<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 30, 1998.
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ____________________.
Commission file number 0-21862
OROAMERICA, INC.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 94-2385342
- ------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
443 North Varney Street, Burbank, California 91502
- -------------------------------------------- -------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (818) 848-5555
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.001 par value
-----------------------------
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
------ ------
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of April 24, 1998, computed by reference to the closing sales
price as reported on The Nasdaq National Market on such date, was $25,164,447.
In determining such market value, shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
each executive officer and director have been excluded.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Class Number of Shares Outstanding on April 24, 1998
- ----- ----------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.001 par value 6,255,378
</TABLE>
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to this form, the information
required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) hereof is incorporated by
reference from the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual
Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on June 23, 1998.
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Since its inception in 1977, OroAmerica, Inc. ("OroAmerica" or the
"Company") has grown to become the nation's largest manufacturer and distributor
of karat gold jewelry. The Company offers its customers a large selection of
jewelry styles, consistent product quality, and prompt delivery of product
orders, and provides a wide range of specialized services. The Company's
customers include mass merchandisers, discount stores, home shopping networks,
catalogue showrooms, warehouse clubs, and jewelry wholesalers and distributors.
In fiscal 1998, sales were made to approximately 700 customers, with sales
to the Company's ten largest customers accounting for approximately 54% of net
sales.
OroAmerica's principal product line consists of an extensive selection
of 14 karat gold chains that are offered in a variety of popular styles, gauges,
and lengths. The Company also offers its customers a wide assortment of 14 karat
gold charms, earrings, rings, and bracelets and a line of 10 karat gold jewelry
that includes both chain and non-chain products. Although OroAmerica intends to
continue to aggressively market its karat gold chain product lines, it also
intends to continue its strategy of attempting to increase its sales of
non-chain karat gold products by regularly introducing new styles and building
upon relationships with existing customers. The Company also has a line of
sterling silver jewelry and, since May 1994, has engaged in the design,
manufacture, and distribution of karat gold jewelry accented with diamonds and
colored gemstones.
The Company operates a manufacturing plant at its Burbank, California,
facility where it makes a substantial portion of its products from semi-finished
materials, gold bullion, and other raw materials. The Company also has four
other manufacturing plants, which the Company uses for the manufacture of rope
chain and other karat gold jewelry products, in facilities located in South
America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Company believes that its
manufacturing capabilities better enable it to respond to customer requests for
customized products, provide greater flexibility, and complement its outside
sources of supply. The Company's manufacturing expertise and experience also
enable it to better support and monitor the operations of its outside
suppliers.
During fiscal 1998, the Company launched a premium cigar business with
the formation of CigarAmerica, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Please see "OTHER BUSINESSES" below for additional information concerning
OroAmerica's new consumer product lines.
JEWELRY PRODUCTS
The Company seeks to provide its customers with a full line of high
quality karat gold jewelry products that incorporate traditional styles and
designs. While the Company regularly updates its product lines and offers new
products, it seeks to avoid designs incorporating fashion trends which are
expected to have short life cycles. The Company currently offers over 1,800
styles of gold chains, charms, earrings, bracelets, and rings and over 1,000
styles of sterling silver chains, charms, earrings, bracelets, and rings,
representing in total approximately 16,000 SKU's. The Company's products are
moderately priced, with the majority of its gold products retailing at prices
between $30 and $200 and a majority of its sterling
-2-
<PAGE> 3
silver products retailing at prices between $10 and $30. The Company's products
are intended to appeal to consumers who are value-conscious as well as
fashion-conscious.
The Company's principal product line consists of an extensive selection
of 14 karat gold rope and flat chains. Rope chains, as their name implies, have
a woven, rope-like appearance and typically are handmade. Flat chains are made
by specialized machinery which hammers the chain into various patterns. The
Company's other jewelry products include 14 karat gold charms, earrings,
bracelets and rings, 14 karat gold jewelry set or accented with diamonds and
colored gemstones, a line of 10 karat gold jewelry which includes both chain and
non-chain products, sterling silver jewelry and a line of 14 karat gold
interwoven with sterling silver or with sterling silver accents. A major portion
of the Company's jewelry is finished using the diamond-cut process, a technique
which etches the surface of the jewelry to create a brilliant, faceted
appearance. The Company believes it was one of the first manufacturers to
utilize the diamond-cut process in the production of rope chains.
The following table shows sales by product category as a percentage of
total net sales of karat gold and sterling silver products for fiscal 1998,
1997, and 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31, February 2,
1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
14 karat gold chains 50.7% 52.7% 56.6%
14 karat gold non-chains products 22.9 21.5 17.1
10 karat gold jewelry(1) 19.0 20.2 21.2
18 karat & 9 karat gold jewelry 1.0 0.2 0.1
Sterling silver jewelry 6.4 5.4 5.0
---------- ---------- --------
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------
(1) Includes both chain and non-chain products
The Company maintains a staff of designers at its Burbank facility who
work directly with the Company's senior officers and marketing personnel to
create and develop new products meeting the needs and desires of the Company's
customers. In addition, the Company's marketing and merchandising staff work
closely with major customers to develop products that are sold exclusively by
those customers.
The Company's product line includes approximately 200 products that are
a permanent part of its jewelry line. These products are traditionally designed
karat gold chains and other jewelry products for which there has been consistent
demand. The Company continually strives to update the balance of its product
line with innovative, new styles. New styles primarily are introduced three
times each year, in connection with major trade shows, and replace older styles
whose performance has declined. The Company closely monitors sales of its new
styles and promptly discontinues any styles which fail to achieve desired sales
levels.
The Company seeks to obtain proprietary protection for its products
whenever possible. The Company's Silk Rope(R) (a line of rope chain that is
manufactured from an increased number of thinner links as compared to a standard
rope chain of comparable gauge and appearance) is manufactured using processes
covered by a utility patent owned by the Company, which is due to expire in
2004. The Company's SupremeValue Rope(R) (a line of simulated
-3-
<PAGE> 4
diamond-cut rope chains that is manufactured using hollow rather than solid gold
links) is manufactured using processes covered by two utility patents that were
purchased by the Company from an unaffiliated party in April 1994, and said
patents are due to expire in 2009. The patents previously were utilized by the
Company pursuant to the terms of a license agreement with the prior owner. The
Company also offers a line of diamond cut rope chain and a line of 14 karat gold
diamond cut "tennis" bracelets, and matching gold earrings, necklaces and rings,
which are marketed by the Company pursuant to the terms of a license agreement
with an unaffiliated party.
Together with the QVC Network, the Company markets and sells a specially
selected and packaged line of karat gold jewelry under the name Beverly Hills
Gold(R). The Company believes there is strong recognition of the Beverly Hills
Gold(R) trademark with viewers of the QVC Network and that this recognition has
enhanced sales of these products. During fiscal 1997, the Company introduced its
Precious Precious(R) line of jewelry, which features 14 karat gold earrings,
necklaces, bracelets, and rings interwoven with sterling silver or with sterling
silver accents.
The Company has expanded its line of karat gold jewelry products by its
acquisition of Jerry Prince, Inc. ("JPI"), a San Diego-based jewelry company.
JPI specializes in the design and distribution of fine gold jewelry, including
necklaces, bracelets, pendants, charms, and other specialty precious metal
jewelry items. See "Other Business Developments" below.
The Company also generally applies for copyrights covering the design of
its charms and other selected products. During fiscal 1998, sales of products
manufactured or marketed pursuant to the Silk Rope(R) and SupremeValue(R) Rope
patents, license agreements, copyrights or the Beverly Hills Gold(R) and
Precious Precious(R) trademarks accounted for approximately 24.4% of the
Company's net sales. See "Patents and Trademarks" below.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company's jewelry sales and marketing operations are divided into
retail and wholesale divisions, with the retail division accounting for
approximately three quarters of the Company's total net sales. The marketing
efforts of the Company's retail division are directed towards large retailers,
such as mass merchandisers and discount stores, catalogue showrooms, national
and regional jewelry chains, home shopping networks, warehouse clubs, and
department stores. The wholesale division markets to jewelry wholesalers and
distributors. The Company's marketing efforts emphasize maintaining and building
upon the Company's relationships with existing customers.
The Company recognizes that providing exceptional customer service is an
essential element of its marketing program. The Company maintains an extensive
inventory of finished goods which, when coupled with its manufacturing
capabilities, enables it to rapidly fill customer orders. The Company's
marketing efforts emphasize its ability to fill orders in a prompt and
reliable fashion.
In addition to prompt and reliable order fulfillment, the Company offers
a wide variety of customer support services designed to meet the individual
needs of its customers. For many of the Company's retail customers, the Company
prepackages, price-tags, and bar codes individual
-4-
<PAGE> 5
pieces of jewelry, and then ships an assortment of many prepackaged items to
individual retail locations. Other services provided to retail customers include
advertising and merchandising support, point-of-sale displays, and training for
sales employees. The Company also is able to provide to its customers
computer-generated reports analyzing the customers' sales and information
regarding market trends.
In order to fill customer orders more quickly and efficiently, the
Company has implemented an Electronic Data Interchange ("EDI") program with
certain retail customers. Under this program, the Company electronically
receives purchase orders from participating customers and electronically
transmits to the customer order acknowledgements, invoices, and advance shipping
notices. Certain large retailers require their vendors to utilize EDI programs.
During fiscal 1998, approximately 62% of the Company's net sales were made
pursuant to orders received through the EDI program.
Sales of new products often are first made by the Company's wholesale
division. The jewelry wholesalers and distributors who purchase the products
from the Company typically will promote the new products to their retail
customers. The promotional efforts of the wholesale division's customers
provide a cost-effective method for determining whether new products will be
accepted in the marketplace and, in the case of successful products, help
generate interest in the new products throughout the retail sector, including
with customers of the Company's retail division. Customers of the jewelry
wholesale division also serve as an outlet for discontinued products that are no
longer offered to retail customers.
Marketing of the Company's products is conducted primarily from the
Company's Burbank offices through its direct sales force, which includes sales
personnel and customer service representatives. In addition, the Company
maintains a showroom in New York City and a sales office in the Jewelry Mart
area of Los Angeles which serves small wholesale customers, and the Company
utilizes the services of independent sales representatives who market to retail
customers and are compensated on a commission basis. The Company's products are
promoted through the use of product catalogues and brochures, advertisements in
trade publications, trade show exhibitions, and promotional events with
retailers. The Company does not advertise its products directly to consumers.
Prices are based in a large part on the price of gold. Prices charged
to individual customers may vary based on the services required by the customer.
The Company protects itself from fluctuations in the price of gold between order
dates and dates of sale by maintaining forward contracts for the purchase of
gold in amounts and for periods of time that approximately correspond to the
Company's obligations under such orders. If the market price of gold increases
between the order date and the date of sale, the Company is able to offset the
increase in the cost of the gold included in the products shipped to the
customer by the gain resulting from the liquidation of its position under the
related forward contracts. To the
-5-
<PAGE> 6
extent the Company does not maintain appropriate forward contracts, the Company
will be exposed to the costs associated with a subsequent increase in the price
of gold.
The Company accepts returns of products with defects in materials or
workmanship. The Company also accepts returns of certain items, primarily from
large retailers, in order to maintain customer goodwill and as part of
promotional programs. Returns of products which are not defective generally are
made as part of stock balancing transactions in which the returned products are
replaced with products better suited to the customer's needs. In addition, the
Company makes a limited amount of sales on a consignment basis (transactions in
which products are delivered to customers for more than 30 days under terms
which permit the customer to defer paying for the products until they are sold
to its customers). For further information regarding the Company's returns, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - General."
While the Company sold its products to approximately 700 customers in
fiscal 1998, sales to the Company's ten largest customers accounted for
approximately 54% of net sales, and sales to the Company's 50 largest customers
accounted for approximately 84% of net sales. During fiscal 1998, sales to
Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 16.4% of net sales. No other customer
accounted for more than 10% of net sales. The Company has no long-term
contractual relationships with any of its customers.
MANUFACTURING AND PURCHASING
The Company's products are acquired through three sources: (1) products
manufactured by the Company from gold bullion and other raw materials; (2)
products completed by the Company from materials ("semi-finished materials")
partially fabricated by outside manufacturers; and (3) products purchased as
finished goods. During fiscal 1998, the Company manufactured approximately
85% of its products from semi-finished materials and from gold bullion and
other raw materials and purchased approximately 15% of its products as
finished goods. The principal products manufactured by the Company from raw
materials are cast jewelry, such as charms, rings, earrings and bracelets, and
certain styles of rope chain. Semi-finished materials primarily consist of
spools of rope chain in which the individual links have been woven and soldered
by hand by outside manufacturers and at offshore manufacturing facilities
operated by the Company.
Jewelry manufacturing operations performed by the Company at its Burbank
facility include: combining pure gold with other metals to produce karat gold;
manufacturing cast jewelry; fabricating links used in the manufacture of the
Company's rope chains; manufacturing certain styles of rope chain through the
use of specialized machinery; and finishing operations such as cutting chains to
the desired length, attaching clasps, cleaning, polishing, and diamond cutting.
The Company believes that its manufacturing capabilities better enable it to
respond to requests for customized products, provide greater flexibility, and
complement its outside sources of supply. The Company also believes that the
expertise derived from its manufacturing operations better enables it to support
and monitor the activities of its outside manufacturers.
As part of its manufacturing operations, the Company also completes the
fabrication of semi-finished jewelry items, principally handmade rope chain.
While the Company uses machinery to manufacture certain styles of rope chain,
-6-
<PAGE> 7
the individual links in most of the Company's rope chain styles are woven by
hand to form gold chains. Because this process is highly labor intensive, the
Company typically utilizes the services of manufacturers located in countries
with lower labor costs to perform the required weaving and soldering, both with
links fabricated by the Company and with links fabricated by the outside
manufacturers from gold supplied, in most instances, by the Company. The
principal manufacturers currently utilized by the Company are located in South
America. After the hand soldering operations have been completed, the chains are
returned to the Company for finishing. Finishing operations performed by the
Company include diamond cutting, cutting the chain to the desired length,
soldering a clasp to the chain and tumbling, polishing and cleaning the finished
products.
The Company maintains a close working relationship with, and provides
ongoing technical support to, the outside manufacturers who participate in the
production of its rope chains. For further information regarding the Company's
use of outside manufacturers, including certain risks associated therewith, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - General."
In order to reduce OroAmerica's reliance on outside manufacturers of its
rope chain products, the Company manufactures rope chain at four facilities
operated by the Company in South America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. In
fiscal 1998, production from these facilities accounted for approximately 70%
of the rope chain products sold by the Company. While the Company anticipates
that its overseas manufacturing facilities will reduce its use of outside
manufacturers for the production of rope chain products, the Company does not
intend to consolidate the production of rope chain products at Company-operated
facilities and anticipates that it will continue to rely on the services of
independent outside manufacturers for the production of a substantial portion of
its rope chain products.
In addition to products manufactured from gold bullion and semi-finished
materials, the Company purchases finished products from suppliers located
principally in Europe and the United States. The principal items purchased by
the Company are machine-made flat chains; other items purchased as finished
goods include rings, bracelets, earrings, and charms. Jewelry purchased by the
Company frequently is manufactured under an arrangement whereby the Company
supplies all necessary gold bullion and pays a manufacturing charge and
applicable duties at the time of delivery.
During fiscal 1998, the Company purchased gold products from over 190
suppliers. The largest supplier accounted for approximately 5% of the
Company's total purchases, and the ten largest suppliers accounted for
approximately 31%. Although a substantial portion of the Company's purchases
are concentrated with a relatively small number of suppliers, the Company does
not believe the loss of any supplier would have a material adverse effect on its
business. Alternative sources of supply for the finished goods purchased by the
Company are readily available. During recent years, the Company has increased
its outside manufacturing sources and believes it could shift production to
other manufacturers currently providing services to it and that other sources of
supply would be available if the Company were to lose the services of any of
these outside manufacturers. The Company also believes that the establishment of
its own overseas manufacturing facilities for the production of rope chain
products has served to lessen its reliance on the services provided by
independent outside
-7-
<PAGE> 8
manufacturers. The Company has no long-term contractual relationships with any
of its suppliers.
GOLD CONSIGNMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Company's primary source of gold used in the manufacturing process
(including gold supplied by the Company to its outside manufacturers) is gold
acquired through consignment arrangements with various banks and bullion
dealers. The cost to the Company of the consignment program is substantially
less than the costs that would be incurred if the Company were to finance the
purchase of all of its gold requirements at the commencement of the production
process with borrowings under its revolving credit facility or other credit
arrangements. The consignment program allows the Company to maintain high
inventory levels at a relatively low cost, thereby enabling it to respond more
promptly to customer demand.
The Company currently has in place agreements with several institutions
that provide gold to the Company on a consignment basis. Title to consigned
gold, including consigned gold incorporated into finished products, remains with
the consigning institution until the Company purchases the gold. This
substantially insulates the Company from the risk of gold price fluctuation;
however, during the period of consignment, the entire risk of loss or damage
to the gold is borne by the Company.
Under the consignment arrangements, the Company may defer the purchase
of gold used in the manufacturing process and held in inventory until the time
of sale of finished products to customers. Financing costs under the consignment
arrangements currently are approximately 3% per annum of the market value of the
gold held under consignment, computed daily. At the time of sale, the Company
purchases the gold included in the finished products at current market prices.
Alternatively, the Company may "replace" the consigned gold with gold purchased
from another institution. The Company generally eliminates the risk of market
fluctuations in the price of the consigned gold by either using the price it
pays for the gold to determine the prices it charges to its customers for
finished products incorporating the consigned gold or by maintaining appropriate
forward contracts for the purchase of gold which protect the Company against
fluctuations in the price of gold between the order date and the date of sale.
See "Sales and Marketing."
In addition to gold acquired through the consignment arrangements, the
Company purchases gold from financial institutions in the form of gold bullion
and from its manufacturers and vendors in the form of semi-finished materials
and finished goods. During fiscal 1998, the Company satisfied approximately
81% of its gold requirements through purchases under the consignment program
and purchased the remaining 19% of its gold requirements from manufacturers
and vendors. The value of the gold purchased by the Company and held in
inventory, as well as the value of the gold included in returned merchandise and
other gold owned by the Company, is subject to fluctuation based on changes in
the market value of gold. The Company does not engage in hedging transactions to
protect against fluctuations in the market value of the gold owned by it.
The Company's consignment agreements include provisions which generally
limit both the fair market value and amount (by weight) of gold which the
Company may hold under consignment. Based on the value of gold on March 27,
1998,
-8-
<PAGE> 9
the Company currently is able to hold an aggregate of approximately
285,000 ounces of gold under consignment; the actual amount of gold held by
the Company under consignment on that date was approximately 149,900 ounces. The
amount of gold which the Company is able to acquire under consignment is subject
to fluctuations based on changes in the market value of gold. The consignment
agreements contain covenants restricting the amount of consigned gold the
Company may re-consign or otherwise have outside of its possession.
The Company's consignment arrangements generally are terminable upon 30
days advance notice to the Company. Gold consignment arrangements are common in
the jewelry industry, and the Company historically has not experienced any
difficulties in obtaining sufficient quantities of consigned gold to meet its
operating needs. If one or more institutions were to terminate the consignment
arrangements, the Company believes that it would not experience any interruption
in its gold supply that would materially adversely affect its business, as it
believes that a number of other institutions would be willing to enter into
similar arrangements. In addition, if the Company's requirements for consigned
gold were to increase, the Company believes that appropriate modifications could
be made to its existing arrangements or consignment arrangements could be
entered into with additional institutions, so that the amount of gold available
to the Company on consignment would be increased to meet its operating needs.
Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that fluctuations in the credit or
precious metals markets would not result in an interruption of the Company's
gold supply or the contractual arrangements necessary to allow the Company to
continue the use of consigned gold.
For further information regarding the consignment agreements, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."
BACKLOG
Substantially all of the Company's wholesale customers' orders are for
immediate shipment and typically are shipped within two to four days of receipt.
Orders from retailers typically have shipment dates which may range from 24
hours to 90 days. The approximate aggregate dollar value of the Company's
backlog at April 9, 1997 and April 15, 1998, was $5.5 million and $7.2
million, respectively. The Company expects that substantially all of the current
backlog will be shipped during the next 90 days. Annual comparisons of backlog
as of any given date are not necessarily indicative of sales trends, and the
Company believes that backlog is not indicative of the Company's future results
of operations.
COMPETITION
The jewelry industry in the United States is highly fragmented and
characterized by a large number of small to medium-sized manufacturers,
wholesalers, and distributors. The Company's business is highly competitive, and
the Company's competitors include domestic and foreign jewelry manufacturers,
wholesalers and importers who may operate on a national, regional or local
level. Based upon its knowledge of the domestic jewelry industry and a review of
available information, the Company believes that it is the largest manufacturer
and distributor of karat gold jewelry in the United States and that its
resources generally are equal to or greater than the resources of most of its
competitors. However, some companies in the
-9-
<PAGE> 10
jewelry industry may be larger and have greater financial and other resources
than the Company.
OroAmerica believes that competition is based primarily on product
availability, timeliness of shipment, customer service, product quality, design,
and price. The diverse distribution channels in which the Company markets its
products frequently involve different competitive factors. The ability to
provide specialized services is a particularly important competitive factor in
sales to certain large retailers such as mass merchandisers, discount stores,
and warehouse clubs. Product availability and the ability to offer consistent
product quality at competitive prices tend to be the key competitive factors in
sales to catalogue showrooms and wholesale customers. Some of the Company's
competitors may specialize in sales to particular distribution channels and may
have relationships with customers in those distribution channels that make
competition by the Company more difficult. The Company believes that recent
consolidations at the retail level in the jewelry industry have increased the
level of competition in the markets in which the Company competes.
RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
ACQUISITION OF JERRY PRINCE, INC. In October 1997, OroAmerica acquired
the business of Jerry Prince, Inc. ("JPI"), a San Diego based jewelry company
specializing in the distribution of fine gold jewelry, including necklaces,
bracelets, pendants, charms and other specialty precious metal jewelry items. In
the acquisition, the Company acquired substantially all of JPI's assets, and
assumed certain of its liabilities, for an aggregate purchase price of $4.9
million, net of adjustments. The Company believes that the acquisition of JPI,
which now operates as a division of the Company, may offer it increased
opportunities for market penetration and added volume, and may enhance the
Company's distribution capabilities and relationships with certain of its major
customers.
PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ASSETS FROM RAVEL INC. In August 1997, the Company
purchased certain assets from Ravel Inc., a former manufacturer of karat gold
jewelry based in Clearwater, Florida. In the acquisition, the Company acquired
all of Ravel's in-house inventory and all of its consignment accounts other than
Barry's Jewelers, Inc. and Montgomery Ward. The Barry's Jewelers, Inc. account
was subsequently purchased by the Company in January 1998. The Company did not
assume any of Ravel's liabilities in connection with the acquisition.
INSURANCE
The Company maintains primary all-risk insurance to cover thefts and
damage to inventory and insurance on all goods in transit. Additional insurance
coverage is provided by some of the Company's suppliers. The Company also
maintains limited fidelity insurance (insurance providing coverage against theft
or embezzlement by employees of the Company or its suppliers).
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
The Company manufactures two lines of diamond cut rope chain using
processes covered by United States utility patents and manufactures a line of
diamond cut rope chain under the terms of a license agreement with an
unaffiliated party. The Company generally applies for copyrights covering
-10-
<PAGE> 11
the design of its charms and other selected products. In addition, the Company
maintains and regularly seeks to register trademark applications for marks that
it uses or intends to use on or in connection with certain of its selected
jewelry products. The level of protection available to the Company for
proprietary products, processes, designs, and trademarks varies depending on a
number of factors, including the degree of originality and the distinctiveness
of these intellectual property. No assurance can be given that the Company's
patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other proprietary rights will preclude
competitors from developing substantially equivalent products. See "Products."
EMPLOYEES
At March 31, 1998, the Company employed 314 persons in the United
States, of whom 182 were engaged in manufacturing and distribution operations,
81 were engaged in marketing, customer service, and merchandising, and 51 were
engaged in management and administration. At that date, the Company also
employed 1,028 persons at its manufacturing facilities in South America, the
Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. None of the Company's employees is covered by a
collective bargaining agreement, and the Company considers its relations with
its employees to be good.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company's jewelry manufacturing operations routinely involve the use
of small quantities of materials that are classified as hazardous. The Company
believes that its use of such materials is in compliance in all material
respects with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
concerning the environment, health and safety, and the costs incurred in
complying with such laws and regulations have not been material to the Company's
results of operations.
The Company's Burbank facility is located in an area of the San Fernando
Valley which is either included in, or adjacent to, an extensive area of
groundwater contamination known as the San Fernando Valley Superfund Site (the
"Site"). In 1986, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA")
included portions of the Site on the National Priorities List as "Superfund
Sites" pursuant to the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA"). The Company is not a
party to any litigation involving the Site, has not been identified by the EPA
as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA and does not believe that it has
contributed to the existing groundwater contamination at the Site. Nevertheless,
given the location of the Company's manufacturing facility and the fact that the
Company's operations involve the use of small quantities of hazardous materials,
no assurances can be given that the Company will not be named as a party to
litigation, or as a potentially responsible party, with respect to the Site.
OTHER BUSINESSES
In April 1997, the Company officially launched its premium cigar
business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CigarAmerica, Inc. For the time
being, the Company has decided to focus on the manufacture, distribution, and
sale of two core brands of cigars, including a line of premium cigars expected
to retail at a price between $3.00 and $10.00 per cigar and a line of
super-premium cigars expected to retail at prices of $10.00 and up per cigar.
Both cigar brands are intended for sale to the mass
-11-
<PAGE> 12
market through wholesale distributors, tobacconists, and upscale stores,
including the Company's flagship store to be located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly
Hills, California.
The Company is seeking to capitalize on the recent growth in the premium
cigar market by establishing its own house cigar brands and by relying on its
many years of experience and success in manufacturing and supervising the
manufacture of karat gold jewelry in foreign countries. The Company's strategies
for its cigar business include the following:
QUALITY PRODUCT LINES. The Company has commenced commercial production
and begun selling its first line of premium cigars under the brand name Fuego
del Rey(TM)("Fire of the King"). This cigar, which is the result of a joint
effort between the Company and an Indonesian company, is handmade in Indonesia
and made up of Indonesian wrapper, Jember binder, and East Javan filler. The
Company also anticipates using Brazilian Maduro wrapper for its Fuego del ReyTM
cigars. After rolling, the Fuego del ReyTM cigars are shrink wrapped and
packaged at the Company's 26,000 square foot Indonesian facility, where the
Company also reclassifies tobacco leafs. Initial sales of Fuego del ReyTM cigars
began in the first quarter of fiscal 1999.
The Company is also currently developing a brand of super premium
handmade cigars, which it expects to distribute through appointed dealers,
certain retail shops and its Rodeo Drive flagship store during fiscal 1999.
These cigars will be made by hand from Connecticut Shade, genuine Cameroon,
and/or Brazilian Maduro wrapper, while the filler and binder will be from
tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic. To date, the Company has purchased a
substantial supply of high-quality Connecticut Shade and Cameroon wrapper and
Dominican Republic filler and binder to make these cigars. For its super premium
cigars, the Company has leased a manufacturing facility in the Dominican
Republic, which commenced commercial production in January 1998.
BEVERLY HILLS FLAGSHIP STORE. In order to promote the Company's super
premium cigars, the Company has leased a 1,300 square foot store on Rodeo Drive
in Beverly Hills, California, where the Company intends to operate a flagship
cigar store. Expected to open during the second quarter of fiscal 1999, the
Company's flagship cigar store will offer for sale the Company's own brand of
super premium cigars, as well as cigars manufactured by other companies, and
will include a mezzanine level cigar lounge and private humidors.
As of the end of fiscal 1998, the Company had invested approximately
$2.8 million in inventory, $200,000 in real property lease expenditures and
$700,000 in miscellaneous expenditures related to its cigar business.
The Company historically has been a manufacturer and distributor of
karat gold jewelry and has not engaged in the manufacture or distribution of
cigars or other tobacco products until this past year. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to successfully introduce its premium and super
premium brands of cigars, successfully open and operate any retail cigar shops
or otherwise successfully compete in the premium cigar market.
The foregoing discussion contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company
cautions investors that there are certain important factors that could cause
future events and results to differ materially from those anticipated by
-12-
<PAGE> 13
management in the forward-looking statements included herein, as well as risks
and uncertainties generally applicable to the cigar business. Among these
important factors, risks and uncertainties are (a) risks associated with the
commencement of a new business operation and the introduction of a new product
line, including the risk of lack of market acceptance for the Company's premium
cigars and risks associated with the manufacture and distribution of product
lines unrelated to the Company's existing business, (b) delays that may be
encountered in opening the Company's manufacturing facilities and retail store,
(c) the Company's ability to attract, hire and retain master-cigar makers and
other skilled craftsmen and laborers, (d) the Company's ability to obtain, on an
ongoing basis, sufficient supplies of properly aged tobacco for its proposed
operations, (e) whether the recent upward trend in unit sales of premium cigars
will continue, (f) extensive and increasing federal, state and local regulation
of tobacco products, (g) tobacco industry litigation, (h) the competitive
environment in the premium cigar market, (i) effects of any increases in excise
taxes that may occur in the future, and (j) social, political and economic risks
associated with foreign operations and international trade. For further
information regarding these and other factors, risks and uncertainties affecting
the Company's entry into the premium cigar business, reference is made to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 27, 1997, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Perfume Business
This past fiscal year, the Company decided to postpone its efforts to
launch its perfume products in order to concentrate its efforts on its core
jewelry business and the start up of its cigar business. The Company does not
expect sales of its perfume products to be material in fiscal 1999.
The Company historically has operated as a manufacturer and distributor
of karat gold jewelry and has not engaged in the manufacture or distribution of
perfumes or colognes. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully introduce its line of perfumes and colognes or otherwise
successfully compete in the perfume and cologne market.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company currently uses software and related computerized information
systems that will be affected by the date change in the year 2000. The year 2000
issue exists because many computer systems and applications currently utilize
two-digit date fields, rather than four-digit date fields, to define the
applicable year. When the millenium date change occurs, date-sensitive systems
will recognize the year 2000 as the year 1900, or not at all. This inability to
recognize or properly treat the year 2000 may result in systems failure or cause
systems to process critical financial and operational information incorrectly.
Based on ongoing assessments, the Company has determined that it will be
required to modify or upgrade portions of its computer software so that its
computer systems will properly use and recognize dates beyond December 31, 1999.
Based on preliminary information compiled by the Company, costs of addressing
the year 2000 issue may be between approximately $250,000 and approximately
$850,000, depending primarily on whether the Company decides to modify its
existing software or upgrade to new software. Other factors that may affect the
Company's costs in addressing the year 2000 issue include, but are not limited
to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this
-13-
<PAGE> 14
area, the ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and similar
uncertainties. The Company expects to complete all year 2000 programming changes
by June 1, 1999. The estimated costs of and time frame related to this project
are based on estimates of the Company's management, and there can be no
assurance that actual costs will not differ materially from the current
expectations. In addition, the Company's ability to interface with its
customers, particularly with respect to EDI programs, may be impacted by the
failure of its customers to make the appropriate upgrades or modifications to
their programs to address the year 2000 issue. Nevertheless, the Company does
not expect that the costs of addressing potential problems relating to the year
2000 issue will have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or cash flows in future periods. Although, the
Company plans to devote the necessary resources to resolve all significant year
2000 issues in a timely manner, if such processing issues are not resolved in a
timely manner, the year 2000 issue could have a material impact on the
operations and financial conditions of the Company.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company maintains manufacturing and administrative facilities in a
52,000 square foot building of modern construction owned by the Company and
located in Burbank, California. The Company currently utilizes approximately
20,000 square feet of this building as manufacturing space, approximately 25,000
square feet as distribution, warehouse, and storage space (including vaults),
and approximately 7,000 square feet as administrative offices. The facility is
encumbered by deeds of trust securing the repayment of indebtedness in the
aggregate amount of $1.7 million at January 30, 1998, which was incurred in
connection with the acquisition and expansion of the facility. The Company also
owns a 15,000 square foot building, which is located in the vicinity of its
current manufacturing facility. The Company currently utilizes approximately
8,000 square feet as sales offices and approximately 7,000 square feet as
administrative facilities. The facility is encumbered by deeds of trust securing
the repayment of indebtedness in the aggregate amount of $789,000 at January 30,
1998, which was incurred in connection with the acquisition and expansion of the
facility.
The Company also owns two buildings adjacent to its manufacturing
facility, with an aggregate of 3,000 square feet, which are used for storage
space. In July 1997, the Company entered into a two-year lease for a 6,800
square foot warehouse facility located next to its Burbank manufacturing
facility, which lease is due to expire in August 1999. The Company also leases a
sales office and showroom in New York City pursuant to a lease which expires in
April 1999. The Company also leases a sales office in the Jewelry Mart area of
Los Angeles, pursuant to a lease which expires in August 1998, and a purchasing
office in the Jewelry Mart area of Los Angeles pursuant to a lease which expires
in February 2001. The Company also owns a jewelry manufacturing facility and
leases another in South America. The leased manufacturing facility in South
America is occupied pursuant to a lease which expires in July 1998. The Company
also leases a third manufacturing facility in the Caribbean pursuant to a lease
which expires in August 1998.
In connection with its premium cigar business, the Company is leasing a
9,600 square foot manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic, pursuant to
a lease which expires in January 2000, and a 26,000 square foot manufacturing
facility in Indonesia, pursuant to a lease which expires in April 1999. In
addition, the Company is leasing a 3,100 office facility in
-14-
<PAGE> 15
Burbank, California which is intended to eventually serve as the principal
headquarters for the Company's premium cigar business. This lease is due to
expire in March 1999. The Company also has leased a 1,300 square foot retail
cigar shop in Beverly Hills, California, pursuant to a lease which expires in
May 2002.
The Company believes that its facilities are adequate for the Company's
current operating levels and presently foreseeable growth.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time the Company is involved in litigation incidental to
the conduct of its business. The Company currently is not involved in any
litigation which, individually or in the aggregate, is material to its business
or financial condition.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Guy Benhamou 46 Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief
Executive Officer
Shiu Shao 46 Chief Financial Officer, Vice
President and Director
Sophia Chalermsopone 45 Vice President - Sales
Claudia Hollingsworth 38 Vice President - Sales
David Wu 49 Vice President - Manufacturing
Betty Sou 41 Controller and Secretary
Colm Plunkett 36 Treasurer
</TABLE>
GUY BENHAMOU is a co-founder of the Company and has been its President,
Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors since its
inception in January 1977. Mr. Benhamou was appointed Chairman of the Board in
May 1993.
SHIU SHAO has been employed by the Company since April 1981. Mr. Shao
served as Controller of the Company from 1981 to 1984 and Vice President -
Finance from 1984 until September 1991, when he was appointed Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Shao also has served as a director of the Company since May 1993
and was appointed a Vice President in May 1994.
SOPHIA CHALERMSOPONE has been employed by the Company since 1978 and
served in the capacity of Sales Manager from 1981 to 1984. Ms. Chalermsopone has
served as Vice President - Sales since 1984 and is responsible for marketing to
wholesale accounts.
CLAUDIA HOLLINGSWORTH has been employed by the Company since May 1988.
Ms. Hollingsworth served as Merchandise Manager until October 1989, when she was
appointed Vice President - Merchandising. In September 1995, Ms. Hollingsworth
was appointed Vice President - Sales.
-15-
<PAGE> 16
DAVID WU has been employed by the Company since 1987 and served as
Production Manager from 1987 to May 1993, when he was appointed Vice President -
Manufacturing.
BETTY SOU has been employed by the Company since January 1984. Ms. Sou
served as Accounting Manager from 1984 to January 1987, when she was appointed
Controller. Ms. Sou also has served as the Secretary of the Company since July
1991.
COLM PLUNKETT has been employed by the Company since December 1989. Mr.
Plunkett served as Assistant Treasurer from December 1989 to March 1994, when he
was appointed Treasurer.
Executive officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. No family relationships exist between any of the officers or
directors of the Company.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock has traded in the Nasdaq National Market
under the trading symbol "OROA" since the Company's initial public offering on
September 23, 1993.
The following table sets forth the range of the high and low sales
prices for the fiscal periods indicated, as reported on the Nasdaq National
Market. On April 24, 1998, there were 26 holders of record of the Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1998
<S> <C> <C>
HIGH LOW
----- -----
First quarter $5.12 $4.50
Second quarter $5.88 $4.25
Third quarter $6.00 $4.25
Fourth quarter $5.94 $4.50
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997
First quarter $4.88 $4.25
Second quarter $6.50 $4.75
Third quarter $6.50 $5.00
Fourth $6.50 $4.63
</TABLE>
The Company has not paid dividends on the Common Stock since its
initial public offering in September 1993 and does not intend to pay dividends
in the foreseeable future. The Board of Directors currently intends to retain
earnings for use in the Company's business. In addition, the Company's revolving
credit facility and gold consignment agreements contain covenants which prohibit
the payment of dividends on the Common Stock.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial data and other
selected data of the Company. The selected historical financial data in the
table for the five years in the period ended January 30, 1998 are derived from
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company.
-16-
<PAGE> 17
The data should be read together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial
statements and related notes and other financial information included elsewhere
herein.
OROAMERICA, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the fiscal years ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per January 30, January 31, February 2, January 27, January 28,
share and other data) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $159,720 $177,065 $213,417 $219,415 $203,361
Cost of goods sold 123,800 144,398 178,865 183,188 163,219
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 35,920 32,667 34,552 36,227 40,142
Selling, general and administrative,
and other expenses (2) 23,079 25,907 30,229 25,862 20,357
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 12,841 6,760 4,323 10,365 19,785
Interest expense 1,894 2,885 3,423 3,170 5,021
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income
taxes and extraordinary item 10,947 3,875 900 7,195 14,764
Provision for income taxes 4,269 1,685 554 3,030 6,003
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary item 6,678 2,190 346 4,165 8,761
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
less applicable income taxes of $343 - - - - (564)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $6,678 $2,190 $346 $4,165 $8,197
======================================================================================================
Net income per share:
Income before extraordinary
item - basic $1.07 $0.35 $0.06 $0.67 $1.74
Income before extraordinary
Item - diluted $1.06 $0.35 $0.06 $0.67 $1.78
Extraordinary item - basic - - - - ($0.12)
Extraordinary item - diluted - - - - ($0.11)
Basic net income per share $1.07 $0.35 $0.06 $0.67 $1.68
Diluted net income per share $1.06 $0.35 $0.06 $0.67 $1.66
======================================================================================================
Weighted average shares outstanding 6,254,212 6,250,711 6,248,378 6,236,674 4,868,227
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding
assuming dilution 6,270,761 6,256,075 6,248,378 6,257,023 4,931,213
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Data:
Amount of gold sold by weight
(in ounces of fine gold) 309,900 306,763 337,855 379,223 376,010
Average daily gold price per ounce (1) $ 325 $ 384 $ 386 $ 384 $ 364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Data:
Working Capital $ 48,211 $ 40,663 $ 39,022 $ 37,572 $ 39,204
Total Assets 86,665 75,261 73,544 76,371 81,686
Long-term debt, including current
portion 2,688 3,199 4,537 2,806 4,797
Total stockholders' equity 66,197 59,510 57,301 56,574 52,196
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Based on the Second London Gold Fixing.
(2) For fiscal 1998, selling, general and administrative expense has been
reduced by other income of $6.6 million, including $4.7 million of proceeds
from the settlement of litigation involving the insurers for two former
gold jewelry manufacturers.
-17-
<PAGE> 18
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
GENERAL
Gross Sales; Returns
The Company reduces gross sales by the amount of returns and discounts
to determine net sales. Each month the Company estimates a reserve for returns
based on historical experience and the amount of gross sales. The total of
actual returns and the provision for the returns reserve amounted to 13.0% of
gross sales in fiscal 1998, 14.3% of gross sales in fiscal 1997 and 14.5% of
gross sales in fiscal 1996. The Company has implemented quality control
procedures to reduce returns of defective merchandise. Discounts to customers
have not had a material effect on the Company's results of operations. For
further information regarding the reserve for returns, see Note 1 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Prices for the Company's jewelry products generally are determined by
reference to the current market price of gold. Consequently, the Company's sales
could be affected by significant increases, decreases or volatility in the price
of gold.
Inventories
The Company accounts for its jewelry inventories at the lower of cost or
market, using the last in, first out (LIFO) method to determine cost, less the
allowance for uncollectible vendor advances. As a result, the Company's gross
profit margin can be affected by changes in LIFO reserves and the allowance for
vendor advances, as well as by changes in the amount of gold owned at each
period end and fluctuations in the price of gold.
Consigned gold is not included in inventory, and there is no related
liability recorded at year end. Financing costs under the consignment
arrangements currently are approximately 3% per annum of the market value of the
gold held under consignment, computed daily. If the market value of gold
increases and assuming consignment levels remain constant, the financing costs
incurred by the Company under the consignment arrangements will increase in
proportion to the increase in the market value of gold. At January 30, 1998 and
January 31, 1997, the Company held 155,400 ounces and 147,500 ounces,
respectively, under the consignment arrangements. At January 30, 1998 and
January 31, 1997, the Company owned approximately 10,500 ounces and 6,500
ounces, respectively.
For further information regarding the accounting policies applicable to
the Company's inventories, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
-18-
<PAGE> 19
Outside Manufacturers
In fiscal 1998, the Company purchased approximately 66% of its products
as finished goods and completed the manufacture of approximately 34% of its
products from semi-finished materials partially fabricated by outside
manufacturers. Of the total amount of products purchased from outside
manufacturers in fiscal 1998, approximately 68% were purchased from foreign
manufacturers and approximately 32% were purchased from domestic manufacturers.
The Company's use of domestic and foreign outside manufacturers minimizes the
capital invested in property, plant and equipment and the overhead associated
with a Company-employed manufacturing labor force. The use of foreign
manufacturers also allows the Company to take advantage of the lower labor costs
prevailing in developing countries. Risks generally inherent in the use of
outside manufacturers include security at the manufacturer's facility, transport
of materials to and from the manufacturer, theft by the manufacturer or its
employees and bankruptcy or other financial problems of the manufacturer. The
Company's arrangements with its foreign manufacturers are subject to the
additional risks of doing business abroad, including risks associated with
economic or political instability in the countries in which such manufacturers
are located, labor strikes, risks associated with potential import restrictions
and risks associated with United States and foreign governmental policies,
regulations and restrictions affecting the purchase, import and export of gold.
Both finished and semi-finished materials frequently are manufactured
under an arrangement whereby the Company supplies all necessary gold (or, in
some instances, funds to purchase the required gold) to an outside manufacturer
and pays a manufacturing charge and applicable duties at the time of delivery.
These arrangements, which the Company believes are common in the jewelry
industry, reduce the costs charged to the Company by its outside manufacturers
and allow the Company to utilize the services of qualified manufacturers who
might be unable to finance the acquisition of the gold required in the
production process. The Company typically advances gold to its manufacturers
sufficient to cover manufacturing requirements for a two-to-three week cycle,
and as completed products are shipped to the Company, additional gold is
advanced to the manufacturer.
The Company utilizes certain controls and procedures to minimize the
credit risks associated with advancing funds or gold to its outside
manufacturers. The Company believes its procedures will reduce, but will not
eliminate, its exposure to credit losses. The procedures employed by the Company
include monitoring the performance and financial condition of outside
manufacturers, monitoring each manufacturer's "credit limit", inspection visits
made to the production facilities of outside manufacturers and management's
review of credit evaluation documentation. The Company attempts to diversify its
sources of supply and broadly allocate production over its base of manufacturers
in order to reduce the amount of orders it places with any single manufacturer.
As of March 27, 1998, $4.8 million of gold owned by or consigned to the Company
was in the possession of outside manufacturers. On that date, the largest amount
held by a single manufacturer was $540,000. At March 27, 1998, the Company's
reserve for uncollectible vendor advances was $680,000.
The Company believes its use of outside manufacturers provides it with a
cost-effective source for products. The Company believes that advancing gold to
its outside manufacturers has resulted in significant cost savings and that any
credit risks associated with this practice can be maintained at an acceptable
level by careful management of the Company's relationships with its outside
manufacturers, the continued diversification of the Company's sources of supply
and the maintenance of adequate reserves. However, no assurances can be given
that possible future financial problems or other factors affecting its outside
manufacturers will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
-19-
<PAGE> 20
Seasonality
The Company's business, and the jewelry business in general, are highly
seasonal. The third and fourth quarters of the Company's fiscal year, which
include the Christmas shopping season, historically have accounted for
approximately 60% of the Company's annual net sales and a somewhat higher
percentage of the Company's income before taxes. While the fourth quarter
generally produces the strongest results, the relative strengths of the third
and fourth quarters are subject to variation from year to year based on a number
of factors, including the purchasing patterns of the Company's customers. The
seasonality of the Company's business places a significant demand on working
capital resources to provide for a buildup of inventory in the third quarter
(which is primarily satisfied by an increase in the amount of gold held under
consignment) and in turn has led to a seasonal buildup in customer receivables
in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of the succeeding fiscal year.
OTHER BUSINESS
During fiscal 1998, the Company incurred approximately $1.1 million in
expenses in connection with the start-up of its premium cigar business, and the
Company anticipates incurring substantial additional expenses during fiscal
1999 as it begins commercial production of its cigars and opens its flagship
retail store. While initial sales of the Company's Fuego del Rey(TM) cigars
began in the first quarter of fiscal 1999, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to successfully introduce its premium brands of cigars or
otherwise successfully compete in the premium cigar market.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
percentage of net sales represented by certain items included in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As a Percentage of Net Sales
Year Ended
----------------------------------------
January 30, January 31, February 2,
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of Sales 77.5 81.6 83.8
--------- --------- ---------
Gross Profit 22.5 18.4 16.2
Selling, general and administrative,
and other expenses 14.4 14.6 14.2
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income 8.1 3.8 2.0
Interest expense 1.2 1.6 1.6
--------- --------- ---------
Income before taxes 6.9% 2.2% 0.4%
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997
Net sales for fiscal 1998 decreased by $17.3 million, or 9.8% from
fiscal 1997. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in sales prices due
to a reduction in the average market price of gold. This decrease was partially
offset by an increase in sales due to the acquisition of Jerry Prince, Inc. in
October 1997. The amount of gold sold (by weight) remained constant between
fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997.
Gross profit for fiscal 1998 increased by $3.3 million, or 10.0% from
fiscal 1997. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 22.5% in
fiscal 1998, from 18.4% in fiscal 1997. Excluding the effects of gold price
fluctuations, LIFO and vendor reserve adjustments on cost of goods sold, the
gross profit margins for fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 would have been 22.6% and
18.1%, respectively. The increase in gross profit margin in fiscal 1998 is
primarily due to changes in sales product mix. The gold prices used to value
inventory at year end for fiscal 1998 and 1997 were $304.85 and $345.50 per
ounce, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative, and other expenses include bad
debt expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other income or other
expense, in addition to selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling,
general and administrative, and other expenses for fiscal 1998 decreased by $2.8
million, or 10.9%, from the prior year. As a percentage of sales, these expenses
decreased to 14.4% from 14.6% in fiscal 1997. The decrease in the dollar amount
of selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to an increase
in other income of $6 million and an $816,000 decrease in professional,
consulting and outside service fees. These decreases to selling, general and
administrative, and other expenses were offset by a $1.9 million increase in
personnel costs due to an increase in headcount and to an increase in management
and employee bonus incentives earned in fiscal 1998 as compared to the prior
year, and a $1.4 million increase in selling and product
-20-
<PAGE> 21
expenses due to an increase in cooperative advertising with certain customers.
Other income increased primarily due to the receipt of $4.7 million resulting
from settlement of certain litigation, an $852,000 gain from the sale of the
Company's investment in an affiliated entity and other income received due to
the investment of excess cash. Outside service fees increased by $751,000 due to
a higher utilization of temporary personnel in the Company's operations, while
professional fees decreased $1.5 million, primarily due to a reduction in legal
fees due to the resolution of certain lawsuits and completion of certain
acquisition activities in fiscal 1997.
The provision for income taxes in fiscal 1998 increased by $2.6 million
as compared to fiscal 1997 primarily due to the increase in taxable income
between years. The effective tax rates for fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 were
39.0% and 43.5%,respectively. See Note 8 - Income Taxes.
FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996
Net sales for fiscal 1997 decreased by $36.4 million, or 17.0%, from
fiscal 1996, primarily due to a 9% decrease in the amount of gold jewelry (by
weight) sold by the Company. The Company attributes this decrease to inventory
reductions by certain retail customers and to the bankruptcy filing of one of
the Company's major customers, Best Products.
Gross profit for fiscal 1997 decreased by $1.9 million, or 5.5%, from
fiscal 1996. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 18.4% in
fiscal 1997, from 16.2% in fiscal 1996. Excluding the effects of gold price
fluctuations and LIFO and vendor reserve adjustments on cost of goods sold, the
gross profit margins for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 would have been 18.1% and
16.4%, respectively. The increase in gross profit margin in fiscal 1997 is
primarily due to changes in the Company's product mix. The gold prices used to
value inventory at year ends for fiscal 1997 and 1996 were $345.50 and
$414.50 per ounce, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative, and other expenses include bad debt
expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other income or other
expense, in addition to selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling,
general and administrative, and other expenses for fiscal 1997 decreased by $4.3
million, or 14.3%, from the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, these
expenses increased to 14.6% in fiscal 1997, from 14.2% in fiscal 1996. The
decrease in the dollar amount of selling, general and administrative expenses is
primarily attributable to (i) a $1.0 million decrease in personnel costs due to
a reduction in the head count, (ii) a $1.4 million decrease in the provision for
bad debts due to a greater write-off of accounts receivable in fiscal 1996 as
compared to fiscal 1997, (iii) a $2.2 million decrease in selling expenses due
to a reduction in cooperative advertising with certain customers, and (iv) a
$600,000 increase in other income as a result of the investment of excess cash.
Offsetting these amounts was a $1.3 million increase in professional, consulting
and outside services fees. Consulting and outside services fees increased due to
a higher utilization by the Company of computer consultants and temporary
personnel, while professional fees reflected legal fees related to various
litigation in which the Company was involved and to the Company's merger
discussions with another jewelry manufacturer. Such merger discussions were
terminated in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.
Interest expense decreased by $538,000, or 15.7%, from fiscal 1996. This
decrease results primarily from reduced borrowings under the Company's line of
credit and gold consignment agreements. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
The provision for income taxes in fiscal 1997 increased by $1.1 million
as compared to fiscal 1996 due to the increase in taxable income between years.
The effective tax rates for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 were 43.5% and 61.6%,
respectively. See Note 8 - Income Taxes.
-21-
<PAGE> 22
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has satisfied its working capital requirements through
internally generated funds, a gold consignment program and borrowings under its
revolving credit facility.
A substantial portion of the Company's gold supply needs are satisfied
through gold consignment arrangements with several financial institutions.
During fiscal 1998, the Company satisfied approximately 81% of its gold
requirements through purchases under the consignment program and purchased the
remaining 19% of its gold requirements from financial institutions,
manufacturers and vendors. Under the consignment arrangements, the Company may
defer the purchase of gold used in the manufacturing process and held in
inventory until the time of sale of finished goods to customers. Financing costs
under the consignment arrangements currently are approximately 3% per annum of
the market value of the gold held under consignment, computed daily. The maximum
amount of gold that the Company may hold on consignment was 285,000 ounces at
January 30, 1998 and is subject to fluctuation based on changes in the market
value of gold. The gold consignment agreements contain covenants regarding the
amount of consigned gold the Company may reconsign or otherwise have outside its
possession at any one time. At January 30, 1998, the Company held approximately
155,400 ounces of gold under consignment. During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, the
largest amount of gold held under consignment was 182,300 ounces, 220,400 ounces
and 258,600 ounces, respectively, and the average amount of gold held under
consignment was 141,600 ounces, 168,000 ounces, and 214,400 ounces,
respectively. Use of the consignment arrangements tends to be highest during the
third quarter.
The Company has a revolving credit facility with Bank of America NT&SA,
which facility provides for borrowings which vary seasonally from $20.0 million
to $35.0 million. The facility is limited to the lesser of the credit line, as
seasonally adjusted, or 80% of eligible accounts receivable minus a reserve
amount as provided for under the credit facility. No amounts were outstanding
under the revolving credit facility at January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997 or
February 2, 1996. During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company's highest
outstanding balances under its revolving credit facilities were $300,000, $1.4
million and $21.7 million, respectively, and the average amounts outstanding
were $3,000, $100,000 and $3.1 million, respectively. Borrowings under the
revolving credit facility tend to be highest in the fourth quarter. For further
information regarding the consignment agreements and the revolving credit
facility, see "Business --Gold Consignment Arrangements" and Notes 2 and 5 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash and cash equivalents increased $8.0 million, from $22.4 million in
fiscal 1997 to $30.4 million in fiscal 1998. This increase resulted from $13.8
million of cash generated from operations, including $4.7 million received from
settlement of litigation and $1.4 million in proceeds received from the sale of
the Company's investment in an affiliated company. These cash increases were
offset by $1.9 million in capital expenditures, $886,000 in debt repayment and
$4.9 million for the Jerry Prince, Inc. acquisition.
Net accounts receivable increased $1.8 million, from $17.8 million at
January 31, 1997 to $19.6 million at January 30, 1998. This increase results
primarily from the increase in the amount of sales in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1998, primarily due to the acquisition of Jerry Prince, Inc., as compared
to the same period in fiscal 1997.
Inventories increased to $12.8 million in fiscal 1998 from $9.4 million
in fiscal 1997. The increase in inventory levels is primarily attributable to a
$2.8 million increase in tobacco inventories and a $310,000 increase in perfume
inventories, neither of which existed at fiscal 1997.
The Company incurred capital expenditures of approximately $1.9 million
in fiscal 1998, principally related to improvements of its retail, manufacturing
and distribution facilities and for the purchase of manufacturing and
-22-
<PAGE> 23
computer equipment. The Company expects to incur capital expenditures related to
its jewelry business of approximately $1.0 million in fiscal 1999, principally
for the acquisition of manufacturing and computer equipment. The Company
believes that funds generated from operations, the gold consignment program and
the borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility will be sufficient to
finance its working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12
months.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOUSRES ABOUT MARKET RISK
OroAmerica is not required to provide the information required
under this item for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1998.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
The following consolidated financial statements are included as a separate
section following the signature page to this Form 10-K and are incorporated
herein by reference:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants F-1
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 1998 and
January 31, 1997 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended January 30, 1998,
January 31, 1997 and February 2, 1996 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997 and February 2, 1996 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997 and February 2, 1996 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6
</TABLE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this item is set forth, in part, in the
Supplemental Item, "Executive Officers" in Part I of this report. The balance of
the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders
scheduled to be held on June 23, 1998.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders
scheduled for June 23, 1998.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders
scheduled for June 23, 1998.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders
scheduled for June 23, 1998.
-23-
<PAGE> 24
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The following consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this
report:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants F-1
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 1998 and
January 31, 1997 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997 and February 2, 1996 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997
and February 2, 1996 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997 and February 2,1996 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6
</TABLE>
(a) 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this
report:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1
</TABLE>
Schedules other than the schedule listed above are omitted for the
reason that they are not required or are not applicable, or the required
information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
On November 12, 1997, the registrant filed a Report on Form 8-K
disclosing, under Item 2, that the Company had entered into an Asset
Purchase-Sale Agreement with Jerry Prince, Inc.
On January 12, 1998, the registrant filed an amended Report on Form
8-K/A in connection with the Jerry Prince acquisition noted above, providing
under Item 7, audited financial statements of Jerry Prince, Inc. for the two
years ended October 31, 1997. Additionally, the registrant disclosed the
required pro-forma information regarding the unaudited combined results of
operations of OroAmerica, Inc. and Jerry Prince, Inc.
(c) Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant, together with amendments
filed June 15, 1993 and September 23, 1993.(l)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation dated July 3,
1995.(6)
3.3 Bylaws of the registrant.(1)
10.1 Form of Consignment Agreement between the registrant and each of the
consigning institutions.(2)
10.2 Form of Loan Agreement between the registrant and each of Fleet Precious
Metals Inc. and ABN AMRO Bank N.V.(2)
10.3 Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated July 22, 1994,
between the registrant and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association.(3)
10.4 Amendment No. Six to Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated
November 1, 1996, between the registrant and Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association.(8)
-24-
<PAGE> 25
10.5 First Amendment and Agreement, dated July 22, 1994, among the consigning
institutions and the lenders named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.6 Second Amendment and Agreement, dated December 2, 1994, among the
consigning institutions and the lenders name therein and the
registrant.(5)
10.7 Third Amendment and Agreement, dated May 30, 1995, among the consigning
institutions and the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.8 Fourth Amendment and Agreement, dated July 28, 1995, among the
consigning institutions and the lenders named therein and the
registrant.(7)
10.9 Second Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated July 22,
1994, among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.10 Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated February 25, 1994, among
the lenders named therein and the registrant.(2)
10.11 Trademark Collateral Assignment, dated February 25, 1994, among the
lenders named therein and the registrant.(2)
10.12 First Amendment to Trademark Collateral Assignment, dated July 22, 1994,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.13 Trademark Collateral Assignment, dated July 22, 1994, among the lenders
named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.14 Patent Collateral Assignment, dated February 25, 1994, among the lenders
named therein and the registrant.(2)
10.15 First Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment, dated July 22, 1994,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.16 Patent Collateral Assignment, dated April 3, 1989, among the lenders
named therein and the registrant, together with amendments dated August
11, 1989, December 4, 1989 and May 1, 1992.(1)
10.17 Fourth Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment.(2)
10.18 Fifth Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment, dated July 22, 1994.(3)
10.19 Sixth Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment, dated May 30, 1995,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.20 Patent Collateral Assignment, dated July 22, 1994, among the lenders
named therein and the registrant.(3)
10.21 First Amendment to Trademark Collateral Assignment, dated May 30, 1995,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.22 Second Amendment to Trademark Collateral Assignment, dated May 30, 1995,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.23 First Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment, dated May 30, 1995,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.24 Second Amendment to Patent Collateral Assignment, dated May 30, 1995,
among the lenders named therein and the registrant.(6)
10.25 Business Loan Agreement, dated September 10, 1993, between the
registrant and Cathay Bank. (1)
10.26 Business Loan Agreement, dated February 10, 1993, between the registrant
and Cathay Bank. (1)
10.27 Mortgage Loan, dated March 9, 1995, between the registrant and Cathay
Bank.(6)
10.28 Mortgage Loan, dated March 9, 1995, between the registrant and Cathay
Bank.(6)
10.29 Mortgage Loan, dated November 1995, between the registrant and Cathay
Bank.(9)
10.30 Note Secured by Deed of Trust, dated July 31, 1989, by the registrant in
favor of Chester Scott and Elizabeth D. Scott.(1)
10.31 All-Inclusive Purchase Money Promissory Note Secured by Long Form
All-Inclusive Purchase Money Deed of Trust, dated April 13, 1981, by the
registrant in favor of Carl Mattera, together with amendments dated May
1, 1991 and August 9, 1991.(1)
10.32 Employment Agreement, dated June 10, 1993, between the registrant and
Guy Benhamou.* (1)
10.33 Tax Indemnification Agreement, dated June 10, 1993, between the
registrant and Guy Benhamou.* (1)
10.34 Amended and Restated OroAmerica, Inc. 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan.*
(1)
10.35 OroAmerica, Inc. Salary Deferral and Profit Sharing Plan, as amended.*
(1)
10.36 Form of awards under the OroAmerica, Inc. Executive/Key Employee Bonus
Plan.*(1)
10.37 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the registrant and its
directors and executive officers.* (1)
-25-
<PAGE> 26
10.38 Summary of dependent medical insurance coverage for executive officers.*
(1)
10.39 OroAmerica, Inc. Directors' Stock Option Plan.* (4)
10.40 OroAmerica, Inc. 1994 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Plan.*(5)
10.41 Letter Agreement, dated August 8, 1996, between the registrant and Shiu
Shao.*(10)
10.42 Letter Agreement, dated August 8, 1996, between the registrant and
Sophia Chalermsopone.* (10)
10.43 Letter Agreement, dated August 8, 1996, between the registrant and
Claudia Hollingsworth.*(10)
10.44 Letter Agreement, dated August 8, 1996, between the registrant and David
Wu.*(10)
10.45 Letter Agreement, dated September 11, 1996, between the registrant and
Betty Sou.*(10)
10.46 Exclusive License Agreement, dated December 15, 1996, between Fragrance
Business Company Limited and the registrant.(10)
10.47 Purchase-Sale Agreement, dated August 26, 1997, between the registrant
and Ravel, Inc.(11)
10.48 Asset Purchase-Sale Agreement, dated October 29, 1997, between the
registrant And Jerry Prince, Inc.(12)
21.1 Subsidiaries of the registrant.
23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
- -----------------------
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-63422) and incorporated by reference
herein.
(2) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 1994 and incorporated by
reference herein.
(3) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 29, 1994 and incorporated
by reference herein.
(4) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-84028) and incorporated by reference
herein.
(5) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1995 and incorporated by
reference herein.
(6) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 28, 1995 and incorporated
by reference herein.
(7) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 27, 1995 and
incorporated by reference herein.
(8) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 1, 1996 and
incorporated by reference herein.
(9) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 1996 and incorporated by
reference herein.
(10) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 and incorporated by
reference herein.
(11) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated August 26, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein.
(12) Previously filed in the Exhibits to the registrant's Amended Current
Report On Form 8-K/A dated October 29, 1997 and incorporated by
reference herein.
-26-
<PAGE> 27
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
OROAMERICA, INC.
Date: April 28, 1998 By: /s/ Guy Benhamou
---------------------------------------
Guy Benhamou, Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ Guy Benhamou
----------------------------------------------
Guy Benhamou, Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ Shiu Shao
----------------------------------------------
Shiu Shao, Chief Financial Officer,
Vice President and Director
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ Betty Sou
----------------------------------------------
Betty Sou, Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ Bertram K. Massing
----------------------------------------------
Bertram K. Massing, Director
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ Ronald A. Katz
----------------------------------------------
Ronald A. Katz, Director
Date: April 28, 1998 /s/ David Rousso
----------------------------------------------
David Rousso, Director
</TABLE>
-27-
<PAGE> 28
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of OroAmerica, Inc.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under item 14(a)(1) and (2) on page 24 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of OroAmerica, Inc. and its subsidiaries at
January 30, 1998 and January 31, 1997, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January
30, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Los Angeles, California
April 6, 1998
F-1
<PAGE> 29
OROAMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $30,351 $22,381
Accounts receivable less allowance for returns
and doubtful accounts of $10,802 and $10,222 19,627 17,837
Other accounts and notes receivable 235 521
Inventories (Note 2) 12,772 9,411
Deferred income taxes (Note 8) 2,611 2,712
Prepaid items and other current assets 742 582
------- -------
Total current assets 66,338 53,444
Property and equipment, net (Notes 3, 6 and 12) 10,406 10,219
Excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired, net (Notes 1 and 10) 4,302 4,395
Patents, net (Note 1) 5,177 5,666
Other assets (Notes 4 and 8) 442 1,537
------- -------
$86,665 $75,261
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt (Notes 6 and 12) $ 347 $ 514
Notes payable (Note 5) -- --
Accounts payable 7,426 6,094
Income taxes payable (Note 8) 1,443 443
Accrued expenses (Note 7) 8,911 5,730
------- -------
Total current liabilities 18,127 12,781
Deferred income taxes payable (Note 8) -- 285
Long-term debt, less current portion (Notes 6 and 12) 2,341 2,685
------- -------
Total liabilities 20,468 15,751
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2 and 12) -- --
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 500,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;
none issued and outstanding (Note 15) -- --
Common stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;
6,254,378 and 6,252,378 shares issued and outstanding at
January 30, 1998 and January 31, 1997, respectively (Note 15) 6 6
Paid-in capital 42,979 42,970
Retained earnings 23,212 16,534
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity 66,197 59,510
------- -------
$86,665 $75,261
======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
<PAGE> 30
OROAMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the fiscal years ended January 30, January 31, February 2,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 159,720 $ 177,065 $ 213,417
Cost of goods sold, exclusive of
depreciation 123,800 144,398 178,865
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 35,920 32,667 34,552
----------- ----------- -----------
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 26,421 23,577 25,857
Bad debt expense 763 517 1,898
Depreciation and amortization 2,502 2,453 2,520
Interest expense 1,894 2,885 3,423
Other (income) expense (Notes 9 and 14) (6,607) (640) (46)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total expenses 24,973 28,792 33,652
----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes 10,947 3,875 900
Provision for income taxes (Note 8) 4,269 1,685 554
----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 6,678 $ 2,190 $ 346
=========== =========== ===========
Basic net income per share $ 1.07 $ 0.35 $ 0.06
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted net income per share $ 1.06 $ 0.35 $ 0.06
=========== =========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding 6,254,212 6,250,711 6,248,378
Dilutive effect of stock options 16,549 5,364 --
----------- ----------- -----------
Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution 6,270,761 6,256,075 6,248,378
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 31
OROAMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the fiscal years ended
February 2, 1996, January 31, 1997 Common Stock
and January 30, 1998 ------------------ Paid-in Retained Loss on
(Dollars in thousands) Number Amount Capital Earnings Securities Total
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 27, 1995 6,248,378 $6 $ 42,951 $ 13,998 $(381) $56,574
Change in unrealized losses 381 381
Net income 346 346
--------- ---- -------- -------- ----- -------
Balance at February 2, 1996 6,248,378 6 42,951 14,344 - 57,301
Stock options exercised 4,000 19 19
Net income 2,190 2,190
--------- ---- -------- -------- ----- -------
Balance at January 31, 1997 6,252,378 6 42,970 16,534 - 59,510
Stock options exercised 2,000 9 9
Net income 6,678 6,678
--------- ---- -------- -------- ----- -------
Balance at January 30, 1998 6,254,378 $6 $ 42,979 $ 23,212 $ - $66,197
========= ==== ======== ======== ===== =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 32
OROAMERICA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For Fiscal Years Ended
-----------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands, January 30, January 31, February 2,
Increase (decrease) in cash 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 6,678 $ 2,190 $ 346
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,502 2,453 2,520
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 763 517 1,898
Provision for estimated returns 160 140 2,700
Provision for uncollectible vendor advances 50 (228) --
Gain on sale of property -- (20) --
Gain on sale of marketable securities -- -- (34)
Gain on sale of investment in affiliate (852) -- --
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisition of business:
Accounts receivable (1,145) 5,073 6,818
Other accounts and notes receivable 342 226 (130)
Inventories 142 1,824 3,358
Deferred income taxes (233) (426) (934)
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable 1,000 585 230
Prepaid items and other assets, net 311 (612) 13
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
deferred liabilities 4,095 501 (93)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 13,813 12,223 16,692
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (1,889) (865) (3,067)
Acquisition of a business, net of cash
acquired (Note 10) (4,506) -- --
Proceeds from sale of investment in affiliate 1,429 -- --
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities -- -- 1,565
Proceeds from sale of property -- 32 --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (4,966) (833) (1,502)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Gross borrowings under line-of-credit
agreement 300 3,950 652,900
Repayment of borrowings under line-of-credit (300) (3,950) (657,600)
Borrowings under long-term debt agreements -- -- 1,910
Principal repayments of long-term debt (886) (1,338) (766)
Issuance of Common Stock 9 19 --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (877) (1,319) (3,556)
--------- --------- ---------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,970 10,071 11,634
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 22,381 12,310 676
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 30,351 $ 22,381 $ 12,310
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 33
OROAMERICA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Line of business
OroAmerica, Inc. (the Company) is a Delaware corporation primarily engaged in
importing, manufacturing and distributing gold jewelry products to large
retailers such as mass merchandisers and discount stores, catalog showrooms,
national and regional jewelry chains, home shopping networks, warehouse clubs
and department stores and to jewelry wholesalers and distributors. During fiscal
1998, the Company entered the premium cigar manufacturing and distribution
business. Cigar operations during fiscal 1998 consisted primarily of securing
tobacco inventories and establishing manufacturing facilities in the Dominican
Republic and Indonesia.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
all majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliated
companies are accounted for on the equity method where the Company exercises
significant influence over operating and financial affairs. Otherwise,
investments are included at cost. Significant intercompany transactions are
eliminated in consolidation.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fiscal Years
The Company reports results of operations for a fiscal year consisting of a 52
or 53 week period ending the Friday closest to January 31. The fiscal years
ended January 30, 1998 and January 31, 1997 consist of fifty-two weeks. The
fiscal year ended February 2, 1996 consists of fifty-three weeks.
Statement of Cash Flows
For the purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include
amounts held at financial institutions or highly liquid investments with
original maturities of ninety days or less when purchased. The fair value of
cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying amount.
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing
activities are as follows:
F-6
<PAGE> 34
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year (in thousands) 1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 1,878 $ 3,046 $ 3,408
Income taxes $ 3,234 $ 1,522 $ 1,599
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligation entered into $ - $ - $ 587
Acquisition (Note 10):
Fair value of assets acquired $ 5,832 $ - $ -
Liabilities assumed (942) - -
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash paid $ 4,890 $ - $ -
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company's financial instruments subject to credit risk consist primarily of
cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash
equivalents in high quality securities with a major bank and financial
institution. With respect to accounts receivable, the Company extends credit
based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition, generally without
requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent
on each customer's financial condition. The Company monitors its exposure for
credit losses and maintains allowances for anticipated losses. The Company's ten
largest customers accounted for approximately 54% of net sales in 1998, 51% of
net sales in 1997 and 55% of net sales in 1996. One customer, Walmart, accounted
for 16.4%, 17.7% and 20.5% of the Company's net sales for the years ended
January 30, 1998, January 31, 1997,and February 2, 1996, respectively. No other
individual customer accounts for more than 10 percent of sales. At January 30,
1998 and January 31, 1997, gross accounts receivable included balances totaling
$15.6 million and $12.8 million, respectively, from the Company's ten largest
customers.
Allowance for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts
The Company reduces gross sales by the amount of discounts and returns to
determine net sales. Each month the Company estimates a reserve for returns
based on historical experience and the amount of gross sales. The reserve is
adjusted periodically to reflect the Company's actual return experience. The
Company provides allowances for doubtful accounts receivable when it determines
that such amounts are uncollectible. Actual bad debt and sales return experience
has been in line with management's expectations. The allowances are as follows
at the following dates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Doubtful accounts $1,600,000 $1,582,000
Sales returns $9,202,000 $8,640,000
</TABLE>
Cost of Goods Sold and Inventories
The principal component of inventories and cost of goods sold is the cost of the
bullion and other raw materials used in the production of the Company's jewelry.
Other components of inventories and cost of goods sold include direct costs
incurred by the Company in its manufacturing operations, fees paid to outside
manufacturers, procurement costs such as customs duties, handling charges and
F-7
<PAGE> 35
freight, and provisions for uncollectible vendor advances.
The Company accounts for its jewelry inventories at the lower of cost or market,
using the last in, first out (LIFO) method to determine cost. Year end gold
inventory cost used in determining incremental LIFO layers is based on the year
end gold market price at the Second London Gold Fixing. The LIFO cost may
increase or decrease from year to year as a result of changes in quantities and
unit prices in ending inventory. Consigned gold is not included in inventory,
and there is no related liability recorded at year end.
"Market" consists of the market value of gold in inventory, determined as of the
last day of the reporting period, plus allocated manufacturing costs (labor and
overhead). When market value is lower than LIFO cost and market value declines
from period to period, the carrying value of inventory is reduced, resulting in
an increase in cost of goods sold.
The Company accounts for its tobacco and other inventories at the lower of cost
or market, using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to determine cost.
Forward Purchase Contracts
The Company enters into forward contracts for the purchase of gold to hedge
outstanding customer orders for future delivery in order to mitigate the risk of
price fluctuations. The Company does not enter into forward contracts for
trading purposes. The effects of hedging transactions are recognized when
contracts are settled. The aggregate amounts of forward contracts were $1.4
million and $1.8 million at January 30, 1998 and January 31, 1997, respectively.
The forward contract outstanding at January 30, 1998 expired in February 1998.
The carrying value of the forward purchase contract approximates its fair value
because of the relatively short maturity of this contract.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost or, in the case of leased assets under
capital leases, at the present value of future minimum lease payments.
Expenditures for major renewals and improvements which substantially increase
the useful lives of assets are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are
expensed as incurred. Depreciation of buildings and equipment is provided over
the estimated useful lives of the assets using straight-line and accelerated
methods. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the
straight-line method over the life of the lease or asset, whichever is shorter.
The useful lives range from three to twenty years.
Excess of Purchase Price over the Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired
in the amount of $5,793,000, which arose in connection with the acquisition of a
former stockholder's interests in the Company and its affiliates in 1987, is
amortized over twenty-five years. In May 1994, the Company purchased the capital
stock of Jerry Madison Enterprises, a jewelry company which specializes in the
production and distribution of diamond-accented and gemstone jewelry
merchandise. This transaction was accounted for under the purchase method. The
purchase price was paid by a combination of cash and the issuance of the
Company's stock, totaling $1,098,000. The excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of the net assets acquired in the amount of $1,098,000, is amortized
over fifteen years. During fiscal 1996, goodwill related to the Jerry Madison
acquisition was reduced by approximately $125,000 due to the elimination of
F-8
<PAGE> 36
certain net liability accounts established at acquisition which no longer
represented a future obligation. In fiscal 1998 the Company recorded $200,000 of
goodwill related to the Jerry Prince acquisition, which will be amortized over
five years (Note 10).
Amortization expense for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $293,000, $294,000, and
$304,000, respectively. Accumulated amortization at January 30, 1998 and January
31, 1997 was $2,664,000 and $2,371,000, respectively.
Patents
The Company owns patents for several of its jewelry products and amortizes its
patents over their economic useful lives, estimated between fifteen and
seventeen years. Amortization expense for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was
approximately $489,000, $489,000, and $490,000, respectively. Accumulated
amortization at January 30, 1998 and January 31, 1997, was $2,340,000 and
$1,851,000, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In fiscal 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement requires that long-lived assets and
certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used or disposed of by an entity
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss
is recognized when the estimate of undiscounted future cash flows expected to be
generated by the asset is less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss is
measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its
fair value. Since adoption, no impairment losses have been recognized.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes includes amounts related to current taxable
income and deferred income taxes. A deferred income tax asset or liability is
determined by applying currently enacted tax laws and rates to the expected
reversals of cumulative temporary differences between the carrying value of
assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes.
Additionally, a valuation allowance is established to reduce a deferred tax
asset if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of such deferred
tax asset will not be realized. The deferred income tax provision is measured by
the change in the net deferred income tax asset or liability during the year.
Stock Compensation
The Company accounts for employee stock-based compensation in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting For Stock Issued To
Employees." In February 1996, the Company adopted the disclosure requirements of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"),
"Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation" (see Note 13).
F-9
<PAGE> 37
Net Income Per Share
In fiscal 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 128 ("SFAS No. 128"), "Earnings per Share". Basic net income per share
excludes all dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share
reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other
contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Diluted net income per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options.
Prior period net income per share amounts have been restated to conform to the
new presentation.
New Accounting Standards
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information."
These statements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997, require disclosure of certain components of changes in equity and
certain information about operating segments and geographic areas of operation.
These statements will have no impact on the Company's consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES:
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands except per ounce data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gold and other raw materials $ 4,093 $ 2,880
Manufacturing costs and other 7,975 9,041
------------- --------------
Jewelry inventories 12,068 11,921
Tobacco inventories 2,801 -
Other inventories 310 -
------------- --------------
15,179 11,921
LIFO cost less than FIFO cost (1,727) (1,880)
Allowance for vendor advances (680) (630)
------------- --------------
Inventories $ 12,772 $ 9,411
============= ==============
Gold price per ounce: $ 304.85 $ 345.50
============= ==============
</TABLE>
The Company values its jewelry inventories using the last-in, first-out (LIFO)
method. The Company values its tobacco and other inventories using the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company acquired approximately $3.6
million of gold jewelry inventory as a result of its acquisition of Jerry
Prince, Inc. (See Note 10).
The Company has several consignment agreements with gold consignors, providing
for a maximum aggregate consignment of 285,000 fine troy ounces. In accordance
with the consignment agreements, title remains with the gold consignors until
purchased by the Company.
At January 30,1998 and January 31, 1997, the Company held 155,400 and 147,500
fine troy ounces of gold under consignment agreements, respectively. Consigned
gold is not included in inventory and there is no related liability recorded at
year end. The purchase price per ounce is based on the daily Second London Gold
F-10
<PAGE> 38
Fixing. Manufacturing costs included in inventory represent costs incurred to
process consigned and Company owned gold into finished jewelry products.
The gold consignors and the Company's revolving credit lender (Note 5) have a
security interest in substantially all the assets of the Company. The Company
pays to the gold consignors a consignment fee based on the dollar equivalent of
ounces outstanding, computed based on the Second London Gold Fixing, as defined
in the agreements. Each consignment agreement is terminable on 30 days notice by
the Company or the consignor.
The gold consignment agreements require the Company to comply with certain
covenants with respect to its working capital, current ratio and tangible net
worth and to maintain the aggregate of its accounts receivable and inventory of
gold at specified minimums. Additional provisions of the agreements include:(a)
prohibit the payment of dividends, (b) limit capital expenditures, (c) limit the
amount of debt the Company may incur, (d) prohibit the Company from engaging in
mergers and acquisitions without prior approval, (e) require the Company to
maintain and assign as additional collateral key man life insurance on its chief
executive officer in the amount of $5.0 million, (f) prohibit termination of the
chief executive officer's employment for any reason other than death or
disability and prohibit any material amendment to his employment contract and
(g) require notice if the Company's principal stockholder (who is also its chief
executive officer) ceases to own at least 40% of the Company's outstanding
common stock. At January 30, 1998, the Company was in compliance with all of the
requirements of its consignment agreements.
In fiscal 1997 the Company reduced jewelry inventory levels, resulting in a
liquidation of manufacturing cost LIFO inventory, carried at lower costs
prevailing in prior years, the effect of which reduced costs of goods sold by
approximately $535,000 and increased net income by approximately $305,000 or
$.05 per basic and diluted net income per share. In fiscal 1998 the Company
reduced jewelry manufacturing cost inventory levels, resulting in a liquidation
of manufacturing cost LIFO inventory, carried at lower costs prevailing in prior
years, the effect of which reduced costs of goods sold by approximately $153,000
and increased net income by approximately $93,000 or $.01 per basic and dilutive
net income per share.
NOTE 3 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Land $ 3,396 $ 3,364
Buildings, leaseholds and improvements 7,394 7,318
Construction in progress 714 88
Automobiles 559 221
Office furniture and equipment 6,786 6,314
Manufacturing equipment 3,791 3,446
-------- --------
22,640 20,751
Less: Accumulated depreciation (12,234) (10,532)
-------- --------
$ 10,406 $ 10,219
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE> 39
NOTE 4 - NON-CURRENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:
In September 1996, Best Products Co., Inc. ("Best"), a customer owing
$1,153,000, filed for protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code. At January 31, 1997, the Company discounted the face
value of its receivable from Best to approximately $768,000, which represented
what the Company anticipated it would recover from the liquidation of Best's
assets. In calendar year 1997, Best's assets were liquidated, converted to cash
and distributed to creditors in accordance with the priorities of the bankruptcy
code. To date the Company has recovered $876,000 from the liquidation of Best's
assets.
In July 1997, Montgomery Ward, a customer owing $698,000, filed for protection
from creditors under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The
Company has discounted the face value of its receivable to its estimated
recoverable value of $279,000. Because the Company is unable to predict
repayment prior to January 1999, the Company has classified the Montgomery Ward
receivable as long-term at January 30, 1998.
NOTE 5 - BORROWINGS UNDER REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT:
The Company has a revolving credit facility with Bank of America, NT & SA which
varies seasonally from $20.0 million to $35.0 million and may not exceed the
lesser of the credit line, as seasonally adjusted, or 80% of eligible accounts
receivable minus a reserve amount, as provided for under the credit facility.
Advances under the credit facility bear interest at the lender's prime rate
minus 0.25%, or, at the Company's option, at short-term fixed rates or rates
determined by reference to offshore interbank market rates plus 1.75%. The
revolving credit facility also provides for the issuance of banker's
acceptances, and for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount
not to exceed $2.5 million at any one time. Banker's acceptances bear an
interest rate based on the bank's prevailing discount rate at the time of
issuance plus 1.75%. No banker's acceptances were outstanding as of January 30,
1998 or January 31, 1997. No short-term advances were outstanding at January
30, 1998 or January 31, 1997. Stand-by letters of credit outstanding at January
30, 1998 or January 31, 1997, totaled $1,500,000 and $1,583,000, respectively.
The revolving credit facility also provides for a separate $1 million
reducing-revolving line of credit, whereby the amount of credit available
decreases $200,000 annually every June 30th until June 30, 1999, when the then
outstanding principal balance becomes payable in full. At January 30, 1998 or
January 31, 1997, no amounts were outstanding under the reducing-revolving line
of credit. The revolving credit agreement expires August 1, 1998. Amounts
outstanding under the Bank of America credit agreement are secured by
substantially all of the Company's assets; the Company's gold consignors also
have security interests in these assets, and all of the consignors and Bank of
America are parties to a collateral sharing agreement. The revolving credit
agreement contains substantially the same covenants and other requirements as
are contained in the Company's gold consignment agreements (Note 2). At January
30, 1998, the Company was in compliance with all of the requirements of the
revolving credit agreement.
F-12
<PAGE> 40
NOTE 6 LONG-TERM DEBT:
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Note with interest at the bank's prime rate (8.75% at January 30, 1998)
plus 2%, secured by commercial property, payable in monthly installments
of $10,000 plus interest, unpaid balance due March 1999 $ 1,640 $ 1,760
Note with interest at the bank's reference rate (8.75% at January 30,
1998) plus 1.5%, secured by real property, payable in monthly principal
and interest installments of $4,621, unpaid balance due March 1999 487 492
Note with interest at the bank's reference rate (8.75% at January 30,
1998) plus 1.5%, secured by real property, payable in monthly principal
and interest installments of $6,772, unpaid balance due March 1999 302 349
Note with interest at the bank's prime rate (8.75% at January 30, 1998)
plus 1.5%, secured by real property, payable in monthly principal and
interest installments of $14,121, unpaid balance due February 1998 14 173
Note with interest at the bank's reference rate (8.75% at January 30,
1998) plus 1.5%, secured by real property, payable in monthly principal
and interest installments of $9,782. Paid in full in March 1997 -- 46
Capital lease obligation due in February 1999,
interest rate at 12.83%, payable in monthly
principal and interest installments of $14,674 245 379
------- -------
Total long-term debt 2,688 3,199
Less: Current portion (347) (514)
------- -------
$ 2,341 $ 2,685
======= =======
</TABLE>
The interest rates on the Company's revolving credit agreement and long-term
debt agreements are tied to market rates. Accordingly, the carrying values of
the Company's short-term and long-term debt agreements approximate their fair
values.
The Company's long-term debt maturities for the two years subsequent to January
30, 1998 are: $347,000 in fiscal 1999 and $2,341,000 in fiscal 2000.
F-13
<PAGE> 41
NOTE 7 - ACCRUED EXPENSES:
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Advertising and customer promotions $ 3,083 $ 2,384
Deferred liabilities 1,908 408
Payroll and fringe benefits 1,820 912
Professional fees 286 749
Other miscellaneous 1,814 1,277
------------- ------------
Total $ 8,911 $ 5,730
============= ============
</TABLE>
NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES:
The provision for income taxes for the fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 are
summarized as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal $ 3,763 $ 1,836 $ 1,010
State 739 275 478
------- ------- -------
4,502 2,111 1,488
------- ------- -------
Deferred:
Federal (198) (325) (221)
State (35) (101) (713)
------- ------- -------
(233) (426) (934)
------- ------- -------
Income tax provision $ 4,269 $ 1,685 $ 554
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Deferred tax assets by jurisdiction are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred taxes - Federal $ 2,098 $ 1,900
Deferred taxes - State 562 527
------------- -----------
$ 2,660 $ 2,427
============= ===========
</TABLE>
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax liabilities
Inventory $ (2,114) $ (2,051)
Fixed and intangible assets (143) (604)
Prepaid box supplies (94) (114)
------------- -----------
Total deferred tax liabilities (2,351) (2,769)
------------- -----------
Deferred tax assets
Reserve for returns 3,665 3,468
Bad debt reserve 638 890
Compensation accruals 214 196
Net operating loss carryforwards 198 352
Other 296 290
------------- -----------
Total deferred tax assets 5,011 5,196
------------- -----------
Net deferred tax assets $ 2,660 $ 2,427
============= ===========
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 42
At January 30, 1998, the Company has federal and California net operating loss
carryforwards ("NOLs') of $992,000 and $517,000, respectively. These NOLs are
subject to the limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, which limit
their usage to $58,000 in any given year. The federal NOLs expire in fiscal 1999
through fiscal 2009. The California NOLs expire in fiscal 1999.
The following is a reconciliation for the U.S. federal statutory rate and the
effective tax rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal year ended
---------------------------------------------
January 30, January 31, February 2,
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State and local income taxes,
net of federal tax benefits 4.2 3.0 18.8
Goodwill amortization 0.9 2.6 11.5
Effect of foreign operations (4.4) (5.0) (8.8)
Other, net 4.3 8.9 6.1
------- -------- -------
Effective income tax rate 39.0% 43.5% 61.6%
======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
The Company has not provided for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding
taxes on $2.6 million of foreign subsidiaries' undistributed earnings as of
January 30, 1998, because such earnings are intended to be reinvested
indefinitely.
NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
The Company accounts for its investments in less than majority-owned entities
using the equity method. The results of operations and the financial positions
of the affiliates are immaterial to the Company.
At January 31, 1997, the Company owned a 45 percent interest in Sicor, an
Italian corporation which manufactures gold chain, jewelry and similar items.
The Company purchases finished product from Sicor at prices which management
believes represent Sicor's cost. Purchases from Sicor during fiscal years 1998,
1997 and 1996 were approximately $0, $234,000 and $196,000, respectively. In
December 1997, the Company sold its investment in Sicor for approximately $1.4
million, resulting in a gain of $852,000, which is included in other income.
During fiscal 1993, the Company made an initial capital contribution of $6,000
to a new partnership (OroIndo) whose purpose is to develop rope chain
manufacturing. The Company owns a 50 percent interest in OroIndo and accounts
for this entity using the equity method. The purchases from OroIndo during
fiscal year 1998, 1997 and 1996 were approximately $2.2 million, $1.0 million
and $1.1 million, respectively.
F-15
<PAGE> 43
NOTE 10 - ACQUISITION OF JERRY PRINCE, INC.
On October 29, 1997, the Company consummated an Asset Purchase-Sale Agreement
with Jerry Prince, Inc. ("JPI"), a jewelry manufacturer and distributor located
in San Diego, California, to purchase substantially all of JPI's assets
(principally accounts receivable and inventories) and assume certain liabilities
incurred by JPI. The purchase price for these net assets approximated $4.9
million and was funded from existing cash. The acquisition was accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the results of
operations of JPI from October 29, 1997 are included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements. The purchase price has been allocated to
assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair market value at the date
of acquisition as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000's)
-------
<S> <C>
Cash $384
Accounts receivable,net 1,592
Inventory 3,553
Other current assets 103
Goodwill 200
Line of credit (375)
Accounts payable (177)
Other current liabilities (390)
-------
Cash paid $4,890
=======
</TABLE>
The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma combined results of
operations of the Company and JPI as if the acquisition had taken place at the
beginning of fiscal 1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues $168,519 $199,468
Net income 6,462 3,620
Basic net income per share 1.05 0.58
Diluted net income per share 1.05 0.58
</TABLE>
These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes
only and include certain adjustments, such as amortization of goodwill,
additional royalty expense, loss of investment income, reduced selling, general
and administrative expenses for non-recurring items and the related income tax
effects. They do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which
actually would have resulted had the combination been effective at the beginning
of fiscal 1997, or of future results of operations of the consolidated entities.
NOTE 11 - SALARY DEFERRAL AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN:
The Company has a Salary Deferral and Profit Sharing Plan covering substantially
all eligible employees. Under the plan, employees may elect to defer a
percentage of their salary. The Company may, at its discretion, make
contributions to the plan. The Company contributed approximately $125,000,
$80,000, and $50,000 to the plan during the fiscal years ended January 30, 1998,
January 31, 1997 and February 2, 1996, respectively.
F-16
<PAGE> 44
NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
The Company leases office space, retail space and manufacturing facilities.
These leases are classified as operating leases and have original,
noncancellable terms of one to five years. Certain operating leases provide for
minimum annual rentals, subject to annual escalations generally based on the
Consumer Price Index plus executory costs. Rent expense for fiscal years 1998,
1997 and 1996 was approximately $541,000, $277,000 and $282,000, respectively.
The Company leases computer equipment under agreements classified as capital
leases, which expire in fiscal 2000.
Future minimum annual commitments under the capital lease and operating leases
with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consist of the following at
January 30, 1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Capital Operating
Fiscal Year Leases Leases
- ----------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
1999 $ 176 $ 500
2000 91 326
2001 - 264
2002 - 255
2003 - 87
----------- ----------
Total minimum lease payments 267 $ 1,432
==========
Less: Amount representing interest (22)
-----------
Present value of minimum lease payments $ 245
===========
</TABLE>
Property and equipment accounts include the following amounts for computer
equipment that have been recorded under capital leases (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 31,
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Office furniture and equipment $ 631 $ 631
Less: Accumulated depreciation (487) (329)
-------------- --------------
$ 144 $ 302
============== ==============
</TABLE>
In the normal course of business, the Company is a defendant in various
lawsuits. The Company's management believes that there will be no material
adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the
Company as a result of the ultimate resolution of these matters.
NOTE 13 - STOCK OPTION PLANS:
The Company has an Incentive Stock Option Plan under which options to purchase
shares of the Company's common stock may be granted to key employees of the
Company. The total number of shares issuable under the Incentive Stock Option
Plan is 500,000 shares. Options granted under the Incentive Stock Option Plan
become exercisable in cumulative annual increments of 20 percent, commencing on
the date of grant. Incentive stock options expire 10 years from the date of
grant.
The Company has a Director's Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") under
which each non-employee director of the Company, on the date of his or her
election to the Board, is automatically granted an option to purchase 10,000
shares of common stock, at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
the common stock on the date of grant. The total number of shares issuable under
the Director Stock Option Plan is 100,000. Options granted under the Director
Stock Option Plan become exercisable in cumulative annual increments of 20
percent,
F-17
<PAGE> 45
commencing on the anniversary of the date of grant. Director stock options
expire 10 years from the date of grant. During fiscal 1996, in accordance with
the provisions of the Directors' Plan, an option to purchase 10,000 shares of
common stock was automatically granted to a non-employee director upon his
election to the Board. In addition, the Board of Directors granted an option to
purchase 5,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of grant, to one non-employee
director in fiscal 1997 and another non-employee director in fiscal 1998. These
grants were made outside of the Directors' Plan.
The Incentive Stock Option Plan is administered by a Compensation Committee
appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors; the
Directors' Plan is administered by the Board. Stock option activity for both
plans is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted-
Options Average
Outstanding Exercise
Number Price
-------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at January 27, 1995 316,250 $10.25
Granted 10,000 $4.13
Exercised -- --
Cancelled (10,000) $14.25
-------------- ------
Outstanding at February 2, 1996 316,250 $9.93
Granted 107,500 $4.69
Exercised (4,000) $4.69
Cancelled (20,250) $5.23
-------------- ------
Outstanding at January 31, 1997 399,500 $8.81
Granted 41,000 $4.94
Exercised (2,000) $4.69
Cancelled (46,500) $7.94
-------------- ------
Outstanding at January 30, 1998 392,000 $8.53
============== ======
Options exercisable at February 2, 1996 213,250 $9.01
============== ======
Options exercisable at January 31, 1997 251,500 $9.51
============== ======
Options exercisable at January 30, 1998 287,200 $9.37
============== ======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about employee and director stock
options outstanding at January 30, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
----------------------------------------- --------------------------
Weighted-
Average Weighted- Weighted-
Remaining Average Average
Range of Number Contractual Exercise Number Exercise
Exercise Prices Outstanding Life Price Exercisable Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 4.13 to $ 5.23 207,000 5.4 $4.92 121,200 $5.05
$12.25 to $14.25 185,000 6.0 $12.57 166,000 $12.53
------- -------
392,000 287,200
======= =======
</TABLE>
Pro-forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
SFAS No. 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for the
employee and non-employee director stock options granted under the fair value
method of that Statement. The weighted-average estimated grant fair values, as
defined by SFAS No. 123, for options granted during fiscal years 1998, 1997 and
1996 were $2.24, $2.57 and $2.24, respectively. All options were granted at
exercise prices equal to market prices during fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996.
F-18
<PAGE> 46
The fair values for options granted in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 were estimated
as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Risk-free interest rate 6.78% 6.31% 5.83%
Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Volatility 30.21% 48.16% 48.61%
Weighted-average option life 6 years 6 years 6 years
</TABLE>
Compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the
quoted market price of the Company's stock at the date of the grant over the
amount an employee or director must pay to acquire the stock. Had compensation
cost for these plans been determined using fair value, rather than the quoted
market price, the Company's net income and net income per share would have been
reduced to the following pro forma amounts (in thousands, except per share
data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income:
As reported $ 6,678 $2,190 $ 346
Pro forma 6,608 2,158 345
Net income per share:
As reported - basic $ 1.07 $ 0.35 $ 0.06
As reported - diluted $ 1.06 $ 0.35 $ 0.06
Pro forma - basic $ 1.06 $ 0.35 $ 0.06
Pro forma - diluted $ 1.05 $ 0.34 $ 0.06
</TABLE>
NOTE 14 - LITIGATION SETTLEMENT AWARD
In September 1997, the Company recovered approximately $4.7 million, net of
attorney fees, from settlement of litigation involving the insurers for two
former gold jewelry manufacturers. This litigation award is included in other
income for fiscal 1998.
NOTE 15 - CAPITAL STOCK:
Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Stockholders are not
entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors and, therefore, holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock can elect all of the
directors. Subject to any preferences which may be granted to the holders of
Preferred Stock, each holder of Common Stock is entitled to receive ratably such
dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors, without further action by the holders of Common Stock,
may issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and may fix or alter
the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any unissued series of
Preferred Stock, including the voting rights, redemption provisions (including
sinking fund provisions), dividend rights, dividend rates, liquidation
preferences and conversion rights. No shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding.
F-19
<PAGE> 47
NOTE 16 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 Quarters
------------------------------------------------------
Quarter ended 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 32,650 $ 27,585 $ 46,373 $ 53,112
Gross margin 6,211 5,641 10,474 13,594
Net income (loss) 143 (466) 3,496 3,505
Per Share Data:
Basic net income (loss) per share 0.02 (0.07) 0.56 0.56
Diluted net income (loss) per share 0.02 (0.07) 0.56 0.55
Market Price - High 5.12 5.88 6.00 5.94
Market Price - Low 4.50 4.25 4.25 4.50
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 Quarters
------------------------------------------------------
Quarter ended 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 44,915 $ 29,747 $ 55,649 $ 46,754
Gross margin 8,246 5,056 10,749 8,616
Net income (loss) 287 (645) 1,622 926
Per Share Data:
Basic net income (loss) per share 0.05 (0.10) 0.26 0.14
Diluted net income (loss) per share 0.05 (0.10) 0.26 0.14
Market Price - High 4.88 6.50 6.50 6.50
Market Price - Low 4.25 4.75 5.00 4.63
</TABLE>
The Company's Common Stock has traded in the Nasdaq National Market under the
trading symbol "OROA" since the Company's initial public offering on September
23, 1993. On April 24, 1998, there were 26 holders of record of the Common
Stock.
The Company has not paid dividends on the Common Stock since its initial public
offering in September 1993 and does not intend to pay dividends in the
foreseeable future. The Board of Directors currently intends to retain earnings
for use in the Company's business. In addition, the Company's revolving credit
facilities and gold consignment agreements contain covenants which prohibit the
payment of dividends on the Common Stock.
F-20
<PAGE> 48
OroAmerica, Inc.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
----------------------------------------
Charged
Balance at to costs Charged Balance
beginning and to other at end
Description of period expenses accounts Deductions of period
- --------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
For the year ended February 2, 1996:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,100 $1,898 $ (497) (4) $(1,053)(2) $ 1,448
Reserve for estimated returns 5,800 0 0 2,700 (3) 8,500
Allowance for uncollectible
vendor advances 750 0 108 (5) 0 858
-------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total $ 7,650 $1,898 ($389) $ 1,647 $10,806
======== ====== ======= ======= =======
For the year ended January 31, 1997:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,448 $ 517 $ 31 (1) $ (414)(2) $ 1,582
Reserve for estimated returns 8,500 0 0 140 (3) 8,640
Allowance for uncollectible
vendor advances 858 0 0 (228)(6) 630
-------- ------ -------- ------- -------
Total $10,806 $ 517 $ 31 $ (502) $10,852
======== ====== ======== ======= =======
For the year ended January 30, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,582 $763 $142 (7) ($887)(2) $ 1,600
Reserve for estimated returns 8,640 0 402 (8) 160 (3) 9,202
Allowance for uncollectible
vendor advances 630 50 0 0 680
-------- --------- --------- --------- -------
Total $10,852 $813 $544 ($727) $11,482
======== ========= ========= ========= =======
</TABLE>
(1) Collection of trade accounts receivable previously written off.
(2) Due to debtors' inability to pay, price disputes, shortages and other
allowances.
(3) The Company reduces gross sales by the amount of returns processed. Each
month the Company estimates a reserve for returns based on historical
experience and the amount of gross sales. The reserve is adjusted
periodically to reflect the Company's actual return experience.
(4) Includes $210,000 of payments determined to be "preferential" by a
bankruptcy court, $380,000 of memo and sample accounts written-off from
inventory, and a $69,000 adjustment to goodwill originating from the
Jerry Madison acquisition. These items were offset by $162,000 of
collections of trade accounts receivable previously written off.
(5) Cash received on vendor advances previously written-off.
S-1
<PAGE> 49
(6) Reduction in vendor reserve credited to cost of sales.
(7) Includes $150,000 adjustment to miscellaneous accruals, $126,000
write-off of long-term accounts receivable, $98,000 collection on trade
receivables previously written-off and $20,000 allowance for doubtful
accounts acquired with the Jerry Prince acquisition.
(8) Estimated return reserve acquired from Jerry Prince transaction.
S-2
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
DOMESTIC
CigarAmerica, Inc.
Delaware, USA
Jerry Madison Jewelry, Inc.
California, USA
Jerry Prince Acquisition Corporation
California, USA
OroAmerica Sales Corporation
Delaware, USA
INTERNATIONAL
Aristoff International
Dominican Republic
Aristoff Sumatra
Indonesia
Exportadores Bolivianos
Bolivia
LA Estilos
Dominican Republic
Star Exports
Peru
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-84208) of OroAmerica, Inc. of our report dated
April 6, 1998 appearing on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Los Angeles, California
April 28, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM OROAMERICA,
INC.'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JANUARY 30, 1998 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> JAN-30-1998
<CASH> 30,351
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 30,429
<ALLOWANCES> 10,802
<INVENTORY> 12,772
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 66,338
<PP&E> 22,640
<DEPRECIATION> 12,234
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 86,665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,127
<BONDS> 2,341
0
0
<COMMON> 6
<OTHER-SE> 66,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 86,665
<SALES> 159,720
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 159,720
<CGS> 123,800
<TOTAL-COSTS> 123,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 763
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,894
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,947
<INCOME-TAX> 4,269
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,678
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,678
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.07
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.06
</TABLE>