<PAGE>
INTER PARFUMS, INC.
551 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10176
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 12, 2000
To The Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders (the
"Annual Meeting") of Inter Parfums, Inc. (the "Company") has been called for and
will be held at 10:00 A.M., New York City Time, on July 12, 2000, at the offices
of the Company, 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10176 for the following
purposes:
1. To elect a Board of Directors consisting of ten (10)
directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their
successors shall have been elected and qualify;
2. To approve the amendment to the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation to require the unanimous vote of the
members of the Board of Directors for certain actions to be taken by the
Company; and
3. To consider and transact such other business as may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 9, 2000
as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. The list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for
examination by any stockholder at the Company's offices at 551 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10176, for ten (10) days prior to July 12, 2000.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Annie Failler, Secretary
Dated: June 9, 2000
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN,
AND DATE THE PROXY SUBMITTED HEREWITH AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED
ENVELOPE. THE GIVING OF SUCH PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE SUCH
PROXY IN PERSON SHOULD YOU LATER DECIDE TO ATTEND THE MEETING. THE ENCLOSED
PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
<PAGE>
INTER PARFUMS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
This proxy statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of Inter
Parfums, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with offices located at 551 Fifth Avenue,
New York, New York 10176, in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be
used at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held on July 12,
2000 and at any adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). For purposes of
this proxy statement, unless the context otherwise indicates, the term "Inter
Parfums" refers to the parent company, Inter Parfums, Inc., and the term the
"Company" refers to Inter Parfums, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders beginning
approximately June 12, 2000. If a proxy in the accompanying form is properly
executed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted as
instructed on the proxy. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder prior to its
exercise upon written notice to the Secretary of the Company, or by a
stockholder voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will
be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked
thereon or otherwise as provided therein. Unless instructions to the contrary
are indicated, proxies will be voted FOR the election of ten (10) directors; and
FOR the adoption of the amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
A copy of the annual report of the Company for fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, which contains financial statements audited by the Company's
independent certified public accountants, accompanies this proxy statement.
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this notice of meeting,
proxy statement, proxy and the enclosed annual report will be borne by the
Company. In addition to solicitation of the proxies by use of the mails, some of
the officers and regular employees of the Company, without extra remuneration,
may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, telegraph, or cable. The Company
may also request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to
forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock. The
Company will reimburse such persons for their expenses in forwarding soliciting
material.
VOTING SECURITIES AND
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 9, 2000
as the record
2
<PAGE>
date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders on the Record
Date will be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.
As of the Record Date, 7,845,981 shares of the Company's common stock,
$.001 par value per share ("Common Stock") are outstanding, and each share will
be entitled to one (1) vote, with no shares having cumulative voting rights.
Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to vote on all matters. Unless
otherwise indicated herein, a majority of the votes represented by shares
present or represented at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of each
matter which will be submitted to stockholders. The Company also has 1,000,000
authorized shares of Preferred Stock, $.001 par value per share, none of which
are outstanding.
Management of the Company has been informed that the affiliates of the
Company intend to vote in favor of the proposals contained herein, and
therefore, such proposals are likely to pass. Management knows of no business
other than those specified in Items 1 and 2 of the Notice of Annual Meeting
which will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other
matter is properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the
enclosed proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment.
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each person
known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%)
of the Company's outstanding Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Amount of Beneficial Ownership(1) Approximate Percent of Class
of Beneficial Owner
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jean Madar 3,169,549(2) 37%
c/o Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris, France
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Benacin 3,021,549(3) 35%
c/o Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris, France
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, S.A 1,623,800(4) 20%
30 Avenue Hoche
75008 Paris, France
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) All shares of common stock are directly held with sole voting power and
sole power to dispose, unless otherwise stated.
(2) Consists of 2,356,049 shares held directly and options to purchase
813,500 shares.
(3) Consists of 2,208,049 shares held directly and options to purchase
813,500 shares.
(4) Consists of shares held by LV Capital USA, Inc., an affiliate.
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 555,700(5) 7%
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Fl.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
LaSalle Bank, N.A. 774,6005(5A) 10%
135 South LaSalle Street
Suite 1840
Chicago, IL 60603
</TABLE>
PROPOSAL NO. 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
The members of the Board of Directors are each elected for a one-year
term or until their successors are elected and qualify with a plurality of votes
cast in favor of their election. During fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
("Fiscal 1999"), the Board of Directors initially consisted of seven (7)
persons, Messrs. Jean Madar, Philippe Benacin, Russell Greenberg, Francois
Heilbronn, Joseph A. Caccamo, Jean Levy and Robert Bensoussan-Torres, who were
elected by the stockholders at the Company's last annual meeting of stockholders
held in July 1999. In December 1999, three (3) directors, Messrs. Daniel Piette,
Jean Cailliau and Philippe Santi, were added to the Board of Directors. All ten
(10) members of the Board are nominees for re-election to the Board at the 2000
Annual Meeting.
Unless authority is withheld, the proxies in the accompanying form will
be voted in favor of the election of the nominees named above as directors.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has the responsibility for establishing broad
corporate policies and for the overall performance of the Company. Although
certain directors are not involved in day-to-day operating details, members of
the Board are kept informed of the Company's business by various reports and
documents made available to them. The Board of Directors held seven (7) meetings
(or executed consents in lieu thereof), including meetings of committees of the
full Board in Fiscal 1999, and all of the directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board and committee meetings of which they were a member.
The Board of Directors has the following standing committees:
- ----------------------
(5) Information is derived forth in a Schedule 13G dated February 4, 2000
of Dimensional Fund Advisor Inc., which may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the shares which are owned by its advisory clients.
Dimensional Fund Advisor disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the
shares.
(5A) Information is derived forth in a Schedule 13F-HR filed on April 11,
2000 of LaSalle Bank, N.A.
4
<PAGE>
o audit committee, which has the responsibility to monitor and oversee
the process between management, which is responsible for the Company's internal
controls and the financial reporting process, and the independent accountants,
who are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company's
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and to issue a report thereon; in accordance with the newly adopted
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and The Nasdaq Stock
Market, this proxy statement contains a report of the audit committee and a copy
of the charter of the audit committee (Exhibit A to this proxy statement);
o stock option committee, which administers the Company's stock option
plans; and
o executive compensation committee, which oversees the compensation of
executives of the Company.
During Fiscal 1999, the stock option committee initially consisted of
Messrs. Heilbronn and Levy, and in December 1999 Mr. Cailliau was added as a
member of such committee; the Audit Committee initially consisted of Messrs.
Heilbronn, Caccamo and Levy, and in December 1999 Mr. Cailliau was added as a
member of such committee, replacing Mr. Caccamo; and the Executive Compensation
Committee initially consisted of Messrs. Heilbronn, Caccamo and Levy, and in
December 1999 Mr. Piette was added as a member of such committee, replacing Mr.
Caccamo.
For Fiscal 1999, the stock option committee took action by the
execution of one (1) written consents in lieu of a meeting, and the audit
committee held one (1) meeting. Additionally for Fiscal 1999, the executive
compensation committee took action by the execution of two (2) written consents
in lieu of meetings, one (1) in December 1998 and one (1) in February 2000. See
"Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Report on
Executive Compensation," infra.
The following table sets forth information, as of the Record Date with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by the
executive officers and directors of the Company and the directors and officers
of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Name and Address Amount of Beneficial Ownership(6) Approximate Percent of Class
of Beneficial Owner
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(6) All shares of common stock are directly held with sole voting power and
sole power to dispose, unless otherwise stated.
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Jean Madar 3,169,549(7) 37%
c/o Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Benacin 3,021,549(8) 35%
c/o Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Greenberg 48,500(9) Less than 1%
c/o Inter Parfums, Inc.
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10176
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francois Heilbronn 7,500(10) Less than 1%
12 Rue Pierre Leroux
75007 Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph A. Caccamo, Esq. 4,000(11) Less than 1%
Nason, Yeager, Gerson,
White & Lioce, P.A.
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1200
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean Levy 3,000(11) Less than 1%
29 rue du Colisee
75008 Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Bensoussan-Torres 3,000(11) Less than 1%
48, Boulevard Raspail
75006 Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Elbilia 10,000 Less than 1%
c/o Inter Parfums, Inc.
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10176
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne C. Hamerling 42,000(12) Less than 1%
c/o Inter Parfums, Inc.
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10176
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(7) Consists of 2,356,049 shares held directly and options to purchase
813,500 shares.
(8) Consists of 2,208,049 shares held directly and options to purchase
813,500 shares.
(9) Consists of 10,000 shares held directly and options to purchase38,500
shares.
(10) Consists of 4,500 shares held directly and options to purchase 3,000
shares.
(11) Consists of options to purchase shares.
(12) Consists of 10,000 shares held directly and options to purchase 32,000
shares.
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Daniel Piette 2,000(13) Less than 1%
LVMH Moet Hennessy
Louis Vuitton, S.A.
30 Avenue Hoche
75008, Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean Cailliau 2,000(13) Less than 1%
LVMH Moet Hennessy
Louis Vuitton, S.A.
30 Avenue Hoche
75008, Paris, France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Santi
Inter Parfums, S.A. -0- NA
4, rond point des Champs Elysees
75008, Paris France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric de Labouchere -0- NA
Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, rond point des Champs Elysees
75008, Paris France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo -0- NA
Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, rond point des Champs Elysees
75008, Paris France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude Villedieu -0- NA
Inter Parfums, S.A.
4, rond point des Champs Elysees
75008, Paris France
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Directors and Officers 7,936,898(14) 83%
as a Group (15 Persons)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders
and thereafter until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
With the exception of Mr. Benacin, the officers are elected annually by the
directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. See "Executive
Compensation - Employment Agreement". There are no family relationships between
executive officers or directors of the Company.
The following sets forth biographical information as to the business
experience of each executive officer and director of the Company for at least
the past five (5) years.
- ---------------
(13) Consists of options to purchase shares. Does not include shares held by
LV Capital USA, Inc., an affiliate of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton,
S.A.
(14) Consist of 4,598,598 shares held directly, and options to purchase
1,714,500 shares. It also includes 1,623,800 shares held by LV Capital
USA, Inc., an affiliate of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, S.A.
7
<PAGE>
Jean Madar
Jean Madar, age 39, a Director, has been the Chairman of the Board of
Directors since the Company's inception, and is a co-founder of the Company with
Mr. Benacin. From inception until December 1993 he was the President of the
Company; in January 1994 he became Director General of Inter Parfums, S.A., the
Company's subsidiary; and in January 1997 he became Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. Mr. Madar was previously the managing director of Inter Parfums,
S.A., from September 1983 until June 1985. At such subsidiary, he had the
responsibility of overseeing the marketing operations of its foreign
distribution, including market research analysis and actual marketing campaigns.
Mr. Madar graduated from The French Higher School of Economic and Commercial
Sciences (ESSEC) in 1983.
Philippe Benacin
Mr. Benacin, age 41, a Director, has been the Vice Chairman of the Board
since September 1991, and is a co-founder of the Company with Mr. Madar. He was
elected the Executive Vice President in September 1991, Senior Vice President in
April 1993, and President of the Company in January 1994. In addition, he has
been the President of Inter Parfums, S.A. for more than the past five years. Mr.
Benacin graduated from The French Higher School of Economic and Commercial
Sciences (ESSEC) in 1983.
Russell Greenberg
Mr. Greenberg, age 43, the Chief Financial Officer, was Vice-President,
Finance when he joined the Company in June 1992; became Executive Vice President
in April 1993; and was appointed to the Board of Directors in February 1995. He
is a certified public accountant licensed in the State of New York, and is a
member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New
York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. After graduating from The
Ohio State University in 1980, he was employed in public accounting. From July
1987 through June 1992, he was with Richard A. Eisner & Company, the Company's
independent accountants.
Francois Heilbronn
Mr. Heilbronn, age 39, a Director since 1988 and a member of the audit,
stock option and executive compensation committees, is a graduate of Harvard
Business School with a Master of Business Administration degree and is currently
working as a consultant for the firm of M.M. Friedrich, Heilbronn & Fiszer, of
which he is a partner. He was formerly employed by The Boston Consulting Group,
Inc. from 1986 through 1991 as a management consultant.
8
<PAGE>
He graduated from Institut D' Etudes Politiques De Paris in June 1983. From 1984
to 1986, he worked as a financial analyst for Lazard Freres & Co.
Joseph A. Caccamo
Mr. Caccamo, age 44, a Director since 1992, is a partner of Nason, Yeager,
Gerson, White & Lioce, P.A., general counsel to the Company. Mr. Caccamo has
been a practicing attorney since 1981, concentrating in the areas of corporate
and securities law, and in September 1991 he became counsel to the company. From
August 1992 through September 1997, he was a director of and general counsel to,
Hydron Technologies, Inc., a company primarily engaged in the development of
cosmetic and personal care products.
Jean Levy
Jean Levy, age 67, a Director since August 1996 and a member of the audit,
stock option and executive compensation committees, worked for twenty-seven
years at L'Oreal, and was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cosmair,
the exclusive United States licensee of L'Oreal from 1983 through June 1987. In
addition, he is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi
Beaute (France). For the past five years, Mr. Levy has been an independent
advisor as well as a consultant for economic development to local governments in
France. A graduate of "l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris," he also
attended Yale Graduate School and was a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship. He
was also a Professor at "l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris".
Robert Bensoussan-Torres
Robert Bensoussan-Torres, age 42, has been a Director since March 1997. He
is currently the Managing Director of Gianfranco Ferre fashion group, based in
Milano, Italy. Mr. Bensoussan-Torres was a Director of Towers Consulting Europe,
Ltd. from May 1998 to September 1999. Towers Consulting Europe, Ltd. is a
consulting company based in London, which specializes in strategic advise in
connection with mergers and acquisitions in the luxury goods business. Mr.
Bensoussan-Torres was the Chief Executive Officer of Christian Lacroix, Paris, a
subsidiary of LVMH Group, from February 1993 until May 1998. Christian Lacroix
is a French Houte Couture House and has activities in the field of apparel,
accessories and fragrances. From December 1990 through January 1993 he was based
in Munich, Germany, as the International Sales Director of The Escada Group.
Daniel Piette
Mr. Piette, age 54 and a director since December 1999, is also a member of
the executive compensation committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Piette is
the Chairman of LV Capital USA, Inc. ("LV Capital"), the US vehicle of LV
Capital SA, which is the
9
<PAGE>
investment arm of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. ("LVMH") the world's
largest luxury goods conglomerate. For the past ten (10) years, he has been a
Group Executive Vice President of LVMH. Mr. Piette is also a director of Cryo
Interactive Entertainment (Paris) and a non-executive director of Davis S. Smith
Holdings PLC (London) as well as a member of the Board of Overseers of ESSEC
(Paris) and Columbia Business School (New York).
Jean Cailliau
Mr. Cailliau, age 37 and a director since December 1999, is also a member
of the audit and the stock option committees of the Board of Directors. Mr.
Cailliau is the Deputy General Manager of LV Capital SA, the investment arm of
LVMH and the CEO of LV Capital USA Inc., its US vehicle. For the past eight (8)
years, Mr. Cailliau has held executive positions at LVMH. He is also a Director
of various European companies . Mr. Cailliau is an Engineer in Agronomics and
has an MBA (1988) from Insead.
Bruce Elbilia
Mr. Elbilia, age 41, Executive Vice President joined the Company in
June 1986 as the National Sales Director, and from that time until 1994, he was
in charge of the Company's marketing efforts. In 1994 Mr. Elbilia became head of
international sales and marketing for the Company, and had expanded the
Company's export sales to South America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Mr.
Elbilia received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a major in
International Business/Marketing from George Washington University in
Washington, D.C.
Wayne C. Hamerling
Mr. Hamerling, age 44, was Vice President, Sales, from May 1987 through
April 1993, when he became Executive Vice President. Mr. Hamerling has over
twenty (20) years experience in the fragrance and cosmetic business.
Philippe Santi
Philippe Santi, age 38 and a Director since December 1999, has been the
Director of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer of Inter Parfums, S.A. since
February 1995. Mr. Santi is a Certified Accountant and Statutory Auditor in
France.
Eric de Labouchere
Eric de Labouchere, age 45, is the Director of Operations of Inter Parfums,
S.A. He has been employed by Inter Parfums, S.A. since October 1986 in product
development, purchasing and marketing.
10
<PAGE>
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, age 41, has been the Director of Export Sales of
Inter Parfums, S.A. since September 1994. Prior to September 1994, Mr.
Garcia-Pelayo was the Export Manager for Benetton Perfumes for seven (7) years.
Claude Villedieu
Claude Villedieu, age 58, has been the Director of Domestic Sales of Inter
Parfums, S.A. since June 1989. Mr. Villedieu previously worked for the L'Oreal
Group.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to,
earned by or paid to, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
(4) most highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose compensation
exceeded $100,000 per annum for services rendered in all capacities to the
Company and its subsidiaries during fiscal years ended December 31, 1999,
December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Annual Compensation Long Term Awards
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Annual Securities
Compensation Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) ($) Options (#)(1) Compensation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jean Madar(2), Chairman of the 1999 280,000 $48,000 756,500(3) 275,000 -0-
Board, Chief Executive Officer of 1998 280,000 -0- 48,000(4) 130,000 -0-
Inter Parfums, Inc. and Director 1997 267,000 -0- 18,000(4) 325,000 -0-
General of Inter Parfums, S.A.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Benacin(5), President of 1999 136,000 16,000 765,500(6) 275,000 -0-
Inter Parfums, Inc. and President 1998 139,000 10,000 53,000(7) 130,000 -0-
of Inter Parfums, S.A. 1997 86,000 25,000 33,000(8) 325,000 -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Greenberg(9), Executive Vice 1999 230,000 5,000 225,819(10) 33,000 -0-
President and Chief Financial 1998 228,446 3,000 2,214 15,500 -0-
Officer 1997 213,600 15,000 2,214 22,500 -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Elbilia(11), Executive Vice 1999 160,500 5,000 262,467(12) 33,000 -0-
President 1998 146,045 3,000 8,776(13) 15,500 -0-
1997 168,000 18,500 78,473(13) 25,500 -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne C. Hamerling(14), 1999 166,120 5,000 326,782(15) 33,000 -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Executive Vice President 1998 166,120 13,000 52,590(16) 15,500 -0-
1997 166,120 7,000 55,363(17) 25,500 -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Includes options granted in 1998 and 1997 as replacements for
out-of-the-money or expired options.
(2) As of December 31, 1999, Mr. Madar held 2,356,049 restricted shares of
common stock, with an aggregate value of $22,382,561 based upon the closing
price of the Company's common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market,
National Market system, of $9.50.
(3) Includes lodging expenses of $ 48,000 and $708,500 realized upon exercise
of options.
(4) Consists of lodging expenses.
(5) Compensation figures for Mr. Benacin are approximate, as he is paid in
French francs, and conversion into U.S. dollars was made at the average
exchange rates prevailing during the respective periods. As of December 31,
1999, Mr. Benacin held 2,208,049 restricted shares of common stock, with an
aggregate value of $20,976,466 based upon the closing price of the
company's common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, National
Market system, of $9.50.
(6) Includes lodging expenses of $42,000, $15,000 for automobile expenses and
$708,500 and realized upon exercise of options.
(7) Consists of $48,000 for lodging expenses and $5,000 for automobile
expenses.
(8) Consists of $31,000 for lodging expenses and $2,000 for automobile
expenses.
(9) Mr. Greenberg held no restricted shares of common stock as of December 31,
1999.
(10) Consists of $2,214 car allowance and $223,605 realized upon the exercise of
options.
(11) Mr. Elbilia held 10,000 shares of common stock as of December 31, 1999 with
an aggregate value of $9,500, based upon the closing price of the company's
common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, National Market
system, of $9.50.
(12) Consists of $27,985 selling commissions and $234,482 realized upon the
exercise of options.
(13) Consists of selling commissions.
(14) Mr. Hamerling held no restricted shares of common stock as of December 31,
1999.
(15) Consists of selling commissions of $43,388 ; non cash compensation of
$4,500 equal to the value of personal use of a company leased automobile;
and $278,794 realized upon the exercise of options.
(16) Consists of selling commissions of $48,090 and non cash compensation of
$4,500 equal to the value of personal use of a company leased automobile.
(17) Consists of selling commissions of $50,863 and non cash compensation of
$4,500 equal to the value of personal use of a company leased automobile.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to stock
option grants during Fiscal 1999 to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
each of the four (4) most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
whose compensation exceeded $100,000 per annum for services rendered in all
capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during Fiscal 1999:
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realized Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Individualized Grants Price Appreciation for Option Term
--------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Number of % of Total Exercise Expiration Five (5%) Ten (10%)
Securities Options/SARs or Base Date Percent Percent
Underlying Granted to Price ($) ($)
Options Employees in ($/Sh)
Granted (#) Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jean Madar 275,000 38 5.75 3/4/05 436,870 965,329
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Benacin 275,000 38 5.75 3/4/05 436,870 965,329
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Greenberg 33,000 4.5 5.75 3/4/05 52,424 115,844
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Elbilia 33,000 4.5 5.75 3/4/05 52,424 115,844
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wayne Hamerling 33,000 4.5 5.75 3/4/05 52,424 115,844
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth certain information relating to option
exercises effected during Fiscal 1999, and the value of options held as of such
date by each of the Chief Executive Officer and the four (4) most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company whose compensation exceeded
$100,000 per annum for services rendered in all capacities to the company and
its subsidiaries during Fiscal 1999:
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES FOR FISCAL 1999
AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Unexercised Value(1) of Unexercised
Options at December 31, In-the-Money Options at
1999(#) December 31, 1999($)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Name Shares Acquired Value ($) Exercisable/ Exercisable/
on Exercise Realized(2) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jean Madar 150,000 562,500 813,500/-0- 2,767,225/-0-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Benacin 150,000 562,500 813,500/-0- 2,767,225/-0-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Greenberg 41,500 223,605 48,500/-0- 159,000/-0-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Elbilia 93,000 266,982 -0-/-0- -0-/-0-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne C. Hamerling 51,000 278,794 42,000/-0- 139,500/-0-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Total value of unexercised options is based upon the fair market value of
the common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market of $9.50 on
December 31, 1999.
(2) Value realized in dollars is based upon the difference between the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of exercise, and the exercise
price of the option.
Employment Agreements
As part of the acquisition by the Company of the controlling interest
in Inter Parfums, S.A. now a subsidiary, in 1991, we entered into an employment
agreement with Philippe Benacin. The agreement provides that Mr. Benacin will be
employed as Vice Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer
of Inter Parfums Holdings and its subsidiary, Inter Parfums. The initial term
expired on September 2, 1992, and has subsequently been automatically renewed
for additional annual periods. The agreement provides for automatic annual
renewal terms, unless either party terminates the agreement upon 120 days
notice. Mr. Benacin is entitled to receive an annual salary of 600,000ff, which
was approximately
13
<PAGE>
US$100,000, together with 5,000ff per month, which was approximately US$833, for
lodging expenses, both of which are subject to increases in the discretion of
the Board of Directors. In addition he is to receive a nonaccountable expense
allowance of 1,200ff, which was approximately US$ 200 per week and reimbursement
for all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the acquisition, operation and
maintenance of an automobile. The agreement also provides for indemnification
and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of employment.
Compensation of Directors
All nonemployee directors receive $1,000 for each board meeting at
which they participate, except for Mr. Caccamo's, whose law firm receives $500
for each board meeting at which he participates.
On March 13, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted,
subject to the approval of its stockholders, the 1997 Nonemployee Stock Option
Plan (the "1997 Plan"). The purpose of the 1997 Plan is to assist the Company in
attracting and retaining key directors who are responsible for continuing growth
and success of the Company. The 1997 Plan was approved by the stockholders of
the Company at the annual meeting of shareholders held in July 1997.
The 1997 Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options to
nonemployee directors to purchase an aggregate of 25,000 shares of Common Stock.
Options to purchase 1,000 shares are granted on each February 1st to all
nonemployee directors for as long as each is a nonemployee director on such date
except for Joseph A. Caccamo, who is granted options to purchase 4,000 shares.
On December 2, 1999 and in accordance with the terms of our 1997 plan,
options to purchase 2,000 shares at $8.875 per share, the fair market value at
the time of grant, were granted to each of two (2) directors for a five year
period.
On February 1, 2000, options to purchase 1,000 shares were granted to
each of Francois Heilbronn, Jean Levy and Robert Bensoussan-Torres, and an
option to purchase 4,000 shares was granted to Joseph A. Caccamo at the exercise
price of $10.1875 per share under the 1997 plan.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Board of Directors established the Executive Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") in July 1993 to oversee
all issues of executive compensation, except for the administration of the
Company's stock option plans, which are administered by the stock option
committee of the Board of Directors.
14
<PAGE>
For Fiscal 1999, the Compensation Committee took action by the
execution of two (2) written consents in lieu of meetings, one (1) in December
1998 and one (1) in February 2000. In addition, individual committee members did
discuss compensation of the Company's executive officers with both the Chairman
of the Board and the Chief Financial Officer. The following persons participated
in discussions concerning executive compensation during Fiscal 1999, with
generally the Chairman of the Board taking the initiative and recommending
executive compensation levels: Jean Madar, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Benacin, a director, President,
and President of Inter Parfums, S.A., a subsidiary of the Company, Joseph A.
Caccamo, a director, principal of counsel to the Company and former member of
the Compensation Committee, Russell Greenberg, an Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and a director, and Jean Levy, Francois Heilbronn and
Daniel Piette, the present members of the Compensation Committee.
Report on Executive Compensation
General
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
require most public companies to provide detailed information regarding
compensation and benefits provided to their chief executive officer and to each
of the four (4) most highly compensated executive officers, other than the chief
executive officer, whose annual base salary and bonus compensation was in excess
of $100,000. The executive officers of the Company being discussed for Fiscal
1999 are: Jean Madar (the Chief Executive Officer), Philippe Benacin, Russell
Greenberg, Bruce Elbilia and Wayne C. Hamerling.
Executive compensation packages generally include a base salary, annual
incentives tied to individual performance and long term incentives tied to the
performance of the Company. In addition, the Company provides a comprehensive
medical insurance plan. Generally, executive officers have their compensation
reviewed annually.
Base Salary
Base salaries for 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 market place for executive
talent. Base salaries for executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis,
including those subject to contractual adjustments, and adjustments are
determined by evaluating the performance of the Company and of each executive
officer, as well as whether nature of the responsibilities of the executive has
changed.
For Fiscal 1999, as part of management's plan to reduce expenses and
upon
15
<PAGE>
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, it was determined in
December 1998 that no executive officers were to receive increases in their base
salary, except for Bruce Elbilia, the executive in charge of export sales for
the Company's United States operations. Mr. Elbilia had his base salary restored
to its former 1997 level of $168,000. During 1998, Mr. Elbilia had his base
salary reduced to $146,045 because he required time away from the Company as the
result of a death in his family.
Mr. Benacin, the President of Inter Parfums Holding S.A., the
Company's direct French subsidiary, and President of Inter Parfums, S.A., the
Company's indirect, operating French subsidiary, is also the President of the
Company. Mr. Benacin's base compensation is paid to him in French francs by the
Company's French operating subsidiary, and has been determined in accordance
with the terms of his employment agreement executed in November 1991. The amount
of his base compensation has remained constant; however, when converted to
United States dollars, such compensation has decreased as the result of
fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
After a thorough review, the Chairman of the Board determined that the
base salaries paid to such executives was fair in the view of their
responsibilities, length of service to the Company, performance and compensation
levels to peers, as to which the Compensation Committee concurs.
Bonus Compensation
During December 1999, Mr. Piette replaced Mr. Caccamo as a
member of the Compensation Committee, and in February 2000, the Committee
approved the payment of cash bonuses for Fiscal 1999. For Fiscal 1999, cash
bonuses were awarded as follows: Mr. Madar, the Chief Executive Officer,
$48,000, Mr. Benacin, $16,000; and $5,000 to each of Messrs. Greenberg, Elbilia
and Hamerling, as the result of their efforts in increasing the profitability of
the Company for Fiscal 1999 from 1997 and 1998.
Annual Incentives
Messrs. Elbilia and Hamerling have their annual incentives tied to
sales, which is directly related to the efficacy and productivity of their areas
of responsibility, export sales and wholesale sales, respectively. The
predicates for the determination and payment of selling commissions to Messrs.
Elbilia and Hamerling were determined in accordance with internal sales and
budget projections. Messrs. Elbilia and Hamerling received, in Fiscal 1999,
$27,985 and $43,388, respectively, in sales commissions.
Long Term Incentives
The long term incentives are geared towards linking benefits to
corporate performance
16
<PAGE>
through the grant of stock options. All options are granted with an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date
of grant, and terminate on or shortly after severance of the relationship
between the Company and the executive. Unless the market price of the Company's
Common Stock increases, corporate executives have will no tangible benefit.
Thus, they are provided with the extra incentive to increase individual
performance with the ultimate goal of increased overall Company performance.
Enhanced executive incentives which result in increased corporate performance
tend to build company loyalty.
The Stock Option Committee was advised that upon the recommendation of
the Chief Executive Officer, no increases in base salary were awarded by the
Compensation Committee to executive officers for Fiscal 1999. However, the Chief
Executive Officer recommended to the Stock Option Committee that, in lieu of
such increases in base salary, additional stock options above those normally
granted should be granted to executive officers, as well as to non-executive
officer employees of the Company who have been working with the Company for five
(5) or more years.
Accordingly, in March 1999, the Stock Option Committee granted options
to purchase 275,000 shares to Messrs. Madar and Benacin, and options to purchase
33,000 to Messrs. Greenberg, Elbilia and Hamerling, at the fair market value on
the date of grant.
The aggregate "potential unrealized value" of such options for Messrs.
Madar and Benacin, calculated in accordance with the rules of the Commission
(see the chart entitled "Options Grants in Last Fiscal Year," supra) is
approximately $436,870 to $965,329. Such potential rewards are a powerful
incentive for increased individual performance, and ultimately increased Company
performance. In view of the fact that the two (2) persons most responsible for
the Company's operations are Messrs. Madar and Benacin, the Compensation
Committee believes such incentives to be fair to both Messrs. Madar and Benacin
and to the Company's stockholders.
For Messrs. Greenberg, Elbilia and Hamerling, the aggregate potential
unrealized value of such options, calculated in accordance with the rules of the
Commission (see the chart entitled "Options Grants in Last Fiscal Year," supra)
is approximately $52,424 to $115,844.
The number of shares for which options were granted was recommended by
the Chairman of the Board. Thus, a portion of their compensation was contingent
on the success of the Company, and in view of the performance of the Company as
a whole and each of the executives individually during Fiscal 1999, the
Compensation Committee believes such incentives are fair to both the executives
and to the Company's stockholders.
Conclusion
17
<PAGE>
The Compensation Committee believes that its present policies to date,
with its emphasis on rewarding performance, has served to focus the efforts of
the Company's executives to achieve of a high rate of growth and profitability
for the Company, which management believes will result in a substantial increase
in value to the Company's stockholders.
Francois Heilbronn
Joseph A. Caccamo (through December 2, 1999)
Jean Levy and
Daniel Piette (commencing in December 2, 1999)
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the performance for the periods
indicated in the graph of the Company's Common Stock with the performance of the
Nasdaq Market Index and the average performance of a group of the Company's peer
corporations consisting of: Alberto-Culver (Class A and B shares), Avon Products
Inc., Azurel, Ltd., Beauticontrol Cosmetics, Block Drug Company, Inc. (Class A
shares), Blyth Industries, Inc., Carson, Inc., CCA Industries, Inc., Colgate
Palmolive Co., Del Laboratories Inc., Dial Corp., Dransfield China Paper,
Drypers Corp., DSG International, Estee Lauder Cosmetics, Inc., Gillette
Company, Guest Supply Inc., Human Pheromone Sciences, Human Pheromone Sciences,
the Company, Medicis Pharmaceutical (Class A), Oralabs Holding Corp., Paragon
Trade Brands, Parlux Fragrances Inc., Playtex Products, Inc., Revlon, Inc., The
Stephan Co., Styling Technology Corp., Surrey Inc., Thermolase Corp., Tristar
Corp. and Yankee Candle Co., Inc. The graph assumes that the value of the
investment in the Company's Common Stock and each index was $100 at the
beginning of the period indicated in the graph, and that all dividends were
reinvested.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPANY/INDEX/MARKET 12/30/1994 12/29/1995 12/31/1996 12/31/1997 12/31/1998 12/31/1999
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Inter Parfums Inc 100.00 108.33 86.67 91.67 81.67 126.67
Personal Products 100.00 137.90 205.99 256.76 284.37 289.45
NASDAQ Market Index 100.00 129.71 161.18 197.16 278.08 490.46
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Audit Committee")
is composed of three (3) independent directors and operates under a written
charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is annexed hereto as
Exhibit "A". The members of the Committee are Francois Heilbronn, Jean Levy and
Jean Cailliau. The Committee recommends to the Board of Directors, subject to
stockholder ratification, the selection of the Company's independent
accountants.
Management is responsible for the Company's internal controls and the
financial reporting process. The independent accountants are responsible for
performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue
a report thereon. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee
these processes.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with
management and the independent accountants. Management represented to the Audit
Committee that the Company's consolidated financial statements were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with
management and the independent accountants. The Audit Committee discussed with
the independent accountants matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).
The Company's independent accountants also provided to the Audit
Committee the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit
Committee discussed with the independent accountants that firm's independence.
Based upon Committee's discussion with management and the independent
accountants and the Audit Committee's review of the representation of management
and the report of the independent accountants to the Audit Committee, the Audit
Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited
consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Francois Heilbronn
Jean Levy
Jean Cailliau
19
<PAGE>
Certain Transactions
Transactions with French Subsidiaries
In connection with the acquisitions by the Company's subsidiary, Inter
Parfums, S.A., of the world-wide rights under the Burberry license agreement,
the Paul Smith license agreement and the Brosseau license agreement, the Company
guaranteed the obligations of Inter Parfums, S.A. under the Burberry license
agreement and the Paul Smith license agreement and the distribution agreement
for Ombre Rose fragrances.
Remuneration of Counsel
Joseph A. Caccamo, a director of the Company, is a partner of Nason,
Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce, P.A., general counsel to the Company. In Fiscal
1999, Mr. Caccamo's firm was paid an aggregate of $141,802 in legal fees and for
reimbursement of disbursements incurred on behalf of the Company. Commencing as
of January, 2000, Mr. Caccamo's law firm receives a monthly retainer of $8,000
together with reimbursement for expenses. Mr. Caccamo's firm also receives $500
for each board meeting at which he participates.
On February 1, 2000 in accordance with the terms of the Company's stock
option plan, Mr. Caccamo was granted an option with a term of five years to
purchase 4,000 shares at $10.1875 per share, the fair market value at the time
of grant. He holds those options as nominee for his firm.
Transactions with LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A.
In March 1999, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement
with the Christian Lacroix Company (a division of Group LVMH) for the worldwide
development, manufacture and distribution of perfumes.
On November 22, 1999, Mr. Jean Madar, the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Philippe Benacin, the Vice Chairman
of the Board and President of the Company, entered into and closed a Stock
Purchase Agreement with LV Capital, USA Inc. ("LV Capital"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. ("LVMH"). Counsel to the
Company represented Messrs. Madar and Benacin in this transaction without any
additional charge.
In accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, LV
Capital purchased an aggregate of 849,200 shares of Common Stock of the
Company, at $12.00 per share as follows: 260,000 shares (inclusive of 50,000
shares acquired upon exercise of an outstanding stock option) from each of
Messrs. Madar and Benacin, and an aggregate of 329,200 shares (inclusive of
212,200) shares issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options) from
20
<PAGE>
management and employees. As the result of such transaction, LV Capital
increased its beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company to
approximately 20.5% of the outstanding shares, and the Company received
proceeds of approximately $4.2 million as the result of the exercise of the
outstanding stock options.
In addition, LV Capital and Messrs. Madar and Benacin have executed and
delivered a Shareholders' Agreement relating to certain corporate governance
issues, including increasing the number of Board members from seven (7) to ten
(10), granting two (2) seats on the Board of directors to designees of LV
Capital, and annual limitations on the grant of employee stock options. See
Proposal No. 2 regarding the proposal to amend the Company Certificate of
Incorporation to require the unanimous vote of the members of the Board of
Directors for certain actions to be taken by the Company.
Further, in return for LV Capital becoming a strategic partner of the
Company, LV Capital was granted the right to maintain is percentage ownership
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, by receiving an option to purchase
shares of the Company for cash at fair market value upon issuance of shares to
any party other than LV Capital, subject to certain exceptions; and was granted
demand registrations rights for all shares of Common Stock it holds. Finally,
LV Capital has agreed to a standstill agreement, which includes a limitation on
the amount of shares that LV Capital can hold equal to twenty-five percent
(25%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
PROPOSAL NO. 2:
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION,
TO PROVIDE FOR UNANIMOUS BOARD VOTES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders
adopt an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended ("Certificate of Incorporation"), which generally provides for the
requirement of the unanimous vote of the members of the Board of Directors for
certain actions to be taken by the Company. A copy of the amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation is annexed hereto as Exhibit "B" (the
"Amendment").
Background
As disclosed above, in November 1999, Mr. Jean Madar, the Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Philippe Benacin, the
Vice Chairman of the Board and President of the Company, entered into and closed
a Stock Purchase Agreement with LV Capital. In accordance with the terms of the
Stock Purchase Agreement, LV Capital
21
<PAGE>
increased its beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company to
approximately 20.5% of the outstanding shares, and the Company received proceeds
of approximately $4.2 million as the result of the exercise of the outstanding
stock options. In addition, LV Capital and Messrs. Madar and Benacin executed
and delivered a Shareholders' Agreement relating to certain corporate governance
issues, including (i) increasing the number of Board members from seven (7) to
ten (10); (ii) granting two (2) seats on the Board of directors to designees of
LV Capital; and (iii) requiring the unanimous vote of the members of the Board
of Directors for certain actions to be taken by the Company.
LV Capital, as a condition to increasing its investment in the Company
and becoming a strategic partner of the Company, required the unanimous
director consent provisions as discussed below. In December 1999, the members
of the Board of Directors unanimously authorized the Amendment, and recommended
that the stockholders adopt the Amendment.
The Provisions and Effects of Amendment
The relevant provisions of the Amendment effectively give any one (1)
director the ability to veto any of the corporate transactions listed below. The
Amendment provides for the requirement of the unanimous vote of the members of
the Board of Directors for certain actions to be taken by the Company, as
follows:
(a) any material change in the business of the Company from
its existing business;
(b) issuance by the Company of any securities for less than
the fair market value thereof (except for stock splits, stock dividends and
employee and nonemployee director options to acquire Common Stock granted with
an exercise price per share at the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant);
(c) borrowing in excess of the consolidated stockholder's
equity as shown in the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company for the
then most recently completed fiscal year;
(d) any transaction by the Company with either Messrs. Madar
or Benacin, or any of their affiliates (except for executive compensation issues
or reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, both in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with its past practices);
(e) declaration or payment of dividends in excess of thirty
percent (30%) of the net income of the Company for the then most recently
completed fiscal year;
22
<PAGE>
(f) sale or other disposition of all or any substantial
portion of the business or a controlling interest of, Inter Parfums, S.A., the
Company's indirect, French subsidiary; (however, this does not include the
discontinuance of any product line, unless such discontinuance involves a sale
or other disposition, and the net sales attributable to all such product lines
exceeds in the aggregate five percent (5%) of the net sales of the Company for
the then most recently completed fiscal year);
(g) merger, consolidation or other business combination (i) if
not for fair value; or (ii) with a person not engaged primarily in the same
business of the Company (except for one or a series of mergers or
consolidations, the value of which does not singularly or in the aggregate
exceed five percent (5%) of the total assets of the Company as of the then most
recently completed fiscal year);
(h) any change in the number of the members of the Board of
Directors to less than six (6) or more than ten (10) members; and
(i) any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or
by-laws of the Company.
Possible Anti-Takeover Devices
As the amendment requires the unanimous consent of the Board of
Directors for a merger, consolidation or other business combination, the
Amendment could preclude or make difficult merger or takeover attempts, and
adoption of the Amendment might enhance the ability of the Company to deter
potential takeover attempts. However, the Certificate of Incorporation presently
contains 1,000,000 authorized shares of a class of preferred stock, par value
$.001 per share ("Preferred Stock"), which may consist of one or more series,
the relative rights, preferences and privileges of which the Board of Directors
may, from time to time, establish and designate, which could be issued by the
Board for use as an anti-takeover device. In addition, the By-Laws provide for
certain requirements in connection with the submission of shareholder proposals,
which may also be deemed as an anti-takeover devise. Further, Messrs. Madar and
Benacin own a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with a majority
of voting rights, which could be used for the same purpose.
Although the Board of Directors would make such a determination based
on its judgement as to what are the best interests of the stockholders, the
Board of Directors as a whole or any member of the Board could act so as to
discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction viewed favorably by the
holders of a substantial minority of the outstanding voting stock of the
Company. On balance, however, the Board of Directors believes that the
advantages of the association with LVMH, the largest luxury goods conglomerate
in the world, outweigh any resulting potential disadvantages to the
stockholders.
23
<PAGE>
The Board of Directors does not presently contemplate adopting, or
recommending to the stockholders for their adoption, any further amendments to
the Certificate of Incorporation which would affect the ability of third parties
to take over or change control of the Company. Other than 1,000,000 authorized
shares of Preferred Stock and the By-Law requirements in connection with
shareholder proposals, the Board of Directors does not believe that the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company presently contain any
other provisions which should be viewed as having an anti-takeover effect.
In connection with the Amendment, stockholders should review the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, management's
discussion and analysis, and the opinions of the Company's independent certified
public accountants contained in the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders
which accompanies this Proxy Statement.
Fairness of Amendment
The Board of Directors believes that the Amendment is fair to all
stockholders as it will serve valid corporate purposes as described above, which
management believes will increase stockholder value.
Interests of Management
The Directors recognize that approval of the Amendment may be in their
personal interest and could represent a conflict of interest, because the
Amendment could be used as an anti-takeover device to entrench management, by
discouraging or making difficult a takeover attempt or business combination,
which might otherwise be beneficial to stockholders and the Company. In
addition, Messrs. Madar and Benacin, as well as all of the other directors of
the Company (other than Messrs. Piette and Cailliau, the designees of LV
Capital), participated in the private sale of shares to LV Capital, which
requested the Amendment.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors has determined that in view of the benefits of
being associated with the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate will play
in the growth of the Company, it would be in the best interests of the Company
to adopt the Amendment. Therefore, the Board of Directors recommends that you
vote in favor of this proposal.
Required Vote
Delaware General Corporation Law Section 242 provides that in order for
the Company to file the Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock is required for the passage of this proposal.
24
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of stockholders must be received in writing, by the President of the
Company at its offices by March 7, 2001, in order to be considered for inclusion
in the Company's proxy statement relating to that meeting.
If a shareholder intends to make a proposal at the 2001 Annual Meeting,
such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to
the Secretary of he Company, in compliance with Section 8 of Article II of the
Company's By-Laws. To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Company not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to
the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders
i.e., between April 13, 2001 and May 13, 2001; however, that in the event that
the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days
before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual
meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting
was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary
must set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the
annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought
before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
annual meeting, (b) the name and record address of such shareholder, (c) the
class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are
owned-beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (d) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and any other person or
persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business
by such shareholder and any material interest of such shareholder in such
business and (e) a representation that such shareholder intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the
meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Annie Failler, Secretary
25
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
There is hereby established a committee of the board of directors of
Inter Parfums, Inc. (the "Corporation"), to be known as the Audit Committee. The
Audit Committee shall be composed of not less than three (3) directors of the
Company who are independent of the management of the Company.
Membership
Members of the Audit Committee shall be considered independent if they
have no relationship to the Company that may interfere with the exercise of
their independence from management and the Company. All Audit Committee members
will be financially literate, and at least one member will have accounting or
related financial management expertise.
No one shall serve on the Audit Committee if such person:
o is or has been employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates for
the current year or any of the past three (3) years;
o has accepted any compensation from the Company or any of its
Affiliates in excess of $60,000 during the previous fiscal year, other than
compensation for board service, benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan,
or non-discretionary compensation;
o has a member of his Immediate Family who is, or has been, in any of
the past three (3) years, employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates as an
Executive Officer;
o is a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an Executive Officer
of, any for-profit business organization to which the Company made, or from
which the Company received, payments (other than those arising in solely from
investments in the Company's securities) that exceeded five percent (5%) of the
Company's or business organization's consolidated gross revenues for that year,
or $200,000, whichever is more, in any of the past three (3) years;
o is employed as an Executive Officer of another entity where any of
the Company's executives serve on that entity's compensation committee;
o is not able to read and understand fundamental financial statements,
including a Corporation's balance sheet, income statement, and case flow
statement or will not become able to do so within a reasonable period of time
after appointment to the audit committee;
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For purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
Affiliate. An Affiliate of a person is one who directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under
common control with such person.
Executive Officers. This term is defined to mean the president,
treasurer, any vice-president in charge of a principal business function (such
as sales, administration, or finance) and any other person who performs similar
policy making functions.
Immediate Family. The term Immediate Family includes a person's spouse,
parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law,
sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and anyone who resides in such
person's home.
In addition, at least one member of the audit committee must have
employment experience in finance or accounting, professional certification in
accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in
the individual's financial sophistication, including being or having been a
chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with
financial oversight responsibilities.
Statement of Policy
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the directors of the
Company in fulfilling their responsibility to the shareholders and investment
community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the Company,
and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company. In so
doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open
means of communication between the directors, the independent auditors, and the
financial management of the Company.
Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes its
policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to
changing conditions and to ensure to the directors and shareholders that the
corporate accounting and reporting practices of the Company are in accordance
with all requirements and are of the highest quality.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the Audit Committee will:
o Obtain the full board of directors' approval of this Charter and
review and reassess this Charter as conditions dictate (at least
annually).
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o Review and recommend to the directors the independent auditors to be
selected to audit the financial statements of the Company and its
divisions and subsidiaries.
o Have a clear understanding with the independent auditors that they are
ultimately accountable to the board of directors and the Audit
Committee, as the shareholders' representatives, who have the ultimate
authority in deciding to engage, evaluate, and if appropriate,
terminate their services.
o Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of the
Company to review the scope of the proposed audit for the current year
and timely review of the Company's quarterly reports, and the audit
procedures to be utilized, and at the conclusion thereof review such
audit or review, including any comments or recommendations of the
independent auditors.
o Review with the independent auditors and the Company's financial and
accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting
and financial controls of the Company, and elicit any recommendations
for the improvement of such internal control procedures or particular
areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable.
Particular emphasis should be given to the adequacy of such internal
controls to expose any payments, transactions, or procedures that
might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper. Further, the committee
periodically should review the Company's policy statements to
determine their adherence to the code of conduct.
o Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to
shareholders with management and the independent auditors to determine
that the independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and
content of the financial statements to be presented to the
shareholders. Any changes in accounting principles should be reviewed.
o Provide sufficient opportunity for the independent auditors to meet
with the members of the Audit Committee without members of management
present. Among the items to be discussed in these meetings are the
independent auditors' evaluation of the Company's financial,
accounting, and auditing personnel, and the cooperation that the
independent auditors received during the course of the audit.
o Review accounting and financial human resources and succession
planning within the Company.
o Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee to, or
discuss the matters discussed at each committee meeting with, the
board of directors.
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o Investigate any matters brought to its attention within the scope of
its duties, with the power to retain outside counsel for this purpose
if, in its judgment, that is appropriate.
o Review the quarterly financial statements with financial management
and the independent auditors prior to the filing of the Form 10-Q (or
prior to the press release of results, if possible) to determine that
the independent auditors do not take exception to the disclosure and
content of the financial statements, and discuss any other matters
required to be communicated to the committee by the auditors. The
chair of the committee may represent the entire committee for purposes
of this review.
o Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to
shareholders with management and the independent auditors to determine
that the independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and
content of the financial statements to be presented to the
shareholders. Review with financial management and the independent
auditors the results of their timely analysis of significant financial
reporting issues and practices, including changes in, or adoptions of,
accounting principals and disclosure practices, and discuss any other
matters required to be communicated to the committee by the auditors.
Also review with financial management and the independent auditors
their judgments about the quality, not just acceptability, of
accounting principles and the clarity of the financial disclosure
practices used or proposed to be used, and particularly, the degree of
aggressiveness or conservatism of the organization's accounting
principles and underlying estimates, and other significant decisions
made in preparing the financial statements.
o On an annual basis, obtain from the independent auditors a written
communication delineating all their relationships and professional
services as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. In addition, review
with the independent auditors the nature and scope of any disclosed
relationships or professional services and take, or recommend that the
board of directors take, appropriate action to ensure the continuing
independence of the auditors.
o Review the report of the Audit Committee in the annual report to
shareholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K disclosing whether or
not the committee had reviewed and discussed with management and the
independent auditors, as well as discussed within the committee
(without management or the independent auditors present), the
financial statements and the quality of accounting principles and
significant judgments affecting the financial statements. In addition,
disclose the committee's conclusion on the fairness of presentation of
the financial statements in conformity with GAAP based on those
discussions.
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o Review the Company's disclosure in the proxy statement for its annual
meeting of shareholders that describes that the Committee has
satisfied its responsibilities under this Charter for the prior year.
In addition, include a copy of this Charter in the annual report to
shareholders or the proxy statement at least triennially or the year
after any significant amendment to the Charter.
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Exhibit B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
The following is the text of the new Article Ninth of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended:
NINTH: Without in any way limiting the power and authority of the Board
of Directors as otherwise provided for herein, the following corporate actions
shall require the approval of the Board of Directors:
(a) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of all or
any material portion of the assets of the Company (including, without
limitation, any shares of any subsidiary of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries);
(b) the acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
of shares, securities or assets of any company or entity, whether by merger,
consolidation or other business combination, share purchase, asset purchase,
contribution to capital or otherwise (other than short-term financial
investments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);
(c) the entry, renewal or termination by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries into/of any trademark license agreement; or
(d) any material agreement or material transaction involving
the Company or any of its subsidiaries and not in the ordinary course of
business.
Notwithstanding anything in these Articles to the contrary, the
following corporate actions shall require the unanimous approval of the Board of
Directors (as constituted without any vacancies):
(a) any material change in the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries from Business of the Company and its subsidiaries;
(b) issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
securities in return for consideration less than the Fair Market Value thereof
(except for stock splits, stock dividends and employee and nonemployee director
options to acquire Common Stock granted with an exercise price per share at the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant);
(c) borrowing or issuing any evidence of indebtedness by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries unless, after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate amount of indebtedness
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of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not greater than
the consolidated stockholder's equity as shown in the audited Consolidated
Balance Sheet of the Company for the then most recently completed fiscal year;
(d) any transaction by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
with a Majority Shareholder or any Affiliate of a Majority Shareholder;
notwithstanding the foregoing, unanimous board consent shall not apply to
executive compensation issues or reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of
the Company, both in the ordinary course of business in accordance with its past
practices;
(e) declaration or payment of dividends if the aggregate
amount of dividends paid by the Company and its subsidiaries (excluding
wholly-owned subsidiaries) in respect of any fiscal year is more than thirty
percent (30%) of the annual net income of the Company for the then most recently
completed fiscal year, as indicated by the audited Consolidated Statements of
Income of the Company;
(f) direct or indirect sale or other disposition of all or any
substantial portion of the business of or a controlling interest in, or all or
substantially all of the assets of, Inter Parfums, S.A., the Company's indirect,
French subsidiary; notwithstanding the foregoing, unanimous board consent shall
not be deemed to apply to discontinuance of any product line, unless such
discontinuance involves a sale or other disposition, and the net sales
attributable to all such product lines exceeds in the aggregate five percent
(5%) of the net sales of the Company for the then most recently completed fiscal
year as indicated by the audited Consolidated Statements of Income of the
Company;
(g) merger or consolidation or other business combination
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) if not for fair value; or
(ii) with a person not engaged primarily in the Business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (except for one or a series of mergers or consolidations, the value
of which does not singularly or in the aggregate exceed five percent (5%) of the
total assets of the Company as of the then most recently completed fiscal year
(valued at historical cost) as reflected on the audited Consolidated Balance
Sheets of the Company);
(h) any change in the number of the members of the Board of
Directors to less than six (6) or more than ten (10) members; and
(i) any amendment to the certificate of incorporation or
by-laws of the Company.
In addition, the Company shall cause its subsidiaries not to take any of the
foregoing actions except with the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors
of the Company (as constituted without any vacancies).
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As used in this Article Ninth, the following terms shall have the
meanings as hereinafter set forth:
1. Affiliates. Solely for purposes of this Article Ninth, an
"Affiliate," in the case of LV Capital, shall mean a corporation, entity or
person which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with LV Capital, including but not limited to, those persons and
entities listed in the Schedule 13D dated August 5, 1999, filed by LVMH, but not
the Company; in the case of Corporation, shall mean a corporation, entity or
person which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the Company, including but not limited to, the Majority
Shareholders, but not LV Capital; and in the case of the Majority Shareholders,
shall mean a corporation, entity or person which directly or indirectly controls
or is controlled by or is under common control with the Majority Shareholders
including but not limited to, each of the Majority Shareholders and the Company,
but not LV Capital.
2. Business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The term "Business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries" shall be defined to mean the production,
manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of fragrance products, perfumes,
eau de toilette, eau de cologne, deodorants, cosmetics, health and beauty and
personal care products, for men, women and children.
3. Fair Market Value. The term "Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock
or other security of the Company shall be determined by the Board of Directors
in the exercise of its good faith discretion. The determination of the Board of
Directors shall be conclusive in determining the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock in good faith; provided that if LV Capital disagrees with such
determination, it shall be entitled, at its own cost and expense, to select
(with the consent of the Majority Shareholders, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld) an investment banking or accounting firm of nationally
recognized standing to arbitrate such dispute, and the decision of such
arbitrator will be binding upon the parties.
4. Majority Shareholders. The "Majority Shareholders" means Jean Madar
and Philippe Benacin.
5. LV Capital and LVMH. The term "LV Capital" means LV Capital USA,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect subsidiary of LVMH, and the term
LVMH means LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, S.A., a French corporation.
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INTER PARFUMS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin as
proxies (the "Proxies"), each with power of substitution and resubstitution, to
vote all shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of Inter Parfums,
Inc. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned on June 9, 2000 at the
Annual Meeting of stockholders to be held at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York 10176, July 12, 2000 at 10:00 A.M. New York City time, or at any
adjournments thereof, as directed below, and in their discretion on all other
matters coming before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Please mark boxes [ ] in blue or black ink.
1. Election of ten (10) directors: Jean Madar, Philippe Benacin, Russell
Greenberg, Francois Heilbronn, Joseph A. Caccamo, Jean Levy, Robert
Bensoussan-Torres, Daniel Piette, Jean Cailliau and Philippe Santi.
(Mark only one of the two boxes for this item)
[ ] VOTE FOR all nominees named above except those who may be named on
this line:______________________________________
(OR)
[ ] VOTE WITHHELD as to all nominees named above.
2. Proposal to adopt an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to require the unanimous vote of the members of the
Board of Directors for certain actions to be taken by the Company:
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
All properly executed proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in
accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unless instructions to the
contrary are indicated, proxies will be voted FOR the election of ten (10)
directors; and FOR proposal 2.
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
<PAGE>
Please mark, date, sign and return this Proxy promptly in the enclosed
envelope.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized
officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Dated: , 2000
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X
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Signature
X
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Print Name(s)
X
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Signature, if held jointly
