methods of payment
described above.
(2) Amounts in the column represents closing market price of the Common Stock
on January 3, 1997 ($10.375), minus the exercise price of the option with
respect to all of the shares underlying the option. All options were
granted at 100% of market price on the date of grant. The term in-the-money
refers to options having an exercise price less than the relevant market
price.
(3) Robert C. Ludlow exercised his option to purchase 600 shares of the Common
Stock upon his resignation from Western Beef on March 5, 1997.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Common Stock of the Company with that of the Dow Jones Equity Market Index, a
broad market index, and the Dow Jones Food Retailers and Wholesalers Index, an
index of operators of supermarkets, food-oriented convenience stores and other
food retailers, both issued by The Dow Jones Company. The comparison for each of
the periods assumes that $100 was invested on January 3, 1992, in each of the
Common Stock of the Company, the stocks included in the Dow Jones Equity Market
Index and the stocks included in the Dow Jones Food Retailers and Wholesalers
Index. These indices, which reflect formulas for dividend reinvestment and
weighing of individual stocks, do not necessarily reflect returns that could be
achieved by individual investors.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED
IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1/03/92 1/01/93 12/31/93 12/30/92 12/29/95 1/03/97
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WESTERN BEEF INC. DEL 100 121 192 135 118 234
DOW JONES EQUITY MARKET 100 108 119 120 165 206
DJ FOOD RETAILERS & WHOLESALERS 100 102 96 97 123 154
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation of the Company's executive officers currently is administered
by the Compensation Committee, which consists of Messrs. Arnold B. Becker and
Richard G. Klein (since April 1, 1996). Daniel M. Healy was a member of the
Compensation Committee until his resignation from the Board of Directors,
effective April 1, 1996. Mr. Klein will serve on the Compensation Committee
until the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, at which time he will be replaced
by Mr. Stephen R. Bokser.
Compensation of the executive officers of the Company for 1996, including the
Chief Executive Officer, has been determined by the Compensation Committee after
the Chief Executive Officer, Peter Castellana, Jr., has submitted his requested
base salary, and recommended a base salary for each of the other executive
officers of the Company. The Committee also retains independent consultants,
William M. Mercer, Inc., for advice on compensation matters and information on
competitive practices. The Compensation Committee then reviewed such requests
and recommendations in combination with other factors, including the Company's
overall performance and made a subjective determination regarding 1996
compensation. Because compensation paid to executive officers during 1996 did
not exceed the tax deductibility limits of 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code,
the Company currently has no policy with respect thereto.
Compensation Committee
Arnold B. Becker
Richard G. Klein
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
As indicated above, the Compensation Committee establishes executive
compensation. Director of the Company, Stephen R. Bokser is President and Chief
Executive Officer of White Rose Food and it is anticipated that Mr. Bokser will
hold such position after being appointed a member of the Compenstion Committee.
During 1996, 1995 and 1994 the Company purchased various food products in the
amounts of $27,423,000, $21,954,000 and $20,206,000 from White Rose Food. As of
January 3, 1997 and December 29, 1995, the Company had trade payables of
$797,000 and $1,117,000 respectively, due to White Rose Food.
The Company has retained the law firm of Hofheimer, Gartlir & Gross, LLP to
represent the Company in certain matters. Mr. Richard G. Klein, a Director of
the Company and a member of the Compensation Committee, is a partner in said law
firm. Payments for services rendered by Mr. Klein's law firm to the Company
were not material to the Company and were consistent with fees charged by other
law firms for similar services.
Daniel M. Healy, a former Director of the Company who resigned from the Board
of Directors on April 1, 1996, is Executive Vice-President and the Chief
Financial Officer of North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. (the "Bank") and held such
positions while he was a Director of the Company and a member of the
Compensation Committee. During 1996, 1995 and 1994 the Company had credit
facilities with the Bank that permitted borrowings of up to $3,000,000. As of
April 1, 1996, December 29, 1995 and December 30, 1994 the Company was indebted
to the Bank in the amounts of $0, $360,677 and $0, respectively. The Company
believes that all Bank terms and fees are at customary rates.
8
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
For more than a decade, the Company and the members of the Castellana family
(collectively, the "Principal Stockholders") have had continuing relationships
simultaneously as lessors and lessees, suppliers and customers and debtors and
creditors. They have also shared certain management personnel and certain
administrative functions, such as insurance, advertising and payrolls, and have
attempted to allocate the common costs fairly. In October 1992 the parties
consummated, an Agreement of Combination (the "Combination") pursuant to which
(1) the Company and the food business of the Principal Stockholders were
combined under a publicly traded successor Delaware corporation, (2) the
3,566,796 shares of the Company s then outstanding Common Stock were converted,
on a share-for-share basis, into Common Stock of such successor corporation and
(3) the Principal Stockholders became beneficial owners of an additional
1,400,000 shares of Common Stock, giving them beneficial ownership of
approximately 72% of such Common Stock (compared to their former beneficial
ownership of approximately 62%).
The Principal Stockholders, as lessors, amended the leases of the Company's
food stores transferred to the Company, so that as of the closing of the
Combination the rentals thereunder did not exceed fair market value as
determined by independent appraisal. In addition, Management and the Principal
Stockholders agreed to obtain independent appraisals of rentals under all other
Company leases in which the Principal Stockholders have an interest as landlord
or tenant (other than one store rental which was fixed on a formula basis) and
to make any necessary revisions so that, in the aggregate, such rentals do not
exceed fair market value. All such revisions were made effective as of January
4, 1992. It now is the Company's policy to obtain independent appraisals in
connection with new leases entered into with the Principal Stockholders.
In March 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into new leases
with affiliates of the Principal Stockholders for two locations where the
Company currently operates retail food stores. These leases increased the rent
paid under the prior leases and also increased the terms of such leases. Prior
to entering into the leases, the Company obtained independent appraisals of the
values of the leases. The Board of Directors of the Company, including the
independent Directors, unanimously approved these transactions.
The Company leases land, various retail food stores and warehouse storage
and office space, from affiliates of the Principal Stockholders under various
leases which expire through June 2015. Rent expense relating to these leases was
$2,737,000 for 1996, $2,772,000 for 1995 and $2,783,000 for 1994. During the
years ended January 3, 1997 and December 29,1995, the Company made capital
expenditures of approximately $725,000 and $374,000 at leaseholds owned by
affiliates of the Principal Stockholders.
The average square foot rental for property leased from the Principal
Stockholders is $ 4.02 per square foot as compared with an average square foot
rental of $ 5.01 for property leased from third party landlords.
As of January 3, 1997, December 29, 1995 and December 30, 1994, the Company
had advances due from the Principal Stockholders and affiliated entities of
approximately $0, $12,000 and $418,000, respectively. These advances were
unsecured and non-interest bearing and were repaid in full.
The Company had sales to affiliates controlled by the Company's Principal
Stockholders for 1996, 1995 and 1994 of $85,000, $528,000 and $4,333,000
respectively. In 1995, the Company acquired one of these affiliates which owed
the Company approximately $52,000 at December 29, 1995. No consideration was
paid by the Company for the acquisition of this affiliate.
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During 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company purchased various food products in
the amounts of $27,423,000, $21,954,000 and $20,206,000 respectively, from White
Rose Food, of which Stephen R. Bokser, a Director of the Company, is an officer.
As of January 3, 1997 and December 29, 1995 the Company had trade payables of
$797,000 and $1,117,000 respectively, due to the affiliate.
The Company has retained the law firm of Hofheimer, Gartlir & Gross, LLP to
represent the Company in certain matters. Richard G. Klein, a Director of the
Company and a member of the Compensation Committee until the expiration of his
term at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is a partner of such firm.
Payments for services rendered by Mr. Klein's law firm to the Company were not
material to either such law firm or the Company and were in line with fees
charged by other law firms for similar services.
Daniel M. Healy, a former Director of the Company who resigned from the Board
of Directors on April 1, 1996, is Executive Vice-President and the Chief
Financial Officer of North Fork Bank Corporation, Inc. and held such positions
while he was a Director of the Company and a member of the Compensation
Committee. During 1996, 1995 and 1994 the Company had credit facilities with the
Bank that permitted borrowings of up to $3,000,000. As of April 1, 1996,
December 29, 1995 and December 30, 1994 the Company was indebted to the Bank in
the amounts of $0, $360,677 and $0, respectively. The Company believes that all
Bank terms and fees are at customary rates.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: ELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
In the absence of contrary direction, the proxies will be voted for the
selection of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors to audit the books and
accounts of Western Beef, Inc. at the end of the 1997 fiscal year. The Board of
Directors recommends that stockholders vote in favor of the selection of BDO
Seidman, LLP.
Approval of the selection of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock cast at the Meeting.
It is expected that representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP will be present at
the Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to
do so and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
In connection with its audit of the books and accounts of Western Beef, Inc.
for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1997, BDO Seidman, LLP audited the
Company's annual consolidated financial statements and consulted with Western
Beef, Inc. concerning other accounting matters, certain tax matters and other
matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTORS
FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in the proxy materials for the
1998 Annual Meeting and nominations for Directors to be elected at the 1998
Annual Meeting must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the Company's
offices at 47-05 Metropolitan Avenue, Ridgewood, New York 11385, no later than
March 15, 1998, in order for such proposals and nominations to be included in
the proxy material for the 1998 Annual Meeting, which is currently expected to
be held in June, 1998.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND OTHER MATTERS
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING TO SECRETARY, WESTERN BEEF
INC., 47-05 METROPOLITAN AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW YORK 11385.
Management is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the
meeting other than the matters mentioned above, and does not intend to bring any
other matters before the meeting. However, if any other matters should come
before the meeting, it is intended that the holders of the proxies will vote
them in their discretion.
By order of the Board of Directors
Peter R. Admirand
Secretary
Date: May 30,1997
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