<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-32827
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 2099 84-1032638
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer
of incorporation or Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
organization)
</TABLE>
1000 ITALIAN WAY
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MISSOURI 64024
(816) 502-6000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
1000 ITALIAN WAY
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MISSOURI 64024
(816) 502-6000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
------------------------
Copies to:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
JAMES A. HEETER, ESQ. JOHN J. MCCARTHY, JR., ESQ.
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL
4520 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1100 450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64111 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
(816) 932-4400 (212) 450-4000
</TABLE>
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
------------------------
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] ____________
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] ____________
If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================================
AMOUNT TO BE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO REGISTERED(1) OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION FEE(3)
BE REGISTERED SHARE(2) PRICE(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Convertible Common Stock,
$.001 par value................... 6,785,000 shares $17.00 $115,345,000 $34,953.03
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 885,000 shares which the U.S. Underwriters have the option to
purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) $34,848.49 of which has been previously paid.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be
used in connection with a United States and Canadian offering of the
registrant's Class A Common Stock (the "U.S. Prospectus") and one to be used in
connection with a concurrent international offering of the Class A Common Stock
(the "International Prospectus" and, together with the U.S. Prospectus, the
"Prospectuses"). The International Prospectus will be identical to the U.S.
Prospectus except that it will have a different front cover page. The U.S.
Prospectus is included herein and is followed by the front cover page to be used
in the International Prospectus. The front cover page for the International
Prospectus included herein has been labeled "Alternate International Cover
Page."
<PAGE> 3
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued September 22, 1997
5,900,000 Shares
[AIPC LOGO]
American Italian Pasta Company
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
------------------------
OF THE 5,900,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK BEING OFFERED HEREBY, 5,310,000
SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY THE COMPANY AND 590,000 SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY A
SELLING STOCKHOLDER. SEE "PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." THE COMPANY WILL
NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
BY SUCH SELLING STOCKHOLDER. OF THE 5,900,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
BEING OFFERED HEREBY, 4,720,000 SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN THE UNITED
STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND 1,180,000 SHARES ARE BEING
OFFERED INITIALLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE INTERNATIONAL
UNDERWRITERS. SEE "UNDERWRITERS." PRIOR TO THE OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO
PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY. IT IS CURRENTLY
ESTIMATED THAT THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE WILL BE BETWEEN $15
AND $17. SEE "UNDERWRITERS" FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
DETERMINING THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE.
------------------------
THE COMPANY HAS TWO CLASSES OF AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK CONSISTING OF THE CLASS A
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF
CAPITAL STOCK." HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO ONE VOTE PER
SHARE ON EACH MATTER SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS. THE CLASS B COMMON
STOCK IS NON-VOTING EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES AND AS REQUIRED
BY LAW. ALL HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS, IF ANY, AS MAY BE DECLARED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
------------------------
THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR LISTING, SUBJECT TO OFFICIAL
NOTICE OF ISSUANCE, ON THE NEW YORK STOCK
EXCHANGE UNDER THE SYMBOL "PLB."
------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
PRICE $ A SHARE
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Underwriting
Price to Discounts and Proceeds to Proceeds to Selling
Public Commissions(1) Company(2) Stockholders
-------- -------------- ----------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share............... $ $ $ $
Total(3)................ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriters."
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,350,000.
(3) The Company and certain stockholders have granted to the U.S. Underwriters
an option, exercisable within 30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to
an aggregate of 885,000 additional Shares of Class A Common Stock at the
Price to Public less Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, for the purpose
of covering over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise such
option in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and
Commissions, Proceeds to Company and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will
be $ , $ , $ , and $ , respectively. See "Underwriters."
------------------------
The Shares of Class A Common Stock are offered, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if accepted by the Underwriters named herein and subject to
approval of certain legal matters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the
Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Shares of Class A Common Stock
will be made on or about , 1997 at the office of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
BT ALEX. BROWN
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
GEORGE K. BAUM & COMPANY
, 1997
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE> 4
AIPC'S PASTA LABELLA(R) BRANDED PASTA
MUELLER'S(R) IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
PRODUCTS TO BE PRODUCED BY
AIPC FOR CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
AIPC'S PRIVATE LABEL AND BRANDED PASTA
2
<PAGE> 5
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS,
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, BY THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR BY
ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO
SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREBY
SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
------------------------
UNTIL , 1997 (25 DAYS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING),
ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER
A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
------------------------
FOR INVESTORS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES: NO ACTION HAS BEEN OR WILL BE
TAKEN IN ANY JURISDICTION BY THE COMPANY, BY THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR BY ANY
UNDERWRITER THAT WOULD PERMIT A PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK OR
POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE ACTION
FOR THAT PURPOSE IS REQUIRED, OTHER THAN IN THE UNITED STATES. PERSONS INTO
WHOSE POSSESSION THIS PROSPECTUS COMES ARE REQUIRED BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS AND THE UNDERWRITERS TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY
RESTRICTIONS AS TO THE OFFERING OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND THE DISTRIBUTION
OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary..................... 4
Risk Factors........................... 10
Use of Proceeds........................ 17
Dividend Policy........................ 17
Capitalization......................... 18
Dilution............................... 19
Selected Financial and Other Data...... 20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of
Operations........................... 22
Business............................... 32
Management............................. 43
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions......................... 51
Principal and Selling Stockholders..... 54
Description of Capital Stock........... 56
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........ 59
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations for Non-U.S.
Holders.............................. 61
Underwriters........................... 64
Legal Matters.......................... 67
Experts................................ 68
Additional Information................. 68
Index to Audited Financial
Statements........................... F-1
</TABLE>
------------------------
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements and information based
on management's beliefs or assumptions made by and information currently
available to management that involve risks and uncertainties. If one or more of
these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should such assumptions prove
incorrect, the Company's actual results may be materially different from those
anticipated. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not
limited to, those discussed under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to
reflect future events or developments.
------------------------
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE CLASS A COMMON
STOCK. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING, AND MAY BID FOR, AND PURCHASE, SHARES OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK IN
THE OPEN MARKET. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
3
<PAGE> 6
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and Financial Statements,
including the Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless
otherwise indicated, all references in this Prospectus to (i) the "Company" and
"AIPC" shall mean American Italian Pasta Company, a Delaware corporation, and
its predecessor unless the context otherwise requires; and (ii) "pasta" shall
mean dry pasta, including dry pasta used in shelf-stable, frozen and canned
pasta products. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus
has been adjusted to give effect to the Recapitalization (as defined herein) and
assumes the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised.
THE COMPANY
OVERVIEW
AIPC is the third largest and one of the fastest-growing producers and
marketers of pasta in North America. The Company commenced operations in 1988
with the North American introduction of new, highly-efficient durum wheat
milling and pasta production technology. Management believes that the Company's
singular focus on pasta, vertically-integrated facilities, continued
technological improvements and development of a highly-skilled workforce enable
AIPC to produce high-quality pasta at costs below those of many of its
competitors. Management believes that the combination of the Company's cost
structure, the average age of its competitors' North American pasta production
equipment and the growing pasta consumption in North America creates significant
opportunities for continued growth. The Company's revenue and operating income
excluding product introduction costs were $121.6 million and $16.7 million,
respectively, for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, and grew at
compound annual growth rates ("CAGR") of 33% and 33%, respectively, over the
five-year period ended December 31, 1996. During the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1997, the Company had revenue of $93.6 million and an operating margin
excluding product introduction costs of 15.9%.
The Company has rapidly established a significant market presence in North
America by developing strategic customer relationships with food industry
leaders that have substantial pasta requirements. North American pasta
consumption exceeded 5.0 billion pounds in 1995 and is expected to grow based on
industry and trade sources and the Company's own analysis. The Company has a
long-term supply agreement with Sysco Corporation ("Sysco"), the nation's
largest marketer and distributor of foodservice products. In 1998, AIPC will
become the exclusive producer of Mueller's(R), the largest pasta brand in the
United States, pursuant to a recent long-term manufacturing and distribution
agreement with CPC International Inc. ("CPC"). CPC has announced its intention
to close its current pasta production facility by December 1997. AIPC is also
the primary supplier of pasta to Sam's Wholesale Club ("Sam's Club"), the
largest club store chain in the United States, and supplies private label and
branded pasta to six of the 10 largest grocery retailers in the United States,
including Wal*Mart, A&P, Publix, Albertsons, American Stores and Winn-Dixie. In
addition, AIPC has developed supply relationships with leading food processors,
such as Pillsbury, General Mills and Kraft Foods which use the Company's pasta
as an ingredient in branded food products.
The Company produces more than 80 dry pasta shapes in two
vertically-integrated production and distribution facilities, strategically
located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Columbia, South Carolina. The
construction of the Missouri plant in 1988 represented the first use in North
America of a vertically-integrated, high-capacity pasta plant using Italian
pasta production technology. Management believes that this plant continues to be
among the most efficient and highly-automated pasta facilities in North America.
The South Carolina plant, which commenced operations in 1995, produces only
pasta shapes conducive to high-volume production and employs a highly-skilled,
self-managed workforce. Management believes that the South Carolina plant is the
most efficient pasta facility in North America in terms of productivity and
conversion cost per pound. To meet the significant volume requirements of the
CPC agreement and support future growth, the Company commenced a capital
expenditure program in 1997 to nearly double the
4
<PAGE> 7
Company's annual pasta production capacity and add a highly-automated durum
wheat mill to its South Carolina plant, with completion scheduled for 1998.
OPERATING STRATEGY
The Company's operating strategy is to grow revenues and profitability by
offering customers the highest quality pasta products at competitive prices with
superior customer service. Key elements of the Company's operating strategy are
to:
- Continue to Lead the Industry as the Lowest Cost Producer of High
Quality Pasta. AIPC has successfully implemented production and capital
investment strategies designed to achieve low-cost production of
high-quality products. AIPC has distinguished itself from most major pasta
producers by vertically integrating the durum wheat milling function with
the production process and strategically locating its distribution centers.
Management believes that its facilities are among the most efficient pasta
production facilities in North America in terms of productivity and
conversion cost per pound, and that its vertically-integrated processes
produce pasta of superior color, texture, flavor and consistency. The
Company expects to realize additional operating efficiencies through the
completion of the current expansion program at its South Carolina and
Missouri facilities and ongoing improvement programs.
- Expand Customer-Driven Strategy. The Company is committed to
developing and maintaining strategic relationships with customers who (i)
are food industry leaders requiring a significant volume of high-quality
pasta; (ii) have committed marketing and sales resources to growing their
pasta business; and (iii) pursue long-term supply arrangements. The Company
has followed this strategy since commencing operations in 1988, beginning
with an agreement with Sysco, and has developed strategic supply
relationships with CPC, Sam's Club and leading grocery retailers.
Management believes that these strategic relationships increase operating
efficiencies, enhance AIPC's investment in new technology, create
distribution synergies, and enable closer involvement in its customers'
pasta businesses.
- Provide Superior Customer Service. The Company develops and enhances
customer relationships by providing superior service and technical support
to its customers. The Company has invested heavily in the development of a
broad range of customer service programs, including electronic data
interchange ("EDI") and efficient consumer response ("ECR") which
streamline the order, invoicing and inventory management functions. The
Company provides marketing, technical and service support to its customers
by assisting customers with supply and category management decisions,
producing pasta to its customers' specifications and making operational
recommendations to its customers using pasta as an ingredient in their food
products.
GROWTH STRATEGY
The Company continues to implement its growth strategy, which builds on the
Company's operating strategy and industry trends. Key elements of the Company's
growth strategy are to:
- Successfully Implement CPC Business Expansion. The Company was
recently selected to be the exclusive producer of CPC's Mueller's brand
pasta, the largest pasta brand in North America. Upon completion of AIPC's
capacity expansion in 1998, management anticipates CPC's annual volume
requirements will represent an approximately 60% increase over the
Company's fiscal 1997 production run rate. Management believes that the
Company's experience in servicing large pasta supply agreements and its
current capacity expansion program will enable AIPC to meet the current CPC
volume requirements and support potential future growth.
- Pursue Strategic Alliances. The Company believes that commercial
users and marketers of pasta will continue to require increasing quantities
of pasta and that a greater portion of these requirements will be
outsourced to more efficient producers of high-quality pasta, such as AIPC.
Management has identified additional strategic opportunities with
commercial users and marketers of pasta which may result in incremental
growth, new product development and cost savings opportunities in the
future.
5
<PAGE> 8
- Secure Additional Private Label Customers. The Company intends to
continue to grow its private label customer base and secure additional
private label customers by continuing to offer quality products,
competitive pricing, category management and superior customer service.
Management believes that AIPC's prospects for growth in the private label
market have been enhanced since Borden Foods Holdings Corporation
("Borden"), historically the largest private label supplier in North
America, announced its intention to exit the private label pasta business
in 1997.
- Continue Product Innovation. In 1995, the Company introduced Pasta
LaBella(R) flavored pasta, a line of all natural, full-flavored pasta
products utilizing patented flavoring technology and AIPC's proprietary
production process. In addition to pursuing increased sales with
institutional customers, the Company is exploring potential sales and
marketing alliances to expand retail distribution of Pasta LaBella flavored
pasta. AIPC also intends to continue assisting its customers with
innovative products and packaging, and the development of additional
value-added products intended to generate higher margins than traditional
pasta products.
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in
1991, and is the successor by merger of a Colorado corporation incorporated in
1986. The Company's executive offices are located at 1000 Italian Way, Excelsior
Springs, Missouri 64024, and its telephone number is (816) 502-6000. The
Company's home page on the World Wide Web is located at
http://www.pastalabella.com. Information contained in the Company's home page
shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus.
RECAPITALIZATION
Prior to consummation of the Offering, the Company will amend and restate
its Certificate of Incorporation (as so amended, the "Charter") and effect a
recapitalization (the "Recapitalization"), pursuant to which each share of
common stock and Class A common stock of the Company outstanding immediately
prior to the Recapitalization will be converted into 6.132043 shares of Class A
Convertible Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Class A
Common Stock"). Upon the consummation of the Offering, certain of the shares of
Class A Common Stock held by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders (as defined herein)
will be converted into Class B Convertible Non-Voting Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share, of the Company ("Class B Common Stock"). Shares of Class A
Common Stock held by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders and certain related persons
are, in certain circumstances, convertible into Class B Common Stock and vice
versa. The Morgan Stanley Stockholders have informed the Company that upon the
consummation of the Offering they intend to convert such number of their shares
of Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock so that, following such
conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own, in the aggregate, 49% of
the outstanding Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class A Common Stock held by
persons other than the Morgan Stanley Stockholders and such related persons are
not convertible into Class B Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all
references in this Prospectus to "Common Stock" shall mean, collectively, the
Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock. See "Description of Capital
Stock -- General."
OWNERSHIP
As of the date of this Prospectus, The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund
II, L.P. ("MSLEF"), Morgan Stanley Capital Partners III, L.P. and certain
affiliated funds (the "MSCP Funds" and with MSLEF, the "Morgan Stanley
Stockholders") own approximately 75.1% of the outstanding Common Stock. Upon
consummation of the Offering, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own
approximately 51.3% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Company and certain
stockholders may sell up to 885,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in connection
with the Offering, but only to the extent that the Underwriters exercise their
overallotment option. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and
"Underwriters."
6
<PAGE> 9
THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Class A Common Stock offered by:
The Company........................................ 5,310,000 Shares
The Selling Stockholder............................ 590,000 Shares(1)
---------
Total......................................... 5,900,000 Shares
=========
Class A Common Stock offered in:
U.S. Offering...................................... 4,720,000 Shares
International Offering............................. 1,180,000 Shares
---------
Total......................................... 5,900,000 Shares
=========
Common Stock outstanding after the Offering.......... 16,776,056 Shares(2)
Use of proceeds...................................... The net proceeds to the Company from the
Offering will be used to repay existing
indebtedness, fund expansion of the Company's
facilities and for general corporate purposes.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from
the sale of Class A Common Stock by any
Selling Stockholder. See "Use of Proceeds."
New York Stock Exchange Symbol....................... PLB
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) All of such shares are being offered by Thompson Holdings, L.P. (the
"Selling Stockholder"), a limited partnership of which Richard C. Thompson,
a director of the Company, is the only limited partner. Mr. Thompson is also
the president of the corporation which is the general partner of the limited
partnership. Such shares do not include up to 885,000 shares that may be
sold by the Company and certain stockholders pursuant to the exercise of the
U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option. Thompson Holdings, L.P. and such
stockholders are collectively referred to herein as the "Selling
Stockholders." See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
(2) Does not include the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option. Includes
747,219 shares of Class B Common Stock. Excludes (i) 1,132,049 shares,
48,504 shares and 993,391 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under the Company's
1992 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan"), 1993 Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan") and 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"1997 Plan"), respectively; and (ii) 69,832 shares, 34,278 shares and
1,006,609 shares of Class A Common Stock available for future grants under
the 1992 Plan, the 1993 Plan and the 1997 Plan, respectively. See
"Management -- Stock Option Plans."
RISK FACTORS
See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain factors that should be
considered in evaluating an investment in the Class A Common Stock.
7
<PAGE> 10
SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following summary financial and operating data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," and the Financial Statements of the Company,
including the Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. In 1996,
the Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to the last Friday of
September. This change resulted in a nine-month fiscal period ended September
30, 1996, and will result in a 53-week year for fiscal 1997, and a 52-or 53-week
year for all subsequent fiscal years. The Company's first three fiscal quarters
end on the Friday last preceding December 31, March 31, and June 30 of each
year. For purposes of this Prospectus, the 1996 fiscal year is described as the
nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, and the nine-month 1996 and
1997 interim periods are described as having ended June 30. The statement of
operations data of the Company for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 and
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996 are included herein only for
comparison purposes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH NINE-MONTH
CALENDAR FISCAL PERIOD PERIOD ENDED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED ENDED JUNE 30,
------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, ----------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ------------ ------------- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND PERCENTAGES)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues........................ $39,049 $47,872 $69,465 $92,903 $121,621 $92,074 $86,514 $ 93,616
Cost of goods sold.............. 28,750 35,081 54,393 73,851 89,704 68,555 65,697 67,821
Plant expansion costs(1)........ -- 1,171 484 2,065 -- -- 425 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Gross profit.................... 10,299 11,620 14,588 16,987 31,917 23,519 20,392 25,795
Selling and marketing expense,
including product introduction
costs(2)...................... 2,888 2,883 3,792 5,303 21,250 16,798 11,236 10,212
General and administrative
expense....................... 2,077 2,049 1,951 2,930 3,498 2,805 2,741 2,855
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Operating profit................ 5,334 6,688 8,845 8,754 7,169 3,916 6,415 12,728
Interest expense, net........... 5,396 3,210 4,975 8,008 10,575 8,023 8,030 7,800
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Income (loss) before income tax
and extraordinary loss........ (62) 3,478 3,870 746 (3,406) (4,107) (1,615) 4,928
Income tax...................... -- (3,221) 1,484 270 (1,288) (1,556) (642) 1,878
Extraordinary loss, net of
income tax(3)................. 2,639 -- 204 -- 1,647 1,647 1,647 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Net income (loss)............... $(2,701) $ 6,699 $ 2,182 $ 476 $ (3,765) $(4,198) $(2,620) $ 3,050
======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ========
Pro forma net income (loss) per
common share(4)............... $ (.39) $ .66 $ .21 $ .05 $ (.37) $ (.41) $ (.25) $ .25
Pro forma weighted average
common shares
outstanding(4)................ 6,943 10,219 10,231 10,275 10,305 10,303 10,296 12,160
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(5)....................... $ 7,993 $ 9,495 $12,408 $13,836 $ 12,460 $ 8,994 $11,395 $ 18,037
EBITDA as a percent of
revenues(5)................... 20.5% 19.8% 17.9% 14.9% 10.2% 9.8% 13.2% 19.3%
Revenue per employee
(end of period)............... $ 209 $ 244 $ 288 $ 361 $ 437 NM NM NM
Working capital excluding
current maturities of
long-term debt (average for
the period) as a percent of
revenues...................... 17.3% 14.2% 12.0% 4.6% 6.5% NM NM NM
Cash flows provided by (used
in):
Operating activities.......... $ 966 $ 4,787 $ 3,690 $ 5,730 $ (5,013) $(7,477) $(4,155) $ 14,076
Investing activities.......... (1,000) (15,139) (25,431) (38,789) (3,870) (3,041) (6,084) (11,464)
Financing activities.......... 2,142 10,382 19,603 33,066 10,543 12,318 11,722 (1,818)
Earnings to fixed charges....... .50x 1.87x 1.48x .92x .52x .28x .59x 1.60x
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
-------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED(6)
------ --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 2,612 $ 16,443
Working capital............................................. 13,276 29,982
Total assets................................................ 145,462 159,293
Long-term debt, less current maturities..................... 89,500 28,543
Stockholders' equity........................................ 40,977 118,640
</TABLE>
(footnotes appear on following page)
8
<PAGE> 11
(footnotes from previous page)
- -------------------------
(1) Plant expansion costs include incremental direct and indirect manufacturing
and distribution costs which are incurred as a result of construction,
commissioning and start-up of new capital assets. These costs are expensed
as incurred but are unrelated to current production and, therefore, are
reported as a separate line item in the statement of operations.
(2) Selling and marketing expense includes incremental product introduction
costs, including payment of product placement or "slotting" fees, related to
the Company's launch of its Pasta LaBella flavored pasta products into the
U.S. retail grocery market. The Company did not incur such product
introduction costs prior to the calendar year ended December 31, 1996.
Product introduction costs were incurred as follows: $9.6 million for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1996, $8.1 million for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1996, $4.6 million for the nine-month period
ended June 30, 1996 and $2.1 million for the nine-month period June 30,
1997.
(3) Represents losses due to early extinguishment of long-term debt, net of
income tax.
(4) Earnings per share is presented on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
consummation of the Recapitalization in connection with the Offering.
(5) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, thereby removing the effect of certain non-cash charges on
income. Management believes that EBITDA is a meaningful measure of operating
performance, cash generation and ability to service debt. However, EBITDA
should not be considered as an alternative either to: (i) net earnings
(determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP")); (ii) operating cash flow (determined in accordance with GAAP); or
(iii) liquidity. There can be no assurance that the Company's calculation of
EBITDA is comparable to similarly-titled items reported by other companies.
(6) Adjusted to give effect to the issuance and sale by the Company of 5,310,000
shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offering at an assumed initial public
offering price per share of $16 and the application of the net proceeds to
the Company therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
9
<PAGE> 12
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, prospective
investors should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating an
investment in the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby.
DEPENDENCE ON MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Historically, a limited number of customers have accounted for a
substantial portion of the Company's revenues. During 1994, 1995, the nine-month
fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, and the nine-month period ended June 30,
1997, Sysco accounted for approximately 38%, 33%, 27% and 27%, respectively, and
sales to Sam's Club accounted for approximately 12%, 23%, 20% and 21%,
respectively, of the Company's revenues. The Company expects it will continue to
rely on a limited number of major customers for a substantial portion of its
revenues in the future. Management believes that a majority of the Company's
fiscal 1998 revenues will be derived from combined sales to Sysco, Sam's Club
and CPC. The Company has an exclusive supply contract with Sysco (the "Sysco
Agreement") through June 2000, subject to renewal by Sysco for two additional
three-year periods. The Company recently entered into a long-term manufacturing
and distribution agreement with CPC (the "CPC Agreement") to supply it with a
minimum of 175 million pounds of pasta annually for nine years. The Company does
not have supply contracts with a substantial number of its customers, including
Sam's Club. Accordingly, the Company is dependent upon its customers to sell the
Company's products and to assist the Company in promoting market acceptance of,
and creating demand for, the Company's products. An adverse change in, or
termination or expiration without renewal of, the Company's relationships with
or the financial viability of one or more of its major customers could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, certain exclusivity provisions of the Sysco
Agreement and CPC Agreement prevent AIPC from producing and supplying
competitors of Sysco and CPC with certain pasta products. Under the Sysco
Agreement, the Company is restricted from supplying pasta products to
foodservice businesses other than Sysco. Without CPC's consent, AIPC may not
produce branded retail pasta for Borden, Hershey Foods Corporation ("Hershey")
or Barilla Alimentare S.p.A. ("Barilla"), and is limited to the production of an
aggregate of 12 million pounds of branded pasta products annually for other
producers. See "Business -- Production and Supply Agreements."
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CPC BUSINESS
The Company has experienced rapid growth and management expects significant
additional growth in the future. Successful management of any such future growth
will require the Company to continue to invest in and enhance its operational,
financial and management information resources and systems, attract and retain
management personnel to manage such resources and systems, accurately forecast
sales demand and meet such demand, accurately forecast retail sales, control its
overhead, and attract, train, motivate and manage its employees effectively.
There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to grow, or that it
will be effective in managing its future growth. Any failure to effectively
manage growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
During 1998, the Company will be required to produce substantially all of
CPC's Mueller's brand pasta, which has averaged approximately 200 million pounds
of pasta annually over the last five years. To meet its obligations under the
CPC Agreement and provide for future growth, the Company must successfully
complete its 1997-1998 capital expansion program to increase its overall
milling, production and distribution capacity by approximately 100%.
Implementation of the CPC Agreement may also adversely affect the Company's
financial, operational and human resources. There can be no assurance that the
Company's planned expansion of its production facilities will be completed in a
timely and cost-effective manner or at all, or that such expanded facilities
will be adequate to meet the CPC volume requirements and any future growth.
Failure to complete the Company's planned capital expansion in a timely and
cost-effective manner and implement the CPC Agreement could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
10
<PAGE> 13
SUBSTANTIAL PLANNED INVESTMENTS IN MILLING AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES
The Company has begun a major expansion of its durum wheat milling and
pasta production and distribution facilities, budgeted to cost approximately $86
million during the 1997 and 1998 fiscal years, which is planned to increase
AIPC's overall milling, production and distribution capacity by approximately
100%. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete this
expansion on schedule, within budget or at all, that the expanded facilities
will result in the anticipated increase in production capacity or that future
revenues from products produced at the expanded facilities will be sufficient to
recover the Company's investment in the expansion. In addition, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to calibrate its production capacity to
future changes in demand for its products or that any future additions to, or
expansions of, its facilities will be completed on schedule and within budget.
Any significant delay or cost overrun in the construction or acquisition of new
or expanded facilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
RAW MATERIALS
The principal raw material in the Company's products is durum wheat. Durum
wheat is used almost exclusively in pasta production and is a narrowly traded,
cash only commodity crop. The Company attempts to minimize the effects of durum
wheat cost fluctuations through forward purchase contracts and raw material
cost-based pricing agreements with many of its customers. The Company's
commodity procurement and pricing practices are intended to reduce the risk of
durum wheat cost increases on profitability, but also may temporarily affect the
Company's ability to benefit from possible durum wheat cost decreases. The
supply and price of durum wheat is subject to market conditions and is
influenced by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including
general economic conditions, natural disasters and weather conditions,
competition, and governmental programs and regulations. The supply and cost of
durum wheat may also be adversely affected by insects, plant diseases and
funguses, including the karnal bunt fungus which infected a portion of the durum
wheat produced in the southwestern United States in 1996 and in central Texas in
1997. The Company also relies on the supply of plastic, corrugated and other
packaging materials. The costs of durum wheat and packaging materials have
varied widely in recent years and future changes in such costs may cause the
Company's results of operations and margins to fluctuate significantly. A large,
rapid increase in the cost of raw materials could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's operating profit and margins unless and until the increased
cost can be passed along to customers. Following a period of relatively stable
prices during the nine months ended June 30, 1997, the market price of durum
wheat increased by approximately 24% from $5.60 per bushel to $6.95 per bushel
between June 30, 1997 and September 17, 1997. Historically, changes in prices of
the Company's pasta products have lagged changes in the Company's materials
costs. Competitive pressures may also limit the ability of the Company to raise
prices in response to increased raw material costs in the future. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance as to whether, or the extent to which, the Company
will be able to offset raw material cost increases with increased product
prices. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business -- Raw Materials and Supplies."
COMPETITION
The Company operates in a highly-competitive environment against numerous
well-established national, regional and foreign companies, and many smaller
companies in the procurement of raw materials, the development of new pasta
products and product lines, the improvement and expansion of previously
introduced pasta products and product lines and the production, marketing and
distribution of pasta products. Several of these companies have longer operating
histories, broader product lines, significantly greater brand recognition and
greater production capacity and financial and other resources than the Company.
The Company's direct competitors include large multi-national companies such as
food industry leader Hershey with brands such as San Giorgio(R) and Ronzoni(R),
and Borden with brands such as Prince(R) and Creamette(R), regional U.S.
producers of retail and institutional pasta such as Dakota Growers Pasta Company
("Dakota Growers"), a farmer-owned cooperative in North Dakota, Philadelphia
Macaroni Co. Inc. ("Philadelphia Macaroni") and A. Zerega's Sons, Inc.
("Zerega's"), each an independent producer, and foreign companies such as
Italian pasta producers De Cecco ("De Cecco") and Barilla.
11
<PAGE> 14
The Company's competitive environment depends to a significant extent on
the aggregate industry capacity relative to aggregate demand for pasta products.
Several domestic pasta producers have recently completed production facility
additions or announced their intention to increase domestic production capacity.
In addition to AIPC's planned capital expansion, management believes that these
capacity additions represent more than 200 million pounds in aggregate. Dakota
Growers recently increased the capacity of its durum wheat mill and has
announced plans to complete a pasta production capacity expansion in excess of
100 million pounds by the end of 1997. Hershey recently added approximately 50
million pounds of pasta capacity to its facility in Winchester, Virginia. In
September 1997, Barilla announced plans to build a pasta plant near Ames, Iowa
with an estimated annual pasta capacity of over 200 million pounds. Two major
pasta producers have also recently announced planned reductions in pasta
production capacity. Borden announced that it will close or sell five of its ten
North American pasta plants by the end of 1997, and CPC intends to eliminate its
capacity of approximately 180 million pounds by the end of 1997. Increases in
industry capacity levels above demand for pasta products could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Several foreign producers, based principally in Italy and Turkey, have
aggressively targeted the U.S. pasta market in recent years. In 1996, a U.S.
Department of Commerce investigation revealed that several Italian and Turkish
producers were engaging in unfair trade practices by selling pasta at less than
fair value in the U.S. markets and benefitting from subsidies from their
respective governments. Effective July 1996, the U.S. International Trade
Commission ("ITC"), imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Italian
and Turkish imports. While such duties may enable the Company and its domestic
competitors to compete more favorably against Italian and Turkish producers in
the U.S. pasta market, there can be no assurance that the duties will be
maintained for any length of time, or that these or other foreign producers will
not sell competing products in the United States at prices less than those of
the Company. Such practices, if continued or increased, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. Bulk imported pasta, and pasta produced in the U.S. by foreign
firms, are generally not subject to such anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
Foreign pasta producers generally may avoid such duties by importing bulk pasta
into the United States and repackaging it in U.S. facilities for distribution. A
leading branded Italian producer, Barilla, opened a bulk pasta repackaging and
distribution facility in Syracuse, New York in 1996 and recently announced plans
to build a pasta production plant in Ames, Iowa for completion in mid-1998. In
addition, on August 28, 1997, the Department of Commerce announced that it is
conducting an administrative review of its anti-dumping and countervailing duty
orders of July 1996 relating to three Turkish and 16 Italian pasta producers,
including Barilla and De Cecco. The Department of Commerce indicated that it
intends to complete its review not later than July 31, 1998. The Company cannot
predict the outcome of the Department of Commerce's review. See "Business --
Pasta Industry -- Pasta Production Capacity" and "-- Competition."
RELIANCE ON PASTA; PRODUCT LINE CONCENTRATION
Since commencing operations in 1988, the Company has focused exclusively on
the dry pasta industry. For the foreseeable future, AIPC expects to continue to
receive substantially all of its revenues from the sale of pasta and
pasta-related products. Because of this product concentration, any decline in
the demand or pricing for dry pasta, any shift in consumer preferences away from
dry pasta, or any other factor that adversely affects the pasta market, could
have a more significant adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations than on pasta producers which also produce
other products. In addition, the Company's pasta production equipment is highly
specialized and is not adaptable to the production of non-pasta food products.
RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company's operations and prospects depend in large part on the
performance of its senior management team, including Horst W. Schroeder,
Chairman of the Board, Timothy S. Webster, President and Chief Executive
Officer, David E. Watson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Norman F. Abreo, Executive Vice President of Operations and David B. Potter,
Senior Vice President of Procurement. No assurance can be given that the Company
would be able to find qualified replacements for
12
<PAGE> 15
any of these individuals if their services were no longer available. The loss of
the services of one or more members of the Company's senior management team
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. The Company does not maintain key person
life insurance on any of its key employees. The Company will enter into
employment agreements with Messrs. Schroeder, Webster, Watson, Abreo and Potter
effective upon consummation of the Offering. See "Management."
TRANSPORTATION
Durum wheat is shipped to the Company's production facility in Missouri
directly from North Dakota, Montana and Canada under a long-term rail contract
with its most significant rail carrier, the Canadian Pacific Rail System. Under
such agreement, the Company is obligated to transport specified wheat volumes
and, in the event such volumes are not met, the Company must reimburse the
carrier for certain of its costs. The Company currently is in compliance with
such volume obligations. The Company also has a rail contract to ship semolina,
milled and processed at the Missouri facility, to the South Carolina facility.
An extended interruption in the Company's ability to ship durum wheat by
railroad to the Missouri plant, or semolina to the Company's South Carolina
facility, could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. The Company experienced a
significant interruption in railroad shipments in 1994 due to a railroad strike.
While the Company would attempt to transport such materials by alternative means
if it were to experience another interruption due to strike, natural disasters
or otherwise, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to do so
or be successful in doing so in a timely and cost-effective manner. See
"Business -- Milling and Production Processes" and "-- Raw Materials and
Supplies."
PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Most of the Company's customers use, to some extent, inventory management
systems which track sales of particular products and rely on reorders being
rapidly filled by suppliers to meet consumer demand rather than on large
inventories being maintained by retailers. Although these systems reduce a
retailer's investment in inventory, they increase pressure on suppliers like the
Company to fill orders promptly and thereby shift a portion of the retailer's
inventory management cost to the supplier. The Company's production of excess
inventory to meet anticipated retailer demand could result in markdowns and
increased inventory carrying costs for the Company. In addition, if the Company
underestimates the demand for its products, it may be unable to provide adequate
supplies of pasta products to retailers in a timely fashion, and may
consequently lose sales.
POTENTIAL VOLATILITY OF FUTURE QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
The Company's results of operations may fluctuate on a quarterly basis as a
result of a number of factors, including total sales volumes, the timing and
scope of new customer volumes, the timing and amounts of price adjustments due
to durum wheat and other cost changes, the cost of raw materials, including
durum wheat (see "Risk Factors -- Raw Materials"), plant expansion costs and
interest expenses. In addition, fluctuations in quarterly results could affect
the market price of the Class A Common Stock in a manner unrelated to the longer
term operating performance of the Company.
RISK OF PRODUCT LIABILITY
Although the Company has never been involved in a product liability
lawsuit, the sale of food products for human consumption involves the risk of
injury to consumers as a result of tampering by unauthorized third parties,
product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects,
substances, chemicals, aflatoxin and other agents, or residues introduced during
the growing, storage, handling or transportation phases. While the Company is
subject to U.S. Food & Drug Administration inspection and regulations and
believes its facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws
and regulations, there can be no assurance that consumption of the Company's
products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that the
Company will not be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. The
Company maintains product liability insurance in an amount which the Company
believes to be adequate. However, there can be
13
<PAGE> 16
no assurance that the Company will not incur claims or liabilities for which it
is not insured or that exceed the amount of its insurance coverage.
SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE OF CURRENT PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
Upon consummation of the Offering, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own
approximately 51.3% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Morgan Stanley
Stockholders have informed the Company that they intend to convert, from time to
time, such number of their shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A
Common Stock (or vice versa) so that, following any such conversion, the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders and certain related persons will own, in the aggregate, 49%
of the outstanding Class A Common Stock (which is voting common stock) of the
Company. The Morgan Stanley Stockholders are affiliates of Morgan Stanley, Dean
Witter, Discover & Co. ("MSDWD"), an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, a representative of the U.S. Underwriters, and Morgan Stanley &
Co. International Limited, a representative of the International Underwriters.
Upon consummation of the Offering, three of nine directors of the Company will
be employees of a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDWD. Pursuant to the Stockholders
Agreement (as amended and restated effective upon the consummation of the
Offering) among the Morgan Stanley Stockholders, the Company, and certain other
stockholders of the Company, one of the Morgan Stanley Stockholders, The Morgan
Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P. ("MSLEF II"), has the right to designate
two director nominees so long as it owns at least 25% of the outstanding Common
Stock or one director nominee so long as it owns at least 5% but less than 25%
of the outstanding Common Stock. In addition, another Morgan Stanley
Stockholder, Morgan Stanley Capital Partners III, L.P. ("MSCP"), has the right
to designate two director nominees so long as it owns at least 35% of the
outstanding Common Stock or one director nominee so long as it owns at least 5%
but less than 35% of the outstanding Common Stock. Whenever MSLEF II and MSCP
individually own less than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, they shall
jointly be entitled to designate one director nominee as long as the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock. The number of directors designated by the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders will increase proportionately if the size of the Board of
Directors is increased in the future. In addition, so long as the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders own at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, certain
significant corporate actions are subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors and the Morgan Stanley Stockholders. As a result of their ownership
interest in the Company and their rights under the Stockholders Agreement, the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders will continue to have a substantial influence over
the affairs of the Company following the consummation of the Offering, including
with respect to mergers or other business combinations involving the Company and
the acquisition or disposition of assets by the Company. Similarly, the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders will have the power to prevent or, by selling their Common
Stock, cause a change of control of the Company and could take other actions
that might be favorable to the Morgan Stanley Stockholders. In such instances or
otherwise, various conflicts of interest between the Company and the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders could arise. Stockholders may be prevented from receiving a
premium for their shares if the Morgan Stanley Stockholders were to act in
concert to oppose any takeover attempt. See "Principal and Selling
Stockholders," "Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Charter, By-Law and Statutory
Provisions" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Stockholders
Agreement."
FINANCIAL LEVERAGE; SENSITIVITY TO INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS; COVENANT
RESTRICTIONS
The Company will use the net proceeds to the Company from the Offering to
reduce its outstanding bank indebtedness as of June 30, 1997 from approximately
$86 million to $22 million upon application of the net proceeds of the Offering,
after which such debt will represent approximately 15% of the Company's total
capitalization. However, the Company intends to substantially increase such
indebtedness in the future to finance its capital expenditure plan. The degree
to which the Company is financially leveraged following such borrowings and the
terms of the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences to
stockholders, including: (i) the Company's ability to obtain additional
financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, and general
corporate purposes may be impaired; (ii) a substantial portion of the Company's
cash flow from operations may have to be dedicated to the payment of the
principal of and interest on its
14
<PAGE> 17
indebtedness; (iii) the terms of such indebtedness may restrict the Company's
ability to pay dividends; and (iv) the Company may be more highly leveraged than
many of its competitors, which may place the Company at a competitive
disadvantage. As of June 30, 1997, the outstanding indebtedness under the
Company's $162.6 million credit facility (the "Credit Facility") was $85.9
million. See "Use of Proceeds."
As of June 30, 1997, the Company's indebtedness had a weighted average
interest rate of 9.3% and approximately 92%, or $85.9 million, of the Company's
indebtedness bore interest at variable rates. Although the Company will use the
net proceeds of the Offering to substantially reduce the amount of such
variable-rate indebtedness, the Company may incur additional amounts of
variable-rate indebtedness in the future. If this were to occur, and if interest
rates were to significantly increase thereafter, the Company's operating results
and its ability to satisfy its debt service obligations may be materially and
adversely affected. Previously, the Company had relied on an interest rate cap
to effectively limit the Company's exposure to variable rates with respect to a
portion of the Company's debt. Under the Credit Facility, the Company is
required to obtain an interest rate protection agreement by November 15, 1997.
There can be no assurance the Company will be able to obtain such interest rate
protection agreement on favorable terms.
The limitations contained in the agreements relating to the Company's
existing Credit Facility, together with the leveraged position of the Company,
restrict the Company from paying dividends and could limit the ability of the
Company to effect future debt or equity financings and may otherwise restrict
corporate activities, including the ability to avoid defaults and to respond to
competitive market conditions, to provide for capital expenditures beyond those
permitted or to take advantage of business opportunities. See "Capitalization"
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHARTER, BY-LAW AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Charter and Bylaws. Certain provisions of the Company's Charter and By-laws
(the "By-laws") could delay or frustrate the removal of incumbent directors and
could make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving the
Company, even if such events could be beneficial, in the short term, to the
interests of the stockholders. For example, the Charter and By-laws allow the
Company to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the Class A
Common Stock without stockholder action, require the Board of Directors to be
divided into three classes serving three-year staggered terms, require
stockholder actions to be effected only at annual or special stockholder
meetings (unless the action to be effected by written consent of stockholders
and the taking of such action by written consent have been approved in advance
by the Board of Directors or unless the shareholder action involves the removal
of a director nominated pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement and the person
who nominated such director pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement votes in
favor of the removal of such director pursuant to such written consent), require
the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled
to vote to remove directors (unless the removal of a director has been requested
by a shareholder who designated such director as a nominee for election pursuant
to the Stockholders Agreement, in which case such director can be removed with
or without cause by the affirmative vote of holders of a simple majority of such
shares), require the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the
outstanding shares to amend certain provisions of the Charter or to repeal or
amend the Company's By-laws and impose various other procedural requirements on
the taking of certain actions.
Pursuant to the Charter, shares of preferred stock and Class A Common Stock
may be issued in the future without further stockholder approval and upon such
terms and conditions, and having such rights, privileges and preferences, as the
Board of Directors may determine. The issuance of preferred stock and Class A
Common Stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate transactions, could have the effect of making
it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or effectively preventing a
third party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Company. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Delaware Law and Certain Charter
and By-Law Provisions."
Delaware Corporation Law. The Company also is subject to provisions of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the "DGCL"), that
prohibit a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a broad range of
business combinations with a person who, together with affiliates and
15
<PAGE> 18
associates, owns 15% of more of the corporation's common stock (an "Interested
Stockholder") for three years after the person became an Interested Stockholder,
unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Those
provisions could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or
similar transaction, even if favorable to the Company's stockholders. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Delaware Law and Certain Charter and By-Law
Provisions."
Amended Stockholders Agreement. In addition, the amended Stockholders
Agreement will grant the Morgan Stanley Stockholders the right, depending on
their respective ownership percentages, to designate nominees to the Board and
to have the right to approve certain significant corporate actions including,
but not limited to, mergers, consolidations or other similar transactions. The
substantial ownership position of the Morgan Stanley Stockholders could make it
more difficult for a third party to acquire, or effectively prevent a third
party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding Common Stock.
Dual Class Structure. Tender offers or other non-open market acquisitions
of stock are usually made at prices above the prevailing market price of a
company's stock. In addition, acquisitions of stock by persons attempting to
acquire control through market purchases may cause the market price of the stock
to reach levels which are higher than would otherwise prevail. While the Class B
Common Stock is non-voting, the ability of the Morgan Stanley Stockholders to
convert that stock into Class A Common Stock (so long as such conversion does
not increase their aggregate ownership of Class A Common Stock above 49% of the
then-outstanding Class A Common Stock) may discourage such acquisitions,
particularly those of less than all of the Company's stock, and may thereby
deprive shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium price.
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Class A
Common Stock. Even if the Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Class
A Common Stock will develop or be sustained after the Offering, or that
purchasers of Class A Common Stock will be able to resell their Class A Common
Stock at prices equal to or greater than the initial public offering price. The
initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between the Company
and the U.S. Representatives based on the factors described in "Underwriters."
The trading price of the Class A Common Stock could be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to announcements of increases in the cost of raw
materials, new products introduced by the Company or its competitors, variations
in the Company's quarterly results of operations, or changes in financial
estimates by securities analysts and other events or factors. The stock market
has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years. Stock
market volatility unrelated to the operating performance of the Company may
adversely affect the market price of the Class A Common Stock.
DILUTION OF VOTING POWER UPON CONVERSION OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK INTO CLASS A
COMMON STOCK
After giving effect to the Offering and the Morgan Stanley Stockholders'
intended conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock
such that, following such conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own,
in the aggregate, 49% of the outstanding voting Class A Common Stock of the
Company, there will be 747,219 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding,
representing, in the aggregate, approximately 4.5% of the total outstanding
Common Stock. Conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class
A Common Stock would result in a decrease in the aggregate voting power of the
holders in the Class A Common Stock offered hereby. Upon any disposition by the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders of any of their Class B Common Stock, such shares of
Class B Common Stock will be automatically converted into shares of Class A
Common Stock. According to the terms of the Charter, the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders and certain related persons may not, in the aggregate, own more
than 49% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock after consummation of
the Offering. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and "Description of
Capital Stock."
16
<PAGE> 19
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Upon consummation of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding an
aggregate of 16,776,056 shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of
outstanding options. Of these shares, all of the shares sold in the Offering
will be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act, unless such shares are purchased by "affiliates" of the Company
as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Affiliates"). The
remaining 10,876,056 shares of Common Stock held by existing stockholders are
"restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities
Act ("Restricted Shares"). Restricted Shares may be sold in the public market
only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under
Rule 144 or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. As a result of the
contractual restrictions described below and the provisions of Rules 144 and
701, the Restricted Shares will be available for sale in the public market as
follows: (i) no shares will be eligible for immediate sale on the date of this
Prospectus; and (ii) 8,260,330 shares will be eligible for sale pursuant to Rule
144, provided the conditions of Rule 144 are met, upon expiration of the lock-up
agreements at least 180 days after the date of this Prospectus. All officers,
directors and substantially all stockholders and holders of vested options of
the Company have agreed not to sell or otherwise transfer any shares of Common
Stock or any other securities of the Company for a period of at least 180 days
after the date of this Prospectus. Sales, or the possibility of sales, of Common
Stock by the Company's existing stockholders, whether in connection with the
exercise of registration rights or otherwise, could adversely affect the market
price of the Company's Class A Common Stock. The Stockholders Agreement will be
amended to provide that the Company will grant the stockholders who are parties
to such agreement, including the Morgan Stanley Stockholders, certain "demand"
and "piggyback" registration rights with respect to the Common Stock owned by
such stockholders. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions --
Stockholders Agreement" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stock
and currently intends to retain all available funds for use in the operation and
expansion of its business. The Company does not anticipate that any cash
dividends on the Common Stock will be declared or paid in the foreseeable
future. See "Dividend Policy."
SUBSTANTIAL AND IMMEDIATE DILUTION
Investors in the Offering will incur immediate dilution of $9.35 per share
in the pro forma net tangible book value per share of Class A Common Stock
(based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $16 per share) as of
June 30, 1997. See "Dilution."
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Class A
Common Stock in the Offering are estimated to be approximately $77.7 million,
assuming an initial public offering price of $16 per share. The Company will use
approximately $63.8 million of the net proceeds from the Offering to repay bank
indebtedness (with stated maturities from 2000 through 2004 and bearing interest
at a weighted-average interest rate of 9.3% per annum as of June 30, 1997)
incurred under the Company's Credit Facility and the balance will be used to
fund the expansion of the Company's facilities and for general corporate
purposes. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of
Class A Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder. See "Underwriters."
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has not declared or paid any dividends on its Common Stock to
date and does not anticipate paying any such dividends in the foreseeable
future. After consummation of the Offering, the Company intends to retain
earnings for the foreseeable future to provide funds for the operation and
expansion of its business and for the repayment of indebtedness. The borrowing
agreements relating to the Company's Credit Facility contain certain provisions
which effectively prohibit the payment of dividends. Future borrowing agreements
of the Company may also contain limitations on the payment of dividends. Any
determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the
Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company's financial
condition, capital requirements, results of operations and other factors,
including any contractual or statutory restrictions on the Company's ability to
pay dividends.
17
<PAGE> 20
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth information regarding the short-term debt
and capitalization of the Company on a pro forma basis to give effect to the
Recapitalization as if it had occurred as of June 30, 1997 and on a pro forma as
adjusted basis which reflects (i) the issuance and sale of 5,310,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock offered hereby by the Company at an assumed initial public
offering price of $16 per share and the application of the estimated net
proceeds therefrom and (ii) the Morgan Stanley Stockholders' intended conversion
of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock following the
consummation of the Offering. See "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Description
of Capital Stock -- General." The following table should be read in conjunction
with the Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere
in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
-----------------------
PRO FORMA
PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
--------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, current
portion................................................... $ 3,685 $ 810
======== ========
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current
portion:
Long-term debt............................................ $ 83,063 $ 22,106
Capital lease obligations................................. 6,437 6,437
-------- --------
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
less current portion.................................. 89,500 28,543
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding pro forma
and pro forma as adjusted.............................. -- --
Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares
authorized, 11,466,056 shares issued and outstanding
pro forma and 16,776,056 shares issued and outstanding
pro forma as adjusted(1)............................... 11 17
Class B Common Stock, $.001 par value, 25,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding pro forma
and 747,219 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as
adjusted............................................... -- 1
Additional paid-in capital................................ 55,324 132,980
Notes receivable from officers............................ (298) (298)
Accumulated deficit....................................... (14,060) (14,060)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................... 40,977 118,640
-------- --------
Total capitalization........................................ $130,477 $147,183
======== ========
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Excludes (i) 1,132,049 shares, 48,504 shares and 993,391 shares of Class A
Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options under the Company's 1992 Plan, 1993 Plan and 1997 Plan,
respectively; and (ii) 69,832 shares, 34,278 shares and 1,006,609 shares of
Class A Common Stock available for future grants under the 1992 Plan, the
1993 Plan and the 1997 Plan, respectively. See "Management -- Stock Option
Plans."
18
<PAGE> 21
DILUTION
The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company at June 30, 1997 was
$33.8 million, or $2.95 per share of Common Stock. Pro forma net tangible book
value per share is equal to the Company's total tangible assets less total
liabilities, divided by the pro forma total number of shares outstanding. The
Company had a pro forma total of 11,466,056 shares of Common Stock outstanding
as of June 30, 1997, assuming the Recapitalization had occurred as of that date.
After giving effect to the sale by the Company of 5,310,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock in the Offering at an assumed initial public offering price of
$16.00 per share and deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, the pro forma as adjusted
net tangible book value of the Company as of such date would have been
approximately $111.5 million, or $6.65 per share, based on 16,776,056 shares of
Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering. This represents an immediate
increase in net tangible book value of $3.70 per share to the current holders of
the Common Stock and an immediate dilution of $9.35 per share to new investors
purchasing shares of Common Stock in the Offering. The following table
illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed initial public offering price....................... $16.00
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share before the
Offering.................................................. 2.95
----
Increase per share attributable to new investors............ 3.70
----
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share
after the Offering........................................ 6.65
------
Dilution per share to new investors......................... $ 9.35
======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes as of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the Offering, the differences in the total consideration
paid and the average price per share paid by the existing stockholders with
respect to the outstanding Common Stock and by the purchasers of the shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company in the Offering (at an assumed initial
public offering price of $16.00 per share and before deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION AVERAGE
-------------------- ---------------------- PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
------ ------- ------ ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders(1).................. 11,466,056 68.3% $ 55,335,000 39.4% $ 4.83
New investors(2).......................... 5,310,000 31.7 84,960,000 60.6 16.00
---------- ----- ------------ ----- ------
Total................................ 16,776,056 100.0% $140,295,000 100.0% $ 8.36
========== ===== ============ ===== ======
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Includes 747,219 shares of Class B Common Stock. Excludes (i) 1,132,049
shares, 48,504 shares and 993,391 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved
for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under the
Company's 1992 Plan, the 1993 Plan and the 1997 Plan, respectively; and (ii)
69,832 shares, 34,278 shares and 1,006,609 shares of Class A Common Stock
available for future grants under the 1992 Plan, the 1993 Plan and the 1997
Plan, respectively. See "Management -- Stock Option Plans."
(2) Sales of Class A Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder in the Offering
will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock held by existing
stockholders to 10,876,056, or approximately 64.8% of the total shares of
Common Stock outstanding after the Offering, and will increase the number of
shares held by new investors to 5,900,000, or approximately 35.2% of the
total shares of Common Stock outstanding after the Offering. See "Principal
and Selling Stockholders."
19
<PAGE> 22
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, and the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1997 and the selected balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 are derived from, and
are qualified by reference to, the Financial Statements of the Company audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The selected statement of operations data for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1993 and the selected balance sheet data as of December
31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 have been derived from audited financial statements of
the Company not included herein. The selected statement of operations data for
the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 and the nine-month period ended June
30, 1996, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996
have been derived from the Company's unaudited internal financial statements,
which in the opinion of management, have been prepared on the same basis as the
audited financial statements and reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations and financial position of the Company. The statement of operations
data of the Company for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 and the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1996 are included herein only for comparison
purposes. The Company's results of operations for the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of its results for the full fiscal
year. The selected other data has been derived from the accounting records of
the Company and have not been audited. The selected financial and other data set
forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Company's
Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH NINE-MONTH
CALENDAR FISCAL PERIOD PERIOD ENDED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED ENDED JUNE 30,
-------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, ----------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996(1) 1996(1) 1996 1997(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- ------------ ------------- ---- -------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND PERCENTAGES)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues......................... $39,049 $47,872 $69,465 $ 92,903 $121,621 $ 92,074 $ 86,514 $ 93,616
Cost of goods sold............... 28,750 35,081 54,393 73,851 89,704 68,555 65,697 67,821
Plant expansion costs(2)......... -- 1,171 484 2,065 -- -- 425 --
------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit..................... 10,299 11,620 14,588 16,987 31,917 23,519 20,392 25,795
Selling and marketing expense,
including product introduction
costs(3)....................... 2,888 2,883 3,792 5,303 21,250 16,798 11,236 10,212
General and administrative
expense........................ 2,077 2,049 1,951 2,930 3,498 2,805 2,741 2,855
------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating profit................. 5,334 6,688 8,845 8,754 7,169 3,916 6,415 12,728
Interest expense, net............ 5,396 3,210 4,975 8,008 10,575 8,023 8,030 7,800
------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income tax
and extraordinary loss......... (62) 3,478 3,870 746 (3,406) (4,107) (1,615) 4,928
Income tax....................... -- (3,221) 1,484 270 (1,288) (1,556) (642) 1,878
Extraordinary loss, net of income
tax(4)......................... 2,639 -- 204 -- 1,647 1,647 1,647 --
------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)................ $(2,701) $ 6,699 $ 2,182 $ 476 $ (3,765) $ (4,198) $ (2,620) $ 3,050
======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Pro forma net income (loss) per
common share(5)................ $ (.39) $ .66 $ .21 $ .05 $ (.37) $ (.41) $ (.25) $ .25
Pro forma weighted average common
shares outstanding(5).......... 6,943 10,219 10,231 10,275 10,305 10,303 10,296 12,160
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(6)........................ $ 7,993 $ 9,495 $12,408 $ 13,836 $ 12,460 $ 8,994 $ 11,395 $ 18,037
EBITDA as a percent of
revenues(6).................... 20.5% 19.8% 17.9% 14.9% 10.2% 9.8% 13.2% 19.3%
Revenue per employee
(end of period)................ $ 209 $ 244 $ 288 $ 361 $ 437 NM NM NM
Working capital excluding current
maturities of long-term debt
(average for the period) as a
percent of revenues............ 17.3% 14.2% 12.0% 4.6% 6.5% NM NM NM
Cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities........... $ 966 $ 4,787 $ 3,690 $ 5,730 $ (5,013) $ (7,477) $ (4,155) $ 14,076
Investing activities........... (1,000) (15,139) (25,431) (38,789) (3,870) (3,041) (6,084) (11,464)
Financing activities........... 2,142 10,382 19,603 33,066 10,543 12,318 11,722 (1,818)
Earnings to fixed charges........ .50x 1.87x 1.48x .92x .52x .28x .59x 1.60x
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(AT END OF PERIOD):
Cash and cash equivalents........ $ 2,119 $ 2,149 $ 11 $ 18 $ 1,678 $ 1,818 $ 707 $ 2,612
Working capital.................. 2,900 3,077 4,830 6,632 (1,965) (1,601) 1,667 13,276
Total assets..................... 48,803 66,337 93,629 135,424 137,974 141,688 141,293 145,462
Long-term debt, less current
maturities..................... 31,509 40,024 62,375 97,452 92,143 93,284 94,884 89,500
Stockholders' equity............. 9,994 16,973 19,401 20,067 16,402 15,969 16,716 40,977
</TABLE>
(footnotes appear on following page)
20
<PAGE> 23
(footnotes from previous page)
- -------------------------
(1) The Company adopted a fiscal year ending on the last Friday of September,
effective beginning with the nine-month fiscal period ended September 27,
1996 and for all subsequent fiscal periods. For purposes of this Prospectus,
the 1996 fiscal year and 1997 interim period are shown as having ended on
September 30 and June 30, respectively.
(2) Plant expansion costs include incremental direct and indirect manufacturing
and distribution costs which are incurred as a result of construction,
commissioning and start-up of new capital assets. These costs are expensed
as incurred but are unrelated to current production and, therefore, are
reported as a separate line item in the statement of operations.
(3) Selling and marketing expense includes incremental product introduction
costs, including payment of product placement or "slotting" fees, related to
the Company's launch of its Pasta LaBella flavored pasta products into the
U.S. retail grocery market. The Company did not incur such product
introduction costs prior to the calendar year ended December 31, 1996.
Product introduction costs were incurred as follows: $9.6 million in
calendar year ended December 31, 1996, $8.1 million for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1996, $4.6 million for the nine-month period
ended June 30, 1996 and $2.1 million for the nine-month period June 30,
1997.
(4) Represents losses due to early extinguishment of long-term debt, net of
income tax.
(5) Earnings per share is presented on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
consummation of the Recapitalization in connection with the Offering.
(6) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, thereby removing the effect of certain non-cash charges on
income. Management believes that EBITDA is a meaningful measure of operating
performance, cash generation and ability to service debt. However, EBITDA
should not be considered as an alternative either to: (i) net earnings
(determined in accordance with GAAP); (ii) operating cash flow (determined
in accordance with GAAP); or (iii) liquidity. There can be no assurance that
the Company's calculation of EBITDA is comparable to similarly-titled items
reported by other companies.
21
<PAGE> 24
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements
of the Company and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. For
a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors."
The Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to the last Friday
in September. This change resulted in a nine-month fiscal year for 1996, and
will result in a 53-week year for fiscal 1997, and a 52- or 53-week year for all
subsequent fiscal years. The Company's first three fiscal quarters end on the
Friday last preceding December 31, March 31, and June 30. For purposes of this
Prospectus, the 1996 fiscal year is described as the nine-month fiscal period
ended September 30, 1996, and the nine-month 1996 and 1997 interim periods are
described as having ended June 30. The statement of operations data of the
Company for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and June 30, 1996,
and the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 are included herein only for
comparison purposes.
OVERVIEW
AIPC is the third largest and one of the fastest-growing producers and
marketers of pasta in North America. The Company commenced operations in 1988
with the North American introduction of new, highly-efficient durum wheat
milling and pasta production technology. Management believes that the Company's
singular focus on pasta, vertically-integrated facilities, continued
technological improvements and development of a highly-skilled workforce enable
AIPC to produce high-quality pasta at costs below those of many of its
competitors. Management believes that the combination of the Company's cost
structure, the average age of its competitors' North American pasta production
equipment and the growing pasta consumption in North America creates significant
opportunities for continued growth.
The Company generates its revenues in two customer markets: Retail and
Institutional. The Retail market revenues include the revenues from sales of the
Company's pasta products to customers who resell the Company's pasta in retail
channels. These revenues include sales to club stores and grocery retailers,
encompass sales of the Company's private label and branded products, and will
include sales to CPC. The Institutional market revenues include the revenues
from product sales to Company customers who use the Company's pasta as an
ingredient in food products or customers who resell the Company's pasta in the
foodservice market such as Sysco. The Institutional market also includes
revenues from opportunistic sales to government agencies and other customers
which the Company pursues periodically when capacity is available ("Contract
Sales") to increase production volumes and thereby lower average unit costs.
Average sales prices in the Retail and Institutional markets differ depending on
customer-specific packaging and raw material requirements, product manufacturing
complexity and other service requirements. Generally, average retail sales
prices are higher than institutional sales prices. Average retail and
institutional prices vary due to changes in the relative share of customer
revenues and item specific sales volumes (i.e., product sales mix). Revenues are
reported net of cash discounts, pricing allowances and product returns.
The Company seeks to develop strategic customer relationships with food
industry leaders that have substantial pasta requirements. The Company has
long-term supply agreements with Sysco and CPC and other arrangements with food
industry leaders, such as Sam's Club, that provide for the "pass-through" of
direct material cost changes as pricing adjustments. The pass-throughs are
generally limited to actual changes in cost and, as a result, impact marginal
profitability in periods of changing costs and prices. The pass-throughs are
generally effective 30 to 90 days following such costs changes and thereby
significantly reduce the long-term exposure of the Company's operating results
to the volatility of raw material costs. Management estimates that approximately
60% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1997 will be pursuant to long-term
supply agreements and other non-contractual customer arrangements which provide
for the pass-through of changes in durum wheat costs. Management believes that
this percentage will increase as the Company begins to generate revenue from
CPC. See "Risk Factors -- Raw Materials."
The Company's Pasta LaBella flavored pasta products are sold at prices
which are significantly higher than the Company's non-flavored products as a
result of higher product and distribution costs and its premium
22
<PAGE> 25
\brand position. In the second quarter of calendar 1996, the Company began
distribution of Pasta LaBella flavored pasta into the U.S. Retail grocery
market. This initiative was supported by a comprehensive trade and consumer
product introduction program, including the payment of product placement or
"slotting" fees to retailers, and an on-going selling and marketing program
required to support branded retail sales. The Company achieved distribution in
approximately 40% of the U.S. Retail grocery market and ceased to incur
additional product introduction costs in the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The
Company did not incur such product introduction costs prior to the calendar year
ended December 31, 1996. Product introduction costs included in selling and
marketing expense were incurred as follows: $9.6 million for the calendar year
ended December 31, 1996, $8.1 million for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1996, $4.6 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996 and $2.1
million for the nine-month period June 30, 1997.
The Company's cost of goods sold consists primarily of raw materials,
packaging, manufacturing (including depreciation) and distribution costs. A
significant portion of the Company's cost of goods sold is durum wheat. The
Company purchases durum wheat on the open market and, consequently, is subject
to fluctuations in cost. The Company manages its durum cost risk through
long-term contracts and other noncontractual arrangements with its customers and
advance purchase contracts for durum wheat which are generally less than six
months' duration. The price of durum wheat was volatile during the period
between January 1, 1994 and September 30, 1996 and the published average monthly
market price per bushel fluctuated from $5.18 to $7.49 over this period. In
addition, following a period of relatively stable prices during the nine months
ended June 30, 1997, the market price per bushel of durum wheat increased by
approximately 24% from $5.60 at June 30, 1997 to $6.95 at September 17, 1997. On
September 12, 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted that the 1997
U.S. durum wheat harvest will be approximately 22% lower than for 1996. The
durum cost volatility and the timing and amount of sales price adjustments
impacted profit and margins over the 1994-1997 periods and are expected to
increase the Company's costs beginning in the first quarter of its 1998 fiscal
year.
The Company's capital asset strategy is to achieve low-cost production
through vertical integration and investment in the most current pasta-making
assets and technologies. The manufacturing- and distribution-related capital
assets which have been or will be acquired to support this strategy are
depreciated over their respective economic lives. Because of the capital
intensive nature of the Company's business and its current and future facilities
expansion plans, management believes its depreciation expense for production and
distribution assets may be higher than that of many of its competitors.
Depreciation expense is a component of inventory cost and cost of goods sold.
Plant expansion costs include incremental direct and indirect manufacturing and
distribution costs which are incurred as a result of construction, commissioning
and start-up of new capital assets. These costs are expensed as incurred but are
unrelated to current production and, therefore, reported as a separate line item
in the statement of operations.
The Company has commenced an $86 million capital expansion of its durum
wheat milling and pasta production and distribution facilities in Missouri and
South Carolina. The capital expansion will increase the Company's overall
milling, production and distribution capacity by approximately 100% to meet the
significant volume requirements of the CPC agreement. The expansion will be
financed with a combination of a portion of the net proceeds to the Company from
the Offering and borrowings under either the Company's current Credit Facility
or a new $150 million revolving credit facility the Company intends to enter
into with its lenders shortly following the Offering. The Company will use a
majority of the net proceeds to the Company from the Offering to repay a portion
of the outstanding indebtedness under the current Credit Facility. The Company
has signed commitments with respect to the construction of the expanded
facilities and purchase of Italian pasta production equipment totaling
approximately $47 million. The expansion construction is currently on schedule
and is planned to be completed in early 1998 in time to implement the CPC
Agreement and support future growth opportunities. See "Risk Factors --
Substantial Planned Investments in Milling and Production Facilities."
Selling and marketing expense incurred to support retail sales are higher
than those for institutional sales, as the Company incurs external broker
commissions, and promotional and other marketing expenses in addition to the
costs incurred by its internal retail sales force. The Company is not
responsible for selling and marketing expense related to the CPC Agreement.
Consequently, the Company expects prospective selling
23
<PAGE> 26
and marketing expense as a percentage of revenues to decrease relative to
historical levels as the Company begins to generate CPC revenues in 1998.
At June 30, 1997, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward of
approximately $26.7 million for federal income tax purposes. The net operating
loss carryforward resulted principally from the Company's significant tax
depreciation deductions related to its capital assets. Subject to certain
limitations, the Company expects this net operating loss carryforward will be
available to offset future taxable income.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data of the
Company, expressed as a percentage of revenues, for each of the periods
presented. This table should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and related Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH NINE-MONTH
FISCAL YEAR ENDED CALENDAR FISCAL PERIOD PERIODS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED ENDED JUNE 30,
----------------- DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, -----------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1996 1997
---- ---- ------------ ------------- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Retail........................... 44.6% 53.1% 59.6% 60.7% 57.5% 56.3%
Institutional.................... 55.4 46.9 40.4 39.3 42.5 43.7
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total revenues..................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Cost of goods sold................. 78.3 79.5 73.7 74.6 75.8 72.5
Gross profit before plant expansion
costs............................ 21.7 20.5 26.3 25.4 24.2 27.5
Plant expansion costs.............. 0.7 2.2 -- -- 0.5 --
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Gross profit....................... 21.0 18.3 26.3 25.4 23.7 27.5
Selling and marketing expense,
including product introduction
costs............................ 5.5 5.7 17.5 18.2 13.0 10.9
General and administrative
expense.......................... 2.8 3.2 2.9 3.0 3.2 3.0
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Operating profit................... 12.7 9.4 5.9 4.2 7.5 13.6
Interest expense, net.............. 7.2 8.6 8.7 8.7 9.3 8.3
Income tax......................... 2.1 0.3 (1.1) (1.7) (0.7) 2.0
Extraordinary loss, net of income
tax.............................. 0.3 -- 1.4 1.8 1.9 --
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net income (loss).................. 3.1% 0.5% (3.1)% (4.6)% (3.0)% 3.3%
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED TO THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
Revenues. Revenues increased $7.1 million, or 8.2%, to $93.6 million for
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $86.5 million for the nine-month
period ended June 30, 1996. The increase for the nine-month period ended June
30, 1997 was primarily due to higher unit volume which was partially offset by
lower net revenues on Pasta LaBella flavored pasta retail sales and price
reductions as a result of the pass-through of lower durum wheat costs. The
increase was lower than historical periods as the Company planned for and
achieved higher than historical capacity utilization levels which precluded more
significant unit production and sales growth. The Company believes the scheduled
1998 increases in production capacities and the start of CPC sales will result
in increased revenue growth in 1998.
Revenues for the Retail market increased $3.0 million, or 6.0%, to $52.7
million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $49.7 million for
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. This increase was due to higher unit
volume, primarily from the private label category. This revenue increase was
partially offset by a lower average retail unit price primarily resulting from
volume-based price incentives on Pasta LaBella flavored pasta. The lower Pasta
LaBella flavored pasta unit price was mitigated by product sales mix
improvements in private label and club store sales.
24
<PAGE> 27
Revenues for the Institutional market increased $4.1 million, or 11.1%, to
$40.9 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $36.8 million
for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. This was primarily the result of
volume gains in ingredient and foodservice markets and Contract Sales which were
partially offset by price reductions as a result of decreases in durum wheat
costs.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $5.4 million, or 26.5%, to $25.8
million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $20.4 million for
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. Gross profit as a percentage of
revenues increased to 27.5% for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997 from
23.7% for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. These increases were the
result of (i) increases in unit volumes; (ii) lower durum wheat and packaging
material costs; and (iii) product sales mix improvements.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense decreased $1.0
million, or 8.9%, to $10.2 million for the nine-month period ended June 30,
1997, from $11.2 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. Selling
and marketing expense as a percentage of revenues decreased to 10.9% for the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from 13.0% for the nine-month period
ended June 30, 1996. The decrease was primarily due to the Company's incurrence
of $2.1 million of product introduction costs for the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1997, as compared to $4.6 million for the nine-month period ended June
30, 1996. These costs were primarily related to the payment of product placement
fees or "slotting," introductory consumer sampling, couponing, advertising and
trade promotions. The decrease in product introduction costs was due to
decreased product placement fees and lower introductory selling and marketing
expense. The decrease in product introduction costs was partially offset by an
increase in other selling and marketing expense incurred to support incremental
retail Pasta LaBella flavored pasta volume and increases in private label
revenue growth.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased $0.2 million, or 7.4%, to $2.9 million for the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1997, from $2.7 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996,
but decreased as a percentage of revenues from 3.2% to 3.0%. The increase in
general and administrative expense was primarily due to higher MIS expenses and
communication costs needed to support sales growth.
Operating Profit. Operating profit increased $6.3 million, or 98.4%, to
$12.7 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $6.4 million
for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. Excluding product introduction
costs, operating profit increased $3.9 million, or 35.5%, to $14.9 million for
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $11.0 million for the nine-month
period ended June 30, 1996, and increased as a percentage of revenues to 15.9%
for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from 12.8% for the nine-month
period ended June 30, 1996.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $0.2 million, or 2.5%, to $7.8
million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $8.0 million for the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1996. The decrease was primarily the result of
reduced borrowings under the Company's term and revolving credit facilities
resulting from the $22.3 million in proceeds realized from the April 1997
private equity financing (the "1997 Private Equity Financing"). See "--
Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
Income Tax. Income tax increased $2.5 million for the nine-month period
ended June 30, 1997 to $1.9 million, from $(0.6) for the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1996, and reflects an effective income tax rate of approximately 38%.
Extraordinary Item. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 1996, the
Company incurred a $1.6 million (net of tax) extraordinary loss due to the
write-off of deferred debt issuance costs in conjunction with a partial
extinguishment and restructuring of the Company's principal bank credit
agreement. There was no such item for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997.
Net Income. Net income increased $5.7 million to $3.1 million for the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, from $(2.6) million for the nine-month
period ended June 30, 1996.
25
<PAGE> 28
NINE-MONTH FISCAL PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THE
NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
Revenues. Revenues increased $28.3 million, or 44.4%, to $92.1 million for
the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from $63.8 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. This increase was primarily due
to higher unit volume, favorable changes in product sales mix and higher average
prices resulting from the introduction of the Company's new, higher-priced Pasta
LaBella flavored pasta.
Revenues for the Retail market increased $23.1 million, or 70.4%, to $55.9
million for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from $32.8
million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. This increase was
due to (i) higher sales volume, with the largest increases coming from private
label and club stores customers; (ii) higher average unit prices due to the
introduction of the Company's new, higher-priced Pasta LaBella flavored pasta
into the U.S. retail grocery market; (iii) improved product sales mix in the
club store category; and (iv) the pass-through of higher durum wheat costs.
Revenues for the Institutional market increased $5.2 million, or 16.8%, to
$36.2 million for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from
$31.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. The volume
gains in ingredient and foodservice categories were partially offset by lower
Contract Sales volumes as available production capacity was utilized by retail
sales growth. The average 1996 institutional unit price also increased due to
the pass-through of higher durum wheat costs.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $12.9 million, or 121.7%, to $23.5
million for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from $10.6
million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. Gross profit as a
percentage of revenues increased to 25.4% for the nine-month fiscal period ended
September 30, 1996, from 16.6% for the nine-month period ended September 30,
1995. These increases were primarily the result of (i) higher sales volumes;
(ii) higher average unit prices, primarily as a result of Pasta LaBella flavored
pasta sales; (iii) the absence of plant expansion costs; (iv) lower per unit
warehousing and distribution costs resulting from outsourcing logistics
functions through a new strategic alliance with Lanter Company; and (v) improved
plant efficiencies and capacity utilization, including the impact of the new
South Carolina production and distribution facilities.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased
$13.1 million, or 354.1%, to $16.8 million for the nine-month fiscal period
ended September 30, 1996, from $3.7 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1995. Selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenues
increased to 18.2% for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996
from 5.7% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. These increases in
selling and marketing expense were primarily due to the Company's incurrence of
$8.1 million of product introduction costs during the nine-month fiscal period
ended September 30, 1996 related to the retail introduction of the Company's
Pasta LaBella flavored pasta products. These costs included payment of product
placement fees or "slotting," introductory consumer sampling, couponing,
advertising and trade promotions. There were no comparable 1995 expenditures.
Selling and marketing expenses also increased due to Pasta LaBella flavored
pasta sales and increases in club store and private label revenues.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased $0.8 million, or 40.0%, to $2.8 million for the nine-month fiscal
period ended September 30, 1996, from $2.0 million for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1995, but decreased as a percentage of revenues from 3.2%
for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995 to 3.0% for the nine-month
fiscal period ended September 30, 1996. The increase in general and
administrative expense was primarily due to increases in MIS expenses and
communication costs incurred to support sales growth and the commencement of
operations in South Carolina.
Operating Profit. Operating profit decreased $1.0 million, or 20.4% to $3.9
million for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 from $4.9
million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995. Excluding product
introduction costs, operating profit increased to $12.0 million, or 144.9%, from
$4.9 million and increased as a percentage of revenue to 13.0% for the
nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 from 7.7% for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1995.
26
<PAGE> 29
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 50.9%, to
$8.0 million for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 from $5.3
million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995, due to higher
borrowing levels to finance the Company's South Carolina and Missouri capital
assets expansion and increases in working capital.
Income Tax. Income tax decreased to $(1.6) million for the nine-month
fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from $(0.6) million for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1995 and reflected an effective income tax rate of
approximately 38% in both periods.
Extraordinary Item. During the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30,
1996, the Company incurred a $1.6 million (net of tax) extraordinary loss due to
the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs in conjunction with a partial
extinguishment and restructuring of the Company's principal bank credit
agreement. There was no such item for the nine-month period ended September 30,
1995.
Net Income. Net income decreased $4.0 million to $(4.2) million for the
nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, from $(0.2) million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1995.
CALENDAR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995
The calendar year ended December 31, 1996 does not conform to the Company's
fiscal year and is discussed below only for purposes of comparison with the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
Revenues. Revenues increased $28.7 million, or 30.9%, to $121.6 million for
the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from $92.9 million for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was due to higher unit volume,
higher average unit price from the mid-1996 introduction of the Company's new
higher-priced Pasta LaBella flavored pasta into the U.S. Retail grocery market
and improvements in product sales mix.
Revenues for the Retail market increased $23.1 million, or 46.9%, to $72.4
million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from $49.3 million for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. This increase was due to (i) higher
average unit prices associated with the introduction of the Company's new,
higher-priced Pasta LaBella flavored pasta into the U.S. retail grocery market
in mid-1996; (ii) higher unit volume, with the largest increases coming from the
private label and club store customers; (iii) improved product sales mix; and
(iv) the pass-through of higher durum wheat costs.
Revenues for the Institutional market increased $5.6 million, or 12.8% to
$49.2 million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 from $43.6 million
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The ingredient and foodservice
volume gains were partially offset by lower Contract Sales volumes as available
capacities were utilized by retail unit growth. The average 1996 institutional
unit price increased due to the pass-through of higher durum wheat costs.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $14.9 million, or 87.6%, to $31.9
million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from $17.0 million for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. Gross profit as a percentage of
revenues increased to 26.3% for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from
18.3% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. These increases were
primarily the result of (i) higher unit volumes; (ii) higher average unit
prices, primarily due to Pasta LaBella flavored pasta sales; (iii) lower durum
wheat costs; (iv) the absence of plant expansion costs; and (v) lower per unit
warehousing and distribution costs resulting from outsourcing logistics
functions through a new strategic alliance with Lanter Company.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased
$16.0 million, or 301.9%, to $21.3 million for the calendar year ended December
31, 1996, from $5.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. Selling
and marketing expense grew as a percentage of revenue to 17.5% for the calendar
year ended December 31, 1996, from 5.7% for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995. This increase was due to the Company's incurrence of $9.6 million of
product introduction costs during the calendar year ended December 31, 1996
related to the retail introduction of the Company's Pasta LaBella flavored pasta
products. These costs included payment of fees for product placement or
"slotting," introductory consumer sampling, couponing, advertising and trade
promotions. There were no comparable 1995 expenditures. In addition to
27
<PAGE> 30
product introduction costs, selling and marketing expenses also increased due to
the larger retail revenues associated with Pasta LaBella flavored pasta and
increases in club store private label sales.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased $0.6 million, or 20.7%, to $3.5 million for the calendar year ended
December 31, 1996 from $2.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,
but decreased as a percentage of revenues from 3.2% to 2.9% over the same
period. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to
increases in MIS expenses and communication costs incurred to support sales
growth and the operations in South Carolina.
Operating Profit. Operating profit decreased $1.6 million, or 18.2%, to
$7.2 million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from $8.8 million
for fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and decreased as a percentage of revenue
to 5.9% for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from 9.4% for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995. Excluding product introduction costs, operating
profit increased by $8.0 million, or 90.9%, to $16.8 million for the calendar
year ended December 31, 1996, from $8.8 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995 and increased as a percentage of revenue to 13.8% for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1996 from 9.4% for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.6 million, or 32.5% to
$10.6 million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 from $8.0 million
for fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, due to higher debt levels resulting
from the incremental borrowings required to finance the Company's South Carolina
and Missouri capital asset expansion and increases in working capital.
Income Tax. Income tax decreased to $(1.3) million for the calendar year
ended 1996 from $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended 1995, and reflects an
effective income tax rate of approximately 38% in both periods.
Extraordinary Item. During calendar year ended December 31, 1996, the
Company incurred a $1.6 million (net of tax) extraordinary loss due to the
write-off of deferred debt issuance costs in conjunction with a partial
extinguishment and restructuring of the Company's principal bank credit
agreement.
Net Income. Net income decreased $4.3 million to $(3.8) million for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1996, from $0.5 million for the fiscal year
ended 1995.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 1995 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
1994
Revenues. Revenues increased $23.4 million, or 33.7%, to $92.9 million for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, from $69.5 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994. This increase was due primarily to higher unit volume
and higher average unit prices resulting from a favorable product sales mix and
price increases as a result of increases in durum wheat costs.
Revenues for the Retail market increased $18.1 million, or 58.0%, to $49.3
million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, from $31.2 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. The growth in Retail revenues was primarily
due to significant volume increases from the mid-1994 commencement of sales to
club stores and private label growth. The average 1995 retail unit price also
increased due to price increases as a result of the pass-through of higher durum
wheat costs and improved product sales mix.
Revenues for the Institutional market increased $5.3 million, or 13.8%, to
$43.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, from $38.3 million
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. The increased net revenue resulted
primarily from (i) increased foodservice unit volume; (ii) an increase in
Contract Sales volumes; (iii) price increases made as a result of the
pass-through of higher durum wheat costs; and (iv) sales from the foodservice
introduction of higher-priced Pasta LaBella flavored pasta in the second half of
1995.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $2.4 million, or 16.4%, to $17.0
million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, from $14.6 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. This increase resulted primarily from
higher unit volumes. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues decreased to 18.3%
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 from 21.0% for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994. Approximately two-thirds of the gross margin decrease was due
to incremental plant expansion costs related to the 1995
28
<PAGE> 31
construction, commissioning and start-up of the South Carolina production and
distribution facilities and the Missouri distribution facility. The balance of
the gross margin decrease was a result of (i) planned short-term increases in
average unit manufacturing and logistics costs due to temporarily lower overall
capacity and higher production cost due to the opening of the South Carolina
plant, and (ii) increases in average unit packaging material costs.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased $1.5
million, or 39.5%, to $5.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,
from $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. Selling and
marketing expense as a percentage of revenues increased from 5.5% in fiscal 1994
to 5.7% in fiscal 1995, primarily as a result of retail revenue growth.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased $0.9 million, or 45.0%, to $2.9 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, from $2.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1994. General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues increased
from 2.8% in fiscal 1994 to 3.2% in fiscal 1995, primarily due to increases in
MIS, communications, travel and other general expenses related to the
commencement of operations in South Carolina.
Operating Profit. Operating profit was $8.8 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, unchanged from the prior fiscal year ended December 31,
1994. Excluding plant expansion costs in 1995 and 1994, operating profit
increased $1.5 million, or 16.1%, to $10.8 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, from $9.3 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 1994,
and decreased as a percentage of revenue to 11.6% for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995 from 13.4% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $3.0 million, or 60.0%, to
$8.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 from $5.0 million for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, primarily due to higher debt levels
resulting from increased working capital and the financing of the Company's
South Carolina and Missouri capital asset expansion.
Income Tax. Income tax decreased $1.2 million to $0.3 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 from $1.5 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994 and reflects an effective income tax rate of approximately 38%
in both periods.
Extraordinary Item. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, the
Company incurred a $0.2 million (net of tax) extraordinary loss due to the write
off of deferred debt issuance costs in connection with a partial extinguishment
and restructuring of the Company's principal bank credit agreement. There was no
such item in 1995.
Net Income. Net income decreased $1.7 million to $0.5 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 from $2.2 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.6 million and working capital totaled
$13.3 million at June 30, 1997. At September 30, 1996, cash and cash equivalents
totaled $1.8 million and working capital totaled $(1.6) million. The $14.9
million increase in working capital resulted primarily from the $22.3 million
April 15, 1997 private equity financing (the "1997 Private Equity Financing")
and improvements in the Company's operating results.
The Company's net cash provided by operating activities totaled $14.1
million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997 compared to $(7.5) million
for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996. This increase of
$21.6 million was primarily due to higher net income, reductions in net working
capital investment and reduced product introduction costs. Net cash provided by
operating activities was $5.7 million and $3.7 million for the fiscal years
ending December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The $2.0 million increase in
net cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal year ending December 31,
1995 was primarily due to lower investment in net working capital.
Cash flow used in investing activities principally relates to the Company's
investments in manufacturing, distribution, milling and MIS assets. Capital
expenditures were $11.5 million and $3.0 million for the nine-month periods
ending June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996, respectively, and were $38.8
million and $25.4 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. The increase in spending for the
29
<PAGE> 32
nine-month period ending June 30, 1997 was a result of the Company's initial
expenditures in the $86.0 million capital expansion program targeted for 1998
completion. This expansion is designed to meet the volume requirements of the
CPC Agreement and planned future growth opportunities. The increased spending in
1994 and 1995 was primarily the result of the construction of the Company's
South Carolina manufacturing and distribution facilities and the Missouri
distribution center.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $(1.8) million for the nine
months ended June 30, 1997 compared to $12.3 million for the nine-month fiscal
period ended September 30, 1996. The $14.1 million change is primarily a result
of the $22.3 million in net proceeds from the 1997 Private Equity Financing
offset by the $25.2 million repayment of short-term and long-term borrowings.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $33.1 million and $19.6 million
for the fiscal years ending December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, as a
result of borrowings required to fund the Company's capital asset expansion
programs and working capital.
In April 1997, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit
agreement with Bankers Trust Company, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and
various banks named therein (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement
provides for (i) an $18.0 million term loan maturing on February 26, 2000; (ii)
a $19.9 million term loan maturing on February 26, 2002; (iii) a $54.7 million
term loan maturing on February 27, 2004; (iv) a $45.0 million term loan maturing
on February 27, 2004 to finance a portion of the Company's 1997-1998 capital
assets expansion; and (v) a $25.0 million revolving loan maturing on February
29, 2000. At June 30, 1997, $85.9 million was outstanding under the Credit
Agreement, and the Company had $45.0 million available to borrow under the $45.0
million term credit facility and $24.5 million available to borrow under the
$25.0 million revolving credit facility (subject to borrowing base limitations).
As of August 31, 1997, $87.9 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
Interest on borrowings is based on the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR), plus
a credit margin of 300 to 375 basis points. At June 30, 1997, the three-month
LIBOR rate was 5.8%, and the Company's aggregate, weighted average bank debt
borrowing rate was 9.3%. The current Credit Agreement contains restrictive
covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to incur debt,
sell assets, make capital expenditures and pay dividends. Management does not
expect these limitations to have a material effect on the Company's business or
results of operations. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants
contained in the Credit Agreement and believes it will continue to be in
compliance during fiscal 1997.
The Company plans to use a majority of its net proceeds from the Offering
to repay outstanding indebtedness incurred under the Company's Credit Facility.
The balance of such proceeds will be used to fund a portion of the Company's
planned $86 million (of which $17 million has been incurred and paid) capital
expansion of its milling and production facilities designed to meet the
significant volume requirements of the CPC Agreement and planned future growth
opportunities. The Company intends to finance the remainder of its capital
expansion program and fund future working capital needs with a combination of
the balance of the net proceeds to the Company from the Offering and borrowings,
either under the existing Credit Facility or under a new credit agreement with
its lenders (the "New Credit Agreement") to be entered into following the
closing of the Offering. The Company has received from its lenders a commitment
letter for a new $150 million unsecured revolving credit facility which will
replace the existing Credit Facility. The commitment letter provides that
interest on borrowings under the new credit facility will be based on, at the
Company's option, either LIBOR plus a credit margin of 37.5 to 175 basis points
or Bankers Trust Company's base rate plus a credit margin of 0 to 50 basis
points. There can be no assurance as to whether or when such new credit facility
will be completed or as to the terms of such facility.
The Company expects to incur an extraordinary charge related to the
write-off of deferred debt issuance costs in connection with the extinguishment
of the existing credit facility and the establishment of the new credit
facility. The unamortized balance of deferred debt issuance costs at June 30,
1997 was $3,597,000.
The commitment letter contemplates that the New Credit Agreement will
contain restrictive covenants similar to those in the current Credit Agreement
with respect to limits on the Company's ability to incur debt, sell assets, make
capital expenditures and pay dividends. Management does not expect these
limitations to have a material effect on the Company's business or results of
operations. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants contained
in the current Credit Agreement.
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The Company expects that future cash requirements will principally be for
capital expenditures, repayments of indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and
working capital requirements. As of June 30, 1997, the Company had commitments
to purchase Italian pasta production equipment and expand the milling,
production and distribution facilities totaling approximately $47.2 million and
durum wheat purchase commitments totaling approximately $6.3 million. Management
believes that net cash provided by operating activities, net cash provided by
financing activities and the net proceeds of the Offering will be sufficient to
meet the Company's expected capital and liquidity needs for the foreseeable
future.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128, "Earnings Per Share," which is required to be adopted by the Company on
December 31, 1997. At that time, the Company will be required to change the
method currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior
periods. Under the new requirements for calculating primary earnings per share,
the dilutive effect of stock options will be excluded. If SFAS No. 128 had been
implemented by the Company at June 30, 1997, the impact on the calculation of
earnings per share would not have been material.
EFFECT OF INFLATION AND INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS
Historically, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company, other
than to increase its cost of borrowing. In general, the Company has been able to
increase the majority of customer sales prices to recover significant increases
in the prices of raw materials. However, changes in prices of the Company's
pasta products and the pass-through of higher durum wheat costs to certain
customers historically have lagged price increases in the Company's raw material
costs.
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BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
AIPC is the third largest and one of the fastest-growing producers and
marketers of pasta in North America. The Company commenced operations in 1988
with the North American introduction of new, highly-efficient durum wheat
milling and pasta production technology. Management believes that the Company's
singular focus on pasta, vertically-integrated facilities, continued
technological improvements and development of a highly-skilled workforce enable
AIPC to produce high-quality pasta at costs below those of many of its
competitors. Management believes that the combination of the Company's cost
structure, the average age of its competitors' North American pasta production
equipment and the growing pasta consumption in North America creates significant
opportunities for continued growth. The Company's revenue and operating income
excluding product introduction costs were $121.6 million and $16.7 million,
respectively, for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996, and grew at CAGRs
of 33% and 33%, respectively, over the five-year period ended December 31, 1996.
During the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997, the Company had revenue of
$93.6 million and an operating margin excluding product introduction costs of
15.9%.
The Company has rapidly established a significant market presence in North
America by developing strategic customer relationships with food industry
leaders that have substantial pasta requirements. The Company has a long-term
supply agreement with Sysco, the nation's largest marketer and distributor of
foodservice products. In 1998, AIPC will become the exclusive producer of
Mueller's, the largest pasta brand in the United States, pursuant to a recent
long-term manufacturing and distribution agreement with CPC. CPC has announced
its intention to close its current pasta production facility by December 1997.
AIPC is also the primary supplier of pasta to Sam's Club, the largest club store
chain in the United States, and supplies private label and branded pasta to six
of the 10 largest grocery retailers in the United States, including Wal*Mart,
A&P, Publix, Albertsons, American Stores and Winn-Dixie. In addition, AIPC has
developed supply relationships with leading food processors, such as Pillsbury,
General Mills and Kraft Foods, which use the Company's pasta as an ingredient in
branded food products.
The Company produces more than 80 dry pasta shapes in two
vertically-integrated production and distribution facilities, strategically
located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Columbia, South Carolina. The
construction of the Missouri plant in 1988 represented the first use in North
America of a vertically-integrated, high-capacity pasta plant using Italian
pasta production technology. Management believes that this plant continues to be
among the most efficient and highly-automated pasta facilities in North America.
The South Carolina plant, which commenced operations in 1995, produces only
pasta shapes conducive to high-volume production and employs a highly-skilled,
self-managed workforce. Management believes that the South Carolina plant is the
most efficient pasta facility in North America in terms of productivity and
conversion cost per pound. To meet the significant volume requirements of the
CPC Agreement and support future growth, the Company commenced a capital
expenditure program in 1997 to nearly double the Company's annual pasta
production capacity and add a highly-automated durum wheat mill to its South
Carolina plant, with completion scheduled for 1998.
OPERATING STRATEGY
The Company's operating strategy is to grow revenues and profitability by
offering customers the highest quality pasta products at competitive prices with
superior customer service. Key elements of the Company's operating strategy are
to:
- Continue to Lead the Industry as the Lowest Cost Producer of High
Quality Pasta. AIPC has successfully implemented production and capital
investment strategies designed to achieve low-cost production of
high-quality products. AIPC has distinguished itself from most major pasta
producers by vertically integrating the durum wheat milling function with
the production process, thereby allowing the Company to manage the grain
procurement process and better control the consistency, quality and cost of
its raw materials. The Company has invested in new pasta making technology,
process controls and the development of a largely self-managed work force.
Management believes that its facilities are among the
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most efficient pasta production facilities in North America in terms of
productivity and conversion cost per pound. AIPC actively manages plant
capacity utilization to optimize its fixed asset base and profitability
through Contract Sales to government agencies and other customers. The
Company believes that its vertically-integrated processes and pasta
production equipment produces pasta of superior color, texture, flavor and
consistency. AIPC's logistics strategy enables the Company to realize
significant distribution cost savings through its strategically-located
distribution centers. The Company expects to realize additional operating
efficiencies through the completion of the current expansion program at its
South Carolina and Missouri facilities and ongoing improvement programs.
See "-- Facilities and Expansion."
- Expand Customer-Driven Strategy. The Company is committed to
developing and maintaining strategic relationships with customers who (i)
are food industry leaders requiring a significant volume of high-quality
pasta; (ii) have committed marketing and sales resources to growing their
pasta business; and (iii) pursue long-term supply arrangements. The Company
has pursued this strategy since commencing operations in 1988, beginning
with an agreement with Sysco. For almost a decade, the Company has been
Sysco's primary pasta supplier. In addition, since 1994, the Company has
been the primary pasta supplier to Sam's Club. AIPC currently supplies
private-label and branded products to over 20 retail grocery customers,
including many of the largest U.S. grocery retailers. AIPC also supplies
pasta to leading food processors such as Pillsbury, General Mills and Kraft
for use as a food ingredient. Starting in 1998, the Company will become the
sole producer of Mueller's, the largest pasta brand in the United States,
under the CPC Agreement. Management believes that these strategic
relationships increase operating efficiencies, enhance AIPC's investment in
new technology, create distribution synergies, and enable closer
involvement in its customers' pasta businesses.
- Provide Superior Customer Service. The Company develops and enhances
customer relationships by providing superior service and technical support
for its customers. The Company has invested heavily in the development of a
broad range of customer service programs, including electronic data
interchange (EDI) and efficient consumer response (ECR) programs which
streamline the order, invoicing and inventory management functions. AIPC
uses its customer response services and category management expertise,
based in part on data supplied by A.C. Nielsen Co. ("Nielsen"), to assist
customers in their supply management and merchandising decisions. AIPC's
inventory management system is designed to optimize customer lead time,
order fill rate and inventory turnover. To provide its customers with
benefits in both transportation cost and delivery time, the Company has
strategically located its distribution centers in Missouri, South Carolina
and California. The Company provides marketing, technical and service
support to its customers by assisting customers with supply and category
management decisions, producing pasta to its customers' specifications and
making operational recommendations to its customers using pasta as an
ingredient in their food products. AIPC is the only pasta producer to
sponsor an annual durum milling and pasta production technology forum, at
which industry experts conduct a training and development program for the
manufacturing and research and development personnel of food companies.
GROWTH STRATEGY
The Company continues to implement its growth strategy, which builds on the
Company's operating strategy and industry trends. Key elements of the Company's
growth strategy are to:
- Successfully Implement CPC Business Expansion. The Company was
recently selected to be the exclusive producer of CPC's Mueller's brand
pasta, the largest pasta brand in North America. Upon completion of AIPC's
planned capacity expansion in 1998, management anticipates CPC's annual
volume requirements will represent an approximately 60% increase over the
Company's fiscal 1997 production run rate. Management believes that the
Company's experience in servicing large pasta supply agreements and its
current capacity expansion program will enable AIPC to meet the current CPC
volume requirements and support potential future growth.
- Pursue Strategic Alliances. The Company believes that commercial
users and marketers of pasta will continue to require increasing quantities
of pasta and that a greater portion of these requirements will
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be outsourced to more efficient producers of high-quality pasta, such as
AIPC. Management has identified additional strategic opportunities with
commercial users and marketers of pasta which may result in incremental
growth, new product development and cost savings opportunities in the
future.
- Secure Additional Private Label Customers. The Company intends to
continue to grow its private label customer base and secure additional
private label customers by continuing to offer quality products,
competitive pricing, category management and superior customer service.
Management believes that AIPC's prospects for growth in the private label
market have been enhanced since Borden, historically the largest private
label supplier in North America, publicly announced its intention to exit
the private label pasta business in 1997.
- Continue Product Innovation. In 1995, the Company introduced Pasta
LaBella flavored pasta, a line of all natural, full-flavored pasta products
utilizing patented flavoring technology and AIPC's proprietary production
process. In addition to pursuing increased sales with institutional
customers, the Company is exploring potential sales and marketing alliances
to expand retail distribution of Pasta LaBella flavored pasta. AIPC also
intends to continue assisting its customers with innovative products and
packaging, and the development of additional value-added products intended
to generate higher margins than traditional pasta products.
PASTA INDUSTRY
North American pasta consumption exceeded 5.0 billion pounds in 1995 and is
expected to grow based on industry and trade sources and the Company's own
analysis. The pasta industry consists of two primary customer markets: (i)
Retail, which includes grocery stores, club stores and mass merchants that sell
branded and private label pasta to consumers; and (ii) Institutional, which
includes both foodservice distributors that supply restaurants, hotels, schools
and hospitals, as well as food processors that use pasta as a food ingredient.
In 1996, the supermarket portion of the Retail market accounted for
approximately 1.3 billion pounds, of which branded and private label pasta
accounted for 1.0 billion and 0.3 billion pounds, respectively. Foodservice
distributors, food processors and the U.S. government in the Institutional
market accounted for the remainder of the volume, approximately 3.7 billion
pounds, in 1996.
The expected increase in North American consumption is primarily
attributable to the widespread recognition that pasta is an inexpensive,
convenient and nutritious food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture places pasta
on the foundation level of its pyramid of recommended food groups. Products such
as flavored pasta, prepared sauces, boxed pasta dinners, and both frozen and
shelf-stable prepared pasta entrees support consumers' lifestyle demands for
convenient at-home meals. Pasta continues to grow in popularity in restaurants
as Americans continue to dine away from home more frequently.
Customer Markets
Retail. Hershey, Borden and CPC together represent a majority of the
branded Retail market. Hershey, which primarily competes in the branded Retail
market and whose retail brands include Ronzoni, San Giorgio, Skinner and
American Beauty, is the industry leader and produced 24.5% of the total pounds
sold in the branded Retail market for the 52 weeks ended June 30, 1997. Borden,
which produced 21.5% of the total pounds sold in the Retail market for the 52
weeks ended June 30, 1997, has announced its intention to shift its strategy to
focus on its branded pasta and sauce products, which include Creamette, Prince,
Catelli, Merlino's and Anthony's, and to exit private label pasta production and
sales. CPC participates in the Retail market with Mueller's, the oldest and
largest pasta brand in the United States. AIPC directly participates in the
branded Retail market by producing and distributing Pasta LaBella flavored pasta
and will indirectly participate in such market by processing and distributing
Mueller's brand pasta for CPC. During 1998, CPC will transfer substantially all
of its Mueller's brand pasta production to AIPC. See "-- Production and Supply
Agreements."
Between the first quarter of 1994 and the second quarter of 1997, sales of
private label pasta products increased from 18.6% to 21.5% of the total pounds
of pasta sold in the Retail market. Management believes that sales of private
label pasta products will continue to grow at a rate in excess of the overall
Retail pasta
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market. After Borden's departure from the private label market, AIPC will be one
of the leading suppliers in the remaining fragmented market. Management believes
that the private label category offers significant growth and profit
opportunities to retailers and efficient producers. Retailers often prefer
high-quality private label products to branded products because private label
products typically enable retailers to generate higher margins and maintain
greater control of in-store merchandising. While consumers traditionally have
viewed private label products as having lower quality than branded products,
management believes that new high-quality private label products have begun to
change this perception. Management attributes some of this change in the private
label market to the increasingly upscale image, improved packaging, higher
product quality and competitive prices of private label products.
Institutional. The Institutional market includes both foodservice
distributors that supply restaurants, hotels, schools and hospitals, as well as
food processors that use pasta as a food ingredient. Traditional foodservice
customers include businesses and organizations, such as Sysco and JP
Foodservice, Inc., that sell products to restaurants, healthcare facilities,
schools, hotels and industrial caterers. Most foodservice distributors obtain
their supply of pasta from third party producers such as AIPC. The foodservice
market is highly-fragmented and is served by numerous regional and local food
distributors, including both "traditional" foodservice customers and chain
restaurant customers. Sysco, the nation's largest foodservice marketer and
distributor of foodservice products and one of the nation's largest commercial
purchasers of pasta products, serves approximately 10% of the foodservice
customers in the United States and has more than double the revenues of the next
largest foodservice distributor.
The Institutional market also includes sales to food processors who use
pasta as an ingredient in their food products such as frozen dinner entrees and
side dishes, dry side dish mixes, canned soups and single-serve meals. Large
food processors that use pasta as a food ingredient include Kraft Foods,
American Home Food Products Corporation, Stouffers Corp., Campbell Soup Company,
ConAgra, Inc., Pillsbury and General Mills. The consistency and quality of the
color, starch release, texture, cooking consistency, and gluten and protein
content of pasta produced for food processors is crucial to their products'
success. As a result, food processors have stringent specifications for these
attributes.
The size of the Institutional market is affected by the number of food
processors that elect to produce pasta internally rather than outsourcing their
production. Historically, most pasta used by food processors was manufactured
internally for use in food processors' own products. Management believes,
however, that an increasing number of food processors may discontinue the
internal production of their own pasta and outsource their production to more
efficient producers such as AIPC.
Pasta Production Capacity
Management believes that pasta producers have historically rationalized
their existing production facilities. Within the past several years, however,
there has been an increase in some pasta producers' capital reinvestment. Upon
completion of the planned expansion, AIPC will have increased its production
capacity to 620 million pounds since commencing operations in 1988. Several
domestic pasta producers have recently completed production facility additions
or announced their intention to increase domestic production capacity. In
addition to AIPC's planned capital expansion, management believes that these
capacity additions represent more than 200 million pounds in aggregate. Dakota
Growers recently increased the capacity of its durum wheat mill and has
announced plans to complete a pasta production capacity expansion in excess of
100 million pounds by the end of 1997. Hershey is believed to have recently
added approximately 50 million pounds of pasta capacity to its facility in
Winchester, Virginia. In September 1997, Barilla announced plans to build a
pasta plant near Ames, Iowa with an estimated annual pasta capacity over 200
million pounds. Two major pasta producers have also recently announced planned
reductions in pasta production capacity. Borden announced that it will close or
sell five of its ten North American pasta plants by the end of 1997, and CPC
intends to eliminate its capacity of approximately 180 million pounds by the end
of 1997. AIPC and Dakota Growers are currently the only major pasta producers
that own vertically-integrated milling and pasta production facilities. Barilla
has announced that its new, vertically-integrated Iowa pasta plant will include
milling, production and warehouse facilities.
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Management estimates pasta imported from foreign producers during 1996
represented approximately 17% of the U.S. dry pasta market, and that of this
amount, approximately two-thirds originated from producers in Italy and Turkey.
The primary foreign suppliers of pasta with which the Company competes are
Barilla and De Cecco.
Pricing pressures from Turkish and Italian pasta producers aggressively
targeting the U.S. markets have adversely affected returns and earnings of some
U.S. producers in recent years. In 1996, pasta imported from Italy accounted for
approximately $140 million in sales, or around 8.0% of the U.S. pasta market. In
1996, a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation revealed that several Italian
and Turkish producers were engaging in unfair trade practices by selling pasta
at less than fair value in the U.S. markets and benefitting from subsidies from
their respective governments. Effective July 1996, the U.S. International Trade
Commission imposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 2.8% to 46.7% on Italian
imports and from 56.8% to 63.3% on Turkish imports, as well as countervailing
duties ranging from 1.2% to 11.2% on Italian imports and from 3.9% to 15.8% on
Turkish imports. Although Italian and Turkish importers still participate in the
major U.S. customer markets, management believes that these duties have
significantly reduced the volume of low-priced pasta from Italy and Turkey. See
"Risk Factors -- Competition."
Raw Materials
Pasta's primary ingredient is semolina, which is extracted from durum wheat
through a milling process. Almost all domestic pasta producers purchase semolina
from third party milling companies. Durum wheat is used exclusively for pasta.
Each variety of durum wheat has its own unique set of protein, gluten content,
moisture, density, color and other attributes which affect the quality and other
characteristics of the semolina. The Company blends semolina from different
wheat varieties as needed to meet customer specifications.
Durum wheat used in United States pasta production generally originates
from Canada, North Dakota, Montana, Arizona and California. Although durum wheat
can be purchased directly from farmers or grower-owned cooperatives, most
milling companies purchase durum wheat on a commodity exchange. AIPC and Dakota
Growers are the only major producers of pasta in North America that have
vertically integrated milling and production facilities. See "Raw Materials and
Supplies."
PRODUCTS
AIPC's product line, comprising over 1,000 stock-keeping units ("SKUs"),
includes long goods such as spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, angel hair and
lasagna, and short goods such as elbow macaroni, mostaccioli, rigatoni, rotini,
ziti and egg noodles. In many instances, the Company produces pasta to its
customers' specifications. AIPC makes over 80 different shapes and sizes of
pasta products in over 160 package configurations, including bulk packages for
institutional customers and small individually-wrapped packages for retail sale
to individual consumers. AIPC contracts with third parties for the production of
certain pasta shapes, such as retail lasagna and canneloni, which are
specialized products, but which are necessary to offer customers a full range of
pasta products. Purchased pasta represented less than 2% of AIPC's total unit
volume in fiscal 1996.
In fiscal 1995, AIPC introduced a product line of all natural,
full-flavored pasta marketed under the Pasta LaBella brand. Pasta LaBella
flavored pasta is principally marketed as a branded product to grocery retailers
and to Sysco. AIPC's all-natural, full-flavored dry pasta is available in a
variety of flavors including tomato basil, lemon pepper, pesto, roasted garlic
and herb, roasted bell pepper/roasted garlic, and cracked black pepper.
Management believes that AIPC's use of patented flavoring ingredients under an
exclusive license and a proprietary manufacturing process allows the Company to
provide superior product quality and flavor delivery compared to competitive
flavored pasta products. Pasta LaBella flavored pasta was recognized as one of
the top 10 new products in the United States in 1996 by Food Processing
Magazine.
QUALITY
The Company believes that its state-of-the-art, Italian pasta production
equipment is capable of producing the highest quality pasta. AIPC's products are
produced to satisfy the specifications of the Company's customers as well as its
own product specifications, which management believes are among the highest in
the industry. The Company's pasta is distinguished by a rich, natural "wheaty"
taste and a
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consistently smooth and firm ("al dente") texture with a minimum amount of white
spots or dark specks. AIPC evaluates the quality of its products through: (i)
internal laboratory evaluation of AIPC products against competitive products on
physical characteristics, including color, speck count, shape and consistency,
and cooking performance, including starch release, protein content and bite; and
(ii) competitive product comparisons that AIPC's customers perform on a regular
basis.
The Company submits its production facilities to semi-annual inspections by
the American Institute of Baking ("AIB"), the leading United States baking, food
processing and allied industries evaluation agency for sanitation and food
safety. The Company consistently has achieved the AIB's highest "Superior"
rating. The Company also implemented a comprehensive Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Point ("HAACP") program five years ago to continuously monitor and
improve the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of the Company's facilities
and products. The Company believes that having an AIB rating of "Superior" and
meeting HAACP standards have helped the Company attract new business and
strengthen existing customer relationships.
PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY AGREEMENTS
The Company has established itself as one of the largest producers of dry
pasta in North America by establishing strategic production, supply and
distribution arrangements with several food industry leaders, including CPC and
Sysco.
Under the CPC Agreement, CPC will close its current facilities dedicated to
the production of Mueller's brand pasta and, beginning in 1998, AIPC will become
the exclusive producer of Mueller's, with the exception of two specialty items
which CPC currently purchases from another supplier. CPC is a global food
company, and its Mueller's pasta line is the oldest and largest pasta brand in
the United States with an annual sales volume averaging approximately 200
million pounds over the last five years. AIPC will be paid on a "cost plus"
basis in an amount equal to total actual cost of production plus a guaranteed
profit per pound of pasta produced. CPC has guaranteed minimum purchase volumes
of 175 million pounds annually for nine years. AIPC may also benefit from
additional cost savings resulting from improved productivity. The term of the
contract is through December 31, 2006 with a three-year renewal term at the
option of CPC. Without CPC's consent, AIPC may not produce branded retail pasta
for Borden, Hershey or Barilla, and is limited to the production of an aggregate
of 12 million pounds of branded pasta products annually for other producers.
Pursuant to the Sysco Agreement, AIPC is the primary supplier of pasta for
Sysco and has the exclusive right to supply pasta to Sysco for sale under
Sysco's name. Sysco, which operates from approximately 65 operations and
distribution facilities nationwide, provides products and services to
approximately 230,000 restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and other
institutions, as well as the U.S. government. For the nine-month fiscal year
ended September 30, 1996, sales attributed to Sysco represented approximately
27% of the Company's net revenues. Sysco recently exercised its option to renew
its agreement with AIPC for an additional three years through June 30, 2000, and
has options to renew the agreement for additional three-year periods through
June 30, 2006. AIPC products are sold to Sysco on a cost-plus basis, with annual
adjustments based on the prior year's costs. Under the Sysco Agreement, AIPC may
not supply pasta products to any business other than Sysco in the United States,
Mexico or Canada that operates as, or sells to, institutions and businesses
which provide food for consumption away from home (i.e. foodservice businesses)
without Sysco's prior consent. In 1996, Sysco honored the Company as one of the
10 best of its 1,300 suppliers.
RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
AIPC's ability to produce high-quality pasta generally begins with its
purchasing durum wheat directly from farmers and grower-owned cooperatives in
Canada, North Dakota, Montana, Arizona and California, rather than from grain
exchanges. This direct purchasing method ensures that the extracted semolina
meets AIPC's specifications since each variety of durum wheat has its own unique
set of milling and pasta making characteristics. The Company has several sources
for durum wheat and is not dependent on any one supplier. As a result, the
Company believes that it has adequate sources of supply for durum wheat. The
Company occasionally buys and sells semolina to balance its milling and
production requirements.
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Durum wheat is a cash crop whose average monthly market price has
fluctuated from a low of $5.18 per bushel to a high of $7.49 per bushel in the
last four years. Durum wheat does not have a related futures market to hedge
against such price fluctuations. The Company manages its durum wheat cost risk
through long-term contracts and other arrangements with its customers and
advance purchase contracts for durum wheat which are generally less than six
months' duration. Long-term supply agreements and other customer arrangements
which allow for the pass-through of durum wheat cost changes in certain
circumstances represented approximately 60% of AIPC's total revenue for the
nine-month period ended June 30, 1997. Management believes that the Company will
significantly increase the percentage of revenues pursuant to contracts which
include provisions for sales price adjustments as it begins to generate CPC
revenues in 1998. Between June 30, 1997 and September 17, 1997, the market price
of durum wheat increased by approximately 24% from $5.60 per bushel to $6.95 per
bushel. See "Risk Factors -- Raw Materials" and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
AIPC purchases its packaging supplies, including poly-cellophane,
paperboard cartons, boxes and totes from third parties. Management believes the
Company has adequate sources of packaging supplies.
FACILITIES AND EXPANSION
Production Facilities. AIPC's pasta production plants are located near
Kansas City in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and in Columbia, South Carolina. The
Company's facilities are strategically located to support North American
distribution of AIPC's products and benefit from the rail and interstate highway
infrastructure. At June 30, 1997, the Company's facilities had combined annual
milling and production capacity of approximately 300 million pounds of durum
semolina and 330 million pounds of pasta.
The Company has pursued a capacity expansion strategy over the past several
years. During 1994, the Company completed a $30.0 million expansion of the
Missouri plant, increasing production capacity more than 70% to 230 million
pounds per year and, at the same time, increased its durum wheat milling
capacity over 100% to support pasta production of approximately 300 million
pounds per year. In 1995, the Company added approximately 100 million pounds of
pasta capacity by constructing its South Carolina plant.
AIPC has commenced an $86.0 million capital expenditure program to increase
its current pasta production capacity by 90% from 330 million pounds per year to
620 million pounds per year in 1998. The additional capacity at the Missouri
facility will combine high-speed, high-output pasta production lines with the
ability to produce a full range of products, and will include a distribution
center expansion. The capital expenditures program also includes the
construction of a durum wheat mill in South Carolina which adjoins the existing
plant facility, a 200% increase in the facility's pasta production capacity, and
a doubling of the capacity of the South Carolina distribution facility. See "Use
of Proceeds" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Risk
Factors -- Substantial Planned Investment in Milling and Production Facilities."
The additional capacity will be used to produce Mueller's brand pasta and
take advantage of other market opportunities. By the second quarter of fiscal
1998, AIPC will assume production of substantially all of CPC's Mueller's pasta,
which management estimates will require a minimum production capacity of 200
million pounds a year. CPC's guaranteed annual minimum purchases of 175 million
pounds pursuant to the CPC Agreement will utilize approximately 60% of the
Company's newly-added capacity.
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The following chart illustrates the historical and budgeted growth of
AIPC's milling and pasta production capacity:
Performance Graph
Each of the Company's major capacity expansion programs has been completed on
schedule and within budget, and has delivered the targeted levels of output and
efficiency. See "Risk Factors -- Substantial Planned Investments in Milling and
Production Facilities" and "Management of Growth and Implementation of CPC
Business."
Milling and Pasta Production Processes. Durum wheat is currently delivered
to AIPC's mill in Missouri by railcar directly from the durum wheat elevators in
the northern United States and Canada under a long-term rail contract. The wheat
is then unloaded, blended and pre-cleaned. Next, the moisture content of the
wheat is raised to the optimal level required for milling (the "tempering
process"). The cleaned and tempered wheat is then conveyed to the mill where
grinding, sifting, and purifying processes extract the purest possible semolina.
The semolina milling is controlled from a central control room located in the
mill where a single AIPC team member monitors and directs the mill's entire
milling, cleaning and storage process. Semolina is then pneumatically
distributed from the mill to AIPC's pasta production facility in Missouri and,
through the use of a leased fleet of 33 dedicated railcars, transferred to South
Carolina.
After being mixed with water, the semolina is extruded into the desired
shapes and travels through computer-controlled high-temperature dryers and
stabilized at room temperature. The Company's entire pasta production process is
controlled by programmable logic controllers which enable all of the production
lines to be operated and monitored by minimal staff. The pasta is then packaged
in a wide variety of packaging configurations on highly-automated film, carton
and bulk packaging systems and forwarded through automated conveyors to the
distribution center to be palletized and stored prior to shipment.
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<PAGE> 42
The Company's vertically-integrated milling and pasta production process is
depicted in the following chart:
AIPC'S MILLING AND PASTA PRODUCTION PROCESS
MILLING AND PASTA PRODUCTION PROCESS GRAPH
Distribution. The Company's three distribution centers are strategically
located in South Carolina, Missouri and Southern California to serve a national
market. The Company currently owns the distribution center adjoining its
Missouri plant and leases its distribution center in South Carolina as well as
space in a public warehouse in Pomona, California. The Company completed
construction of the integrated warehousing and distribution facilities at its
Missouri and South Carolina facilities during 1995. The warehousing and
distribution facilities are integrated with the Company's production facilities
which allows cased, finished products to be automatically conveyed via enclosed
case conveying systems from the production facilities to the distribution
centers for automated palletization and storage until shipping. The combination
of integrated facilities and multiple distribution centers enables AIPC to
realize significant distribution cost savings and provides lead time, fill rate
and inventory management advantages to its customers. The operation of the
Missouri and South Carolina distribution centers is outsourced under a long-term
agreement with Lanter Company, a firm specializing in warehouse and logistics
management services.
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<PAGE> 43
SALES AND MARKETING
AIPC actively markets its products through approximately 15 internal sales
and marketing staff and approximately 30 independent food brokers and
distributors throughout the United States. AIPC's senior management is directly
involved in the selling process in all customer markets. The Company's sales and
marketing strategy is to provide superior quality, complete product offering,
distinctive packaging specifically tailored to customers' needs, competitive
pricing and superior customer service to attract new customers and grow existing
customers' pasta sales.
One of the Company's core strengths has been the development of strong
customer relationships and the establishment of a reputation as a technical and
service expert in the pasta field. As part of its overall customer service
strategy, AIPC uses its category management expertise to assist customers in
their supply management decisions regarding pasta and new products. The
Company's category management experts use on-line Nielsen's supermarket data to
drive pasta category growth by recommending pricing, SKU sets and shelf spacing
to both private label and branded customers. AIPC representatives also assist
food processors in incorporating AIPC's pasta as an ingredient in its customers'
food products. The Company sponsors an annual "Pasta Technology Forum" which is
a training and development program for its customers' production and new product
personnel. AIPC also produces and distributes a quarterly newsletter, the Pasta
Advisor, to its institutional customers which contains recommendations regarding
storage, conveying, cooking and ingredient combination. In addition to technical
education, the Company provides dedicated technical support to its customers by
making recommendations regarding the processing of pasta in their facilities.
AIPC believes that these value-added activities provide customers with a better
appreciation and awareness of the Company and its products.
The Company consistently demonstrates its commitment to customer service
through the development of enhanced customer service programs. Examples of these
programs include the creation by AIPC of an ECR model which uses EDI and vendor
replenishment programs to assist its key retail customers, and category
management services for its private label and branded customers. These programs
also enable the Company to more accurately forecast production and sales demand,
enabling higher utilization of production capacities and lower average unit
costs. AIPC has also created a dedicated sales force for Sysco, its largest
customer, to provide regional sales support.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company's production, distribution, sales and marketing operations are
supported by an IBM AS400-based computer system. The system utilizes licensed
BPCS manufacturing software which has been tailored to the Company's management
processes and integrates its production, purchasing, order entry, inventory
management, distribution and accounting systems. The Company's MIS were recently
upgraded in anticipation of the Company's growth and desire to continue to offer
its customers value-added, efficient services. The Company has invested
substantial amounts in EDI and ECR to streamline the order, invoicing and
inventory management functions. The Company believes that its recent hardware
and software upgrades have adequately addressed the systems operations issues
relating to the year 2000.
COMPETITION
The Company operates in a highly competitive environment against numerous
well-established national, regional and foreign companies, and many smaller
companies. The Company's competitors include both independent pasta producers
and pasta divisions and subsidiaries of large food products companies. The
Company competes in the procurement of raw materials, the development of new
products and product lines, the improvement and expansion of previously
introduced products and product lines and the production, marketing and
distribution of its products. AIPC's products compete with a broad range of food
products, both in the retail and institutional customer markets. Competition in
these markets generally is based on product quality and taste, pricing,
packaging and customer service and logistics capabilities. The Company believes
that it currently competes favorably with respect to these factors. See "Risk
Factors -- Competition" and "Business -- Pasta Industry."
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<PAGE> 44
AIPC's direct competitors include large multi-national companies such as
Hershey and Borden and other competitors such as Dakota Growers, Philadelphia
Macaroni and Zerega's. The Company also competes against foreign companies such
as Italian pasta producers De Cecco and Barilla and competes, indirectly,
against food processors such as Kraft Foods, General Mills, Inc., American Home
Food Products Corporation, Campbell Soup Company and Stouffers Corp., that
produce pasta internally as an ingredient for use in their food products. See
"-- Industry."
TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS
The Company holds a number of federally registered and common law
trademarks which it considers to be of considerable value and importance to its
business including: AIPC American Italian Pasta Company, American Italian, and
Pasta LaBella. The Company has registered the AIPC American Italian Pasta
Company(R), Pasta LaBella(R), Montalcino(R) and other trademarks with the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office. AIPC has filed a registration application with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the Calabria(TM) and Heartland(TM)
trademarks. A patent application is currently pending with respect to the
proprietary flavoring process for Pasta LaBella flavored pasta.
REGULATION
The Company is subject to various laws and regulations relating to the
operation of its production facilities, the production, packaging, labeling and
marketing of its products and pollution control, including air emissions, which
are administered by federal, state, and other governmental agencies. The
Company's production facilities are subject to inspection by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 30, 1997, the Company employed 287 full-time persons, of whom
134 were salaried employees and 153 were hourly employees. The Company's
employees are not represented by any labor unions. AIPC considers its employee
relations to be good.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company currently is not a party to any material litigation nor is it
aware of any litigation threatened against it which, if commenced and adversely
determined, would likely have a material adverse effect upon the business or
financial condition of the Company.
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<PAGE> 45
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning each of the
directors and executive officers of the Company as of the date of this
Prospectus:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Horst W. Schroeder........................ 56 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Timothy S. Webster........................ 35 President and Chief Executive Officer;
Director
Norman F. Abreo........................... 47 Executive Vice President -- Operations
David E. Watson........................... 41 Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
David B. Potter........................... 38 Senior Vice President -- Procurement
Jonathan E. Baum.......................... 36 Director
David Y. Howe............................. 33 Director
Robert H. Niehaus......................... 41 Director
Amy S. Rosen.............................. 27 Director
James A. Schlindwein...................... 68 Director
Lawrence B. Sorrel........................ 38 Director
Richard C. Thompson....................... 46 Director
</TABLE>
Horst W. Schroeder has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company since June 1991, and as a Director of the Company since August 1990.
Since 1990, Mr. Schroeder has been President of HWS & Associates, Inc., a Hilton
Head, South Carolina management consulting firm owned by Mr. Schroeder. Prior to
founding HWS & Associates, Mr. Schroeder served the Kellogg Company, a
manufacturer and marketer of ready-to-eat and other convenience food products,
in various capacities for more than 20 years, most recently as President and
Chief Operating Officer. He is a manager of PSF Holdings, L.L.C. and has served
as Chairman of the Board of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Premium Standard Farms,
Inc., a vertically-integrated pork producer, since 1996.
Timothy S. Webster has served as President of the Company since June 1991,
as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1992, and as a
Director since June 1989. Mr. Webster joined the Company in April 1989, and
served as Chief Financial Officer from May 1989 to December 1990 and as Chief
Operating Officer from December 1990 to June 1991. In addition, in August 1997
Mr. Webster assumed responsibility for managing the Company's sales and
marketing functions. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Webster was a manager
with the Entrepreneurial Services Group of Arthur Young and Company (a
predecessor firm to Ernst & Young LLP) from April 1987 to April 1989.
Norman F. Abreo joined the Company in December 1991, serving initially as
the Company's Vice President -- Manufacturing. He became Senior Vice President
- -- Operations in June 1995, and Executive Vice President -- Operations in June
1997. Prior to joining the Company, he was Plant Manager for the Coca-Cola
Enterprises, Inc. plant in New Orleans, Louisiana, from December 1987 to
December 1991; Director of Operations for Borden Pasta Group from December 1985
to December 1987; and Plant Manager of the Borden Pasta Group's New Orleans
facility from March 1979 to December 1985.
David E. Watson joined the Company in June 1994 as its Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. He was promoted to Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer in June, 1997. Prior to joining AIPC, Mr.
Watson spent 18 years with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., most
recently as partner-in-charge of its Kansas City and Omaha Business Consulting
Group practice. Mr. Watson is a certified public accountant.
David B. Potter joined the Company in 1993 as its Director of Procurement.
He was named Vice President in 1994 and Senior Vice President -- Procurement in
June 1997. Before joining the Company, Mr. Potter had worked in numerous areas
of Hallmark Cards and its subsidiary, Graphics International Trading Company,
from 1991 to 1993, most recently as Business Logistics Manager.
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<PAGE> 46
Jonathan E. Baum has served as a Director of the Company since 1994. He has
been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of George K. Baum & Company, an
investment banking firm, since 1994. Previously, he had been a Vice President
with Salomon Brothers Inc.
David Y. Howe has served as a Director of the Company since 1995. He is a
Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., a venture capital firm, where
he has been employed since 1993. From 1990 to 1993, he had been employed by
Butler Capital, a private investment company. He is also a director of Aetna
Industries, Inc., Brake-Pro, Inc., Cable Systems International, Inc.,
Copes-Vulcan, Inc., Pen-Tab Industries, Inc., Milk Specialties Company and
LifeStyle Furnishings, Ltd.
Robert H. Niehaus has served as a Director of the Company since 1992. He
has been a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated since 1990. He
is also Managing Director and a Director of The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity
Fund II, Inc., the general partner of MSLEF, and Morgan Stanley Capital Partners
III, Inc., the general partner of the general partner of the MSCP Funds. He is
also a director of Fort Howard Corporation, Silgan Corporation, Silgan Holdings
Inc., Waterford Wedgewood UK, plc, of which he is the Chairman, and Waterford
Crystal Ltd.
Amy S. Rosen has served as a Director of the Company since April, 1997. She
is an Associate of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, where she has been
employed since 1994. Ms. Rosen also is an Associate of Morgan Stanley Capital
Partners III, Inc., the general partner of the general partner of the MSCP
Funds. Previously, she was employed by The Blackstone Group for two years.
James A. Schlindwein has served as a Director of the Company since 1995.
Prior to his retirement in September 1994, Mr. Schlindwein served as Executive
Vice President-Merchandising Services and Director of Sysco Corporation, a
national institutional foodservice distributor, where he had served since 1980.
He is also a director of Riser Foods, Inc.
Lawrence B. Sorrel has served as a Director of the Company since 1992. He
is a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated where he has been
employed since 1986. He is also Managing Director and a Director of Morgan
Stanley Capital Partners III, Inc., the general partner of the general partner
of the MSCP Funds, and The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, Inc., the
general partner of MSLEF. He is also a director of Emmis Broadcasting
Corporation, Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., LifeTrust America, Inc., and The
Compucare Company.
Richard C. Thompson has served as a Director of the Company since 1986. Mr.
Thompson is an experienced entrepreneur and, since 1993, has been President and
Chief Executive Officer of Thompson's Pet Pasta Products, Inc., a pet food
producer. He is the founder of the Company and served as its President from May
1986 to June 1991.
COMPOSITION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Upon consummation of the Offering, it is anticipated that the Company's
Board of Directors will consist of nine directors, divided into three classes,
with the members of each class to serve for staggered three-year terms. The
initial term of the first class will expire at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1998, the initial term of the second class will
expire in 1999 and the initial term of the third class will expire in 2000.
Messrs. Schlindwein and Howe and Ms. Rosen will be included in the first class,
Messrs. Baum, Niehaus and Thompson will be included in the second class and
Messrs. Webster, Schroeder and Sorrel will be included in the third class.
Directors will hold office for a term of three years and will serve until their
successors are elected and qualified. Officers are elected annually by the Board
of Directors and serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The Company intends to increase the size of the Board by adding two additional
independent directors in the future.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Messrs. Schlindwein and Thompson currently are the only directors who
receive fees for serving as directors of the Company. Messrs. Schlindwein and
Thompson each receive a fee of $3,000 for attendance at each meeting of the
Board of Directors, with no additional amounts payable with respect to separate
44
<PAGE> 47
committee meetings. None of the other directors of the Company is paid
directors' fees for serving on the Board of Directors or its committees. All
directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of Board
committees.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Under the Company's By-laws, the Board of Directors may establish one or
more committees, appoint one or more members of the Board of Directors to serve
on each committee, fix the exact number of committee members, fill vacancies,
change the composition of the committee, impose or change the duties of the
committee and terminate the committee. The Board of Directors has established an
Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. Each such committee has two or
more members who serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and making
recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the salaries, bonuses,
and other compensation paid to key employees and officers of the Company,
including the terms and conditions of their employment, and administers all
stock option and other benefit plans (except with respect to participation by
executive officers in stock option and other equity incentive plans of the
Company which will be made by the Board of Directors or a committee comprised
solely of outside directors, unless otherwise specified in the applicable plan
documents) affecting key employees' and officers' direct and indirect
remuneration. Currently, Messrs. Niehaus, Schroeder and Sorrel serve on the
Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company's financial
statements, audit reports, internal financial controls and the services
performed by the Company's independent public accountants, and for making
recommendations with respect to those matters to the Board of Directors. Messrs.
Schlindwein and Baum serve on the Audit Committee.
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<PAGE> 48
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes compensation information with respect to the
President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company and each of the
Company's most highly-compensated executive officers for services rendered
during the nine-month fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 (collectively, with
the CEO, the "Named Executive Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
FISCAL PERIOD COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AWARDS
-------------------- ------------
FISCAL SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION PERIOD(1) SALARY($) BONUS($) UNDERLYING OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION
--------------------------- --------- --------- -------- --------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Timothy S. Webster................. 1996 $185,615 $125,000 -- $ 4,967(2)
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Horst W. Schroeder................. 1996 98,047 40,000 -- 330,000(3)
Chairman of the Board
David E. Watson.................... 1996 119,510 37,500 -- 4,484(4)
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Norman F. Abreo.................... 1996 99,856 37,500 -- 1,226(4)
Executive Vice
President--Operations
David B. Potter.................... 1996 78,000 29,000 -- 2,777(4)
Senior Vice
President--Procurement
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) The Company's 1996 fiscal year extended from January 1, 1996 until September
30, 1996. Subsequent fiscal years will cover a 52- or 53-week period ending
on the last Friday of September.
(2) Includes payments in the amount of $4,449 under the American Italian Pasta
Company Retirement Savings Plan and premiums in the amount of $518 paid by
the Company on a split-dollar life insurance policy.
(3) Represents a bonus which Mr. Schroeder is required to repay to the extent
that he provides less than 30 days of service during any calendar year
ending on or prior to December 31, 1998. Mr. Schroeder's service during the
1996 fiscal year resulted in $82,000 of such bonus being no longer subject
to such contingent repayment obligation.
(4) Represents payments under the American Italian Pasta Company Retirement
Savings Plan.
No stock options were granted to any of the Named Executive Officers during
the nine-month fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. The following table sets
forth certain information with respect to stock options granted to each of the
Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at September 30, 1996:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES
IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
---------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS(1)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME UPON EXERCISE(#) REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ---------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Timothy S. Webster...... -- -- 189,989 125,511 $2,205,038 $870,623
Horst W. Schroeder...... -- -- 189,989 125,511 2,205,038 870,623
David E. Watson......... -- -- 26,969 62,682 233,808 434,496
Norman F. Abreo......... -- -- 36,007 53,643 333,956 334,349
David B. Potter......... -- -- 1,840 13,490 6,934 95,678
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) Based on the assumed initial public offering price of $16 per share.
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<PAGE> 49
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Mr. Webster. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Webster will enter into an
employment agreement with the Company effective upon the consummation of the
Offering and terminating September 30, 2002. Under the agreement, Mr. Webster is
entitled to an annual base salary of $330,000, subject to annual adjustment by
the Board. Mr. Webster is also eligible to receive annual bonuses at the
discretion of the Board under the Company's 1996 Salaried Bonus Plan (the "Bonus
Plan"). Upon consummation of the Offering, Mr. Webster is to be granted options
to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock equal to 3% of the shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Offering, on a fully diluted basis,
at the initial public offering price. If Mr. Webster's employment is terminated
without cause, due to his disability or if he resigns for good reason, he is to
receive payments equal to two times his then-current base salary and bonus. Mr.
Webster has agreed not to compete with the Company for two years after
termination of employment, subject to the receipt by Mr. Webster of certain
severence payments, in some cases at the election of the Company. All stock
options awarded to Mr. Webster will vest (i) immediately upon a termination of
his employment without cause or his resignation for good reason; (ii) if the
employment agreement expires and the Company does not offer Mr. Webster a new
agreement on terms no less favorable than those in the current agreement; or
(iii) upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement). The Company has
agreed to nominate Mr. Webster for election to its Board of Directors in
accordance with the terms of the Shareholders Agreement.
Mr. Schroeder. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Schroeder will enter into an
employment agreement with the Company effective upon the consummation of the
Offering and terminating the third anniversary of the Offering. Under the
agreement, Mr. Schroeder will serve as Chairman of the Board and is entitled to
receive base compensation of $4,000 per day of service to the Company, subject
to a minimum payment of $120,000 per year. Pursuant to a prior agreement, the
Company paid to Mr. Schroeder a signing bonus of $330,000 on January 1, 1996. In
the event Mr. Schroeder does not render services to the Company through December
31, 1998 because he voluntarily terminates, refuses to provide services under
his current agreement, or is terminated for cause, Mr. Schroeder is required to
repay the portion of the signing bonus which relates to the period of the
original term for which he does not render services. Mr. Schroeder is also
eligible to participate in the Company's Bonus Plan. If Mr. Schroeder terminates
his agreement for good reason, including a "change of control" as defined in the
Shareholders Agreement, dated October 30, 1992 by and among the Company and its
shareholders, he is entitled to receive payment of all unpaid amounts due for
service rendered, as well as an additional amount equal to the unpaid balance
due for the remainder of the term of the agreement and an additional payment
equal to $2,000 multiplied by the number of days of service remaining under the
term, which in no event shall be more than 30 days during any calendar year. In
addition, upon termination of employment for good reason, the unvested portion
of Mr. Schroeder's options under the Company's stock option plans will become
immediately vested. Upon the closing of the Offering, Mr. Schroeder will be
granted options to purchase shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock equal
to at least 2% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, on a fully-diluted
basis, at the initial public offering price. Mr. Schroeder has agreed not to
compete with the Company for a period of two years after termination of his
employment.
Messrs. Watson, Abreo and Potter. Prior to the Offering, Messrs. Watson,
Abreo and Potter will enter into employment agreements with the Company
effective upon the consummation of the Offering and terminating on the third
anniversary of the Offering. Such agreements are renewable automatically for
successive one-year terms, unless the Company gives the employee at least six
months' prior written notice of non-renewal. The agreements entitle Messrs.
Watson, Abreo and Potter to annual base salaries of $180,000, $160,000 and
$125,000, respectively (subject to annual merit increase reviews by the Board of
Directors), and annual bonuses at the discretion of the Board of Directors in
accordance with the terms of the Bonus Plan. Upon the consummation of the
Offering, Messrs. Watson, Abreo and Potter will each receive options to purchase
61,320, 61,320 and 33,726 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock at the
initial public offering price. In the event of termination of employment without
cause or resignation for good reason, or in the event their employment is
terminated by the Company without cause within six months after a change in
control, Messrs. Watson, Abreo and Potter are each entitled to the greater of
(i) one-year's annual base salary and bonus or (ii) annual base salary and bonus
for the remainder of the initial employment term under their respective
employment agreements. The employment agreements also contain one-year covenants
not to
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<PAGE> 50
compete after any termination of employment. All stock options awarded to each
of Messrs. Watson, Abreo and Potter will vest immediately upon (i) resignation
for good reason or (ii) a termination without cause within six months following
a change in control.
1996 SALARIED BONUS PLAN
The Company maintains the Bonus Plan for certain salaried employees of the
Company, including the Named Executive Officers. The Bonus Plan permits these
employees to earn cash performance bonus awards of up to a percentage of their
respective salaries as determined by the Board of Directors, or by management on
the Board's behalf. The amount of any bonus is based upon the Company's
performance and the individual performance of such participant. See
"Management--Executive Compensation."
STOCK OPTION PLANS
1992 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
On October 29, 1992, the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders
adopted the American Italian Pasta Company Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the
"1992 Plan"). The purpose of the 1992 Plan is to secure for the Company and its
stockholders the benefits of the incentive inherent in stock ownership by
officers and other key employees of the Company.
The 1992 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. The Compensation Committee has the power and sole discretion to
determine the persons to whom options are granted and the number of shares
covered by those options, subject in each case to the limitations set forth in
the 1992 Plan. Options may be granted under the 1992 Plan only to officers and
key employees of the Company. The period during which an option may be exercised
(not to exceed 13 years), and the time at which it becomes exercisable, is fixed
by the Compensation Committee at the time the option is granted. Options granted
under the 1992 Plan are not transferable by the holder other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution.
The number of shares which may be issued and sold pursuant to options
granted under the 1992 Plan may not exceed 1,201,880 shares (subject to
adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, combinations or reclassifications
of shares, or similar transactions). No consideration is paid to the Company by
any optionee in exchange for the grant of an option. The per share exercise
price for an option granted under the 1992 Plan is determined by the
Compensation Committee.
Certain provisions of the 1992 Plan may have the effect of discouraging or
delaying possible takeover bids. In the event of a "Change of Control," all of
the outstanding options automatically become immediately exercisable in full. A
"Change of Control" is generally defined to take place when disclosure of such a
change would be required by the proxy rules promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or when (i) certain persons acquire beneficial ownership of
25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's voting securities,
(ii) less than a majority of the directors are persons who were either nominated
or selected by the Board of Directors, (iii) a merger involving the Company in
which the Company's stockholders own less than 80% of the voting stock of the
surviving corporation; or (iv) a liquidation of the Company or sale of
substantially all the assets of the Company occurs. In the event that the
Company is not the surviving corporation of any merger, consolidation,
reorganization or acquisition by another corporation, outstanding options under
the 1992 Plan may be assumed, or replaced with new options of comparable value,
by the surviving corporation. If the surviving corporation does not assume or
replace outstanding options, or in the event the Company is liquidated or
dissolved, then subject to certain limitations, each holder of outstanding
options may exercise all or part of such options (even if the options would not
otherwise have been exercisable in full) during the period beginning 30 days
before the event triggering the acceleration, and ending on the day before such
event.
Generally, the exercise price of an option is at least equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. As of the date of this
Prospectus, options to purchase 1,132,049 shares of Common Stock at exercise
prices ranging from $2.33 to $12.23 per share (with a weighted average exercise
price of $6.68 per share) were issued and outstanding under the 1992 Plan. The
outstanding options under the 1992 Plan expire
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<PAGE> 51
at dates ranging from October 2002 to April 2007. None of the executive officers
of the Company have exercised any options prior to the date of this Prospectus.
1993 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
The American Italian Pasta Company 1993 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
(the "1993 Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the
stockholders of the Company effective December 8, 1993. The 1993 Plan was
adopted to compensate and provide incentives for mid-level managers of the
Company.
The 1993 Plan is also administered by the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee has full and final authority in its discretion, subject
to the provisions of the 1993 Plan and applicable law, to determine the
individuals to whom and the time or times at which options shall be granted and
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option. Options may be
granted under the 1993 Plan to mid-level management. The period during which an
option may be exercised (not to exceed ten years), and the time at which it
becomes exercisable is fixed by the Compensation Committee at the time the
option is granted. Options granted under the 1993 Plan are not transferrable by
the holder other than by will or the laws of dissent and distribution.
The number of shares which may be issued and sold pursuant to options
granted under the 1993 Plan may not exceed 82,783 shares (subject to adjustment
for stock dividends, stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of shares
or similar transactions). No consideration is paid to the Company by any
optionee in exchange for the grant of an option. The per share exercise price
for an option granted under the 1993 Plan is determined by the Compensation
Committee.
In the event of any merger, recapitalization, consolidation, split-up,
spin-off, repurchase, distribution or similar transaction effecting the Common
Stock, the Compensation Committee may take such action as in its sole discretion
that deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee may authorize the issuance or
assumption of options or similar rights in connection with any such transaction
whether or not the Company is a surviving or continuing corporation, and upon
such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.
The exercise price of an option is generally at least equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. As of the date of this
Prospectus, options to purchase 48,504 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices
ranging from $4.92 to $12.23 per share (with a weighted average exercise price
of $10.26 per share) were issued and outstanding under the 1993 Plan. The
outstanding options under the 1993 Plan expire at dates ranging from December
2003 to December 2006.
1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Prior to consummation of the Offering, the Company will adopt the American
Italian Pasta Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan" or
"1997 Plan"). Under the 1997 Plan, the Board or a committee designated by the
Board (the Board or committee, as the case may be, the "Committee") is
authorized to grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, reload
options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), shares of restricted Common Stock
("restricted shares"), performance shares, performance units and shares of
Common Stock awarded as a bonus ("bonus shares") (all of the foregoing
collectively, "Awards"). There are 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan.
Eligibility and Conditions of Grants. All employees (including officers),
directors and consultants of the Company or any subsidiary are eligible to
receive Awards at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee is authorized,
subject to certain limits specified in the Equity Incentive Plan, to determine
to whom and on what terms and conditions Awards shall be made including, but not
limited to, the vesting and term of options.
Stock Options. The option exercise price must be determined by the
Committee at the time of grant and set forth in the award agreement, but such
exercise price must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant. (In the case of options to be granted in
connection with the Offering, such fair market value will equal the price at
which the Class A Common Stock is offered to the public.) The option exercise
price may be paid by any one or more of the following in the discretion of the
Committee: (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) wire transfer, (iv) shares of Common
Stock that have been held for at
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<PAGE> 52
least 6 months or that were purchased on the open market, or (v) a "cashless"
exercise pursuant to a sale through a broker of all or a portion of the shares.
The Committee also has discretion to have the Company make or guarantee loans to
the grantees for the exercise price. The Committee will determine the term and
vesting schedule for options at the time of grant. Options can be granted as
either nonstatutory options (pursuant to which grantees would receive taxable
income, and the Company would receive a compensation expense deduction, when
options are exercised) or as incentive stock options (ISOs) (which, subject to
certain conditions, would offer more favorable tax consequences to grantees, but
not the Company).
Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the
grantee shall receive a payment equal to the appreciation in value of the Common
Stock between the grant date and the exercise date. The benefit will be payable
in cash or Common Stock.
Restricted Shares. Restricted shares will be forfeited unless the
conditions set by the Committee at the time of grant are satisfied or are
waived. The Committee will determine whether or not a grantee shall be required
to pay for such restricted shares and, if so, what such price shall be.
Performance Shares/Performance Units. To the extent that the performance
goals specified by the Committee in a grant of performance shares or performance
units have been achieved, then a benefit shall be paid after the end of the
performance-measuring period specified by the Committee. The amount of the
benefit of performance shares is based on the percentage attainment of the
performance goals multiplied by the value of a share of Common Stock at the end
of the performance period. The value of performance units is based on the
achievement of performance goals multiplied by the unit value stabilized by the
Committee at the time of grant. No benefit is payable on either performance
shares or performance units if the minimum performance goals have not been met.
The benefit will be payable in cash or Common Stock.
Bonus Shares. Bonus shares can be granted without cost and without
restriction in amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
may in its discretion determine.
Other. Options and stock appreciation rights may have a maximum term of 10
years. The effect of a change of control, the termination of a grantee's
employment or the death or permanent disability of a grantee will be determined
by the Committee at the time of grant and be set forth in the award agreement.
Both Awards and Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or vesting of Awards
are subject to transfer restrictions as set forth in the 1997 Plan. The Plan may
be amended by the Board without: (i) stockholder approval except in the event of
an increase in the number of shares available for Awards; (ii) the consent of
the Award holder unless such amendment would adversely affect such holder; or
(iii) as otherwise may be required under stock exchange listing requirements or
any other regulatory or legal requirement. The Equity Incentive Plan will
terminate when shares available for grant under the plan have been exhausted,
except in no event will incentive stock options be granted on or after the 10th
anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Equity Incentive Plan was
adopted; and (ii) the date the Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the
Stockholders of the Company. Shares acquired pursuant to the 1997 Plan by
persons who are parties to the Stockholders Agreement will be subject to certain
restrictions under the Stockholders Agreement. In addition, the Compensation
Committee may, in its discretion, condition the grant of any Award under the
1997 Plan on the consent of the recipient of such Award to become bound by the
Stockholders Agreement.
401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The Company adopted the American Italian Pasta Company Retirement Savings
Plan (the "401(k) Plan") effective January 1, 1992. In general, employees of the
Company who have completed one year of service (as defined in the 401(k) Plan)
are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Participants may make
contributions to the 401(k) Plan by voluntarily reducing their salary from the
Company up to a maximum of 12% of total compensation or $9,500 (or such higher
amount as is prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury for cost of living
adjustments), whichever is less, and the Company matches such contributions to
the extent of 50% of the first 6% of a participant's salary reduction. The
Company's matching contributions vest 25% per year and are 100% vested after 4
years of service. In addition to matching contributions, the Company may
contribute additional amounts determined by it in its sole discretion which are
allocated to a participant's account in the proportion that such participant's
compensation bears to the total compensation of all participants for the plan
year. These additional contributions vest in the same manner as the matching
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<PAGE> 53
contributions. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, participants of
the 401(k) Plan may elect to invest up to 50% of their matching contribution
accounts into shares of Common Stock of the Company.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
All compensation decisions during the fiscal period ended September 30,
1996 for each of the Named Executive Officers were made by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Schroeder, Chairman of the Board, is a
member of the Compensation Committee. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
Following the consummation of the Offering, decisions with respect to the
base salary and cash bonuses paid to executive officers will be made by the
Compensation Committee and decisions with respect to the participation of
executive officers in stock option and other equity incentive plans of the
Company will be made by the Board of Directors or a committee comprised solely
of outside directors.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
Effective upon the consummation of the Offering, the Company, the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders, Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and CCT Partners III, L.P.
(collectively "Citicorp"), affiliated entities of George K. Baum & Company
("GKB"), and Messrs. Schroeder, Schlindwein, Thompson, Webster, Watson, Abreo
and Potter and certain other existing stockholders of the Company (collectively,
the "Existing Stockholders") will amend their existing Stockholders Agreement,
which sets forth certain rights and obligations of such Existing Stockholders.
The amended Stockholders Agreement provides that until December 31, 1998
Existing Stockholders (other than the Morgan Stanley Stockholders and certain
management stockholders) may not sell or pledge any shares of Common Stock
except through the exercise of their "piggyback" registration rights, to certain
permitted transferees, or concurrently with certain private sales of Common
Stock by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders. After December 31, 1998, the Existing
Stockholders (other than the Morgan Stanley Stockholders) will also be entitled
to sell their shares in market transactions and through the exercise of their
"demand" registration rights and Citicorp and Mr. Thompson will also be
permitted to sell shares of Common Stock in private transactions, subject to the
Company's right of first refusal. The amended Stockholders Agreement will not
limit sales by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders.
The amended Stockholders Agreement will grant the Existing Stockholders
certain demand registration rights. In addition, the Existing Stockholders will
be entitled, subject to certain limitations, to register shares of Common Stock
in connection with certain registration statements filed by the Company for its
own account or the account of its stockholders. The amended Stockholders
Agreement will contain customary terms and provisions with respect to, among
other things, registration procedures and certain rights to indemnification
granted by the parties thereunder in connection with any such registration.
Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement (as amended and restated effective
upon the consummation of the Offering), MSLEF II has the right to designate two
director nominees so long as its owns at least 25% of the outstanding Common
Stock or one director nominee so long as it owns at least 5% but less than 25%
of the outstanding Common Stock. In addition, MSCP has the right to designate
two director nominees so long as it owns at least 35% of the outstanding Common
Stock or one director nominee so long as it owns at least 5% but less than 35%
of the outstanding Common Stock. Whenever MSLEF II and MSCP individually own
less than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, they will jointly be entitled to
designate one director nominee so long as the Morgan Stanley Stockholders
beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
The number of directors designated by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will
increase proportionately if the size of the Board of Directors is increased in
the future. In addition, the Stockholders Agreement will provide that the
Chairman of the Board and the President and Chief Executive Officer shall also
be designated as director nominees. The Existing Stockholders will agree to vote
all of their shares of Class A Common Stock in favor of the director nominees
designated pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement. At least two members of the
Board of Directors will be independent directors. So long as the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders own 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders may designate one member of each Board committee.
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<PAGE> 54
The amended Stockholders Agreement provides that so long as the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders own at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
neither the Company nor its subsidiaries (if any) will take any of the following
significant actions without the approval of the Board of Directors and the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders: (i) the appointment or removal of the Chairman of
the Board; (ii) any merger, consolidation or other similar business combination
(except for certain subsidiary-level mergers involving acquisitions valued below
$30 million); (iii) any disposition of a majority of the Company's tangible
assets; (iv) subject to certain exceptions, any change in the authorized capital
or recapitalization, or the creation of any new classes of capital stock, or the
sale, distribution, exchange, redemption of capital stock or capital stock
equivalents; (v) any amendment to the charter or by-laws or any change in
jurisdiction of incorporation; (vi) the approval of any dissolution or plan of
liquidation; (vii) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors or the
institution of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding; (viii) the declaration
of any dividend or any redemption or repurchase of any such capital stock
(except dividends paid-in-kind and repurchases made pursuant to employee benefit
plans or employment agreements); (ix) in certain circumstances, the creation,
issuance, assumption, guarantee or incurrence of indebtedness that increases the
aggregate amount of indebtedness existing on the date of the amended
Stockholders Agreement by at least $30 million; (x) the termination of Ernst &
Young LLP or the selection of another auditor; (xi) any strategic acquisition
of, or investment in the assets or a business of, a third party with a fair
market value of $30 million or more; (xii) acquisition or construction of new
pasta production facilities with a cost in excess of $30 million; (xiii) any
adoption of a shareholder rights plan; or (xiv) any commitment to do any of the
foregoing actions. In addition, as long as the Morgan Stanley Stockholders own
at least 25% of the outstanding Common Stock, at least one of the directors
designated by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders must approve the appointment of
the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer.
The amended Stockholders Agreement provides that certain transfers of
shares by the Existing Stockholders (other than the Morgan Stanley Stockholders)
are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and, for so long as the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders own at least 10% of the shares of Common Stock, the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders.
After giving effect to the Offering, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will
own approximately 51.3% of the Common Stock of the Company. The Morgan Stanley
Stockholders have informed the Company that they intend, following the
consummation of the Offering, to convert such number of their shares of Class A
Common Stock into nonvoting Class B Common Stock so that, following such
conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own, in the aggregate, 49% of
the outstanding voting Class A Common Stock of the Company.
1997 PRIVATE EQUITY FINANCING
In April 1997, the Company sold an aggregate of 3,174,528 shares of Old
Class A Common Stock (as defined in "Description of Capital Stock -- General")
to current stockholders of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of
$22,291,947, or $7.02 per share, determined by an independent valuation firm to
be fair value for the shares. The MSCP Funds purchased a total of 2,563,323
shares for $18,000,000. Affiliated entities of GKB, including Excelsior
Investors, LLC ("Excelsior") in which Mr. Thompson has a minority interest,
purchased 427,219 shares for $2,999,861. These shares include 330,952 shares
purchased by Excelsior. Mr. Schroeder, a Director of the Company, purchased
49,056 shares for $344,480. Mr. Schlindwein, also a Director of the Company, and
his wife purchased 28,483 shares for $200,000, individually and indirectly
through JSS Management Company, Ltd., of which each of Mr. and Mrs. Schlindwein
are general partners. In addition, a group of executive officers of the Company
contributed an aggregate of $729,996 to the Company for 103,957 shares,
including $142,159 by Mr. Webster, $298,535 by Mr. Watson, $36,472 by Mr. Abreo
and $91,472 by Mr. Potter. In connection with these sales and purchases, the
Company loaned an aggregate of $297,513 to these executive officers to finance
their stock purchases, including $112,159 to Mr. Webster, $48,535 to Mr. Watson,
$36,472 to Mr. Abreo and $21,472 to Mr. Potter. Each of these loans are
evidenced by a promissory note made payable to the Company and secured by shares
of Old Class A Common Stock. Such loans are to be repaid over a period of three
years commencing upon
52
<PAGE> 55
termination of the transfer restrictions applicable to such shares under the
Stockholders Agreement. Such loans bear interest at the then applicable federal
rate.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES
Messrs. Niehaus and Sorrel and Ms. Rosen, all Directors of the Company, are
employed by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. In 1997, Morgan Stanley Senior
Funding, Inc., an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, one of the
U.S. Underwriters, served as the documentation agent under the agreements
relating to the Company's Credit Facility, and acted as an arranger for the
Credit Facility for which it received a fee in the amount of $311,875.
Since 1994, the Company has paid fees to George K. Baum & Company's
Investment Banking Division for investment banking and financial advisory
services and has paid George K. Baum & Company Professional Investment Advisors
Division fees for investment advice provided with respect to the 401(k) Plan.
Jonathan E. Baum, a Director of the Company, owns all voting shares of George K.
Baum Holdings, Inc., which owns 100% of George K. Baum & Company, one of the
U.S. and International Underwriters.
MANAGEMENT INDEBTEDNESS
In April 1995 and April 1997, the Company loaned funds to Messrs. Webster,
Watson, Abreo and Potter to purchase shares of Old Common Stock and Old Class A
Common Stock at prices ranging between $4.92 and $7.02 per share, respectively.
Each loan was evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at the then
applicable federal rate and payable in equal installments over three years
commencing upon termination of the transfer restrictions applicable to such
shares under the Stockholders Agreement. The table below sets forth the
aggregate number of shares purchased with funds loaned by the Company, the
original aggregate loan amounts, and the aggregate loan balances as of June 30,
1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF ORIGINAL LOAN LOAN BALANCE AT
EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHARES BALANCE JUNE 30, 1997
----------------- --------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Timothy S. Webster...................................... 21,339 $138,559 $120,959
David E. Watson......................................... 14,269 84,735 60,602
Norman F. Abreo......................................... 7,217 46,422 39,789
David B. Potter......................................... 5,083 31,422 24,789
</TABLE>
CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH HWS & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement between the Company and HWS &
Associates, Inc. ("HWS"), a management consulting firm of which Mr. Schroeder,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, is the sole owner, the Company paid to HWS
$301,197 during fiscal 1994, and $133,359 during fiscal 1995, respectively for
management consulting services performed and travel expenses incurred on behalf
of the Company. The consulting arrangement terminated January 1, 1996 upon Mr.
Schroeder's execution of his employment agreement with the Company.
The Company's policy is that all transactions between the Company and its
executive officers, directors and principal stockholders be on terms no less
favorable than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties or are subject
to the approval of the Company's disinterested directors.
PRODUCT SALES
The Company sells milling by-products to Thompson's Pet Pasta Products,
Inc., of which Richard C. Thompson, a director of the Company, is the President
and Chief Executive Officer. Such sales were $357,000 and $292,000 for the
nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 and the nine-month period
ended June 30, 1997, respectively. Such sales were on substantially the same
terms as the Company sells such products to unaffiliated third parties.
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<PAGE> 56
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of the date of this Prospectus,
before and after giving effect to the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock
offered hereby, by (i) each person who is known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) the
Selling Stockholders, (iii) each director of the Company, (iv) each of the Named
Executive Officers and (v) all directors and executive officers of the Company
as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
PRIOR TO THE OFFERING AFTER THE OFFERING
---------------------- ----------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B
CLASS A CLASS A COMMON STOCK(1)(2) COMMON
COMMON STOCK(1) SHARES STOCK(1)
NAME OF BENEFICIAL ---------------------- BEING ---------------------- ---------
OWNER NUMBER PERCENT(3) OFFERED(2) NUMBER PERCENT(4) NUMBER
- -------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Morgan Stanley
Leveraged Equity
Fund II, L.P.(7)... 6,038,027 52.7% -- 5,513,490 34.4% 524,537
1221 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10020
Morgan Stanley
Capital Partners
III, L.P.(7)....... 2,563,322 22.4 -- 2,340,640 14.6 222,682
1221 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10020
Citicorp Venture
Capital, Ltd.(8)... 1,047,298 9.1 -- 1,047,298 6.5 --
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10043
Richard C.
Thompson(9)........ 959,849 8.4 590,000 369,849 2.3 --
16 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, KS
66105
Horst W.
Schroeder(10)(11)... 422,461 3.6 -- 422,461 2.6 --
Jonathan E.
Baum(12)........... 508,518 4.4 -- 508,518 3.2 --
David Y. Howe....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Robert H. Niehaus... -- -- -- -- -- --
Amy S. Rosen........ -- -- -- -- -- --
James A.
Schlindwein(13).... 41,686 * -- 41,686 * --
Lawrence B.
Sorrel............. -- -- -- -- -- --
Timothy S.
Webster(11)(14).... 326,127 2.8 -- 326,127 2.0 --
David E.
Watson(11)......... 94,771 * -- 94,771 * --
Norman F.
Abreo(11).......... 70,193 * -- 70,193 * --
David B.
Potter(11)......... 24,859 * -- 24,859 * --
All directors and
executive officers
as a group (12
persons)(11)....... 2,448,464 21.4 590,000 1,858,464 11.6 --
<CAPTION>
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AFTER THE OFFERING
-----------------------------------
TOTAL
COMMON STOCK(1)(6)
NAME OF BENEFICIAL ----------------------
OWNER PERCENT(5) NUMBER PERCENT(6)
- -------------------- ---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The Morgan Stanley
Leveraged Equity
Fund II, L.P.(7)... 70.2% 6,038,027 36.0%
1221 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10020
Morgan Stanley
Capital Partners
III, L.P.(7)....... 29.8 2,563,322 15.3
1221 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10020
Citicorp Venture
Capital, Ltd.(8)... -- 1,047,297 6.2
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10043
Richard C.
Thompson(9)........ -- 369,849 2.2
16 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, KS
66105
Horst W.
Schroeder(10)(11)... -- 422,461 2.5
Jonathan E.
Baum(12)........... -- 508,518 3.0
David Y. Howe....... -- -- --
Robert H. Niehaus... -- -- --
Amy S. Rosen........ -- -- --
James A.
Schlindwein(13).... -- 41,686 *
Lawrence B.
Sorrel............. -- -- --
Timothy S.
Webster(11)(14).... -- 326,127 1.9
David E.
Watson(11)......... -- 94,771 *
Norman F.
Abreo(11).......... -- 70,193 *
David B.
Potter(11)......... -- 24,859 *
All directors and
executive officers
as a group (12
persons)(11)....... -- 1,858,464 11.1
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Commission. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a
person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common Stock
subject to options and warrants held by that person that are currently
exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date of this
Prospectus are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed
outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any
other person. Except as otherwise indicated in a footnote to this table or
as to be provided in the Stockholders Agreement (see "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions -- Stockholders Agreement"), the persons in this
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
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<PAGE> 57
(2) The Company and certain stockholders have granted an option to the U.S.
Underwriters to purchase up to an aggregate of 885,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. Such shares will not be sold
unless the U.S. Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option, and the
above table assumes that such over-allotment option will not be exercised.
(3) Based upon 11,466,056 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, plus
shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options, warrants
and convertible securities which are included in the number of shares
beneficially owned by such person.
(4) Based upon 16,028,837 shares of Class A Common Stock to be outstanding upon
the consummation of the Offering, plus shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of options, warrants and convertible securities
which are included in the number of shares beneficially owned by such
person.
(5) Based upon 747,219 shares of Class B Common Stock to be outstanding upon
consummation of the Offering, plus shares of Class B Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of options, warrants and convertible securities which are
included in the number of shares beneficially owned by such person.
(6) Based upon 16,776,056 shares of Common Stock to be outstanding upon the
consummation of the Offering, plus shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of options, warrants and convertible securities which are included
in the number of shares beneficially owned by such person.
(7) The general partner of MSLEF and the general partner of the general partner
of the MSCP Funds are wholly owned subsidiaries of MSDWD, the parent of
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
(8) The shares beneficially owned by Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. include
157,103 shares held by an affiliate of Citicorp.
(9) All of such shares are held by Thompson Holdings, L.P., a limited
partnership of which Mr. Thompson is the only limited partner. Mr. Thompson
is also the president of the corporation which is the general partner of
the limited partnership.
(10) The shares beneficially owned by Mr. Schroeder include 49,056 shares held
by The Living Trust of Horst W. Schroeder and 11,406 shares held by The
Living Trust of Gisela I. Schroeder for the benefit of Mr. and Ms.
Schroeder, respectively, and members of their family, as well as 3,066
shares held by each of Bernd Schroeder and Isabel Lange, children of Mr.
and Ms. Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder has voting power, but not investment
power, with respect to all of these shares.
(11) Includes options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable
within 60 days of the date of this Prospectus to purchase shares of Class A
Common Stock as follows: Mr. Schroeder (290,358 shares), Mr. Webster
(290,358 shares), Mr. Watson (44,899 shares), Mr. Abreo (62,976 shares),
Mr. Potter (9,811 shares), and all executive officers and directors as a
group (698,402 shares).
(12) Includes 81,299 shares held by George K. Baum Group, Inc., 90,748 shares
held by George K. Baum Capital Partners, L.P., 5,519 shares held by George
K. Baum Employee Equity Fund, L.P. and 330,952 shares held by Excelsior
Investors, LLC, the managing member of which is George K. Baum Merchant
Banc, LLC. As an officer and/or equity owner of the entities holding such
shares, Mr. Baum has voting power with respect to such shares. Except to
the extent of his equity interest in the entities holding such shares, Mr.
Baum disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(13) Includes 27,441 shares held by JSS Management Company, Ltd. of which Mr.
Schlindwein is an officer and equity owner and has voting power with
respect to such shares.
(14) Includes 14,435 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Webster which are held in
various trusts for the benefit of Mr. Webster's family members, as well as
certain members of Mr. Webster's extended family. Mr. Webster has voting
power, but not investment power, with respect to all of such shares.
55
<PAGE> 58
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
GENERAL
Prior to the Recapitalization, the Company's authorized capital stock
consisted of 1,600,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Old Class A Common Stock"), and 2,100,000 shares of common stock, without
par value (the "Old Common Stock"). The Old Class A Common Stock had a
liquidation preference over the Old Common Stock equal to the greater of the per
share purchase price of the Old Class A Common Stock or the amount holders of
Old Common Stock are entitled to upon the liquidation.
After giving effect to the Company's amendment and restatement of the
Charter prior to this Offering, the authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 75,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 25,000,000 shares of
Class B Common Stock, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001
per share, issuable in series (the "Preferred Stock"). In connection with such
amendment and restatement of the Charter, the Company effected the
Recapitalization pursuant to which each outstanding share of Old Common Stock
and Old Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Recapitalization has been converted into 6.132043 shares of Class A Common
Stock. The Morgan Stanley Stockholders have informed the Company that in
connection with the consummation of the Offering, they intend to convert such
number of their shares of Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock so
that, following such conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own, in
the aggregate, 49% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock. From time to time
thereafter, shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders will automatically be converted pursuant to the amended Charter
into shares of Class B Common Stock, pro rata in proportion to the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock held by all Morgan Stanley Stockholders, to the
extent necessary so that the Morgan Stanley Stockholders do not in the aggregate
own more than 49% of the then-outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.
The following discussion is a summary of the more detailed provisions of
the Charter and By-Laws of the Company, forms of which have been filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and
of the applicable provisions of the DGCL. The term "Morgan Stanley Stockholders"
as referenced herein under the caption "Description of Capital Stock" shall have
the meaning given to it in the Company's Charter.
COMMON STOCK
After giving effect to the Offering and the Morgan Stanley Stockholders'
intended conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock
such that, following such conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own,
in the aggregate, 49% of the outstanding voting Common Stock of the Company, the
Company will have 16,028,837 shares of Class A Common Stock and 747,219 shares
of Class B Common Stock outstanding, assuming no outstanding options are
exercised.
Class A Common Stock. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one
vote for each share of Class A Common Stock on each matter submitted to a vote
of stockholders, including the election of directors. See "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions -- Stockholders Agreement." Holders of Class A Common
Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting. Shares of Class A Common Stock have
no preemptive or other subscription rights. Shares of Class A Common Stock are
convertible only by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders into an equal number of
shares of Class B Common Stock; they are not convertible by any other holders.
After the consummation of the Offering, shares of Class A Common Stock held by
the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will, to the extent necessary so that the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders do not own more than 49% of the outstanding shares of Class
A Common Stock, be converted automatically into shares of Class B Common Stock,
pro rata in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by
all Morgan Stanley Stockholders. In addition, shares of Class A Common Stock
held by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders are convertible into an equal number of
shares of Class B Common Stock, at the option of the holder.
Class B Common Stock. Under the Charter, as amended, Class B Common Stock
may be held only by Morgan Stanley Stockholders. Holders of Class B Common Stock
have no right to vote on matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except (i)
as otherwise required by law and (ii) that the holders of Class B Common
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<PAGE> 59
Stock shall have the right to vote as a class on any amendment, repeal or
modification to the Charter that adversely affects the powers, preferences or
special rights of the holders of the Class B Common Stock. Shares of Class B
Common Stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights and are convertible
into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock (x) at the option of the
holder thereof (but, after the consummation of the Offering, only to the extent
that, following such conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will not, in
the aggregate, own more than 49% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock) and (y) automatically upon the transfer of such shares by any Morgan
Stanley Stockholder to a person that is not a Morgan Stanley Stockholder.
Dividends. All holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such
dividends or other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time
by the Board of Directors in its discretion out of funds legally available
therefor, subject to the prior rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding,
and to share equally, share for share, in such dividends or other distributions
as if all shares of Common Stock were a single class. Dividends or other
distributions declared or paid in shares of Common Stock, or options, warrants
or rights to acquire such stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of such stock, are payable to all of the holders of Common Stock
ratably according to the number of shares held by them, in shares of Class A
Common Stock to holders of that class of stock and in shares of Class B Common
Stock to holders of that class of stock. Delaware law generally requires that
dividends be paid only out of the Company's surplus or current net profits in
accordance with the DGCL. See "Dividend Policy."
Liquidation. Subject to the rights of any holders of Preferred Stock
outstanding, upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, the
holders of Common Stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets
available for distribution after payments are made to the Company's creditors.
Other. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription or
redemption rights. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of
Class A Common Stock offered by the Company hereby will be, when issued and paid
for, fully paid and nonassessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Charter provides that the Board of Directors is authorized,
subject to certain limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder
approval, to issue from time to time up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix or alter the designations,
preferences, rights and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the
shares of each such series thereof, including the dividend rights, dividend
rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption (including sinking
fund provisions), redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the
number of shares constituting any series or designations of such series. The
issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of the Company. The rights, preferences and
privileges of holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely
affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred
Stock which the Company may designate and issue in the future. The Company has
no present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER AND BY-LAW PROVISIONS
The provisions of the Company's Charter, By-Laws and Delaware statutory law
described in this section may delay or make more difficult acquisitions or
changes in control of the Company that are not approved by the Board of
Directors. See "Risk Factors -- Possible Anti-takeover Effect of Certain
Charter, By-law and Statutory Provisions."
The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL.
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the interested
stockholder attained such status with the approval of the Board of Directors or
unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business
combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a
financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions,
an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together
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with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more
of the corporation's voting stock.
The Charter provides for the division of the Board of Directors into three
classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms. See
"Management." Except as may be provided in any class or series of Preferred
Stock with respect to any directors elected by the holders of such class or
series, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from
office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the shares of
capital stock of the corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, voting together as a single class, unless the removal of a
director has been requested by a shareholder who designated such director as a
nominee for election pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, in which case such
director can be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of holders
of a simple majority of such shares.
The Company's Charter provides that special meetings of the stockholders
may be called at any time by resolution of the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer, but may not be called by other
persons. The Charter also provides that any stockholder action may not be taken
by written consent of stockholders without a meeting, unless the action to be
effected by written consent of stockholders and the taking of such action by
written consent have been approved in advance by the Board of Directors or
unless the shareholder action involves the removal of a director nominated
pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement and the person who nominated such
director pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement votes in favor of the removal of
such director pursuant to such written consent.
The Charter further provides that stockholders may make, alter, amend, add
to or repeal the By-laws only if, in addition to any vote of the holders of any
class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or the
Charter, such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 80% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class. The affirmative approval of at least 80% of
the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of
the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, is also required to reduce or eliminate the number
of authorized shares of any capital stock set forth in the Charter or to amend,
repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with specified provisions of the
Charter.
As permitted by DGCL, the Charter provides that directors of the Company
shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director by reason of any act or
omission, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, (iv) for any transaction from which
the director shall derive an improper personal benefit or (v) to any extent that
such liability shall not be limited or eliminated by virtue of the provisions of
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL or any successor thereof. In addition, the Charter
provides that the Company shall, to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL,
as amended from time to time, indemnify and hold harmless all directors and
officers against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered
by such indemnitee in connection therewith. Such indemnification shall continue
as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure
to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators. The
right to indemnification includes the right to be advanced funds from the
Company for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding for which a right to
indemnification is applicable.
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the amended Stockholders Agreement, one of the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders, MSLEF II, has the right to designate two director nominees so long
as it owns at least 25% of the outstanding Common Stock or one director nominee
so long as it owns at least 5% but less than 25% of the outstanding Common
Stock. In addition, another Morgan Stanley Stockholder, MSCP, has the right to
designate two director nominees so long as it owns at least 35% of the
outstanding Common Stock or one director nominee so long as it owns at least 5%
but less than 35% of the outstanding Common Stock. Whenever MSLEF II and MSCP
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<PAGE> 61
individually own less than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, they shall
jointly be entitled to designate one director nominee as long as the Morgan
Stanley Shareholders beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock. The number of directors designated by the Morgan
Stanley Stockholders will increase proportionately if the size of the Board of
Directors is increased in the future. In addition, the amended Stockholders
Agreement provides that so long as the Morgan Stanley Stockholders own at least
25% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, certain significant corporate
actions will be subject to their approval in addition to that of the Company's
Board of Directors. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions -- Stockholders Agreement."
LISTING
The Class A Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to official
notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PLB."
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is UMB Bank, N.A.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. Sales of substantial numbers of shares of Common Stock into the
public market after the Offering, or the perception that such sales could occur,
could materially and adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock
prevailing from time to time or could impair the Company's future ability to
obtain capital through an offering of equity securities. The Company cannot
predict the effect, if any, that sales of shares of Common Stock, or the
availability of such shares for future sales, will have on future market prices
of the Common Stock. Such sales also may make it more difficult for the Company
to sell equity securities in the future at the time and price it deems
appropriate.
Upon consummation of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding an
aggregate of 16,776,056 shares of Common Stock assuming no exercise of the U.S.
Underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock
options. Of these shares, all of the 5,900,000 shares of Common Stock sold in
the Offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration
under the Securities Act by persons other than "affiliates" of the Company as
that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the "Affiliates").
The remaining 10,876,056 shares of Common Stock held by existing stockholders
are "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"). These Restricted Shares were acquired
in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act and may not be
resold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or are sold pursuant
to an applicable exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, Rule 144(k) or
Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated in accordance with the Rule) who has beneficially
owned Restricted Shares for at least one year or any person who may be deemed an
affiliate of the Company is entitled, subject to certain conditions, to sell
within any three-month period a number of shares of which does not exceed the
greater of (i) one percent of the Company's then outstanding shares of Common
Stock (approximately 167,761 shares immediately after the Offering, assuming no
exercise of the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of
outstanding stock options) or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the
Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Sales under
Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner-of-sale and notice requirements and
the availability of current public information about the Company. A person (or
persons whose shares are aggregated in accordance with the Rule) who is not an
"affiliate" of the Company at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and
who beneficially owns shares that were not acquired from the Company or an
affiliate of the Company within the past two years is entitled to sell such
shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to volume limitations, manner of sale
provisions, notice requirements or the availability of current public
information on the Company. In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect,
any employee, consultant or advisor of the Company who purchased shares from the
Company in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written
agreement is eligible to resell such shares 90 days
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<PAGE> 62
after the effective date of this Offering in reliance on Rule 144, but without
compliance with certain restrictions, including the holding period, contained in
Rule 144. The Commission has proposed an amendment to Rule 144 which may further
liberalize the provisions of Rule 144.
Beginning 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, 8,260,330 of the
Restricted Shares will be eligible for sale on the public market under Rule 144,
provided the conditions of that rule have been met. All of such Restricted
Shares are subject to lock-up agreements with the Underwriters that prohibit
their sale or other disposition for 180 days from the date of this Prospectus
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters (except with respect to shares of Common Stock held by the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders, for which prior written consent of all the U.S.
Representatives is required).
Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, the Company has granted the
Existing Stockholders certain "demand" registration rights with respect to the
shares of Common Stock held by the Existing Stockholders. In addition to such
demand rights, the Existing Stockholders will be entitled, subject to certain
limitations, to register shares of Common Stock in connection with a
registration statement prepared by the Company. See "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions -- Stockholders Agreement." Each of the Existing
Stockholders has agreed that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters (except with respect to
shares of Common Stock held by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders, without the
prior written consent of all the U.S. Representatives), it will not, during the
period ending 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, make any demand for,
or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Class A
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Class A Common Stock.
Existing Stockholders other than the Morgan Stanley Stockholders may not
sell or pledge any shares of Common Stock except in the circumstances permitted
by the Stockholders Agreement. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions." Subject to the lock-up period describe above, the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders may choose to dispose of the Common Stock owned by them. The timing
of such sales or other dispositions by such stockholders (which could include
distributions to the Morgan Stanley Stockholders' limited partners) will depend
on market and other conditions, but could occur relatively soon after the
lock-up period, including pursuant to the exercise of their registration rights.
The Morgan Stanley Stockholders are unable to predict the timing of sales by any
of their limited partners in the event of a distribution to them. Such
dispositions could be privately negotiated transactions or public sales.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS
In the opinion of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, the following is a summary
of certain of the material United States federal income and estate tax
consequences of the ownership and disposition of Class A Common Stock applicable
to "Non-United States Holders." A "Non-United States Holder" is any beneficial
owner of Class A Common Stock that, for United States federal income or estate
tax purposes, as the case may be, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign
corporation, a foreign partnership or a foreign estate or trust as such terms
are defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This
summary is based on the Code and administrative and judicial interpretations as
of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change either retroactively or
prospectively. This summary does not address all aspects of United States
federal income and estate taxation that may be relevant to Non-United States
Holders in light of their particular circumstances (such as certain tax
consequences applicable to United States expatriates and pass-through entities)
and does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state,
local or foreign taxing jurisdiction or the application of a particular tax
treaty. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding
the United States federal, state and local income and other tax consequences,
and the non-United States tax consequences, of owning and disposing of Class A
Common Stock.
Proposed United States Treasury Regulations were issued on April 15, 1996
(the "Proposed Regulations") which, if adopted in their present form, could
revise in certain respects the rules applicable to Non-United States Holders of
Class A Common Stock. The Proposed Regulations are generally proposed to be
effective with respect to payments made after December 31, 1997, subject to
certain transition rules. It cannot be predicted at this time whether the
Proposed Regulations will be adopted as proposed or what modifications, if any,
may be made to them. The summary below is not intended to include a complete
discussion of the provisions of the Proposed Regulations, and prospective
investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the effect the
Proposed Regulations may have if adopted.
DIVIDENDS
Subject to the discussion below, any dividend paid to a Non-United States
Holder generally will be subject to United States withholding tax either at a
rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be
specified by an applicable tax treaty. For purposes of determining whether tax
is to be withheld at a 30% rate, or at a reduced rate as specified by an
applicable tax treaty, under current United States Treasury Regulations the
Company ordinarily will presume that dividends paid to a holder with an address
in a foreign country are paid to a resident of such country absent knowledge
that such presumption is not warranted. Under such Regulations, dividends paid
to a holder with an address within the United States generally will be presumed
to be paid to a holder who is not a Non-United States Holder and will not be
subject to the 30% withholding tax, unless the Company has actual knowledge that
the holder is a Non-United States Holder.
The Proposed Regulations would provide for certain presumptions (which
differ from those described above) upon which the Company may generally rely to
determine whether, in the absence of certain documentation, a holder should be
treated as a Non-United States Holder for purposes of the 30% withholding tax
described above. The presumptions would not apply for purposes of granting a
reduced rate of withholding under a treaty. Under the Proposed Regulations, to
obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty a Non-United States Holder
would be required either (i) to provide an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8
certifying such Non-United States Holder's entitlement to benefits under a
treaty together with, in certain circumstances, additional information or (ii)
satisfy certain other applicable certification requirements. The Proposed
Regulations also would provide special rules to determine whether, for purposes
of determining the applicability of a tax treaty and for purposes of the 30%
withholding tax described above, dividends paid to a Non-United States Holder
that is an entity should be treated as paid to the entity or those holding an
interest in that entity.
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Dividends received by a Non-United States Holder that are effectively
connected with a United States trade or business conducted by such Non-United
States Holder are exempt from withholding tax. However, such effectively
connected dividends are subject to regular United States income tax in the same
manner as if the Non-United States Holder were a United States person for
federal income tax purposes. Effectively connected dividends may be subject to a
different treatment under an applicable tax treaty depending on whether such
dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment of the Non-United States
Holder in the United States. A Non-United States Holder may claim exemption from
withholding under the effectively connected income exception by filing Internal
Revenue Service Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of Tax on Income
Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United
States) each year with the Company or its paying agent prior to the payment of
the dividends for such year. The Proposed Regulations would replace Form 4224
with Form W-8 and certain additional information. Effectively connected
dividends received by a corporate Non-United States Holder may be subject to an
additional "branch profits tax" at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be
specified by an applicable tax treaty) of such corporate Non-United States
Holder's effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain
adjustments.
A Non-United States Holder eligible for a reduced rate of United States
withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the
United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
A Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax with respect to gain realized upon the sale or other
disposition of Class A Common Stock unless (i) such gain is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the Non-United States
Holder; (ii) the Non-United States Holder is a non-resident alien individual who
holds the Class A Common Stock as a capital asset, is present in the United
States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar
year in which such sale or disposition occurs, and either the non-resident alien
individual has a "tax home" in the United States or the sale is attributable to
an office or other fixed place of business maintained by the non-resident alien
individual in the United States; or (iii) the Company is or has been a "United
States real property holding corporation" for federal income tax purposes at any
time within the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the
disposition or such holder's holding period (the "determination period"). The
Company has determined that it is not, and does not anticipate becoming a
"United States real property holding corporation" for federal income tax
purposes. Even if the Company is a United States real property holding
corporation for federal income tax purposes at any time during the determination
period, the disposition of Class A Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder
that did not own more than five percent of the Class A Common Stock during the
determination period will not be treated as a disposition of an interest in a
United States real property holding corporation if the Class A Common Stock is
treated as "regularly traded on an established securities market" during the
calendar year. Non-United States Holders should consult applicable tax treaties,
which might result in a United States federal income tax treatment on the sale
or other disposition of Class A Common Stock different than as described above.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Generally, the Company must report to the IRS the amount of dividends paid,
the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld.
The information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding
was reduced by an applicable tax treaty or if withholding was not required
because the dividends were effectively connected with a trade or business in the
United States of the Non-United States Holder. A similar report is sent to the
holder. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its
reports available to tax authorities in the recipient's country of residence.
Under current United States Treasury Regulations, unless the Company has
actual knowledge that a holder is a Non-United States Holder, dividends paid to
a holder at an address within the United States may be subject to backup
withholding at a rate of 31% and additional information reporting if the holder
is not an "exempt recipient" as defined in Treasury Regulations (which includes
corporations) and fails to provide a
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correct taxpayer identification number and other information to the Company.
Backup withholding and such additional information reporting will generally not
apply to dividends paid to holders at an address outside the United States
(unless the Company has knowledge that the holder is a United States person) or
to dividends paid to Non-United States Holders that are either subject to the
United States withholding tax (whether at 30% or a reduced rate) or that are
exempt from such withholding because such dividends constitute effectively
connected income.
Under current United States Treasury Regulations, proceeds from the
disposition of Class A Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder effected by or
through a United States office of a broker will be subject to information
reporting and to backup withholding at a rate of 31% of the gross proceeds
unless such Non-United States Holder certifies under penalties of perjury as to
its name, address and status as a Non-United States Holder or otherwise
establishes an exemption. Generally, United States information reporting and
backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the
transaction is effected outside the United States by or through a non-United
States office of a broker. However, United States information reporting
requirements (but not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of disposition
proceeds where the transaction is effected outside the United States if (a) the
disposition is made through an office outside the United States of a broker that
is either (i) a United States person for United States federal income tax
purposes, (ii) a "controlled foreign corporation" for United States federal
income tax purposes or (iii) a foreign person which derives 50% or more of its
gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a United States trade or
business and (b) the broker fails to maintain documentary evidence in its files
that the holder is a Non-United States Holder and that certain conditions are
met or that the holder otherwise is entitled to an exemption.
The Proposed Regulations would, if adopted, alter the foregoing rules
applicable to proceeds from Class A Common Stock in certain respects. Among
other things, the Proposed Regulations would provide certain presumptions and
other rules under which Non-United States Holders may be subject to backup
withholding and related information reporting in the absence of required
certifications.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of
persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of United States
income taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required documents are
filed with the IRS.
ESTATE TAX
An individual Non-United States Holder who is treated as the owner of Class
A Common Stock at the time of such individual's death or has made certain
lifetime transfers of an interest in Class A Common Stock will be required to
include the value of such Class A Common Stock in such individual's gross estate
for United States federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to United
States federal estate tax, unless an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise.
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UNDERWRITERS
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in the Underwriting Agreement
dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the U.S. Underwriters
named below for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown, Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and George K. Baum & Company are acting as U.S. Representatives, and
the International Underwriters named below for whom Morgan Stanley & Co.
International Limited, BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust
International PLC, Goldman Sachs International and George K. Baum & Company are
acting as International Representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and
the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective numbers of
shares of Class A Common Stock set forth opposite the names of such Underwriters
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
NAME SHARES
---- ---------
<S> <C>
U.S. Underwriters:
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.........................
BT Alex. Brown............................................
Goldman, Sachs & Co. .....................................
George K. Baum & Company..................................
---------
Subtotal............................................... 4,720,000
---------
International Underwriters:
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited................
BT Alex. Brown International, a division of Bankers Trust
International PLC......................................
Goldman Sachs International...............................
George K. Baum & Company..................................
---------
Subtotal............................................... 1,180,000
---------
Total.................................................. 5,900,000
=========
</TABLE>
The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters, and the U.S.
Representatives and the International Representatives, are collectively referred
to as the "Underwriters" and the "Representatives," respectively. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several Underwriters
to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered
hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and
to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for
all of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby (other than those
covered by the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option described below) if any
such shares are taken.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions: (i)
it is not purchasing any Shares (as defined herein) for the account of anyone
other than a United States or Canadian Person (as defined herein) and (ii) it
has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any
Shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the Shares outside the United
States or Canada or to anyone other than a United States or Canadian Person.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain
exceptions: (i) it is not purchasing any Shares for the account of any United
States or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not offered or sold, and will not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Shares or distribute any prospectus
relating to the Shares in the United States or Canada or to any United States or
Canadian Person. With respect to any Underwriter that is a U.S. Underwriter and
an International Underwriter, the foregoing representations and agreements (i)
made by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter apply only to it in its
capacity as a U.S. Underwriter and (ii) made by it in its capacity as an
International Underwriter apply only to it in its capacity as an International
Underwriter. The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization
transactions or to certain other transactions specified in the Agreement between
U.S. and International Underwriters. As used herein, "United States or Canadian
Person" means any national or resident of the United States or Canada, or any
corporation, pension, profit-sharing or other trust or other entity organized
under the laws of the United States or Canada or of any
64
<PAGE> 67
political subdivision thereof (other than a branch located outside the United
States and Canada of any United States or Canadian Person), and includes any
United States or Canadian branch of a person who is otherwise not a United
States or Canadian Person. All shares of Class A Common Stock to be purchased by
the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement are referred to herein as the
"Shares".
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters,
sales may be made between the U.S. Underwriters and International Underwriters
of any number of Shares as may be mutually agreed. The per share price of any
Shares so sold shall be the public offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof, in United States dollars, less an amount not greater than the per share
amount of the concession to dealers set forth below.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented that it has not offered or sold, and has agreed
not to offer or sell, any Shares, directly or indirectly, in any province or
territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province
or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and has
represented that any offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only
pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the
province or territory of Canada in which such offer or sale is made. Each U.S.
Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases from it any
of the Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such Shares,
such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such Shares in any province or
territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province
or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and that
any offer or sale of Shares in Canada will be made only pursuant to an exemption
from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada
in which such offer or sale is made, and that such dealer will deliver to any
other dealer to whom it sells any of such Shares a notice containing
substantially the same statement as is contained in this sentence.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that (i) it has not offered
or sold and, prior to the date six months after the closing date for the sale of
the Shares to the International Underwriters, will not offer or sell, any Shares
to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as
principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the
public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of
Securities Regulations 1995; (ii) it has complied and will comply with all
applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to
anything done by it in relation to the Shares in, from or otherwise involving
the United Kingdom; and (iii) it has only issued or passed on and will only
issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document received by it in connection
with the offering of the Shares to a person who is of a kind described in
Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements)
(Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom such document may otherwise
lawfully be issued or passed on.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has further represented that it has not offered or
sold, and has agreed not to offer or sell, directly or indirectly, in Japan or
to or for the account of any resident thereof, any of the Shares acquired in
connection with the distribution contemplated hereby, except for offers or sales
to Japanese International Underwriters or dealers and except pursuant to any
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law
and otherwise in compliance with applicable provisions of Japanese law. Each
International Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases
from it any of the Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such
Shares, such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and
will not offer or sell, any of such Shares, directly or indirectly, in Japan or
to or for the account of any resident thereof except for offers or sales to
Japanese International Underwriters or dealers and except pursuant to any
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law
and otherwise in compliance with applicable provisions of Japanese law, and that
such dealer will send to any other dealer to whom it sells any of such Shares a
notice containing substantially the same statement as is contained in this
sentence.
65
<PAGE> 68
The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Class A
Common Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a
concession not in excess of $ a share under the public offering price. Any
Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $ a share to other Underwriters or to certain other dealers. After the
initial offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock, the offering price and
other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Representatives.
Certain Selling Stockholders have granted to the U.S. Underwriters an
option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up
to an aggregate of 885,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock at the
public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting
discounts and commissions. The U.S. Underwriters may exercise such option solely
for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the
offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby. To the extent
such option is exercised, each U.S. Underwriter will become obligated, subject
to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such
additional shares of Class A Common Stock as the number set forth next to such
U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of
shares of Class A Common Stock set forth next to the names of all U.S.
Underwriters in the preceding table.
The Underwriters have informed the Company that they do not intend sales to
discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of shares of
Class A Common Stock offered by them.
Each of the Company and the directors, executive officers and certain other
stockholders of the Company has agreed that, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters (except with
respect to shares of Common Stock held by the Morgan Stanley Stockholders, for
which prior written consent of all the U.S. Representatives is required), it
will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,
(i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to
purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or
warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or
indirectly, any shares of Class A Common Stock or any securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (provided that such
shares or securities are either owned on the date of this Prospectus or are
hereinafter acquired prior to the Offering) or (ii) enter into any swap or other
arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences of ownership of the Class A Common Stock, whether any such
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of Class A Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The
restrictions described in this paragraph do not apply to (x) the sale of the
Shares to the Underwriters, (y) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common
Stock upon the exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a
security outstanding on the date of this Prospectus or (z) transactions by any
person other than the Company relating to shares of Class A Common Stock or
other securities acquired in open market transactions after the consummation of
the offering of the Shares.
In order to facilitate the offering of the Class A Common Stock, the
Underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the Class A Common Stock. Specifically, the Underwriters may
over-allot in connection with the Offering, creating a short position in the
Class A Common Stock for their own account. In addition, to cover
over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the Class A Common Stock, the
Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of Class A Common Stock in the
open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an Underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Class A Common Stock
in the Offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed Class A
Common Stock in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in
stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize
or maintain the market price of the Class A Common Stock above independent
market levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities,
and may end any of these activities at any time.
The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters have agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Offering, affiliates of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited will own 51.3% of
the Common Stock. No affiliates of Morgan
66
<PAGE> 69
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited will
be selling shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offering. Currently, affiliates
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. International
Limited have designated three members to the Board of Directors (Messrs. Niehaus
and Sorrel and Ms. Rosen). Messrs. Niehaus and Sorrel and Ms. Rosen are
employees of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. See "Management." From time to
time, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and its affiliates have provided, and
continue to provide, investment banking and financial advisory services to the
Company for which they have received customary fees and commissions.
Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, one of the U.S. Underwriters, is the documentation agent under the
agreements relating to the Company's Credit Facility, and acted as arranger for
the Credit Facility for which it received a customary fee. Morgan Senior
Funding, Inc. also provides other general financing and banking services to the
Company and its affiliates from time to time. Bankers Trust Company, an
affiliate of BT Alex. Brown (which is one of the U.S. Underwriters) and BT Alex.
Brown International (which is one of the International Underwriters), is
administrative agent and a lender under the Company's Credit Facility.
The Class A Common Stock has been approved for listing, subject to notice
of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PLB." In order to
meet the requirements for listing the Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange, the Underwriters have undertaken to meet the New York Stock Exchange's
minimum distribution, issuance and aggregate market value requirements.
Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Class A
Common Stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by
negotiations between the Company and the U.S. Representatives. Among the factors
to be considered in determining the initial public offering price will be the
future prospects of the Company and its industry in general, sales, earnings and
certain other financial and operating information of the Company in recent
periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of
securities and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged
in activities similar to those of the Company. The estimated initial public
offering price range set forth on the cover page of this Preliminary Prospectus
is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors.
Because the partial repayment of the Credit Facility will cause a
substantial portion of the proceeds from the Offering to be paid to affiliates
of members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
which members may participate in the U.S. Offering, the U.S. Offering is being
conducted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2710(c)(8) of the NASD
Conduct Rules. The initial public offering price can be no higher than that
recommended by a "qualified independent underwriter" meeting certain standards.
Accordingly, Goldman, Sachs & Co. will serve in such role. In connection with
the U.S. Offering, Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its role as qualified independent
underwriter has performed due diligence investigations and reviewed and
participated in the preparation of this Prospectus and the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
From time to time, George K. Baum & Company has provided, and continues to
provide, investment banking and financial advisory services to the Company for
which it has received customary fees and commissions. Upon consummation of the
Offering, one of the Company's seven directors will be a director of George K.
Baum & Company.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby and
certain other matters will be passed upon for the Company by Sonnenschein Nath &
Rosenthal, Kansas City, Missouri. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for
the Underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York. Davis Polk &
Wardwell has performed, and will continue to perform, legal services for the
Morgan Stanley Stockholders and has acted as counsel to the Morgan Stanley
Stockholders in connection with their investments in the Company.
67
<PAGE> 70
EXPERTS
The financial statements of the Company at December 31, 1995, September 30,
1996, and June 30, 1997, and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 1995, for the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 and
the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997 appearing in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and
are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company has filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with
respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus,
which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of
the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain items of which
are contained in schedules and exhibits to the Registration Statement as
permitted by rules of the Commission. For further information with respect to
the Company and the Class A Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to
such Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other
document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such
contract or other document filed as a part of or otherwise incorporated in the
Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matters involved, and each such statement shall be deemed
qualified in its entirety by such reference.
Following the consummation of this Offering, the Company will be subject to
the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and in accordance therewith will file reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Commission. The Registration Statement, including the
schedules and exhibits thereto, as well as such reports, proxy statements and
other information filed by the Company can be inspected, without charge, and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
regional offices maintained by the Commission at Suite 1400, Citicorp Center,
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials can also be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. In addition, registration statements and certain other filings made with
the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
("EDGAR") system are publicly available through the Commission's site on the
Internet's World Wide Web, located at http://www.sec.gov. The Registration
Statement, including all exhibits thereto and amendments thereof, has been filed
with the Commission through EDGAR.
Following the consummation of this Offering, the Company intends to furnish
to its stockholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by an
independent certified public accounting firm and quarterly reports for each of
the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited financial
information.
68
<PAGE> 71
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
INDEX TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors.............................. F-2
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and
June 30, 1997............................................. F-3
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, the fiscal nine-months ended September 30,
1996 and the nine-months ended June 30, 1997.............. F-4
Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995, the fiscal nine-months ended
September 30, 1996 and the nine-months ended June 30,
1997...................................................... F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, the fiscal nine-months ended September 30,
1996 and the nine-months ended June 30, 1997.............. F-6
Notes to Financial Statements............................... F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 72
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
American Italian Pasta Company
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of American Italian Pasta
Company (the Company) as of December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30,
1997, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995, the nine-
month fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 and the nine-month period ended
June 30, 1997. 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 in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of American Italian Pasta
Company at December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, the nine-month fiscal period ended September 30,
1996 and the nine-month period ended June 30, 1997 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
July 25, 1997 except
Note 12, as to which
the date is , 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The foregoing report is in the form that will be signed upon the completion
of the recapitalization as described in Note 12 to the financial statements.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
September 22, 1997
F-2
<PAGE> 73
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS (Note 2)
Current assets:
Cash and temporary investments.......................... $ 18 $ 1,818 $ 2,612
Trade and other receivables............................. 10,709 12,494 11,616
Prepaid expenses and deposits........................... 927 1,879 2,201
Inventory............................................... 12,544 14,374 11,619
Deferred income taxes (Note 3).......................... 339 269 213
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets...................................... 24,537 30,834 28,261
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and improvements................................... 4,379 4,413 4,540
Buildings............................................... 37,382 37,491 37,491
Plant and mill equipment................................ 78,850 81,461 83,702
Furniture, fixtures and equipment....................... 3,348 3,635 4,477
-------- -------- --------
123,959 127,000 130,210
Accumulated depreciation................................ (18,580) (23,247) (27,790)
-------- -------- --------
105,379 103,753 102,420
Construction in progress................................ -- -- 7,839
-------- -------- --------
Total property, plant and equipment....................... 105,379 103,753 110,259
Deferred income taxes (Note 3)............................ 1,821 4,479 2,730
Other assets.............................................. 3,687 2,622 4,212
-------- -------- --------
Total assets.............................................. $135,424 $141,688 $145,462
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable........................................ $ 12,102 $ 7,193 $ 6,550
Accrued expenses........................................ 2,694 3,664 4,750
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 2)........... 3,109 8,078 3,685
Revolving line of credit facility (Note 2).............. -- 13,500 --
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities................................. 17,905 32,435 14,985
Long-term debt (Note 2)................................... 97,452 93,284 89,500
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value:
Authorized shares 10,000,000......................... -- -- --
Class A common stock, $.001 par value:
Authorized shares -- 75,000,000...................... 8 8 11
Class B common stock, $.001 par value:
Authorized shares -- 25,000,000...................... -- -- --
Additional paid-in capital.............................. 32,971 33,071 55,324
Notes receivable from officers.......................... -- -- (298)
Accumulated deficit..................................... (12,912) (17,110) (14,060)
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity................................ 20,067 15,969 40,977
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity................ $135,424 $141,688 $145,462
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 74
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED -----------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------
1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues (Note 5)................... $69,465 $92,903 $63,828 $92,074 $86,514 $93,616
Cost of goods sold.................. 54,393 73,851 51,601 68,555 65,697 67,821
Plant expansion costs (Note 8)...... 484 2,065 1,640 -- 425 --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit........................ 14,588 16,987 10,587 23,519 20,392 25,795
Selling and marketing expense,
including product introduction
costs (Note 10)................... 3,792 5,303 3,656 16,798 11,236 10,212
General and administrative
expense........................... 1,951 2,930 2,048 2,805 2,741 2,855
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating profit.................... 8,845 8,754 4,883 3,916 6,415 12,728
Interest expense, net............... 4,975 8,008 5,261 8,023 8,030 7,800
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income tax
expense (benefit) and
extraordinary item................ 3,870 746 (378) (4,107) (1,615) 4,928
Income tax expense (benefit) (Note
3)................................ 1,484 270 (147) (1,556) (642) 1,878
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
item.............................. 2,386 476 (231) (2,551) (973) 3,050
Extraordinary item:
Loss due to early extinguishment
of long-term debt, net of
income taxes (Note 2).......... (204) -- -- (1,647) (1,647) --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss)................... $ 2,182 $ 476 $ (231) $(4,198) $(2,620) $ 3,050
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per common share:
Before extraordinary item........... $ 0.23 $ 0.05 $ (0.25) $ 0.25
Extraordinary item.................. (0.02) -- (0.16) --
------- ------- ------- -------
Total............................... $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ (0.41) $ 0.25
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted-average common shares
outstanding....................... 10,231 10,275 10,303 12,160
======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 75
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOTES
CLASS A CLASS A ADDITIONAL RECEIVABLE TOTAL
COMMON COMMON PAID-IN FROM DEFERRED ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS'
SHARES STOCK CAPITAL OFFICERS COMPENSATION DEFICIT EQUITY
------- ------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993... 8,179,832 $ 8 $32,679 $ -- $(144) $(15,570) $16,973
Compensation related to stock
options vesting in 1994.... -- -- -- -- 144 -- 144
Issuance of 21,401 shares of
Class A Common stock....... 21,401 -- 102 -- -- -- 102
Net income................... -- -- -- -- -- 2,182 2,182
---------- --- ------- ----- ----- -------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1994... 8,201,233 8 32,781 -- -- (13,388) 19,401
Issuance of 38,767 shares of
Class A Common stock....... 38,767 -- 190 -- -- -- 190
Net income................... -- -- -- -- -- 476 476
---------- --- ------- ----- ----- -------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1995... 8,240,000 8 32,971 -- -- (12,912) 20,067
Issuance of 20,328 shares of
Class A Common stock....... 20,328 -- 100 -- -- -- 100
Net loss..................... -- -- -- -- -- (4,198) (4,198)
---------- --- ------- ----- ----- -------- -------
Balance at September 30,
1996......................... 8,260,328 8 33,071 -- -- (17,110) 15,969
Issuance of 3,174,526 shares
of Class A Common stock,
net of issuance costs ..... 3,174,528 3 22,039 -- -- -- 22,042
Notes received from officers
in exchange for stock...... -- -- -- (298) -- -- (298)
Issuance of 31,200 shares of
Class A Common stock to
employee benefit plan...... 31,200 -- 214 -- -- -- 214
Net income................... -- -- -- -- -- 3,050 3,050
---------- --- ------- ----- ----- -------- -------
Balance at June 30, 1997....... 11,466,056 $11 $55,324 $(298) $ -- $(14,060) $40,977
========== === ======= ===== ===== ======== =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 76
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED --------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31 SEPTEMBER 30 JUNE 30
-------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities:
Net income (loss).................... $ 2,182 $ 476 $ (231) $ (4,198) $ (2,620) $ 3,050
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
(used in) operations:
Depreciation and amortization.... 4,573 6,279 4,485 5,434 5,607 5,784
Deferred income tax expense
(benefit)..................... 1,168 264 (147) (1,556) (642) 1,878
Extraordinary loss due to early
extinguishment of long-term
debt.......................... 204 -- -- 1,647 1,647 --
Compensation related to stock
options....................... 144 -- -- -- -- --
Loss on disposal of property,
plant and equipment........... -- 439 275 -- 163 --
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Trade and other receivables... (1,900) (4,586) (1,512) (1,785) (2,898) 942
Prepaid expenses and
deposits.................... (317) (364) (1,241) (952) (220) (396)
Inventory..................... (4,293) (2,814) (1,889) (1,830) (5,377) 2,755
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses.................... 2,167 6,610 3,435 (3,961) 519 443
Other......................... (238) (574) (500) (276) (334) (380)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities............... 3,690 5,730 2,675 (7,477) (4,155) 14,076
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and
equipment.......................... (25,431) (38,789) (31,365) (3,041) (6,084) (11,464)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing
activities......................... (25,431) (38,789) (31,365) (3,041) (6,084) (11,464)
Financing activities:
Additions to deferred debt issuance
costs.............................. (2,004) (71) (71) (2,083) (2,064) (2,099)
Proceeds from issuance of debt....... 58,330 40,795 22,274 86,470 106,025 3,543
Net borrowings under revolving line
of credit facility................. -- -- 9,408 13,500 -- (13,500)
Principal payments on debt and
capital lease obligations.......... (36,825) (7,848) (3,875) (85,669) (92,239) (11,720)
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock, net of issuance costs....... 102 190 167 100 -- 21,958
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities............... 19,603 33,066 27,903 12,318 11,722 (1,818)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
temporary investments.............. (2,138) 7 (787) 1,800 1,483 794
Cash and temporary investments at
beginning of period................ 2,149 11 11 18 (776) 1,818
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Cash and temporary investments at end
of period.......................... $ 11 $ 18 $ (776) $ 1,818 $ 707 $ 2,612
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 77
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 1997
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF BUSINESS
American Italian Pasta Company (the Company) is a Delaware Corporation
which began operations in 1988. The Company is the third largest producer and
marketer of pasta products in the United States with manufacturing and
distribution facilities located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Columbia,
South Carolina.
CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
Effective for its 1996 fiscal year, the Company changed its fiscal year end
from December 31 to the Friday last preceding September 30, resulting in a
nine-month fiscal year for 1996, a 53-week year for fiscal 1997, and a 52- or
53-week year for all subsequent fiscal years. The Company's other fiscal
quarters end on the Friday last preceding December 31, March 31 and June 30 of
each year. For purposes of the financial statements and notes thereto, the 1996
fiscal year is described as having ended on September 30, 1996, and the
nine-month 1997 and 1996 interim periods are described as having ended on June
30.
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company's balance sheet at June 30, 1997 and the statements of
operations and stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995, June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
statements.
The Company has included information for the nine months ended September
30, 1995 and June 30, 1996 in the statements of operations and statements of
cash flows for comparative purposes. This information is unaudited.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Sales of the Company's products, including pricing terms, are final upon
shipment of the goods. Accordingly, revenue is recognized at such time.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company grants credit to certain customers who meet the Company's
preestablished credit requirements. Generally, the Company does not require
collateral security when trade credit is granted to customers. Credit losses are
provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within
management's expectations. The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31,
1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 was $59,000, $60,000 and $198,000,
respectively. At December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997,
approximately 30%, 34% and 41%, respectively, of accounts receivable were due
from two customers.
Pasta is made from semolina milled from durum wheat, a class of hard amber
wheat grown in certain parts of the world and purchased by the Company from
United States and Canadian sources. The Company mills the wheat into semolina at
its Excelsior Springs plant. Durum wheat is a narrowly traded, cash only
commodity crop. The Company attempts to minimize the effect of durum wheat cost
fluctuations through
F-7
<PAGE> 78
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
forward purchase contracts and raw material cost-based pricing agreements with
many of its customers. The Company's commodity procurement and pricing practices
are intended to reduce the risk of durum wheat cost increases on profitability,
but also may temporarily affect the timing of the Company's ability to benefit
from possible durum wheat cost decreases for such contracted quantities.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments, including cash
and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term
debt, as reported in the accompanying balance sheet at June 30, 1997,
approximates fair value.
ADVERTISING COSTS
The Company amortizes direct response advertising costs over the period in
which the future benefits are expected (generally six months or less).
Production costs for television advertisement are expensed upon the first
showing. Other costs of advertising and promotions are expensed as incurred.
CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
Cash and temporary investments include cash on hand, amounts due from banks
and highly liquid marketable securities with maturities of three months or less
at the date of purchase.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated using product specific standard costs which
approximate the lower of cost or market determined on a first-in, first-out
(FIFO) basis. Inventories consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Finished goods............................... $ 8,625 $10,809 $ 7,505
Raw materials, packaging materials and
work-in-process............................ 3,919 3,565 4,114
------- ------- -------
$12,544 $14,374 $11,619
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Capital additions, improvements and major renewals are classified as
property, plant and equipment and are recorded at cost. Depreciation is
calculated for financial statement purposes using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful life of the related asset for each year as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
YEARS
---------
<S> <C>
Land improvements........................................... 40
Buildings................................................... 30
Plant and mill equipment.................................... 20
Packaging equipment......................................... 10
Furniture, fixtures and equipment........................... 5
</TABLE>
F-8
<PAGE> 79
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with the construction and
installation of plant and equipment. During the fiscal years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, approximately $871,000 and $1,559,000 of interest cost was
capitalized, respectively. There was no interest cost capitalized in fiscal
1996. During the nine months ended June 30, 1997, approximately $136,000 of
interest cost was capitalized.
OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Debt issuance costs (Note 2)............................... $ 5,071 $ 2,143 $ 4,242
Package design costs....................................... 1,274 1,456 1,492
Other...................................................... 1,151 1,150 1,099
------- ------- -------
7,496 4,749 6,833
Accumulated amortization................................... (3,809) (2,127) (2,621)
------- ------- -------
$ 3,687 $ 2,622 $ 4,212
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Debt issuance costs relate to expenditures incurred in connection with
obtaining long-term debt. These costs are being amortized over the life of the
related debt using the effective interest rate method. Debt issuance costs, net
of accumulated amortization, were $3,597,000 at June 30, 1997.
Package design costs relate to certain incremental third party costs to
design artwork and produce die plates and negatives necessary to manufacture and
print packaging materials according to the Company's and customer's
specification. These costs are amortized ratably over a two-year period. In the
event that product packaging is discontinued prior to the end of the
amortization period, the respective package design costs are written off.
Package design costs, net of accumulated amortization, were $449,000 at June 30,
1997.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In conjunction with its planned initial public offering, the Company
elected to expense all start up costs incurred related to the 1995/1996 plant
expansion. In addition, the Company has elected to expense all product placement
fees incurred related to the 1996/1997 introduction of flavored pasta. The
related financial statements have been restated retroactively.
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the method
prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting
and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax
rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to
reverse.
STOCK OPTIONS
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related Interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options and have adopted the pro forma
disclosure requirements under SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." Under APB No. 25, because the exercise price of the Company's
employee stock options is
F-9
<PAGE> 80
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying stock on the date of
grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Net income (loss) per common share is calculated using the weighted-average
number of common shares and common equivalent shares, to the extent dilutive,
outstanding during the periods. Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 83, stock issued and common stock options granted
by the Company during the 12 months preceding the filing date for its planned
initial public offering have been included in the calculation of
weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding, using the
treasury stock method based on the assumed initial public offering price of $16
per share, as if the stock and options were outstanding for all periods
presented.
2. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Term loans................................................. $ 93,750 $ 94,813 $85,938
Capital lease, 15-year term with three, five-year renewal
options, at an imputed interest rate of 12.5%............ 3,657 3,586 3,509
Capital lease, eight-year term at an imputed interest rate
of 8.5%.................................................. 2,210 2,260 2,124
Other...................................................... 944 703 1,614
-------- -------- -------
100,561 101,362 93,185
Less current portion....................................... 3,109 8,078 3,685
-------- -------- -------
$ 97,452 $ 93,284 $89,500
======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
In April 1997, the Company amended and restated its principal credit
agreement in conjunction with a sale of $22.3 million of the Company's common
stock to existing stockholders. With the net proceeds from the common stock
sale, the Company repaid then outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit
agreement and prepaid scheduled long-term debt payments due through December 31,
1997.
The amended and restated credit agreement (i) created a $45 million D term
loan which will be used in combination with the proceeds from the common stock
sale to finance the Company's expansion of capital assets; (ii) increased the
Company's revolving credit facility from $17.5 million to $25 million and (iii)
modified certain covenant provisions. At June 30, 1997, the Company had $45
million available to borrow under the D term credit facility.
Debt issuance costs of approximately $2.1 million related to the April
refinancing were capitalized as deferred debt issuance costs during 1997.
In July 1994 and February 1996, the Company refinanced certain of its
credit facilities. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs which related
to the previous debt were written off, net of related tax benefits, as an
extraordinary loss on debt extinguishment as required by generally accepted
accounting principles. These amounts were $329,000 ($204,000 net of taxes) in
fiscal 1994 and $2.6 million ($1.6 million net of taxes) in fiscal 1996.
F-10
<PAGE> 81
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
2. LONG-TERM DEBT -- (CONTINUED)
The interest rates and principal maturity terms of the credit facility are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL
FACILITY AMOUNT INTEREST RATE MATURITY DATE
-------- ------ ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Term Loan A................ $ 18,000 LIBOR + 3.00% or prime + 2.00% February 2000
Term Loan B................ 19,900 LIBOR + 3.25% or prime + 2.25% February 2002
Term Loan C................ 54,700 LIBOR + 3.75% or prime + 2.75% February 2004
Term Loan D................ 45,000 LIBOR + 3.75% or prime + 2.75% February 2004
--------
137,600
Maximum Revolving Credit
Facility................. 25,000 LIBOR + 3.00% or prime + 2.00% February 2000
--------
$162,600
========
</TABLE>
Debt principal is to be repaid in varying quarterly installments with
interest over the terms shown above.
The borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is limited to the lesser
of $25 million or available collateral as defined in the amended credit
agreement. At June 30, 1997, the revolving credit line had approximately $24.5
million available for future borrowings, subject to borrowing base limitations
and outstanding letters of credit.
The following information related to the revolving credit facility is
presented for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, the nine-month fiscal
period ended September 30, 1996 and the nine months ended June 30, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Weighted-average interest rate.................. 7.9% 9.0% 8.4% 8.6%
</TABLE>
Annual maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations for each
of the next five years ended June 30, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM CAPITAL
YEAR DEBT LEASES TOTAL
---- --------- ------- -----
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1998............................................. $ 2,875 $ 1,558
1999............................................. 6,000 1,521
2000............................................. 7,300 1,335
2001............................................. 10,150 994
2002............................................. 13,750 994
Thereafter....................................... 45,863 5,460
------- -------
85,938 11,862 $97,800
Less imputed interest............................ -- 4,615 4,615
------- ------- -------
Present value of net minimum payments............ 85,938 7,247 93,185
Less current portion............................. 2,875 810 3,685
------- ------- -------
Long-term obligations............................ $83,063 $ 6,437 $89,500
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The term loans and revolving credit agreement contain various restrictive
covenants which include, among other things, financial covenants requiring
minimum and cumulative earnings levels and limitations on
F-11
<PAGE> 82
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
2. LONG-TERM DEBT -- (CONTINUED)
the payment of dividends, stock purchases, and capital spending, and the
Company's ability to enter into certain contractual arrangements. In addition to
the above scheduled principal maturities, the credit agreement also provides
that excess cash flow (as annually defined) will be used to fund future
principal maturities. The facilities are secured by substantially all assets of
the Company.
The Company leases certain assets under capital lease agreements. At
December 31, 1995, September 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997, the cost of these
assets was $6,987,000, $7,128,000 and $7,949,000, respectively, and related
accumulated amortization was $155,000, $642,000 and $556,000, respectively.
3. INCOME TAXES
At June 30, 1997, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes that expire as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2003....................................................... $ 958
2004....................................................... 5,253
2005....................................................... 76
2006....................................................... 5
2007....................................................... 1,299
2008....................................................... 195
2009....................................................... 1,248
2010....................................................... 5,121
2011....................................................... 12,584
-------
$26,739
=======
</TABLE>
The Company also has state income enterprise zone credits of approximately
$1 million that expire in 1997.
The Company has established a valuation allowance of $1,031,000 for state
enterprise zone credits that are available but are not expected to be realized.
Management believes it is more likely than not that remaining deferred tax
assets will be realized through the generation of future taxable income and
available tax planning strategies.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward.......................... $ 5,012 $ 9,730 $10,573
State enterprise zone credits............................ 1,031 1,031 1,031
AMT credit carryforward.................................. 561 561 515
Other.................................................... 1,064 1,888 1,084
------- ------- -------
Total deferred tax assets.................................. 7,668 13,210 13,203
Deferred tax liabilities:
Book basis of tangible assets greater than tax........... 4,311 6,721 8,756
Other.................................................... 166 710 473
------- ------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities............................. 4,477 7,431 9,229
------- ------- -------
Net deferred tax assets before allowance................... 3,191 5,779 3,974
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets................ (1,031) (1,031) (1,031)
------- ------- -------
Net deferred tax assets.................................... $ 2,160 $ 4,748 $ 2,943
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE> 83
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
3. INCOME TAXES -- (CONTINUED)
Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
DECEMBER 31 ENDED ENDED
-------------- SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current income tax expense............................ $ 316 $ 6 $ -- $ --
Deferred tax expense (benefit)........................ 1,134 264 (1,556) 1,878
Change in valuation allowance......................... 34 -- -- --
------ ---- ------- ------
Net income tax expense (benefit)...................... $1,484 $270 $(1,556) $1,878
====== ==== ======= ======
</TABLE>
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. statutory tax rate to
income tax expense is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
DECEMBER 31 ENDED ENDED
-------------- SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income (loss) before income taxes..................... $3,870 $746 $(4,107) $4,928
U.S. statutory tax rate............................... x34% x34% x34% x34%
------ ---- ------- ------
Federal income tax expense (benefit) at U.S. statutory
rate................................................ 1,316 254 (1,396) 1,676
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal tax
effect.............................................. 155 30 (165) 196
Change in valuation allowance......................... 34 -- -- --
Other, net............................................ (21) (14) 5 6
------ ---- ------- ------
Net income tax expense (benefit)...................... $1,484 $270 $(1,556) $1,878
====== ==== ======= ======
</TABLE>
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In April 1997, the Company entered into a long-term supply arrangement in
which the Company is obligated to produce and the customer is obligated to
purchase certain minimum annual volumes of pasta products beginning in fiscal
1998. In order to fulfill its obligations under the contract, the Company will
be required to expand significantly its available production capacity.
The Company has committed approximately $86 million to expand significantly
its existing manufacturing, milling and distribution facilities. The expansion
assets are anticipated to be placed in service during fiscal 1998. As of June
30, 1997, cumulative expansion expenditures are $7,839,000, including
capitalized interest of $136,000. The remaining expansion costs will be funded
from a portion of the proceeds from the Company's common stock sale (see Note
12), available bank debt credit facilities and cash provided by operations.
The Company had durum wheat purchase commitments totaling approximately
$7.9 million, $8.0 million and $6.3 million at December 31, 1995, September 30,
1996 and June 30, 1997, respectively.
Under an agreement with its predominant rail carrier, the Company is
obligated to transport specified wheat volumes. In the event the specified
transportation volumes are not met, the Company is required to reimburse certain
rail carrier costs. The Company is in compliance with the volume obligations at
June 30, 1997.
F-13
<PAGE> 84
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
5. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Sales to a certain customer during the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995, the fiscal nine-months ended September 30, 1996 and the nine-months ended
June 30, 1997 represented 38%, 33%, 27% and 27% of revenues, respectively. Sales
to a second customer during the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, the
fiscal nine-months ended September 30, 1996 and the nine-months ended June 30,
1997 represented 12%, 23%, 19% and 21% of revenues, respectively.
6. STOCK OPTION PLAN
In October 1992, a stock option plan was established that authorizes the
granting of options to purchase up to 1,201,880 shares of the Company's no par
common stock by certain officers and key employees. In October 1993, an
additional plan was established that authorizes the granting of options to
purchase up to 82,783 shares of the Company's no par common stock. The stock
options expire 10 years from the date of grant and become exercisable over the
next five years in varying amounts depending on the terms of the individual
option agreements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
NUMBER OF OPTION PRICE EXERCISE
SHARES PER SHARE PRICE EXERCISABLE
--------- ------------ -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1993................ 565,938 $2.33-$4.92 $ 3.90 278,591
Exercised..................................... --
Granted....................................... 116,693 $4.92 $ 4.92
Canceled/Expired.............................. (9,198) $4.92 $ 4.92
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1994................ 673,433 $2.33-$4.92 $ 4.06 374,447
Exercised..................................... --
Granted....................................... 339,562 $12.23 $12.23
Canceled/Expired.............................. --
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995................ 1,012,995 $2.33-$12.23 $ 6.79 455,942
Exercised..................................... --
Granted....................................... 1,226 $12.23 $12.23
Canceled/Expired.............................. (613) $12.23 $12.23
---------
Outstanding at September 30, 1996............... 1,013,608 $2.33-$12.23 $ 6.80 541,471
Exercised..................................... --
Granted....................................... 258,373 $7.02-$12.23 $ 8.82
Canceled/Expired.............................. (48,627) $4.92-$12.23 $11.95
---------
Outstanding at June 30, 1997.................... 1,223,354 $2.33-$12.23 $ 7.02 662,678
=========
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable options at June
30, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
------------------------------ ------------------------------
NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING EXERCISE PRICE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
--------------- ----------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$2.33-$2.38............................... 226,456 $ 2.36 226,456 $ 2.36
$4.92..................................... 445,137 4.92 323,392 4.92
$7.02..................................... 169,244 7.02 56,415 7.02
$12.23.................................... 382,517 12.23 56,415 12.23
</TABLE>
Compensation expense totaling $144,000 was recorded during the year ended
December 31, 1994 related to the vesting of compensatory stock options.
F-14
<PAGE> 85
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
6. STOCK OPTION PLAN -- (CONTINUED)
SFAS No. 123 requires the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings
per share for stock-based awards as if the Company had used the fair value
method of accounting for such awards. Under SFAS No. 123, the fair value is
calculated through the use of option pricing models. These models require
subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected
time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. The Company's
calculations were made using the minimum value method with the following
weighted-average assumptions: expected life, 18 months following vesting; no
stock volatility; risk free interest rate of 6% and no dividends during the
expected term. Based on these calculations, the effect of applying SFAS No.
123's fair value method to the Company's stock-based awards granted subsequent
to December 15, 1994 results in pro forma net income of $3,027,000 and earnings
per share of $0.25 for the nine months ended June 30, 1997, which are not
materially different from amounts reported.
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company has a defined contribution plan organized under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code covering substantially all employees. The plan
allows all qualifying employees to contribute up to the tax deferred
contribution limit allowable by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company will
match 50% of the employee contributions up to a maximum employee contribution of
6% of the employee's salary and may contribute additional amounts to the plan as
determined annually by the Board of Directors. Employer contributions related to
the plan totaled $133,000, $139,000, $124,000 and $140,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995, the fiscal nine-months ended September 30, 1996 and
the nine-months ended June 30, 1997, respectively.
8. PLANT EXPANSION COSTS
Plant expansion costs include incremental direct and indirect manufacturing
and distribution costs which are incurred as a result of construction,
commissioning and start-up of new capital assets. These costs are expensed as
incurred but are unrelated to current production and, therefore, reported as a
separate line item in the statement of operations. Plant expansion costs
amounted to $484,000 and $2,065,000 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995, respectively.
9. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1994 1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------ ------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
Cash paid for interest..................... $5,110 $9,675 $8,101 $7,520
====== ====== ====== ======
Cash paid for income taxes................... $ 250 $ 100 $ 50 $ 2
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE> 86
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
10. PRODUCT INTRODUCTION COSTS
During 1996, the Company began distribution of its Pasta LaBella flavored
pasta products into the United States' retail grocery trade. Introduction of
these products was supported by significant advertising, promotions and other
initiatives. The Company's selling and marketing expense includes the following
product introduction costs:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30,
1996 1997
------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Introductory advertising.............................. $3,587 $ 137
In-store product demonstrations....................... 692 307
Direct response advertising amortization.............. 166 200
Product placement fees paid........................... 3,113 1,333
Introductory trade incentives......................... 268 --
Other................................................. 296 157
------ ------
Total product introduction costs...................... $8,122 $2,134
====== ======
</TABLE>
11. NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM OFFICERS
In April 1997, certain officers of the Company acquired 42,366 shares of
common stock. At the same time, the Company loaned these officers $298,000, all
of which remains outstanding at June 30, 1997. The loans which were evidenced by
promissory notes are due in three equal installments with the final payment due
April 2000. The notes are collateralized by the pledge of shares of common stock
of the Company, may be prepaid in part or in full without notice or penalty and
bear interest at the applicable federal rate in effect on the first day of each
quarter. These loans, evidenced by promissory notes, are classified as a
reduction to stockholders equity in the accompanying balance sheet at June 30,
1997.
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
PENDING PUBLIC OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK AND RECAPITALIZATION
During August 1997, the Company filed a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for an underwritten initial public offering
(the "Offering") of 5,900,000 shares of Class A Convertible Common Stock, par
value of $.001 per share (the "New Class A Common Stock"), of which 5,310,000
shares are to be offered by the Company and 590,000 shares would be sold by a
selling stockholder. Prior to consummation of the Offering, assuming it is
consummated, the Company expects to amend and restate its Charter and By-Laws to
effectuate a recapitalization such that (i) the common equity of the Company
will consist of New Class A Common Stock and Class B Convertible Common Stock,
par value $.001 per share, (ii) each outstanding share of common stock of the
Company will be converted into one share of New Class A Common Stock, (iii) each
share of New Class A Common Stock will be split into 6.132043 shares of New
Class A Common Stock, and (iv) certain shares of the New Class A Common Stock
owned by private equity funds sponsored by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (the
"Morgan Stanley Stockholders") will be converted into New Class B Common Stock
such that, after giving effect to such conversion, but not giving effect to the
proposed Offering, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will own, in the aggregate,
49% of the outstanding New Class A Common Stock. Holders of New Class B Common
Stock will have no right to vote on matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,
except in certain circumstances. Shares of the New Class B Common Stock will
have no preemptive or other subscription rights and will be convertible into an
equal number of shares of New Class A Common Stock (1) at the option of the
holder thereof to the extent that,
F-16
<PAGE> 87
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS -- (CONTINUED)
following such conversion, the Morgan Stanley Stockholders will not, in the
aggregate, own more than 49% of the outstanding shares of New Class A Common
Stock, and (2) automatically upon the transfer of such shares by any Morgan
Stanley Stockholder to a person that is not a Morgan Stanley Stockholder.
In connection with the recapitalization, the Company's Charter was amended
to provide that the Board of Directors is authorized, subject to certain
limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder approval, to issue
from time to time up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in
one or more series and to fix or alter the designations, preferences, rights and
any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of each such
series thereof, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion
rights, voting rights, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions)
redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares
constituting any series or designations of such series. The issuance of
Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company. The rights, preferences and privileges of
holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the
rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock which the
Company may designate and issue in the future. The Company has no present plans
to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
The financial statements and notes have been retroactively restated to reflect
the stock split and new capital structure.
1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors has adopted the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan for all
employees which is to take effect upon the closing of the Offering. Under the
Plan, the Board or a committee designated by the Board is authorized to grant
nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, reload options, stock
appreciation rights, shares of restricted Common Stock, performance shares,
performance units and shares of Common Stock awarded as a bonus. There are
1,600,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan.
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
In connection with the proposed initial public offering, the Company has
received from its lender a commitment letter for a new $150 million unsecured
revolving credit facility pending successful completion of the public offering.
F-17
<PAGE> 88
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
JUNE 30, 1997
13. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following table sets forth certain financial data of the Company for
each thirteen week period. The financial data for each of these quarters is
unaudited but includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring
adjustments, which the Company believes to be necessary for a fair presentation.
These operating results, however, are not necessarily indicative of results for
any future period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1996 1997 1997 1997
------------ --------- -------- ------------
(000'S OMITTED EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.......................................... $29,547 $32,117 $31,952 $93,616
Gross profit...................................... 8,398 8,388 9,009 25,795
Operating profit.................................. 3,252 4,376 5,100 12,728
Income (loss) before income tax and extraordinary
loss............................................ 700 1,620 2,608 4,928
Net income (loss)................................. 432 1,005 1,613 3,050
Net income per common share....................... 0.04 0.10 0.11 0.25
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH
FISCAL PERIOD
ENDED
MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1996 1996 1996 1996
--------- -------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues......................................... $24,975 $32,464 $34,635 $92,074
Gross profit..................................... 5,518 8,474 9,527 23,519
Operating profit................................. 1,754 789 1,373 3,916
Income (loss) before income tax and extraordinary
loss........................................... (867) (1,873) (1,367) (4,107)
Net income (loss)................................ (2,177) (1,150) (871) (4,198)
Net loss per common share........................ (0.21) (0.11) (0.09) (0.41)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
ENDED
MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1995 1995 1995 1995 1995
--------- -------- ------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.......................... $18,718 $21,676 $23,434 $29,075 $92,903
Gross profit...................... 2,953 4,216 3,418 6,400 16,987
Operating profit.................. 1,200 2,384 1,299 3,871 8,754
Income (loss) before income tax
and extraordinary loss.......... (544) 597 (431) 1,124 746
Net income (loss)................. (337) 373 (267) 707 476
Net income (loss) per common
share........................... (0.03) 0.04 (0.03) 0.07 0.05
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 89
AIPC'S PASTA PRODUCTION FACILITIES
PICTURE PICTURE
PICTURE PICTURE
<PAGE> 90
AIPC LOGO
<PAGE> 91
AIPC LOGO
[ALTERNATE INTERNATIONAL COVER PAGE]
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued September 22, 1997
5,900,000 Shares
American Italian Pasta Company
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
------------------------
OF THE 5,900,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK BEING OFFERED HEREBY, 5,310,000
SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY THE COMPANY AND 590,000 SHARES ARE BEING SOLD BY A
SELLING STOCKHOLDER. SEE "PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS." THE COMPANY WILL
NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
BY SUCH SELLING STOCKHOLDER. OF THE 5,900,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
BEING OFFERED HEREBY, 1,180,000 SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS AND 4,720,000 SHARES
ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S.
UNDERWRITERS. SEE "UNDERWRITERS." PRIOR TO THE OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO
PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY. IT IS CURRENTLY
ESTIMATED THAT THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE WILL BE BETWEEN $15
AND $17. SEE "UNDERWRITERS" FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
DETERMINING THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE.
------------------------
THE COMPANY HAS TWO CLASSES OF AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK CONSISTING OF THE CLASS A
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF
CAPITAL STOCK." HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO ONE VOTE PER
SHARE ON EACH MATTER SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF STOCKHOLDERS. THE CLASS B COMMON
STOCK IS NON-VOTING EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES AND AS REQUIRED
BY LAW. ALL HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SUCH DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS, IF ANY, AS MAY BE DECLARED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
------------------------
THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR LISTING, SUBJECT TO OFFICIAL
NOTICE OF ISSUANCE, ON THE NEW YORK STOCK
EXCHANGE UNDER THE SYMBOL "PLB."
------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
PRICE $ A SHARE
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO PROCEEDS TO SELLING
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2) STOCKHOLDERS
-------- -------------- ----------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share...................... $ $ $ $
Total(3)....................... $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriters."
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $1,350,000.
(3) The Company and certain stockholders have granted to the U.S.
Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days of the date hereof, to
purchase up to an aggregate of 885,000 additional Shares of Class A
Common Stock at the Price to Public less Underwriting Discounts and
Commissions, for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. If the
U.S. Underwriters exercise such option in full, the total Price to
Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, Proceeds to Company and
Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $ , $ , $ ,
and $ , respectively. See "Underwriters."
------------------------
The Shares of Class A Common Stock are offered, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if accepted by the Underwriters named herein and subject to
approval of certain legal matters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the
Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Shares of Class A Common Stock
will be made on or about , 1997 at the office of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
BT ALEX. BROWN INTERNATIONAL
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
GEORGE K. BAUM & COMPANY
, 1997
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
of any such State.
<PAGE> 92
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting
discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the
Offering described in this Amendment to Registration Statement.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......... $ 34,849
NASD Examination Fee........................................ 12,000
New York Stock Exchange Listing Fee......................... *
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................ *
Printing and Engraving Expenses............................. *
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................... *
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses.................................. *
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses.............. *
Miscellaneous............................................... *
----------
Total.................................................. $1,350,000
==========
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
* To be completed by amendment.
The foregoing items, except for the Securities and Exchange Commission,
NASD and New York Stock Exchange fees, are estimated. All expenses will be borne
by the Company.
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), empowers a
Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in
a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Similar indemnity is
authorized for such persons against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
any such threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of
the corporation if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and
provided further that (unless a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise
provides) such person shall not have been adjudged liable to the corporation.
Any such indemnification may be made only as authorized in each specific case
upon a determination by the stockholders or disinterested directors or by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion that indemnification is proper
because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct. The Charter
and By-laws of the Company provide that directors and officers shall be
indemnified as described above in this paragraph to the fullest extent permitted
by the DGCL; provided, however, that any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person shall be
indemnified only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company. The Charter and By-laws will permit the board
of directors to authorize the Company to purchase and obtain insurance against
any liability asserted against any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Company arising out of his or her capacity as such. Reference is made to Article
V of the Company's Charter filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and to Article VI of the
Company's By-laws filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto.
II-1
<PAGE> 93
As permitted by the DGCL, the Company's Charter provides that no director
of the Company shall be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for a
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL
(relating to the declaration of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares
in violation of the DGCL), or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
The Underwriting Agreement, filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration
Statement, provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of the Registrant's
directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and its
controlling persons and by the Registrant of the Underwriters, directors and
their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, under certain circumstances. Reference is also made to
the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.9 hereto,
for a description of certain other indemnification arrangements relating to
directors and officers of the Company.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
In the three years preceding the filing of this Registration Statement, the
Company has issued the following securities that were not registered under the
Securities Act:
(a) On January 14, 1994, the Company issued to Horst W. Schroeder 3,097
Shares of Old Common Stock (as defined under "Description of Capital
Stock -- General" in the Prospectus) for an aggregate purchase price of
$15,236, or $4.92 per share, in lieu of cash compensation under a
consulting agreement between HWS Associates, Inc., an entity owned by
Mr. Schroeder, and the Company (the "Schroeder Consulting Agreement").
(b) On March 8, 1995, the Company issued to Mr. Schroeder 21,401 shares of
Old Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $105,293, or $4.92
per share, in lieu of cash compensation under the Schroeder Consulting
Agreement.
(c) On December 28, 1995, the Company issued to Mr. Schroeder 11,712 shares
of Old Common Stock for a purchase price of $57,625, or $4.92 per
share, in lieu of cash compensation under the Schroeder Consulting
Agreement.
(d) On April 4, 1996, the Company issued to Mr. Schroeder 6,733 shares of
Old Common Stock for a purchase price of $33,127, or $4.92 per share,
in lieu of cash compensation under the Schroeder Consulting Agreement.
Each of the sales of securities referenced in paragraphs (a)-(d) above were
made to Mr. Schroeder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, for investment
purposes, a restrictive legend was included on the stock certificates, and no
underwriters were involved. All of such sales were made in reliance upon an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in
Section 4(2) thereof.
(e) On April 13, 1995 the Company issued an aggregate of 20,328 shares of
Old Common Stock to certain of the Company's then-executive officers,
including Timothy S. Webster, David E. Watson, Norman F. Abreo, David
B. Potter and Darrel Bailey, for an aggregate purchase price of
$100,014, or $4.92 per share. These shares were purchased with funds
loaned by the Company evidenced by promissory notes made payable to the
Company over a three year period commencing upon termination of
transfer restrictions applicable to such shares under the Stockholders
Agreement. Such loans bear interest at the then applicable federal
rate.
(f) On July 7, 1995, the Company issued to JSS Management Co. Ltd., of
which Mr. Schlindwein, a director of the Company, and his wife are the
general partner and limited partner, respectively, 20,322 shares of Old
Class A Common Stock (as defined under "Description of Capital Stock --
General" in the Prospectus) for a purchase price of $99,983, or $4.92
per share.
(g) On April 15, 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,174,528 shares
of Old Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $7.02 per share,
aggregating $22,291,947, to all but one of the
II-2
<PAGE> 94
then-current stockholders of the Company and several members of the
Company's management team (the "1997 Private Equity Financing"), all of
whom are officers, directors and senior managers or a spouse thereof.
In particular, the Company issued 2,563,323 shares to the MSCP Funds
(as defined in the Prospectus), 427,219 shares to affiliated investment
funds of George K. Baum & Company, an aggregate of 49,056 shares to a
trust of which Mr. Schroeder is the trustee and members of his family
are the beneficiaries, an aggregate of 28,483 shares to Mr.
Schlindwein, his wife and JSS Management Co. Ltd., an aggregate of
20,242 shares to Mr. Webster and trusts for the benefit of members of
his family, 42,513 shares to David E. Watson, 5,194 shares to Norman F.
Abreo and 13,024 shares to David P. Potter.
In each of the sales of securities referenced in paragraphs (e)-(g) above,
the purchasers made representations as to their investment intent, a restrictive
legend was included on the stock certificates, and no underwriters were
involved. All of such sales were made in reliance upon an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act set forth in Section 4(2)
thereof.
(h) On June 24, 1997, the Company issued 31,200 shares of Old Class A
Common Stock to the American Italian Pasta Company Retirement Savings
Plan pursuant to an exemption from registration requirements set forth
in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(A) EXHIBIT INDEX
The exhibit index is set forth on page II-6 of this Amendment to
Registration Statement and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
No financial statement schedules are filed as part of this Amendment to
Registration Statement for the reason that they are not required or are not
applicable, or the required information is shown in the Financial Statements or
Notes thereto.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
<PAGE> 95
(3) It will provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in
the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and
registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt
delivery to each purchaser.
II-4
<PAGE> 96
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Excelsior
Springs, State of Missouri, as of the 22nd day of September, 1997.
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
By: /s/ TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER
------------------------------------
Timothy S. Webster
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
* Chairman of the Board of Directors September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Horst W. Schroeder
/s/ TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER President, Chief Executive Officer and September 22, 1997
- --------------------------------------- Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Timothy S. Webster
* Executive Vice President and Chief September 22, 1997
- --------------------------------------- Financial Officer, Treasurer and
David E. Watson Secretary (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Jonathan E. Baum
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
David Y. Howe
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Robert H. Niehaus
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Amy S. Rosen
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
James A. Schlindwein
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Lawrence B. Sorrel
* Director September 22, 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Richard C. Thompson
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER
---------------------------------
Timothy S. Webster
Attorney-in-Fact
II-5
<PAGE> 97
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<C> <S>
</TABLE>
1.1* Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1** Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company
3.2** Form of Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company
4.1 Form of specimen certificate representing the Company's
Class A Common Stock
4.2 Form of specimen certificate representing the Company's
Class B Common Stock
5.1* Opinion of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
8.1** Opinion of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal with respect to
certain tax matters
10.1** Credit Agreement among the Company, various banks named
therein, Bankers Trust Company and Morgan Stanley Senior
Funding, Inc. dated as of October 30, 1992, as amended and
restated as of April 11, 1997
10.2**+ Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement dated as of April
15, 1997 between CPC International Inc. and the Company
10.3**+ Amended and Restated Supply Agreement dated October 29,
1992, as amended July 1, 1997, between the Company and Sysco
Corporation
10.4** Warehouse Lease dated May 23, 1995 between the Company and
Lanter Company
10.5 Form of Employment Agreement dated September , 1997
between the Company and Timothy S. Webster
10.6 Form of Employment Agreement dated September , 1997
between the Company and Horst W. Schroeder
10.7 Form of Employment Agreement dated September , 1997
between the Company and David E. Watson
10.8 Form of Employment Agreement dated September , 1997
between the Company and Norman F. Abreo
10.9 Form of Employment Agreement dated September , 1997
between the Company and David B. Potter
10.10** Form of Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated
September , 1997
10.11** American Italian Pasta Company 1992 Stock Option Plan
10.12** American Italian Pasta Company 1993 Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan
10.13** 1996 Salaried Bonus Plan
10.14 Form of 1997 Equity Incentive Plan
10.15* Form of Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney dated
September , 1997 between Thompson Holdings, L.P., Timothy
S. Webster and David E. Watson, as Attorneys-in-Fact, and
Republic National Bank of New York, as Custodian.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2* Consent of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal (to be included in
Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 8.1)
24.1** Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
- -------------------------
* To be filed by amendment
** Previously filed
+ Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this document. The
redacted material has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a
pending application for confidential treatment.
II-6
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.1
<TABLE>
<S><C>
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS CLASS A CONVERTIBLE
OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE COMMON STOCK
PAR VALUE $.001
NUMBER SHARES
[LOGO]
THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CUSIP 027070 10 1
KANSAS CITY, MO OR NEW YORK, NY SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC.
[STOCK CERTIFICATE]
SHARES OF THE CLASS A CONVERTIBLE COMMON STOCK OF
[LOGO] SEAL
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC. transferable on the books of the Company by the
holder hereof or person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate
properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent
and registered by the Registrar.
Witness the facsimile corporate seal and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
DATED
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED.
UMB BANK, N.A.
(KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI)
[SIG] TRANSFER AGENT
PRESIDENT AND REGISTRAR
BY
[SIG]
SECRETARY
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 2
[AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY LOGO]
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC.
THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO
REQUESTS THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF OF THE
COMPANY, AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES
AND/OR RIGHTS. SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
CORPORATION.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
<TABLE>
<S><C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ___________ CUSTODIAN _________
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right
of survivorship and not as tenants in common under Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act _______________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though no in the above list.
For value received,_________________________________________________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
_________________________________
| |
| |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pleas print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shares
of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated ________________________________________________
X _______________________________________
NOTICE SIGNATURE
THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS
ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND ------->
WITH THE NAME(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF X _______________________________________
THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR SIGNATURE
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY
CHANGE WHATEVER
_____________________________________________________________
| THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE |
| GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND |
| LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN |
| APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT |
| TO SEC RULE 17 AG-15 |
|_____________________________________________________________|
| SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED BY, |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________|
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.2
<TABLE>
<S><C>
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS CLASS B CONVERTIBLE
OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE COMMON STOCK
PAR VALUE $.001
NUMBER SHARES
[LOGO]
THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN
KANSAS CITY, MO OR NEW YORK, NY
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC.
[STOCK CERTIFICATE]
SHARES OF THE CLASS B CONVERTIBLE COMMON STOCK OF
[LOGO] SEAL
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC. transferable on the books of the Company by the
holder hereof or person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate
properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent
and registered by the Registrar.
Witness the facsimile corporate seal and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
DATED
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED.
UMB BANK, N.A.
(KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI)
[SIG] TRANSFER AGENT
PRESIDENT AND REGISTRAR
BY
[SIG]
SECRETARY
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 2
[AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY LOGO]
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, INC.
THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO
REQUESTS THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF OF THE
COMPANY, AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES
AND/OR RIGHTS. SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
CORPORATION.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.
<TABLE>
<S><C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ___________ CUSTODIAN _________
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right
of survivorship and not as tenants in common under Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act _______________________
(State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though no in the above list.
For value received,_________________________________________________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
_________________________________
| |
| |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pleas print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shares
of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated ________________________________________________
X _______________________________________
NOTICE SIGNATURE
THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS
ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND ------->
WITH THE NAME(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF X _______________________________________
THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR SIGNATURE
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY
CHANGE WHATEVER
_____________________________________________________________
| THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE |
| GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND |
| LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN |
| APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT |
| TO SEC RULE 17 AG-15 |
|_____________________________________________________________|
| SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED BY, |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________|
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.5
TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made effective for all
purposes and in all respects as of the Effective Date (as defined below) by and
between AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
referred to as "Employer"), and TIMOTHY S. WEBSTER, an individual (hereinafter
referred to as "Employee") and supersedes any and all prior oral or written
agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
including the Employment Agreements dated as of October 30, 1992, June 6, 1991,
the Letter Agreement dated August 20, 1991 regarding payments in the event of a
sale or a change in control of Employer and the Employment Agreement dated
October 30, 1995. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Effective Date"
shall mean the date the Employer's initial public offering (the "Offering") of
its common stock ("Common Stock") is consummated.
RECITALS
A. Employer is engaged in the business of Durum wheat milling and
pasta production/marketing and maintains its principal place of business at
1000 Italian Way, Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024.
B. In connection with such business, Employer desires to continue
to employ Employee in the capacity of President and Chief Executive Officer.
C. Employee desires to be employed by Employer in the aforesaid
capacities.
D. Employer and Employee desire to set forth, in writing, the
terms and conditions of their agreements and understandings.
<PAGE> 2
In consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises herein
contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending
legally to be bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment. Employee's term of employment by Employer
under this Agreement (the "Employment Term") shall commence on the Effective
Date and terminate at midnight on September 30, 2002 (the termination date
being hereinafter referred to as the "Normal Termination Date"), unless sooner
terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof. Subject to
the provisions of Section 7.7, below, upon the Normal Termination Date,
Employee shall not become entitled to any severance payments pursuant to
Section 7, below, or otherwise.
2. Duties of Employee.
(a) In accepting such employment, Employee shall
undertake and assume the responsibility of performing for and on behalf of
Employer such duties as shall be assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors
of Employer (the "Board") at any time and from time to time. It is understood
and agreed that Employee's principal duties on behalf of Employer at the date
of execution hereof are and shall be direction of overall operations; it is
further understood and agreed that any modification in or expansion of
Employee's duties hereunder shall not, unless specifically agreed to by
Employee in a duly-executed amendment of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 8.6 hereof, result in any decrease of Employee's compensation referred
to in Section 3 hereof.
(b) Employee covenants and agrees that he will,
at all times, faithfully, industriously, and to the best of his ability,
experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may be required of and
from Employee pursuant to the express and implicit terms hereof.
2
<PAGE> 3
(c) Employee shall devote substantially all of
his professional time, attention, knowledge and skills solely to the business
and interests of Employer; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled
annually to twenty-five (25) business days of vacation, and Employer shall be
entitled to all of the benefits and profits arising from or incident to all
professional work, services and advice of Employee reasonably related to the
business of Employer. Up to 10 days of unused vacation may be carried over
from one year to the next or, at the option of Employee, may be redeemed by
Employer at year end for cash at the per diem amount equal to the Base Salary,
defined in Section 3, below, divided by 260.
(d) Employer will nominate Employee for election
to its Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the Amended and
Restated Shareholders' Agreement to which Employer and Employee are parties
(the "Shareholders' Agreement).
3. Compensation.
(a) Employer shall pay Employee, and Employee
shall accept from Employer, in payment for Employee's services rendered to
Employer hereunder an annual base salary ("Base Salary"). The Base Salary as
of the Effective Date shall be at the initial annual rate of $330,000.00,
payable in equal bi-weekly installments or otherwise in accordance with the
payroll and personnel practices of the Employer from time to time. Base Salary
shall be reviewed annually by the Board for possible adjustment. In
considering any possible adjustment to the Base Salary, the Board will consider
the reports and/or methodology of the Hay Group or a similar consultant as
reasonably selected by the Board, with the intent that the Base Salary will be
competitive with salaries for similar executive officers at comparable
companies of similar size and scope of operations to Employer, but no less than
the mid-point of the range of salaries indicated by the consultant for such
comparable executives.
3
<PAGE> 4
3.1. Bonuses. During the term of this Agreement, Employee
will be entitled to participate in an equitable manner with other senior
executive employees of Employer in discretionary bonuses authorized and
declared from time to time by the Board or its Compensation Committee. In
addition, Employee will be entitled to participate in Employer's 1996 Salaried
Executive Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the
same may be amended, modified or terminated. The "norm bonus" under the Bonus
Plan will be 50% of Base Salary and the Bonus Plan will have a "target bonus"
of up to 75% of Base Salary.
3.2. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Reasonable
travel, entertainment and other business expenses incurred by Employee in the
performance of his duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by Employer in
accordance with Employer's policies on terms no less favorable than those
policies in effect immediately prior to the date hereof.
3.3. Use of Automobile. Employee shall be entitled to the
exclusive use of an automobile and Employer shall pay or reimburse Employee for
any expense reasonably incurred by him in maintaining and operating such
automobile, including without limitation, any lease payments; provided,
however, that Employee obtains Employer's reasonable consent as to such
automobile and the financing arrangements. Such expenses shall also include
insurance, car phone, fuel, lubricants, repairs, tires, and body work.
3.4. Benefits. (a) Employee shall be entitled to
participate in an equitable manner with other senior executive employees of
Employer in all welfare benefit, incentive compensation or other plans or
arrangements authorized and adopted from time to time by Employer, including,
without limitation, the following: pension plan, profit sharing plan, medical
reimbursement plan, group life insurance plan and long-term disability income
plan. In addition, Employer shall provide to Employee at no cost to Employee
long-term disability insurance on terms mutually agreeable to Employer and
Employee.
4
<PAGE> 5
(b) In addition to group life insurance, Employer
will maintain split-dollar life insurance policy on the life of the Employee
with a death benefit of $3 million; provided Employer can maintain such a
policy on the life of Employee without any substantial increase in the standard
premiums from those as of the date hereof due to any "rating" of the Employee;
and further provided that if there is such a substantial premium increase,
Employee will have the right to pay such increase personally and Employer would
then maintain such insurance.
(c) Employer will also provide to Employee such
other perquisites and fringe benefits as necessary to keep the Employee's total
compensation package competitive with those of similar executive officers at
comparable companies of similar size and scope of operations to Employer.
(d) Employer will also reimburse Employee for the
costs incurred by Employee in negotiating this Agreement not to exceed
$10,000.00 plus up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) annually for the cost of
tax preparation and financial and legal consulting services.
3.5 Stock Options. At the Effective Date, Employee shall
be granted an option to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock equal to
three percent (3%) of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Offering on a fully diluted basis. The
option price will be equal to the per share price at which the Common Stock is
sold to the public in the Offering, the shares will vest 20% on each
anniversary of the grant date, and the option will terminate no earlier than on
the tenth anniversary of the grant date.
5
<PAGE> 6
4. Non-Competition. (a) Employee acknowledges and recognizes
the highly competitive nature of the business of Employer and its affiliates
and accordingly agrees as follows: during the Employment Term and until the
date that is two years after Employee ceases employment with Employer (such
time period hereinafter referred to as the "Noncompetition Period"), Employee
will not, within North America, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, be employed by or be connected in any matter with the ownership (other
than ownership of securities of publicly held corporations of which Employee
own less than 1% of any class of outstanding securities), management,
operation, or control of any business engaged in the production and/or
marketing of dry pasta for human consumption. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is employed by Employer, any breach
of the provisions of this Section 4(a) shall permit Employer to terminate the
employment of Employee for Cause, and, whether or not Employee is employed by
Employer, from and after any breach by Employee of the provisions of this
Section 4(a), Employer shall cease to have any obligations to make payments to
Employee under this Agreement.
(b) During any period of continued payment
provided in Section 7 hereof, Employee will be available, consistent with other
responsibilities that he may then have, to answer questions and provide advice
to Employer.
(c) During the Noncompetition Period, Employee
will not directly or indirectly induce any employee of Employer or any of its
affiliates to engage in any activity in which Employee is prohibited from
engaging by Section 4(a) above or to terminate his employment with Employer or
any of its affiliates, will not directly or indirectly assist others in
engaging in any of the activities in which Employee is prohibited from engaging
by Section 4(a) above, and will not directly or indirectly employ or offer
employment to any person who
6
<PAGE> 7
was employed by Employer or any of its affiliates unless such person shall have
ceased to be employed by Employer or any of its affiliates for a period of at
least 12 months.
(d) The applicability of the provisions of this
Section 4 is in all cases dependent upon the receipt, when due pursuant to the
terms hereof, by Employee of the appropriate Elective Payment or portion of the
Severance Payment described in Section 7, below.
5. Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that, in and as a
result of his employment by Employer, he has been and will be making use of,
acquiring and/or adding to confidential information of a special and unique
nature and value relating to such matters as Employer's trade secrets, systems,
procedures, manuals, confidential reports and lists of customers and/or other
services rendered by Employer, the equipment and methods used and preferred by
Employer's customers, and the prices paid by such customers. As a material
inducement to Employer to enter into this Agreement, and to pay to Employee the
compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof, including any additional benefits
referred to in Section 3.4 hereof, Employee covenants and agrees that he shall
not, at any time during or after the Employment Term, directly or indirectly,
disclose, divulge or use, for his own benefit or purposes or the benefit or
purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than
Employer and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets,
information, data, or other confidential information relating to customers,
development programs, costs, prices, marketing, trading, investment, sales
activities, promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes,
financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of Employer generally, or
of any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer, provided that the foregoing shall
not apply to information which is not
7
<PAGE> 8
unique to Employer or which is generally known to the industry or the public
other than as a result of breach of this covenant. Employee agrees that upon
termination of his employment with Employer for any reason, he will return to
Employer immediately all memoranda, books, manuals, training materials,
records, computer software, papers, plans, information, letters and other data,
and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of
Employer and its affiliates, except that he may retain personal notes,
notebooks, diaries, and mementoes and may retain copies of (i) documents
related directly to the course and scope of his employment relationship, (ii)
documents that may relate to the basis for the termination of such
relationship, and (iii) all governmental filings signed by Employee or on his
behalf under which Employee may incur personal liability pursuant to law in the
absence of fraud or other misconduct by Employee. Employee further agrees that
he will not retain or use for his account at any time any trade names,
trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned in connection
with the business of Employer or its affiliates.
6. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that
Employer's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the
provisions of Section 4 or Section 5 would be inadequate and, in recognition of
this fact, Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened
breach, in addition to any remedies at law, Employer, without posting any bond,
shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific
performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or
any other equitable remedy which may then be available.
7. Termination and Severance.
7.1 Termination by Employer for Cause or Without Cause.
(a) Employer may terminate Employee's employment and
(except as provided below) all of Employer's
8
<PAGE> 9
obligations hereunder, either for Cause (as defined below) or without Cause.
In the event of termination for Cause, Employee shall be entitled to receive
his Base Salary earned through the date of termination, and, except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all other rights of Employee shall
terminate as of the effective date of termination. Also, in the event of a
termination for Cause, the provisions of Sections 4(a) and (c) shall apply only
for so long as Employer continues to pay Employee an amount each month equal to
one-twelfth of Employee's Base Salary (an "Elective Payment"), but in no event
longer than two years. The decision whether to make any such Elective Payment
is in the sole discretion of the Employer.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i)
Employee's willful and continued failure substantially to perform his duties
hereunder (other than as a result of Disability, as defined below) which
failure is uncorrected for a period of 30 days following receipt by the
Employee of written notice thereof from Employer; (ii) Employee's failure to
comply with any of the material terms of this Agreement which failure is
uncorrected for a period of 30 days following receipt by Employee of written
notice of noncompliance from Employer; (iii) an act or acts on Employee's part
resulting in a felony conviction of Employee under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof; or (iv) any other willful act or omission on
Employee's part which is materially injurious to the financial condition or
business reputation of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For
purposes of this Subsection, no act or failure to act on the part of Employee
shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in
bad faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission of Employee
was in the best interest of Employer.
(b) If Employee's employment is terminated by
Employer without Cause or by Employee for "Good Reason" as defined below,
(other than due to death),
9
<PAGE> 10
Employee, upon the effective date of such termination, shall become entitled to
receive, in the manner and at the times described below, an aggregate payment
(a "Severance Payment") equal to two times the aggregate of his then current
Base Salary plus his bonus for the year in which such termination occurs
(calculated as if the Norm Bonus, as defined in the Bonus Plan, for that year
is earned) and shall continue to be covered by all health insurance plans of
Employer, at Employer's expense, for a period of one year commencing on the
date of termination, which shall be in partial satisfaction of the Employer's
continuation coverage obligations under Section 601 of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and ending on the first anniversary thereof. As an
example, the Severance Payment is calculated as follows: assuming a Base
Salary of $330,000.00 and a Norm Bonus of 50%, the total payment would be 2 x
($330,000.00 + $165,000.00) = $990,000.00. The Severance Payment will be paid
in equal installments over the 24 month period following such termination of
employment in accordance with the standard payroll practices of Employer. The
termination of Employee's employment due to the occurrence of the Normal
Termination Date shall not entitle Employee to receive any Severance Payment
pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be payable pursuant to Section 7.7,
below. All other benefits due Employee following Employee's termination of
employment by Employer without Cause or for Good Reason shall be determined in
accordance with the plans, policies and practices of Employer. For purposes of
this Agreement "Good Reason" means any of the following actions taken by
Employer without Employee's consent: (i) the failure of Employer to pay
compensation due to Employee; (ii) substantial diminishment in the
responsibilities or authority of Employee from that set forth in Section 2
hereof, including no longer serving on the Board of Directors, which
diminishment in responsibilities or authority is uncorrected for a period of 30
days
10
<PAGE> 11
following receipt by the Employer of written notice thereof from the Employee;
(iii) Employee no longer retaining his position as Chief Executive Officer (or
a position of equivalent title) of the Company (or a successor business); (iv)
relocation of Employer's executive offices or of Employee's primary workplace
outside of the United States.
7.2 Resignation of Employee. In the event that Employee
resigns or otherwise terminates his employment with Employer for any reason
(other than due to Disability, death or for Good Reason) during the Employment
Term (a "Voluntary Termination"), Employee shall be entitled to receive his
Base Salary earned through the date of such Voluntary Termination, and, except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all other rights of Employee hereunder
shall terminate as of the date of Employee's resignation. In the event of a
Voluntary Termination, the provisions of Sections 4 shall apply only for so
long as Employer, in its sole discretion, continues to pay Employee an Elective
Payment but in no event longer than two years.
7.3 Employee's Disability. In the event that Employee's
employment is terminated by Employer or by Employee due to Employee's
"Disability", as defined below, Employee shall be deemed to have been
terminated by Employer without Cause. As used herein, "Disability" means any
physical or mental ailment which substantially prevents Employee from
performing the duties incident to Employee's employment with Employer which has
continued for a period of six consecutive months or for an aggregate of six
months in any 24-month period.
7.4 Death. (a) In the event that Employee dies during
the Employment Term, Employee's estate shall be entitled to receive all salary
and incentive bonuses earned and accrued through the date of death (including a
pro rata portion of any incentive bonus payable for the year in which
Employee's death occurs which shall be payable at the time such bonus would
11
<PAGE> 12
have otherwise been payable had Employee not died), as well as any other
benefits payable under any then-current life insurance policy provided to
Employee pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof, but all other rights of Employee
hereunder shall terminate.
(b) If at the time of Employee's death, the stock of
the Employer is not publicly traded on any nationally recognized exchange,
including NASDAQ, then, at the request of Employee's Estate, Employer will
redeem all (or such lesser part as may be requested by Employee's estate) of
the stock of the Employer then owned by Employee's estate, including stock
attributable to the Employee's In the Money Options, in exchange for a cash
payment equal to the fair value per share (without any adjustment based on a
discount for illiquidity or related to a minority interest) as determined by
George K. Baum & Company. For the purposes of this paragraph, "In the Money
Options" means the options to acquire Employer stock owned by Employee at the
time of his death, if the redemption price per share, as determined above,
exceeds the exercise price for such options. Employer will make a payment
equal to the net value of those In the Money Options exercised hereunder, in
lieu of a payment for the underlying stock. The Employee's estate must
exercise the rights set forth in this paragraph within one hundred twenty (120)
days from the date of Employee's death, or otherwise Employee's estate waives
the right to require the Employer to redeem the Employee's stock and in the
Money Options under this paragraph.
(c) Nothing in Section 7.4(b) to the contrary, it
is understood and agreed that the obligation of the Employer to pay a lump sum
to re-purchase stock is subject to the Employer's financial ability to do so.
The determination as to the Employer's financial ability to do so shall be
determined by the Board, exercising its reasonable business judgment in good
faith. If the Board determines that the Employer is not able to pay in a lump
sum the
12
<PAGE> 13
amount needed to re-purchase the stock options as described above at the time
such re-purchase is called for by Section 7.4(b), then the Employer shall act
in good faith to re-purchase as many of said shares as possible in a lump sum
and, to the fullest extent permissible under other debt instruments of
Employer, will deliver a negotiable promissory note for the remaining amount
due, which note will bear interest at Kansas City prime rate plus 1% and
require monthly payments of principal and interest that will fully amortize the
balance of the note over a term of not more than five years. The payee or
payees of the note will be required to deliver the shares to be re-purchased by
such note only as payments are made.
7.5 Change of Control.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of
Control" means any one of the following (i) any person or group (as defined in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the
"Exchange Act")), other than Morgan Stanley Leverage Equity Fund II, L.P.
("MSLEF") or any of MSLEF's Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Employer's
October 30, 1992 Shareholders' Agreement, as amended, (herein the
"Shareholders' Agreement")) or any group consisting solely of such persons,
acquiring beneficial ownership of 50% or more (30% or more once the ownership
of MSLEF and its Permitted Transferees is 10% or less of Employer's outstanding
Common Stock) of the Employer's then outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more
(30% or more once the ownership of MSLEF and its Permitted Transferees is 10%
or less of Employer's outstanding Common Stock) of the combined voting power of
the Employer's then outstanding securities entitled generally to vote for the
election of the Employer's Directors; (ii) the consummation of the merger or
consolidation of the Employer with any other corporation, other than a merger
with a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sale of substantially all of the assets of
the Employer or the liquidation or dissolution of the
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Employer, unless, in the case of a merger or consolidation, (x) Continuing
Directors will constitute at least majority of the Board of Directors of the
surviving corporation of such merger or consolidation and any parent (as such
term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such corporation or
(y) the voting securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior thereto
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than a majority of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Employer or such surviving entity and are
owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the holders of the
voting securities of the Employer immediately prior to the transaction in
substantially the same proportions as such holders owned such voting securities
immediately prior to the transaction; or (iii) Continuing Directors no longer
constitute at least a majority of the Board or a similar body of any successor
to the Employer.
(b) "Continuing Directors means any individual
who either (i) is a member of the Employer's Board of Directors on the
Effective Date (the "Incumbent Directors"), (ii) becomes a director after the
Effective Date whose election or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Continuing
Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of
the Company in which such person is named as nominee for director, without
objection to such nomination), or (iii) is designated by any party pursuant to
its rights under Section 2.1 of the Shareholders' Agreement.
7.6 Stock Options. The Employer has awarded to Employee
a number of Options to acquire Common Shares of the Employer under stock option
agreements dated October 31, 1992, July 1, 1995, and April 15, 1997
(collectively, the "Webster Option Agreements") which are subject to the
American Italian Pasta Company 1992 Stock Option Plan
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(the "Plan"). Employer desires to and does hereby amend the Webster Option
Agreements to waive the Employer's rights under (i) each option and Section
6(g)(ii) of the Plan to repurchase the Employee's vested Options following his
termination of employment for any reason, other than by the Employer for Cause
or due to a Voluntary Termination and (ii) Section 6(h) of the Plan to
repurchase all Common Shares acquired by the Employee upon exercise of Options
granted under the Plan before a Public Offering, provided the Employee was not
terminated by the Employer for Cause or due to a Voluntary Termination, in
which case Employer retains all rights to repurchase those Common Shares.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Plan, all of the
stock options awarded to Employee under the Webster Option Agreements and
subsequent stock option grants immediately vest (i) upon a termination of
Employee by the Employer without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason, (ii) if
Employer allows the term of this Employment Agreement (or any renewal or
extension thereof) to expire without offering Employee a new employment
agreement on terms no less favorable to Employee than those in this Agreement,
or (iii) upon a Change of Control, at and to the extent of Employee's choice.
In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Plan, or
in any option agreement issued to Employee by Employer, all stock option grants
awarded to Employee under the Webster Option Agreements and subsequent stock
option grants shall, to the extent vested at the time of any termination of
Employee's employment with Employer for any reason whatsoever, not be subject
to any forfeiture, lapse or reduction in time to exercise. This Section 7.6.
will in all cases be construed as an amendment to the Webster Option
Agreements.
7.7 Applicability of Section 4 upon Expiration of
Agreement. In the event that on or before March 31, 2002, Employer and
Employee have not agreed to an extension of this Agreement or to a new
employment agreement to take effect upon the termination of this
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Agreement, Employer shall have a period of 48 hours within which to notify
Employee that Employer elects to have the provisions of Section 4 be applicable
after the Normal Termination Date. If Employer makes such election, it may do
so only for the full two year period and must pay an Elective Payment
periodically throughout the full two year period. If Employer does not make
such election on a timely basis, the provisions of Section 4 shall be null and
void from and after the Normal Termination Date.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Assignment of Employee Benefits. Absent the prior
written consent of Employer, and subject to will and the laws of descent and
distribution, Employee shall have no right to exchange, convert, encumber, or
dispose of the rights of Employee to receive benefits and payments under this
Agreement, which payments, benefits, and rights thereto are non-assignable and
non-transferable.
8.2 Burden and Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, Employer and Employee, their
respective heirs, personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns.
8.3 Governing Law. In view of the fact that the
principal office of Employer is located in the State of Missouri, it is
understood and agreed that the construction and interpretation of this
Agreement shall at all times and in all respects be governed by the laws of the
State of Missouri.
8.4 Severability. It is expressly understood and agreed
that although Employee and Employer consider the restrictions contained in this
Agreement to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a
court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other
restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against
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Employee, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall
be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such
maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be
enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that
any restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such
restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall
not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained
herein.
8.5 Headings. The headings of the Sections of this
Agreement are for reference only and not to limit, expand, or otherwise affect
the contents of this Agreement.
8.6 Entire Agreement; Modification. Except as to
Employer's applicable Stock Option Plan, any instrument relating to an Option
granted thereunder and written agreements signed by both of the parties hereto
from time to time after the date hereof, this Agreement contains the entire
agreement and understanding by and between Employer and Employee with respect
to the employment herein referred to, and any representations, promises,
agreements, or understandings, written or oral, not herein contained shall be
of no force or effect. It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties
hereto that the Letter Agreement dated August 20, 1991 relating to payments in
the event of sale or a change in control of Employer has been terminated and
shall have no force or effect. No change, waiver or modification of any
provision of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless the same is in
writing and duly executed by both parties and no evidence of any waiver or
modification shall be offered or received in evidence of any proceeding,
arbitration, or litigation between the parties hereto arising out of or
affecting this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of the parties
hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as
aforesaid, and the parties further agree that the provisions of this Section
8.6 may not be waived except as set forth herein.
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8.7 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Employer of a breach
of any provision of this Agreement by Employee shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Employee.
8.8 Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices
and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to
the respective addresses set forth on the execution page of this Agreement,
provided that all notices to Employer shall be directed to the attention of the
Board with a copy to the Secretary of Employer, or to such other address as
either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith,
except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
8.9 Withholding Taxes. Employer may withhold from any
amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may
be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
8.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if
the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
8.11 Mitigation. The Employee shall have no duty to attempt
to mitigate the level of benefits payable by the Employer to him hereunder
other than as required pursuant to the benefit plans of Employer and Employer
shall not be entitled to set off against the amounts payable hereunder any
amounts received by the Employee from any other source including any subsequent
employer.
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8.12 Enforcement Costs. In the event Employee deems it
necessary to seek counsel or to institute legal proceedings to enforce his
rights hereunder, Employer shall pay all professional fees and expenses
incurred by the Employee related thereto in the event Employee substantially
prevails in his claim or litigation and, in any event, Employer shall reimburse
Employee for up to $10,000 of such fees and expenses.
8.13 Loan Deferral. So long as Employee is subject to any
restrictions on his ability to transfer any shares of Common Stock owned by him
pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement or any "lock-up" or "hold back"
agreement entered in connection with the Offering, all payment obligations
otherwise existing under any loans to Employee from Employer shall be deferred
and shall be added to the principal amount of such loans and the lengths of
said loans shall be extended one payment period for each deferred payment.
8.14 Savings Clause. Although the parties do not intend
that any payments provided hereunder are to be related to a change in control
of Employer, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"),
nevertheless, if any payment or the receipt of any benefit under this Agreement
shall be deemed to constitute an "excess parachute payment" as such term is
described in Section 280G of the Code, so as to result in the loss of a
deduction to Employer under Code Section 280G or the imposition of an excise
tax on Employee under Code Section 4999, or any successor sections thereto,
then the amounts payable or the benefits provided under this Agreement shall be
reduced to the minimum extent necessary so that no such deduction will be lost
by Employer and no such excise tax will be imposed on Employee.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer and Employee have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
EMPLOYER:
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY,
a Delaware Corporation
1000 Italian Way
Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024
By______________________________________
Horst W. Schroeder
Chairman
EMPLOYEE:
________________________________________
Timothy S. Webster
2501 West 67th Street
Shawnee Mission, KS 66208
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EXHIBIT 10.6
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered
into as of September _____, 1997, by and between American Italian Pasta
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Horst W. Schroeder ("Mr.
Schroeder"), will become effective on the date that the Company's initial
public offering of common stock is consummated (hereinafter the "Effective
Date").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and Mr. Schroeder are parties to an
Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1996 (the "1996 Employment
Agreement") and the parties desire, as of the Effective Date, to terminate and
supersede the 1996 Employment Agreement in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Date the Company desires to
continue to employ Mr. Schroeder and he desires to continue to be employed by
the Company on the terms set forth in the 1996 Employment Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Term. The Company hereby employs Mr. Schroeder for
an initial term commencing on the Effective Date, and terminating three (3)
years from the Effective Date, but in no event later than December 31, 2000;
unless the initial term is extended or renewed by mutual agreement in writing
of the parties hereto or this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to
Section 5 hereof (collectively the "Term"). In the event one of the parties
wishes to extend or renew the Term it will so notify the other party at least
ninety (90) days prior to the date on which the Agreement would otherwise
terminate so that the parties may enter into discussions regarding such renewal
or extension.
2. Position and Responsibilities. Mr. Schroeder will
serve as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of the Company and render
such advice and services to the Company during the Term as may be reasonably
required by the Company in accordance with this Agreement, including but not
limited to the following:
a. Serve on all key committees of the Board of
Directors, except as may be prohibited, deemed inadvisable or as may create
adverse consequences to the Company or its employees under applicable
securities laws, tax laws, stock exchange regulations, or any other applicable
law, rule or regulation, as determined by the Company's legal counsel.
b. Counsel and assist the Company's management in the
development, implementation and control of the Company's business objectives
and strategies to further the profitable growth of the Company.
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c. Assist in developing and implementing operational and
marketing strategies which will support the Company's business growth plan.
d. Assist and counsel the Company's management in all
matters related to the implementation of the Company's business plan.
The Company agrees to give reasonable advance notice to Mr.
Schroeder regarding the anticipated timing and duration of the services needed
and understands and agrees that in no event shall Mr. Schroeder's physical
presence be required to render services to the Company for more than an
aggregate of fifty (50) days in each calendar year during the Term. It is
expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that any request for
services in addition to the foregoing limitations shall be subject to Mr.
Schroeder's availability. In rendering his services to the Company, Mr.
Schroeder shall report directly to the Company's Board of Directors.
3. Compensation.
a. Base Compensation. As base compensation ("Base
Compensation"), the Company shall pay Mr. Schroeder $4,000.00 per day ("the
Daily Rate") for each day of service rendered to the Company; provided,
however, that in the event Mr. Schroeder is willing and able to render services
but the Company does not request services which aggregate thirty (30) days for
any given calendar year, then, the Company shall pay Mr. Schroeder for a
minimum of thirty days in said calendar year. Within a reasonable time after
the end of each calendar quarter, Mr. Schroeder will provide the Company a
written statement describing the services rendered during the said calendar
quarter and within fifteen (15) days after receipt of said written statement,
the Company shall pay Mr. Schroeder for said services. In the event the
Company does not request at least thirty (30) days of service from Mr.
Schroeder during a given calendar year, then, on or before the last business
day of said calendar year, the Company shall pay Mr. Schroeder an amount equal
to the Daily Rate times the number of days fewer than thirty for which services
were not rendered because they were not requested by the Company.
b. Signing Bonus. Upon execution of the 1996 Employment
Agreement, the Company paid a signing bonus to Mr. Schroeder in the amount of
Three Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($330,000). In the event that Mr.
Schroeder does not fulfill his obligation to render services to the Company for
the full term of the 1996 Employment Agreement, which commenced on January 1,
1996, and would have expired on December 31, 1998 (the "Original Term"),
because: (i) he voluntarily terminates this Agreement (for a reason other than
those permitted in Section 5(c) hereof) or breaches this Agreement by refusing
to provide the services to be rendered hereunder, or (ii) he is terminated for
Cause as defined in this Agreement, then he shall repay to the Company that
portion of the signing bonus which relates to the period of the Original Term
for which he does not render services. The amount of the repayment shall be
based on the assumption that Mr. Schroeder will render a minimum of thirty (30)
days of services in each calendar year during the Original Term. Therefore,
for each day of service rendered less than thirty in each year during the
Original Term, Mr. Schroeder will repay $3,666.67 to the Company. As an
example and solely for purposes of illustration: If Mr.
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Schroeder is terminated for Cause after rendering ten (10) days of service in
1998, then he would repay the sum of $73,333.40 ($3,666.67 x 20 days for 1998).
For purposes of this Section 3(b), the cessation of services by Mr. Schroeder
because of his death or Disability (as defined in Section 5(a) below) shall not
be deemed to be a voluntary termination of this Agreement or a refusal to
provide the services to be rendered hereunder and therefore would not create a
repayment obligation by him or his estate.
c. Bonuses. During the Term of this Agreement, Mr.
Schroeder will be entitled to participate in an equitable manner with other
senior executive employees of the Company in discretionary bonuses authorized
and declared from time to time by the Board of Directors or its Compensation
Committee. In addition, Mr. Schroeder will be entitled to participate in the
Company's 1996 Salaried Employee Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") attached hereto
as Exhibit A, as the same may be amended, modified or terminated. The "norm
bonus" under the Bonus Plan will be in an amount equal to 50% of Mr.
Schroeder's Base Compensation and the Bonus Plan will have a "target bonus"
equal to up to 75% of Mr. Schroeder's Base Compensation.
d. Withholdings. All payments due under this Agreement
will be subject to the required and customary employment tax and income tax
withholdings.
4. Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse
Mr. Schroeder for necessary and reasonable business expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of duties hereunder. Mr. Schroeder shall
provide an invoice to the Company for such expenses at the end of the quarter
in which such expenses were incurred. The Company shall, subject to its normal
review and approval policies and procedures, pay such invoice of Mr. Schroeder
not later than on the due date stated therein which date shall not be less than
fifteen (15) days after the date such invoice was provided to the Company.
5. Termination.
a. Death or Disability. If Mr. Schroeder is prevented
from providing the services or performing the assignments herein contemplated
due to his illness, incapacity or injury for a period of sixty (60) consecutive
days or sixty (60) days in the aggregate in any 6 month period ("Disability")
or his death, the Company may terminate this Agreement immediately by giving
written notice to such effect. Upon the death or Disability of Mr. Schroeder,
the Company shall pay to him or his designated beneficiary or estate all
amounts due and unpaid for services rendered prior to his death or Disability.
b. Termination of Employment by Company for Cause. The
Company may also terminate this Agreement for "Cause" (as defined below). Upon
termination for Cause, the Company will pay to Mr. Schroeder all amounts due
and unpaid for services rendered prior to termination. The Term shall be
terminated effective the date of such termination for Cause and, except as
provided in the foregoing sentence, no further amounts shall be payable
hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) Mr.
Schroeder's willful and continued failure substantially to perform its or his
duties hereunder (other than as a result of Disability
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or death of Mr. Schroeder); (ii) an act or acts on Mr. Schroeder's part
constituting a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;
(iii) the willful engaging by Mr. Schroeder in conduct that is significantly
injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, after a written demand for
cessation of such conduct is delivered to him by the Board, which demand
specifically identifies the manner the Board believes he has engaged in such
conduct and the injury to the Company resulting therefrom; or (iv) the breach
by Mr. Schroeder of any of the covenants in Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement.
c. Termination of Employment by Mr. Schroeder for Good
Reason. Mr. Schroeder may resign and terminate this Agreement for "Good
Reason" by giving written notice to the Company. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following reasons: (i) the
Company willfully fails to pay an amount due under this Agreement after Mr.
Schroeder has provided written notice to the Company of such failure; (ii) the
occurrence without Mr. Schroeder's written consent of a Change of Control (as
defined in the October 30, 1992 Shareholders Agreement by and among the
Company, Mr. Schroeder, The Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund, L.P. and the
other parties thereto); or (iii) there occurs a significant strategic
disagreement between Mr. Schroeder and a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors of the Company involving: (a) the CEO position, (b) a Significant
Strategic Alliance (as defined below) or other fundamental change in the nature
of the Company's business, (c) removal by the Company of Mr. Schroeder as
Chairman of Board of Directors other than for Cause, or (d) removal by the
Company of Mr. Schroeder from any key committee of the Board of Directors other
than for Cause (except as provided in Section 2(a) hereof).
If Mr. Schroeder terminates this Agreement for Good Reason,
Mr. Schroeder shall no longer be obligated to provide any services to the
Company and shall be entitled to receive a prompt payment of all amounts due
for service rendered but not yet paid, and an amount equal to: (ii) the unpaid
balance due for the remainder of the Term; and (iii) an additional payment
equal to $2,000 multiplied by the number of days of service remaining under the
Term (but in no event shall such number of days of service exceed thirty (30)
days for any calendar year during the Term). As an example and solely for
purposes of illustration: If Mr. Schroeder terminates employment for Good
Reason after rendering ten (10) days of service in 1998, the Company will pay
Mr. Schroeder the additional sum of $120,000 (the sum of $4,000 x 20 days, and
$2,000 x 20 days for 1998), plus an additional sum for each additional year
remaining under the Term of this Agreement, calculated based upon the formula
set forth in this paragraph and based upon a minimum of thirty (30) days of
service in each year.
Furthermore, upon termination of this Agreement for Good Reason by Mr.
Schroeder, the unvested portion of the Options granted pursuant to the Plans
shall accelerate and become immediately vested ("Options" and "Plans" are
defined in Section 12(b)).
For purposes of this Agreement, the parties agree that "Significant
Strategic Alliance" shall mean a significant strategic alliance of a magnitude
similar to the recently completed long term supply agreement and related
financing with CPC International Inc.
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6. Non-Competition. During, and for the two year period
following termination of the Term Mr. Schroeder will not, without the prior
written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly be or remain employed or
retained by, or consult with or render any services for any person, firm,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, corporation
or other business organization, entity or enterprise engaged in any business,
which is competitive with the business in which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates is engaged at any time during the Term, it being
expressly understood and agreed by the Company that (i) the foregoing
limitation shall not prohibit or otherwise constrain or apply to Mr.
Schroeder's provision of consulting and other business advisory services to any
affiliate of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co., and (ii) to the
extent consistent with the foregoing, Mr. Schroeder may provide consulting
services to other clients which do not compete, directly or through one or more
subsidiaries or affiliates, in any way with any business in which the Company
or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries is engaged provided such services do
not interfere with the services to be provided hereunder.
7. Confidentiality. During and after the Term, Mr.
Schroeder will not disclose or use for his own benefit or purposes or the
benefit or purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, association, corporation or other business
organization, entity or enterprise other than the Company and any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets, information, data, or other
confidential information relating to customers, development programs, costs,
marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit and
financial data, manufacturing processes, financing methods, plans, or the
business and affairs of the Company generally, or of any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to
information which is not unique to the Company or which is generally known to
the industry or the public other than as a result of Mr. Schroeder's breach of
this Agreement. Mr. Schroeder agrees that upon termination of the Term for any
reason, he will return to the Company immediately all memoranda, books,
manuals, training materials, records, computer software, papers, plans,
information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in
any way relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates, except that
Mr. Schroeder may retain personal notes, notebook and diaries. Mr. Schroeder
further agrees that he will not retain or use for his account at any time any
trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned
in connection with the business of the Company or its affiliates.
8. Specific Performance; Other Actions. Mr. Schroeder
acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or
threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 6 or Section 7 would be
inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, Mr. Schroeder agrees that, in the
event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at
law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain
equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining
order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which
may then be available.
9. Employee Benefit. The Company agrees to seek to have
Mr. Schroeder included and covered by the Company's medical and other employee
benefit plans to the extent he satisfies the eligibility requirements of the
applicable plans and insurers.
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10. Indemnity; Fees and Expenses. The Company agrees to
hold harmless Mr. Schroeder for all acts or decisions made by him in good faith
related to his performance of services hereunder. The Company agrees to pay
any and all reasonable legal fees and related expenses incurred by Mr.
Schroeder in connection with entering into and performing services under this
Agreement. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain coverage
for Mr. Schroeder under any insurance policy now in force or hereinafter
obtained during the term of this Agreement covering the Company against
liability from claims or causes of action which arise as a result of or with
respect to this Agreement; provided, however, it is understood by each of the
parties hereto that the Company does not currently have insurance coverage for
its directors and officers and is not required to obtain such insurance. If,
however, the Company obtains such insurance coverage and Mr. Schroeder serves
as a director or officer of the Company, Mr. Schroeder will be included as an
insured party in his capacity as such.
11. Stock Options. Upon the Effective Date of this
Agreement, the Company shall grant Mr. Schroeder additional Options under the
1997 Plan (as defined in Section 12b) to acquire additional shares of the
Company's common stock, said additional shares to be equal to at least 2.0% of
the Company's aggregate outstanding common stock (on a fully diluted basis)
immediately prior to the public offering (the "Additional Options"). The
exercise price of the Additional Options shall be the price at which the
Company's common stock is sold to the public in the public offering.
Three-fourths (3/4) of the Additional Options will vest on the first
anniversary date of the Effective Date of this Agreement; provided that, in no
event will such three-fourths (3/4) portion of the Additional Options vest
later than December 31, 1998. The remaining one-fourth (1/4) of the Additional
Options will vest as follows: One-eighth (1/8) of the Additional Options will
vest on the second and third anniversary date of the Effective Date of this
Agreement. The Additional Options will be exercisable over a ten-year period
following each portion of the Additional Option's respective vesting dates.
The Additional Options shall be adjustable for any recapitalization which is a
part of the public offering.
12. Miscellaneous.
a. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
b. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement
supersedes any and all prior understandings and agreements between the parties
with respect to the subject matter referred to herein, it being understood that
all Option Agreements granting Options (the "Option Agreements") to Mr.
Schroeder pursuant to the American Italian Pasta Company 1992 Stock Option Plan
or the American Italian Pasta Company 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan")
(collectively, the "Plans") shall remain in full force and effect. This
Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
Company's employment of Mr. Schroeder. Except as provided in the Plans, the
Option Agreements, and the Shareholder's Agreement between the Company and the
shareholders thereto, dated ____________________________, 1997, there are no
restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings
between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein other than those
expressly set forth
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herein. This Agreement may not be altered, modified or amended except by
written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
c. No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon
strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be
considered a waiver of such party's rights or deprive such party of the right
thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of
this Agreement.
d. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions
of this Agreement are or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions
of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
e. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by
Mr. Schroeder except with respect to his rights to receive payments under
Section 3 hereof and may be assigned by the Company only with the consent of
Mr. Schroeder; provided that no such assignment by the Company shall relieve
the Company of any liability hereunder, whether accrued before or after such
assignment.
f. Arbitration. Any dispute between the parties to this
Agreement arising from or relating to the terms of this Agreement or any
dispute between the Company and Mr. Schroeder shall be submitted to arbitration
in Missouri under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association.
g. Successors; Binding Agreement. The Company shall
seek to cause any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
the assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.
h. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices
and all other communications (including invoices) provided for in the Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the execution page
of this Agreement; provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed
to the attention of the Secretary, or to such other address as either party may
have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
i. Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning of or be used to
interpret any provisions herein.
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j. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if
the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH
MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
___________________________________
Name: Timothy S. Webster
Title: President
1000 Italian Way
Excelsior Springs,
Missouri 64024
HORST W. SCHROEDER
___________________________________
31 Battery Road
Hilton Head, South Carolina 29928
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.7
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated September ___, 1997, is
made effective for all purposes and in all respects as of the Effective Date
(as defined below), by and between AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Employer"), and DAVID E. WATSON, an
individual (hereinafter referred to as "Employee") and supersedes any and all
prior oral or written agreements between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
RECITALS
A. Employer is engaged in the business of Durum wheat milling and pasta
production/marketing and maintains its principal place of business at 1000
Italian Way, Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024.
B. In connection with such business, Employer desires to continue to employ
Employee in the capacity of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer.
C. Employee desires to continue to be employed by Employer in the aforesaid
capacity.
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the Recitals set forth above, which are incorporated
herein by this reference, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and based on the
mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof,
Employee's term of employment by Employer under this Agreement (the "Initial
Employment Term") shall commence on the date Employer's initial public offering
(the "Offering") of its Class A Convertible Preferred Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock") is consummated (the "Effective Date") and
terminate on the date that is three years after the Effective Date, provided,
however, that the term of Employee's employment shall be extended automatically
for successive one-year periods unless not later than six months prior to such
automatic extension Employer shall have given written notice to the contrary
(each an "Additional Term"). The period of time between the Effective Date and
the termination of the Initial Employment Term or the last Additional Term, if
any, is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
2. Duties of Employee.
2.1 In accepting such employment, Employee shall undertake and assume the
responsibility of performing for and on behalf of Employer such duties as shall
be assigned to Employee by Employer at any time and from time to time. It is
understood and agreed that Employee's principal duties on behalf of Employer at
the date of execution hereof are and shall
<PAGE> 2
be overall direction of financial, administrative, and logistical functions; it
is further understood and agreed that any modification in or expansion of
Employee's duties hereunder shall not, unless specifically agreed to by
Employee in a duly-executed amendment of this Agreement in accordance with
Section 10.6 hereof, result in any modification in, increase or decrease of,
Employee's compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof.
2.2 Employee will, at all times, faithfully, industriously, and to the
best of his ability, experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may
be required of and from Employee pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof, to the reasonable satisfaction of Employer.
2.3 Employee shall devote substantially all of his professional time,
attention, knowledge and skills solely to the business and interests of
Employer; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled annually to a
vacation, in accordance with Employer's policies then in effect and Employer
shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits and other issues arising from
or incident to all professional work, services and advice of Employee.
3. Compensation. Employer shall pay Employee, and Employee shall accept from
Employer, in payment for Employee's services rendered to Employer hereunder an
annual base salary ("Base Salary") which from the Effective Date through
December 31, 1998 shall be equal to One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars
($180,000). Such Base Salary shall be subject to merit increase reviews, in
the sole discretion of the Board, at least annually by Employer. Such salary
shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments.
3.1 Bonuses. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will be eligible
to participate in, and bonuses may be awarded to Employee at the discretion of
the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of Employer's 1996 Salaried
Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be
amended, modified or terminated from time to time.
3.2 Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Reasonable travel, entertainment
and other business expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his
duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by Employer in accordance with Employer's
policies on terms no less favorable than those policies in effect immediately
prior to the date hereof.
3.3 Automobile Allowance. Employee shall be entitled to an annual
automobile allowance of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($4,800), payable
in monthly installments, to reimburse him for the expenses incurred by him in
maintaining and operating an automobile used by him in connection with the
performance of his duties hereunder.
3.4 Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in an equitable
manner with other senior executive employees of Employer in all welfare
benefit, incentive compensation or other plans or arrangements authorized,
adopted and maintained from time to time by Employer, including, without
limitation, the following: profit sharing plan, medical reimbursement plan,
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<PAGE> 3
group life insurance plan, medical and dental insurance plan, and long-term
disability or income plan, if in effect with Employer. In addition, within six
months of the Effective Date, Employer shall adopt a group disability insurance
plan, pursuant to which Employer shall provide to Employee long-term disability
insurance at a cost to Employee not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of his
individual premiums payable under such plan. If Employer shall not have
adopted a group disability insurance plan within six months of the Effective
Date, Employer shall alternatively provide to Employee individual long-term
disability insurance on terms mutually agreeable to Employer and Employee at a
cost to Employee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the premiums payable under
such individual policy; provided Employer can maintain such a policy on the
life of Employee without any substantial increase in the standard premiums from
those as of the date hereof due to any "rating" of the Employee; and further
provided that if there is such a substantial increase, Employee shall have the
right to pay such increase personally and Employer would then maintain such
insurance.
3.5 Grant of Stock Options. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
American Italian Pasta Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the
Stock Option Agreement, by and between Employer and Employee dated as of the
Effective Date, upon the Effective Date, Employer will grant to Employee an
option to purchase 61,320 shares of Common Stock. The option price will be
equal to the per share price at which the Common Stock is sold to the public in
the Offering.
4. Non-Competition.
4.1 Employee acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of
the business of Employer and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows:
during the Employment Term and until the date that is one year after the date
that Employee ceases employment with Employer (such term period hereinafter
referred to as the "Noncompetition Period"), Employee will not, within the
United States of America, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, be employed by or be connected in any manner with the ownership (other
than passive investments of not more than one percent of the outstanding shares
of, or any other equity interest in, any company or entity listed or traded on
a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter securities market),
management, operation, or control of any business engaged in the production
and/or marketing of dry pasta for human consumption. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is employed by
Employer, any breach of the provisions of this Section 4.1 shall permit
Employer to terminate the employment of Employee for Cause (as defined below),
and, whether or not Employee is employed by Employer, from and after any breach
by Employee of the provisions of this Section 4.1, Employer shall cease to have
any obligations to make payments to Employee under this Agreement.
4.2 During the Noncompetition Period, Employee will not directly or
indirectly induce any employee of Employer or any of its affiliates to engage
in any activity in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1
above or to terminate his employment with Employer or any of its affiliates,
will not directly or indirectly assist others in engaging in any of the
activities in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1 above,
and will not
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<PAGE> 4
directly or indirectly employ or offer employment to any person who was
employed by Employer or any of its affiliates unless such person shall have
ceased to be employed by Employer or any of its affiliates for a period of at
least 12 months.
4.3 In addition to any payments Employer is required to make pursuant to
Section 7 hereof, Employer and Employee hereby agree that Employer may, in its
sole discretion, continue to pay to Employee his Base Salary during the
Noncompetition Period. During such period of continued payment, if any,
Employee agrees to be available, consistent with other responsibilities that he
may then have, to answer questions and provide advice to Employer.
5. Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that, in and as a result of his
employment by Employer, he has been and will be making use of, acquiring and/or
adding to confidential information of a special and unique nature and value
relating to such matters as Employer's trade secrets, systems, procedures,
manuals, confidential reports and lists of customers and/or other services
rendered by Employer, the equipment and methods used and preferred by
Employer's customers, and the prices paid by such customers. As a material
inducement to Employer to enter into this Agreement, and to pay to Employee the
compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof, including any additional benefits
referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, Employee covenants and agrees that he shall
not, at any time during or after the Employment Term, directly or indirectly,
disclose, divulge or use, for his own benefit or purposes or the benefit or
purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than
Employer and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets,
information, data, or other confidential information relating to customers,
development programs, costs, prices, marketing, trading, investment, sales
activities, promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes,
financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of Employer generally, or
of any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer, provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not apply to information which is not unique to Employer or
which is generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result
of breach of this covenant. Employee agrees that upon termination of his
employment with Employer for any reason, he will return to Employer immediately
all memoranda, books, manuals, training materials, records, computer software,
papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or
therefrom, in any way relating to the business of Employer and its affiliates,
except that he may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Employee
further agrees that he will not retain or use for his account at any time any
trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned
in connection with the business of Employer or its affiliates.
6. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employer's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 4 or Section 5 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact,
Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in
addition to any remedies at law, Employer, without posting any bond, shall be
entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance,
temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other
equitable remedy which may then be available.
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<PAGE> 5
7. Termination of Employment
7.1 Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.
7.1.1 General. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1.2 and 7.1.3, if
Employee's employment is terminated by Employer without Cause, as defined in
Section 7.3, or if Employee resigns from his employment for Good Reason, as
defined in Section 7.4, Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid Base
Salary to the date of termination or resignation and any bonus earned but not
paid and shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i) his annual Base
Salary as of the date of termination or resignation plus his bonus, if any, for
the year in which such termination or resignation occurs (calculated as if the
Norm Bonus for that year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the
date of termination or resignation, or (ii) if such termination or resignation
occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the remaining portion of Employee's
Base Salary plus his bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination or
resignation occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned)
for the Initial Employment Term (such period, as applicable, being referred to
hereinafter as the "Severance Period"). The Base Salary shall be payable in
bi-weekly payments during the Severance Period and the bonus shall be payable
at the conclusion of the Severance Period. During the Severance Period,
Employee shall also be eligible to participate on the same terms and conditions
as in effect immediately prior to such termination or resignation in all
health, medical, supplemental medical and life insurance plans or programs
provided to Employee by Employer pursuant to Section 3.3 above ("Employee
Welfare Plans") at the time of such termination or resignation and which are
provided by Employer to its employees following the date of such termination or
resignation; provided, however, that Employee's eligibility to participate in
these Employee Welfare Plans shall end at such time as Employee becomes
eligible to receive coverage under comparable programs of a subsequent
employer. If, during the Severance Period, Employee is precluded from
participating in any Employee Welfare Plan by its terms or applicable law,
Employer will provide Employee with benefits that are reasonably equivalent to
those which Employee would have received under such plan had Employee been
eligible to participate therein. Anything to the contrary herein
notwithstanding, Employer shall have no obligation to continue to maintain any
Employee Welfare Plan during the Severance Period solely as a result of this
Agreement. As an example and solely for purposes of illustration: If Employer
were to terminate its dental insurance plan prior to or during the Severance
Period, then Employer would have no obligation to maintain such plan or provide
to Employee individual dental insurance in order to satisfy its obligations
under this Section 7.1.1.
7.1.2 Mitigation. Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment provided for in Section 7.1.1 by seeking other employment, and
the amount of any such payment will not be reduced by any compensation earned
by Employee as the result of his employment by another employer subsequent to
termination of Employee's employment with Employer.
7.1.3 Death During Severance Period. In the event of Employee's death
during the Severance Period, the Severance Period shall immediately cease,
Employer shall not
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<PAGE> 6
be obligated to make any further payments pursuant to this Section 7, and the
provisions of Section 8.1 shall apply as though Employee's death had occurred
immediately prior to termination of Employee's employment hereunder.
7.1.4 Date of Termination. The date of termination of employment without
Cause shall be the date specified in a written notice of termination to
Employee which in no case shall be more than 30 days following the date of
notice. The date of resignation for Good Reason shall be the date specified in
the written notice of resignation from Employee to Employer which in no case
shall be more than 30 days following the date of notice.
7.2 Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason.
7.2.1 General. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by
Employer for Cause, or if Employee resigns from his employment hereunder other
than for Good Reason (a "Voluntary Termination"), Employee shall be entitled
only to payment of his Base Salary earned through and including the date of
termination or resignation. Employee shall have no further right to receive
any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan, arrangement, or
benefit, after such termination for Cause or resignation of employment other
than for Good Reason.
7.2.2 Date of Termination. Subject to Section 7.3, the date of
termination for Cause shall be the date of receipt by Employee of a written
Notice of Termination provided for in Section 7.2.3. The date of resignation
without Good Reason shall be the date specified in the written notice of
resignation from Employee to Employer, or if no date is specified therein, 10
business days after receipt by Employer of written notice or resignation from
Employee.
7.3 Cause. Termination for "Cause" means termination of Employee's
employment because of (i) any willful and continued failure substantially to
perform his duties hereunder (other than as a result of Permanent Disability,
as defined below), (ii) Employee's failure to comply with any of the material
terms of this Agreement, (iii) an act or acts on Employee's part constituting a
felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (iv) breach by
Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 4 or 5 of this
Agreement, or (v) any other willful act or omission on Employee's part which is
materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries of affiliates; provided, however, that if
any such Cause relates to Employee's obligations under this Agreement and (x)
is susceptible to cure, and (y) does not constitute a repetition of such Cause,
Employer shall not terminate Employee's employment hereunder unless Employer
first gives Employee a Notice of Termination, and Employee has not, within 15
business days following receipt of the notice, cured such Cause, or in the
event such Cause is not susceptible to cure within such 15 business day period,
Employee has not taken all reasonable steps within such 15 business day period
to cure such Cause as promptly as practicable thereafter. For purposes of this
Section 7.3, no act or failure to act on the part of Employee shall be deemed
"willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in bad faith and
without reasonable belief that the act or omission of Employee was in the best
interest of Employer.
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7.4 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means any
of the following actions taken by Employer without Employee's prior written
consent: (i) the continued failure of Employer to pay compensation due to
Employee under this Agreement, which failure is uncorrected for a period of 15
days following receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee;
(ii) a material diminution in Employee's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by Employer
promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by Employee; provided,
however, that a mere change of Employee's title shall not constitute Good
Reason so long as Employee continues to perform duties, functions and
responsibilities substantially equivalent to those performed by him prior to
such change of title; (iii) relocation of Employee's primary workplace to a
location outside of the United States of America; and (iv) Employer's material
failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, which
failure or refusal to comply is uncorrected for a period of 15 days following
receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee. It is expressly
understood and agreed by the parties hereto that Employer's failure to deliver
a notification extending the Initial Employment Term as referred to in Section
1 of this Agreement shall constitute a termination without Cause.
7.5 Stock Options. Employer has awarded to Employee a number of options
to acquire Common Shares under the Stock Option Agreements by and between
Employer and Employee dated July 31, 1994 and July 1, 1995 (the "Watson Option
Agreements") which are subject to the American Italian Pasta Company 1992 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"). Employer desires to and does hereby amend the Watson
Option Agreements to waive Employer's rights under (i) each option and Section
6(g)(ii) of the Plan to repurchase Employee's vested Options following his
termination of employment for any reason, other than by the Employer for Cause
or due to a Voluntary Termination, and (ii) Section 6(h) of the Plan to
repurchase all Common Shares acquired by Employee upon exercise of options
granted under the Plan before a Public Offering, provided Employee was not
terminated by Employer for Cause or due to a Voluntary Termination, in which
case Employer retains all rights to repurchase the Common Shares.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Plan, all of the
stock options awarded to Employee under the Watson Option Agreements and
subsequent stock option grants immediately vest (i) upon a termination by
Employee for Good Reason, or (ii) upon a termination without Cause within six
months following a Change of Control (as defined below), at and to the extent
of Employee's choice.
8. Death or Permanent Disability.
8.1 Death. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by death,
Employer shall, within 90 days of the date of death, make (i) a lump sum
payment to Employee's estate (or other beneficiary designated by him in
writing) equal to all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, earned and accrued
through the date of death, and (ii) any other benefits payable under any
then-current life insurance policy provided to Employee pursuant to Section 3.3
hereof payable in accordance with the terms of such policy. Thereafter,
Employer shall have no further obligation to Employee under the Agreement.
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8.2 Permanent Disability. In the event Employee shall become physically
or mentally disabled while employed by Employer under this Agreement so that
Employee is unable to render the services provided for by this Agreement for a
period of six consecutive months or for shorter periods aggregating six months
during any 24-month period, or so that Employee has a Disability (as defined
under Employer's then- current disability policy), Employer may, at any time
after the last day of the six consecutive months of disability, the day on
which the shorter periods of disability equal an aggregate of six months, or
the day on which Employee is determined to have a Disability, terminate
Employee's employment hereunder for "Permanent Disability" by written notice to
Employee. Following such termination, Employee shall be entitled to received
from Employer: (i) all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, accrued through the
date of termination; and (ii) any other benefits payable under Employer's
then-current disability policy, but all other rights of Employee hereunder
shall terminate as of the date of Employee's termination.
9. Change of Control.
9.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if Employer
terminates Employee without Cause upon or within six months following a Change
of Control (as defined below), Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid
Base Salary to the date of termination and any bonus earned but not paid and
shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i): his annual Base Salary as
of the date such termination occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that
year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination,
or (ii) if such termination occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the
remaining portion of Employee's Base Salary plus his bonus for the Initial
Employment Term, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs
(calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned), as severance pay
(such period, as applicable, being referred to hereinafter as the "Change of
Control Severance Period"). Any severance payable pursuant to this Section 9.1
will be in substitution for and not in addition to any severance that might be
payable pursuant to Article 7 hereof. To the extent Employer makes payments
pursuant to this Section 9.1, it will have no additional obligations under
Article 7. The Base Salary shall be payable in bi-weekly payments during the
Change of Control Severance Period and the bonus shall be paid at the
conclusion of the Change of Control Severance Period.
9.2 For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" means any one of
the following:
(a) any person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) (other than MS
Shareholders (as defined in Employer's Amended and Restated Shareholders'
Agreement dated as of September ___, 1997) or any group consisting solely of
such persons) acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 50% of Employer's
then outstanding Common Stock or 51% or more of the combined voting power of
the Employer's then outstanding securities entitled generally to vote for the
election of the Employer's Directors;
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(b) the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Employer with
any other corporation, other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary, the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Employer, or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Employer, unless, in the case of a merger or consolidation,
(x) the Directors in office immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
will constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the surviving
corporation of such merger or consolidation and any parent (as such term is
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such corporation, or (y) the
voting securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior thereto
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than 66 2/3% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Employer or such surviving entity and are
owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the holders of the
voting securities of the Employer immediately prior to the transaction in
substantially the same proportions as such holders owned such voting securities
immediately prior to the transaction; or
(c) Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constitute at least
a majority of the Board or a similar body of any successor to the Employer.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Continuing Directors" means any individual who
either (i) is a member of the Employer's Board of Directors on the Effective
Date, (ii) who becomes a director after the Effective Date whose election or
nomination for election by Employer's shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by a specific vote or
by approval of the proxy statement of Employer in which such person is named as
nominee for director, without objection to such nomination), or (iii) is
designated by any party pursuant to its rights under Section 2.1 of the Amended
and Restated Shareholders' Agreement.
9.3 Excess Parachute Payments. If any payment or the receipt of any
benefit under this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an "excess parachute
payment" as such term is described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so as to result in the loss of a deduction to
the Employer under Code Section 280G or in the imposition of an excise tax on
the Employee under Code Section 4999, or any successor sections thereto, then
the amounts payable or the benefits provided under this Agreement shall be
reduced to the minimum extent necessary so that no such deduction will be lost
by the Employer and no such excise tax will be imposed on the Employee. The
Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether or not an "excess
parachute payment" would otherwise occur and shall determine the amount and
method of the foregoing reduction.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1 Assignment of Employee Benefits. Absent the prior written consent of
Employer, and subject to will and the laws of descent and distribution,
Employee shall have no right to exchange, convert, encumber, or dispose of the
rights of Employee to receive benefits and payments under this Agreement, which
payments, benefits, and rights thereto are non-assignable and non-transferable.
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10.2 Burden and Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, Employer and Employee, their respective heirs,
personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns.
10.3 Governing Law. In view of the fact that the principal office of
Employer is located in the State of Missouri, it is understood and agreed that
the construction and interpretation of this Agreement shall at all times and in
all respects be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
10.4 Severability. It is expressly understood and agreed that although
Employee and Employer consider the restrictions contained in this Agreement to
be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction
contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against Employee,
the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed
amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum
extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.
Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any
restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction
cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect
the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.
10.5 Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are for
reference only and not to limit, expand, or otherwise affect the contents of
this Agreement.
10.6 Entire Agreement; Modification. Except as to the Employer's Stock
Option Plans, any instrument relating to an Option granted thereunder and
written agreements signed by both of the parties hereto from time to time after
the date hereof, this Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding
by and between Employer and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and any representations, promises, agreements, or understandings, written or
oral, not herein contained shall be of no force or effect. No change, waiver
or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid or binding
unless the same is in writing and duly executed by both parties and no evidence
of any waiver or modification shall be offered or received in evidence of any
proceeding, arbitration, or litigation between the parties hereto arising out
of or affecting this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of the parties
hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as
aforesaid, and the parties further agree that the provisions of this Section
10.6 may not be waived except as set forth herein.
10.7 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Employer of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement by Employee shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by Employee.
10.8 Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth on the execution page
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of this Agreement, provided, however, that all notices to Employer shall be
directed to the attention of the Board of Directors of Employer with a copy to
the Secretary of Employer, or to such other address as either party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
10.9 Withholding Taxes. Employer may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto
and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer and Employee have duly executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
EMPLOYER:
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY,
a Delaware Corporation
1000 Italian Way
Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024
By:_____________________________
Timothy S. Webster
President
EMPLOYEE:
________________________________
David E. Watson
Address:
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
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EXHIBIT 10.8
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated September ___, 1997, is
made effective for all purposes and in all respects as of the Effective Date
(as defined below), by and between AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Employer"), and NORMAN F. ABREO, an
individual (hereinafter referred to as "Employee") and supersedes any and all
prior oral or written agreements between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
RECITALS
A. Employer is engaged in the business of Durum wheat milling and pasta
production/marketing and maintains its principal place of business at 1000
Italian Way, Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024.
B. In connection with such business, Employer desires to continue to employ
Employee in the capacity of Executive Vice President-Operations.
C. Employee desires to continue to be employed by Employer in the aforesaid
capacity.
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the Recitals set forth above, which are incorporated
herein by this reference, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and based on the
mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof,
Employee's term of employment by Employer under this Agreement (the "Initial
Employment Term") shall commence on the date Employer's initial public offering
(the "Offering") of its Class A Convertible Preferred Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock") is consummated (the "Effective Date") and
terminate on the date that is three years after the Effective Date, provided,
however, that the term of Employee's employment shall be extended automatically
for successive one-year periods unless not later than six months prior to such
automatic extension Employer shall have given written notice to the contrary
(each an "Additional Term"). The period of time between the Effective Date and
the termination of the Initial Employment Term or the last Additional Term, if
any, is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
2. Duties of Employee.
2.1 In accepting such employment, Employee shall undertake and assume the
responsibility of performing for and on behalf of Employer such duties as shall
be assigned to Employee by Employer at any time and from time to time. It is
understood and agreed that Employee's principal duties on behalf of Employer at
the date of execution hereof are and shall
<PAGE> 2
be overall direction of milling and pasta production operation; it is further
understood and agreed that any modification in or expansion of Employee's
duties hereunder shall not, unless specifically agreed to by Employee in a
duly-executed amendment of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.6
hereof, result in any modification in, increase or decrease of, Employee's
compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof.
2.2 Employee will, at all times, faithfully, industriously, and to the
best of his ability, experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may
be required of and from Employee pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof, to the reasonable satisfaction of Employer.
2.3 Employee shall devote substantially all of his professional time,
attention, knowledge and skills solely to the business and interests of
Employer; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled annually to a
vacation, in accordance with Employer's policies then in effect and Employer
shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits and other issues arising from
or incident to all professional work, services and advice of Employee.
3. Compensation. Employer shall pay Employee, and Employee shall accept from
Employer, in payment for Employee's services rendered to Employer hereunder an
annual base salary ("Base Salary") which from the Effective Date through
December 31, 1998 shall be equal to One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars
($160,000). Such Base Salary shall be subject to merit increase reviews, in
the sole discretion of the Board, at least annually by Employer. Such salary
shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments.
3.1 Bonuses. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will be eligible
to participate in, and bonuses may be awarded to Employee at the discretion of
the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of Employer's 1996 Salaried
Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be
amended, modified or terminated from time to time.
3.2 Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Reasonable travel, entertainment
and other business expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his
duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by Employer in accordance with Employer's
policies on terms no less favorable than those policies in effect immediately
prior to the date hereof.
3.3 Automobile Allowance. Employee shall be entitled to an annual
automobile allowance of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($4,800), payable
in monthly installments, to reimburse him for the expenses incurred by him in
maintaining and operating an automobile used by him in connection with the
performance of his duties hereunder.
3.4 Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in an equitable
manner with other senior executive employees of Employer in all welfare
benefit, incentive compensation or other plans or arrangements authorized,
adopted and maintained from time to time by Employer, including, without
limitation, the following: profit sharing plan, medical reimbursement plan,
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<PAGE> 3
group life insurance plan, medical and dental insurance plan, and long-term
disability or income plan, if in effect with Employer. In addition, within six
months of the Effective Date, Employer shall adopt a group disability insurance
plan, pursuant to which Employer shall provide to Employee long-term disability
insurance at a cost to Employee not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of his
individual premiums payable under such plan. If Employer shall not have
adopted a group disability insurance plan within six months of the Effective
Date, Employer shall alternatively provide to Employee individual long-term
disability insurance on terms mutually agreeable to Employer and Employee at a
cost to Employee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the premiums payable under
such individual policy; provided Employer can maintain such a policy on the
life of Employee without any substantial increase in the standard premiums from
those as of the date hereof due to any "rating" of the Employee; and further
provided that if there is such a substantial increase, Employee shall have the
right to pay such increase personally and Employer would then maintain such
insurance.
3.5 Grant of Stock Options. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
American Italian Pasta Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the
Stock Option Agreement, by and between Employer and Employee dated as of the
Effective Date, upon the Effective Date, Employer will grant to Employee an
option to purchase 61,320 shares of Common Stock. The option price will be
equal to the per share price at which the Common Stock is sold to the public in
the Offering.
4. Non-Competition.
4.1 Employee acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of
the business of Employer and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows:
during the Employment Term and until the date that is one year after the date
that Employee ceases employment with Employer (such term period hereinafter
referred to as the "Noncompetition Period"), Employee will not, within the
United States of America, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, be employed by or be connected in any manner with the ownership (other
than passive investments of not more than one percent of the outstanding shares
of, or any other equity interest in, any company or entity listed or traded on
a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter securities market),
management, operation, or control of any business engaged in the production
and/or marketing of dry pasta for human consumption. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is employed by
Employer, any breach of the provisions of this Section 4.1 shall permit
Employer to terminate the employment of Employee for Cause (as defined below),
and, whether or not Employee is employed by Employer, from and after any breach
by Employee of the provisions of this Section 4.1, Employer shall cease to have
any obligations to make payments to Employee under this Agreement.
4.2 During the Noncompetition Period, Employee will not directly or
indirectly induce any employee of Employer or any of its affiliates to engage
in any activity in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1
above or to terminate his employment with Employer or any of its affiliates,
will not directly or indirectly assist others in engaging in any of the
activities in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1 above,
and will not
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<PAGE> 4
directly or indirectly employ or offer employment to any person who was
employed by Employer or any of its affiliates unless such person shall have
ceased to be employed by Employer or any of its affiliates for a period of at
least 12 months.
4.3 In addition to any payments Employer is required to make pursuant to
Section 7 hereof, Employer and Employee hereby agree that Employer may, in its
sole discretion, continue to pay to Employee his Base Salary during the
Noncompetition Period. During such period of continued payment, if any,
Employee agrees to be available, consistent with other responsibilities that he
may then have, to answer questions and provide advice to Employer.
5. Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that, in and as a result of his
employment by Employer, he has been and will be making use of, acquiring and/or
adding to confidential information of a special and unique nature and value
relating to such matters as Employer's trade secrets, systems, procedures,
manuals, confidential reports and lists of customers and/or other services
rendered by Employer, the equipment and methods used and preferred by
Employer's customers, and the prices paid by such customers. As a material
inducement to Employer to enter into this Agreement, and to pay to Employee the
compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof, including any additional benefits
referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, Employee covenants and agrees that he shall
not, at any time during or after the Employment Term, directly or indirectly,
disclose, divulge or use, for his own benefit or purposes or the benefit or
purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than
Employer and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets,
information, data, or other confidential information relating to customers,
development programs, costs, prices, marketing, trading, investment, sales
activities, promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes,
financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of Employer generally, or
of any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer, provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not apply to information which is not unique to Employer or
which is generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result
of breach of this covenant. Employee agrees that upon termination of his
employment with Employer for any reason, he will return to Employer immediately
all memoranda, books, manuals, training materials, records, computer software,
papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or
therefrom, in any way relating to the business of Employer and its affiliates,
except that he may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Employee
further agrees that he will not retain or use for his account at any time any
trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned
in connection with the business of Employer or its affiliates.
6. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employer's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 4 or Section 5 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact,
Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in
addition to any remedies at law, Employer, without posting any bond, shall be
entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance,
temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other
equitable remedy which may then be available.
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<PAGE> 5
7. Termination of Employment
7.1 Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.
7.1.1 General. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1.2 and 7.1.3, if
Employee's employment is terminated by Employer without Cause, as defined in
Section 7.3, or if Employee resigns from his employment for Good Reason, as
defined in Section 7.4, Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid Base
Salary to the date of termination or resignation and any bonus earned but not
paid and shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i) his annual Base
Salary as of the date of termination or resignation plus his bonus, if any, for
the year in which such termination or resignation occurs (calculated as if the
Norm Bonus for that year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the
date of termination or resignation, or (ii) if such termination or resignation
occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the remaining portion of Employee's
Base Salary plus his bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination or
resignation occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned)
for the Initial Employment Term (such period, as applicable, being referred to
hereinafter as the "Severance Period"). The Base Salary shall be payable in
bi-weekly payments during the Severance Period and the bonus shall be payable
at the conclusion of the Severance Period. During the Severance Period,
Employee shall also be eligible to participate on the same terms and conditions
as in effect immediately prior to such termination or resignation in all
health, medical, supplemental medical and life insurance plans or programs
provided to Employee by Employer pursuant to Section 3.3 above ("Employee
Welfare Plans") at the time of such termination or resignation and which are
provided by Employer to its employees following the date of such termination or
resignation; provided, however, that Employee's eligibility to participate in
these Employee Welfare Plans shall end at such time as Employee becomes
eligible to receive coverage under comparable programs of a subsequent
employer. If, during the Severance Period, Employee is precluded from
participating in any Employee Welfare Plan by its terms or applicable law,
Employer will provide Employee with benefits that are reasonably equivalent to
those which Employee would have received under such plan had Employee been
eligible to participate therein. Anything to the contrary herein
notwithstanding, Employer shall have no obligation to continue to maintain any
Employee Welfare Plan during the Severance Period solely as a result of this
Agreement. As an example and solely for purposes of illustration: If Employer
were to terminate its dental insurance plan prior to or during the Severance
Period, then Employer would have no obligation to maintain such plan or provide
to Employee individual dental insurance in order to satisfy its obligations
under this Section 7.1.1.
7.1.2 Mitigation. Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment provided for in Section 7.1.1 by seeking other employment, and
the amount of any such payment will not be reduced by any compensation earned
by Employee as the result of his employment by another employer subsequent to
termination of Employee's employment with Employer.
7.1.3 Death During Severance Period. In the event of Employee's death
during the Severance Period, the Severance Period shall immediately cease,
Employer shall not
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<PAGE> 6
be obligated to make any further payments pursuant to this Section 7, and the
provisions of Section 8.1 shall apply as though Employee's death had occurred
immediately prior to termination of Employee's employment hereunder.
7.1.4 Date of Termination. The date of termination of employment without
Cause shall be the date specified in a written notice of termination to
Employee which in no case shall be more than 30 days following the date of
notice. The date of resignation for Good Reason shall be the date specified in
the written notice of resignation from Employee to Employer which in no case
shall be more than 30 days following the date of notice.
7.2 Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason.
7.2.1 General. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by
Employer for Cause, or if Employee resigns from his employment hereunder other
than for Good Reason (a "Voluntary Termination"), Employee shall be entitled
only to payment of his Base Salary earned through and including the date of
termination or resignation. Employee shall have no further right to receive
any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan, arrangement, or
benefit, after such termination for Cause or resignation of employment other
than for Good Reason.
7.2.2 Date of Termination. Subject to Section 7.3, the date of
termination for Cause shall be the date of receipt by Employee of a written
Notice of Termination provided for in Section 7.2.3. The date of resignation
without Good Reason shall be the date specified in the written notice of
resignation from Employee to Employer, or if no date is specified therein, 10
business days after receipt by Employer of written notice or resignation from
Employee.
7.3 Cause. Termination for "Cause" means termination of Employee's
employment because of (i) any willful and continued failure substantially to
perform his duties hereunder (other than as a result of Permanent Disability,
as defined below), (ii) Employee's failure to comply with any of the material
terms of this Agreement, (iii) an act or acts on Employee's part constituting a
felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (iv) breach by
Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 4 or 5 of this
Agreement, or (v) any other willful act or omission on Employee's part which is
materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries of affiliates; provided, however, that if
any such Cause relates to Employee's obligations under this Agreement and (x)
is susceptible to cure, and (y) does not constitute a repetition of such Cause,
Employer shall not terminate Employee's employment hereunder unless Employer
first gives Employee a Notice of Termination, and Employee has not, within 15
business days following receipt of the notice, cured such Cause, or in the
event such Cause is not susceptible to cure within such 15 business day period,
Employee has not taken all reasonable steps within such 15 business day period
to cure such Cause as promptly as practicable thereafter. For purposes of this
Section 7.3, no act or failure to act on the part of Employee shall be deemed
"willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in bad faith and
without reasonable belief that the act or omission of Employee was in the best
interest of Employer.
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<PAGE> 7
7.4 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means any
of the following actions taken by Employer without Employee's prior written
consent: (i) the continued failure of Employer to pay compensation due to
Employee under this Agreement, which failure is uncorrected for a period of 15
days following receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee;
(ii) a material diminution in Employee's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by Employer
promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by Employee; provided,
however, that a mere change of Employee's title shall not constitute Good
Reason so long as Employee continues to perform duties, functions and
responsibilities substantially equivalent to those performed by him prior to
such change of title; (iii) relocation of Employee's primary workplace to a
location outside of the United States of America; and (iv) Employer's material
failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, which
failure or refusal to comply is uncorrected for a period of 15 days following
receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee. It is expressly
understood and agreed by the parties hereto that Employer's failure to deliver
a notification extending the Initial Employment Term as referred to in Section
1 of this Agreement shall constitute a termination without Cause.
7.5 Stock Options. Employer has awarded to Employee a number of options
to acquire Common Shares under the Stock Option Agreements by and between
Employer and Employee dated October 30, 1992 and July 1, 1995 (the "Abreo
Option Agreements") which are subject to the American Italian Pasta Company
1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Employer desires to and does hereby amend
the Abreo Option Agreements to waive Employer's rights under (i) each option
and Section 6(g)(ii) of the Plan to repurchase Employee's vested Options
following his termination of employment for any reason, other than by the
Employer for Cause or due to a Voluntary Termination, and (ii) Section 6(h) of
the Plan to repurchase all Common Shares acquired by Employee upon exercise of
options granted under the Plan before a Public Offering, provided Employee was
not terminated by Employer for Cause or due to a Voluntary Termination, in
which case Employer retains all rights to repurchase the Common Shares.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Plan, all of the
stock options awarded to Employee under the Abreo Option Agreements and
subsequent stock option grants immediately vest (i) upon a termination by
Employee for Good Reason, or (ii) upon a termination without Cause within six
months following a Change of Control (as defined below), at and to the extent
of Employee's choice.
8. Death or Permanent Disability.
8.1 Death. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by death,
Employer shall, within 90 days of the date of death, make (i) a lump sum
payment to Employee's estate (or other beneficiary designated by him in
writing) equal to all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, earned and accrued
through the date of death, and (ii) any other benefits payable under any
then-current life insurance policy provided to Employee pursuant to Section 3.3
hereof payable in accordance with the terms of such policy. Thereafter,
Employer shall have no further obligation to Employee under the Agreement.
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<PAGE> 8
8.2 Permanent Disability. In the event Employee shall become physically
or mentally disabled while employed by Employer under this Agreement so that
Employee is unable to render the services provided for by this Agreement for a
period of six consecutive months or for shorter periods aggregating six months
during any 24-month period, or so that Employee has a Disability (as defined
under Employer's then-current disability policy), Employer may, at any time
after the last day of the six consecutive months of disability, the day on
which the shorter periods of disability equal an aggregate of six months, or
the day on which Employee is determined to have a Disability, terminate
Employee's employment hereunder for "Permanent Disability" by written notice to
Employee. Following such termination, Employee shall be entitled to received
from Employer: (i) all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, accrued through the
date of termination; and (ii) any other benefits payable under Employer's
then-current disability policy, but all other rights of Employee hereunder
shall terminate as of the date of Employee's termination.
9. Change of Control.
9.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if Employer
terminates Employee without Cause upon or within six months following a Change
of Control (as defined below), Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid
Base Salary to the date of termination and any bonus earned but not paid and
shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i): his annual Base Salary as
of the date such termination occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that
year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination,
or (ii) if such termination occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the
remaining portion of Employee's Base Salary plus his bonus for the Initial
Employment Term, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs
(calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned), as severance pay
(such period, as applicable, being referred to hereinafter as the "Change of
Control Severance Period"). Any severance payable pursuant to this Section 9.1
will be in substitution for and not in addition to any severance that might be
payable pursuant to Article 7 hereof. To the extent Employer makes payments
pursuant to this Section 9.1, it will have no additional obligations under
Article 7. The Base Salary shall be payable in bi-weekly payments during the
Change of Control Severance Period and the bonus shall be paid at the
conclusion of the Change of Control Severance Period.
9.2 For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" means any one of
the following:
(a) any person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) (other than MS
Shareholders (as defined in Employer's Amended and Restated Shareholders'
Agreement dated as of September ___, 1997) or any group consisting solely of
such persons) acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 50% of Employer's
then outstanding Common Stock or 51% or more of the combined voting power of
the Employer's then outstanding securities entitled generally to vote for the
election of the Employer's Directors;
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(b) the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Employer with
any other corporation, other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary, the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Employer, or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Employer, unless, in the case of a merger or consolidation,
(x) the Directors in office immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
will constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the surviving
corporation of such merger or consolidation and any parent (as such term is
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such corporation, or (y) the
voting securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior thereto
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than 66 2/3% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Employer or such surviving entity and are
owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the holders of the
voting securities of the Employer immediately prior to the transaction in
substantially the same proportions as such holders owned such voting securities
immediately prior to the transaction; or
(c) Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constitute at least
a majority of the Board or a similar body of any successor to the Employer.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Continuing Directors" means any individual who
either (i) is a member of the Employer's Board of Directors on the Effective
Date, (ii) who becomes a director after the Effective Date whose election or
nomination for election by Employer's shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by a specific vote or
by approval of the proxy statement of Employer in which such person is named as
nominee for director, without objection to such nomination), or (iii) is
designated by any party pursuant to its rights under Section 2.1 of the Amended
and Restated Shareholders' Agreement.
9.3 Excess Parachute Payments. If any payment or the receipt of any
benefit under this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an "excess parachute
payment" as such term is described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so as to result in the loss of a deduction to
the Employer under Code Section 280G or in the imposition of an excise tax on
the Employee under Code Section 4999, or any successor sections thereto, then
the amounts payable or the benefits provided under this Agreement shall be
reduced to the minimum extent necessary so that no such deduction will be lost
by the Employer and no such excise tax will be imposed on the Employee. The
Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether or not an "excess
parachute payment" would otherwise occur and shall determine the amount and
method of the foregoing reduction.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1 Assignment of Employee Benefits. Absent the prior written consent of
Employer, and subject to will and the laws of descent and distribution,
Employee shall have no right to exchange, convert, encumber, or dispose of the
rights of Employee to receive benefits and payments under this Agreement, which
payments, benefits, and rights thereto are non-assignable and non-transferable.
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10.2 Burden and Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, Employer and Employee, their respective heirs,
personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns.
10.3 Governing Law. In view of the fact that the principal office of
Employer is located in the State of Missouri, it is understood and agreed that
the construction and interpretation of this Agreement shall at all times and in
all respects be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
10.4 Severability. It is expressly understood and agreed that although
Employee and Employer consider the restrictions contained in this Agreement to
be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction
contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against Employee,
the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed
amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum
extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.
Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any
restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction
cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect
the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.
10.5 Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are for
reference only and not to limit, expand, or otherwise affect the contents of
this Agreement.
10.6 Entire Agreement; Modification. Except as to the Employer's Stock
Option Plans, any instrument relating to an Option granted thereunder and
written agreements signed by both of the parties hereto from time to time after
the date hereof, this Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding
by and between Employer and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and any representations, promises, agreements, or understandings, written or
oral, not herein contained shall be of no force or effect. No change, waiver
or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid or binding
unless the same is in writing and duly executed by both parties and no evidence
of any waiver or modification shall be offered or received in evidence of any
proceeding, arbitration, or litigation between the parties hereto arising out
of or affecting this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of the parties
hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as
aforesaid, and the parties further agree that the provisions of this Section
10.6 may not be waived except as set forth herein.
10.7 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Employer of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement by Employee shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by Employee.
10.8 Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth on the execution page
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of this Agreement, provided, however, that all notices to Employer shall be
directed to the attention of the Board of Directors of Employer with a copy to
the Secretary of Employer, or to such other address as either party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
10.9 Withholding Taxes. Employer may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto
and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer and Employee have duly executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
EMPLOYER:
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY,
a Delaware Corporation
1000 Italian Way
Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024
By:_______________________________
Timothy S. Webster
President
EMPLOYEE:
__________________________________
Norman F. Abreo
Address:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
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EXHIBIT 10.9
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated September ___, 1997, is
made effective for all purposes and in all respects as of the Effective Date
(as defined below), by and between AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Employer"), and DAVID B. POTTER, an
individual (hereinafter referred to as "Employee") and supersedes any and all
prior oral or written agreements between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
RECITALS
A. Employer is engaged in the business of Durum wheat milling and pasta
production/marketing and maintains its principal place of business at 1000
Italian Way, Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024.
B. In connection with such business, Employer desires to continue to employ
Employee in the capacity of Senior Vice President.
C. Employee desires to continue to be employed by Employer in the aforesaid
capacity.
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the Recitals set forth above, which are incorporated
herein by this reference, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and based on the
mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof,
Employee's term of employment by Employer under this Agreement (the "Initial
Employment Term") shall commence on the date Employer's initial public offering
(the "Offering") of its Class A Convertible Preferred Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock") is consummated (the "Effective Date") and
terminate on the date that is three years after the Effective Date, provided,
however, that the term of Employee's employment shall be extended automatically
for successive one- year periods unless not later than six months prior to such
automatic extension Employer shall have given written notice to the contrary
(each an "Additional Term"). The period of time between the Effective Date and
the termination of the Initial Employment Term or the last Additional Term, if
any, is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
2. Duties of Employee.
2.1 In accepting such employment, Employee shall undertake and assume the
responsibility of performing for and on behalf of Employer such duties as shall
be assigned to Employee by Employer at any time and from time to time. It is
understood and agreed that Employee's principal duties on behalf of Employer at
the date of execution hereof are and shall
<PAGE> 2
be overall management of procurement functions; it is further understood and
agreed that any modification in or expansion of Employee's duties hereunder
shall not, unless specifically agreed to by Employee in a duly-executed
amendment of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.6 hereof, result in
any modification in, increase or decrease of, Employee's compensation referred
to in Section 3 hereof.
2.2 Employee will, at all times, faithfully, industriously, and to the
best of his ability, experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may
be required of and from Employee pursuant to the express and implicit terms
hereof, to the reasonable satisfaction of Employer.
2.3 Employee shall devote substantially all of his professional time,
attention, knowledge and skills solely to the business and interests of
Employer; provided, however, that Employee shall be entitled annually to a
vacation, in accordance with Employer's policies then in effect and Employer
shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits and other issues arising from
or incident to all professional work, services and advice of Employee.
3. Compensation. Employer shall pay Employee, and Employee shall accept from
Employer, in payment for Employee's services rendered to Employer hereunder an
annual base salary ("Base Salary") which from the Effective Date through
December 31, 1998 shall be equal to One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($125,000). Such Base Salary shall be subject to merit increase reviews, in
the sole discretion of the Board, at least annually by Employer. Such salary
shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments.
3.1 Bonuses. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will be eligible
to participate in, and bonuses may be awarded to Employee at the discretion of
the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of Employer's 1996 Salaried
Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be
amended, modified or terminated from time to time.
3.2 Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Reasonable travel, entertainment
and other business expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his
duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by Employer in accordance with Employer's
policies on terms no less favorable than those policies in effect immediately
prior to the date hereof.
3.3 Automobile Allowance. Employee shall be entitled to an annual
automobile allowance of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($4,800), payable
in monthly installments, to reimburse him for the expenses incurred by him in
maintaining and operating an automobile used by him in connection with the
performance of his duties hereunder.
3.4 Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in an equitable
manner with other senior executive employees of Employer in all welfare
benefit, incentive compensation or other plans or arrangements authorized,
adopted and maintained from time to time by Employer, including, without
limitation, the following: profit sharing plan, medical reimbursement plan,
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<PAGE> 3
group life insurance plan, medical and dental insurance plan, and long-term
disability income plan, if in effect with Employer. In addition, within six
months of the Effective Date, Employer shall adopt a group disability insurance
plan, pursuant to which Employer shall provide to Employee long-term disability
insurance at a cost to Employee not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of his
individual premiums payable under such plan. If Employer shall not have
adopted a group disability insurance plan within six months of the Effective
Date, Employer shall provide to Employee individual long-term disability
insurance on terms mutually agreeable to Employer and Employee at a cost to
Employee equal to fifty percent (50%) of the premiums payable under such
individual policy; provided Employer can maintain such a policy on the life of
Employee without any substantial increase in the standard premiums from those
as of the date hereof due to any "rating" of the Employee; and further provided
that if there is such a substantial increase, Employee shall have the right to
pay such increase personally and Employer would then maintain such insurance.
3.5 Grant of Stock Options. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
American Italian Pasta Company 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the
Stock Option Agreement, by and between Employer and Employee dated as of the
Effective Date, upon the Effective Date, Employer will grant to Employee an
option to purchase 33,726 shares of Common Stock. The option price will be
equal to the per share price at which the Common Stock is sold to the public in
the Offering.
4. Non-Competition.
4.1 Employee acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of
the business of Employer and its affiliates and accordingly agrees as follows:
during the Employment Term and until the date that is one year after the date
that Employee ceases employment with Employer (such term period hereinafter
referred to as the "Noncompetition Period"), Employee will not, within the
United States of America, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, be employed by or be connected in any manner with the ownership (other
than passive investments of not more than one percent of the outstanding shares
of, or any other equity interest in, any company or entity listed or traded on
a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter securities market),
management, operation, or control of any business engaged in the production
and/or marketing of dry pasta for human consumption. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Employee is employed by
Employer, any breach of the provisions of this Section 4.1 shall permit
Employer to terminate the employment of Employee for Cause (as defined below),
and, whether or not Employee is employed by Employer, from and after any breach
by Employee of the provisions of this Section 4.1, Employer shall cease to have
any obligations to make payments to Employee under this Agreement.
4.2 During the Noncompetition Period, Employee will not directly or
indirectly induce any employee of Employer or any of its affiliates to engage
in any activity in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1
above or to terminate his employment with Employer or any of its affiliates,
will not directly or indirectly assist others in engaging in any of the
activities in which Employee is prohibited from engaging by Section 4.1 above,
and will not
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<PAGE> 4
directly or indirectly employ or offer employment to any person who was
employed by Employer or any of its affiliates unless such person shall have
ceased to be employed by Employer or any of its affiliates for a period of at
least 12 months.
4.3 In addition to any payments Employer is required to make pursuant to
Section 7 hereof, Employer and Employee hereby agree that Employer may, in its
sole discretion, continue to pay to Employee his Base Salary during the
Noncompetition Period. During such period of continued payment, if any,
Employee agrees to be available, consistent with other responsibilities that he
may then have, to answer questions and provide advice to Employer.
5. Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that, in and as a result of his
employment by Employer, he has been and will be making use of, acquiring and/or
adding to confidential information of a special and unique nature and value
relating to such matters as Employer's trade secrets, systems, procedures,
manuals, confidential reports and lists of customers and/or other services
rendered by Employer, the equipment and methods used and preferred by
Employer's customers, and the prices paid by such customers. As a material
inducement to Employer to enter into this Agreement, and to pay to Employee the
compensation referred to in Section 3 hereof, including any additional benefits
referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, Employee covenants and agrees that he shall
not, at any time during or after the Employment Term, directly or indirectly,
disclose, divulge or use, for his own benefit or purposes or the benefit or
purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation or other business organization, entity or enterprise other than
Employer and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any trade secrets,
information, data, or other confidential information relating to customers,
development programs, costs, prices, marketing, trading, investment, sales
activities, promotion, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes,
financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of Employer generally, or
of any subsidiary or affiliate of Employer, provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not apply to information which is not unique to Employer or
which is generally known to the industry or the public other than as a result
of breach of this covenant. Employee agrees that upon termination of his
employment with Employer for any reason, he will return to Employer immediately
all memoranda, books, manuals, training materials, records, computer software,
papers, plans, information, letters and other data, and all copies thereof or
therefrom, in any way relating to the business of Employer and its affiliates,
except that he may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries. Employee
further agrees that he will not retain or use for his account at any time any
trade names, trademark or other proprietary business designation used or owned
in connection with the business of Employer or its affiliates.
6. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employer's
remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of
Section 4 or Section 5 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact,
Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in
addition to any remedies at law, Employer, without posting any bond, shall be
entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance,
temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other
equitable remedy which may then be available.
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<PAGE> 5
7. Termination of Employment
7.1 Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason.
7.1.1 General. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.1.2 and 7.1.3, if
Employee's employment is terminated by Employer without Cause, as defined in
Section 7.3, or if Employee resigns from his employment for Good Reason, as
defined in Section 7.4, Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid Base
Salary to the date of termination or resignation and any bonus earned but not
paid and shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i) his annual Base
Salary as of the date of termination or resignation plus his bonus, if any, for
the year in which such termination or resignation occurs (calculated as if the
Norm Bonus for that year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the
date of termination or resignation, or (ii) if such termination or resignation
occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the remaining portion of Employee's
Base Salary plus his bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination or
resignation occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned)
for the Initial Employment Term (such period, as applicable, being referred to
hereinafter as the "Severance Period"). The Base Salary shall be payable in
bi-weekly payments during the Severance Period and the bonus shall be payable
at the conclusion of the Severance Period. During the Severance Period,
Employee shall also be eligible to participate on the same terms and conditions
as in effect immediately prior to such termination or resignation in all
health, medical, supplemental medical and life insurance plans or programs
provided to Employee by Employer pursuant to Section 3.3 above ("Employee
Welfare Plans") at the time of such termination or resignation and which are
provided by Employer to its employees following the date of such termination or
resignation; provided, however, that Employee's eligibility to participate in
these Employee Welfare Plans shall end at such time as Employee becomes
eligible to receive coverage under comparable programs of a subsequent
employer. If, during the Severance Period, Employee is precluded from
participating in any Employee Welfare Plan by its terms or applicable law,
Employer will provide Employee with benefits that are reasonably equivalent to
those which Employee would have received under such plan had Employee been
eligible to participate therein. Anything to the contrary herein
notwithstanding, Employer shall have no obligation to continue to maintain any
Employee Welfare Plan during the Severance Period solely as a result of this
Agreement. As an example and solely for purposes of illustration: If Employer
were to terminate its dental insurance plan prior to or during the Severance
Period, then Employer would have no obligation to maintain such plan or provide
to Employee individual dental insurance in order to satisfy its obligations
under this Section 7.1.1.
7.1.2 Mitigation. Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment provided for in Section 7.1.1 by seeking other employment, and
the amount of any such payment will not be reduced by any compensation earned
by Employee as the result of his employment by another employer subsequent to
termination of Employee's employment with Employer.
7.1.3 Death During Severance Period. In the event of Employee's death
during the Severance Period, the Severance Period shall immediately cease,
Employer shall not
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<PAGE> 6
be obligated to make any further payments pursuant to this Section 7, and the
provisions of Section 8.1 shall apply as though Employee's death had occurred
immediately prior to termination of Employee's employment hereunder.
7.1.4 Date of Termination. The date of termination of employment without
Cause shall be the date specified in a written notice of termination to
Employee which in no case shall be more than 30 days following the date of
notice. The date of resignation for Good Reason shall be the date specified in
the written notice of resignation from Employee to Employer which in no case
shall be more than 30 days following the date of notice.
7.2 Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason.
7.2.1 General. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by
Employer for Cause, or if Employee resigns from his employment hereunder other
than for Good Reason (a "Voluntary Termination"), Employee shall be entitled
only to payment of his Base Salary earned through and including the date of
termination or resignation. Employee shall have no further right to receive
any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan, arrangement, or
benefit, after such termination for Cause or resignation of employment other
than for Good Reason.
7.2.2 Date of Termination. Subject to Section 7.3, the date of
termination for Cause shall be the date of receipt by Employee of a written
Notice of Termination provided for in Section 7.2.3. The date of resignation
without Good Reason shall be the date specified in the written notice of
resignation from Employee to Employer, or if no date is specified therein, 10
business days after receipt by Employer of written notice or resignation from
Employee.
7.3 Cause. Termination for "Cause" means termination of Employee's
employment because of (i) any willful and continued failure substantially to
perform his duties hereunder (other than as a result of Permanent Disability,
as defined below), (ii) Employee's failure to comply with any of the material
terms of this Agreement, (iii) an act or acts on Employee's part constituting a
felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (iv) breach by
Employee of any of the covenants contained in Sections 4 or 5 of this
Agreement, or (v) any other willful act or omission on Employee's part which is
materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries of affiliates; provided, however, that if
any such Cause relates to Employee's obligations under this Agreement and (x)
is susceptible to cure, and (y) does not constitute a repetition of such Cause,
Employer shall not terminate Employee's employment hereunder unless Employer
first gives Employee a Notice of Termination, and Employee has not, within 15
business days following receipt of the notice, cured such Cause, or in the
event such Cause is not susceptible to cure within such 15 business day period,
Employee has not taken all reasonable steps within such 15 business day period
to cure such Cause as promptly as practicable thereafter. For purposes of this
Section 7.3, no act or failure to act on the part of Employee shall be deemed
"willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in bad faith and
without reasonable belief that the act or omission of Employee was in the best
interest of Employer.
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<PAGE> 7
7.4 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means any
of the following actions taken by Employer without Employee's prior written
consent: (i) the continued failure of Employer to pay compensation due to
Employee under this Agreement, which failure is uncorrected for a period of 15
days following receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee;
(ii) a material diminution in Employee's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by Employer
promptly after receipt of written notice thereof given by Employee; provided,
however, that a mere change of Employee's title shall not constitute Good
Reason so long as Employee continues to perform duties, functions and
responsibilities substantially equivalent to those performed by him prior to
such change of title; (iii) relocation of Employee's primary workplace to a
location outside of the United States of America; and (iv) Employer's material
failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, which
failure or refusal to comply is uncorrected for a period of 15 days following
receipt by Employer of written notice thereof from Employee. It is expressly
understood and agreed by the parties hereto that Employer's failure to deliver
a notification extending the Initial Employment Term as referred to in Section
1 of this Agreement shall constitute a termination without Cause.
7.5 Stock Options. Employer has awarded to Employee a number of options
to acquire Common Shares under the Stock Option Agreements by and between
Employer and Employee dated July 15, 1994, July 1, 1995 and January 1, 1997
(the "Potter Option Agreements") which are subject to the American Italian
Pasta Company 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Employer desires to and
does hereby amend the Potter Option Agreements to waive Employer's rights under
(i) each option and Section 6(g)(ii) of the Plan to repurchase Employee's
vested Options following his termination of employment for any reason, other
than by the Employer for Cause or due to a Voluntary Termination, and (ii)
Section 6(h) of the Plan to repurchase all Common Shares acquired by Employee
upon exercise of options granted under the Plan before a Public Offering,
provided Employee was not terminated by Employer for Cause or due to a
Voluntary Termination, in which case Employer retains all rights to repurchase
the Common Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the
Plan, all of the stock options awarded to Employee under the Potter Option
Agreements and subsequent stock option grants immediately vest (i) upon a
termination by Employee for Good Reason, or (ii) upon a termination without
Cause within six months following a Change of Control (as defined below), at
and to the extent of Employee's choice.
8. Death or Permanent Disability.
8.1 Death. If Employee's employment hereunder is terminated by death,
Employer shall, within 90 days of the date of death, make (i) a lump sum
payment to Employee's estate (or other beneficiary designated by him in
writing) equal to all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, earned and accrued
through the date of death, and (ii) any other benefits payable under any
then-current life insurance policy provided to Employee pursuant to Section 3.3
hereof payable in accordance with the terms of such policy. Thereafter,
Employer shall have no further obligation to Employee under the Agreement.
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<PAGE> 8
8.2 Permanent Disability. In the event Employee shall become physically
or mentally disabled while employed by Employer under this Agreement so that
Employee is unable to render the services provided for by this Agreement for a
period of six consecutive months or for shorter periods aggregating six months
during any 24-month period, or so that Employee has a Disability (as defined
under Employer's then- current disability policy), Employer may, at any time
after the last day of the six consecutive months of disability, the day on
which the shorter periods of disability equal an aggregate of six months, or
the day on which Employee is determined to have a Disability, terminate
Employee's employment hereunder for "Permanent Disability" by written notice to
Employee. Following such termination, Employee shall be entitled to received
from Employer: (i) all Base Salary and bonuses, if any, accrued through the
date of termination; and (ii) any other benefits payable under Employer's
then-current disability policy, but all other rights of Employee hereunder
shall terminate as of the date of Employee's termination.
9. Change of Control.
9.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if Employer
terminates Employee without Cause upon or within six months following a Change
of Control (as defined below), Employer shall pay Employee his accrued unpaid
Base Salary to the date of termination and any bonus earned but not paid and
shall continue to pay Employee the greater of (i): his annual Base Salary as
of the date such termination occurs (calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that
year is earned) for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination,
or (ii) if such termination occurs during the Initial Employment Term, the
remaining portion of Employee's Base Salary plus his bonus for the Initial
Employment Term, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs
(calculated as if the Norm Bonus for that year is earned), as severance pay
(such period, as applicable, being referred to hereinafter as the "Change of
Control Severance Period"). Any severance payable pursuant to this Section 9.1
will be in substitution for and not in addition to any severance that might be
payable pursuant to Article 7 hereof. To the extent Employer makes payments
pursuant to this Section 9.1, it will have no additional obligations under
Article 7. The Base Salary shall be payable in bi-weekly payments during the
Change of Control Severance Period and the bonus shall be paid at the
conclusion of the Change of Control Severance Period.
9.2 For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" means any one of
the following:
(a) any person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) (other than MS
Shareholders (as defined in Employer's Amended and Restated Shareholders'
Agreement dated as of September ___, 1997) or any group consisting solely of
such persons) acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 50% of Employer's
then outstanding Common Stock or 51% or more of the combined voting power of
the Employer's then outstanding securities entitled generally to vote for the
election of the Employer's Directors;
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<PAGE> 9
(b) the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Employer with
any other corporation, other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary, the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Employer, or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Employer, unless, in the case of a merger or consolidation,
(x) the Directors in office immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
will constitute at least majority of the Board of Directors of the surviving
corporation of such merger or consolidation and any parent (as such term is
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such corporation, or (y) the
voting securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior thereto
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than 66 2/3% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Employer or such surviving entity and are
owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the holders of the
voting securities of the Employer immediately prior to the transaction in
substantially the same proportions as such holders owned such voting securities
immediately prior to the transaction; or
(c) Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constitute at least
a majority of the Board or a similar body of any successor to the Employer.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Continuing Directors" means any individual who
either (i) is a member of the Employer's Board of Directors on the Effective
Date, (ii) who becomes a director after the Effective Date whose election or
nomination for election by Employer's shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the Continuing Directors (either by a specific vote or
by approval of the proxy statement of Employer in which such person is named as
nominee for director, without objection to such nomination), or (iii) is
designated by any party pursuant to its rights under Section 2.1 of the Amended
and Restated Shareholders' Agreement.
9.3 Excess Parachute Payments. If any payment or the receipt of any
benefit under this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an "excess parachute
payment" as such term is described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so as to result in the loss of a deduction to
the Employer under Code Section 280G or in the imposition of an excise tax on
the Employee under Code Section 4999, or any successor sections thereto, then
the amounts payable or the benefits provided under this Agreement shall be
reduced to the minimum extent necessary so that no such deduction will be lost
by the Employer and no such excise tax will be imposed on the Employee. The
Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether or not an "excess
parachute payment" would otherwise occur and shall determine the amount and
method of the foregoing reduction.
10. Miscellaneous.
10.1 Assignment of Employee Benefits. Absent the prior written consent of
Employer, and subject to will and the laws of descent and distribution,
Employee shall have no right to exchange, convert, encumber, or dispose of the
rights of Employee to receive benefits and payments under this Agreement, which
payments, benefits, and rights thereto are non-assignable and non-transferable.
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10.2 Burden and Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, Employer and Employee, their respective heirs,
personal and legal representatives, successors and assigns.
10.3 Governing Law. In view of the fact that the principal office of
Employer is located in the State of Missouri, it is understood and agreed that
the construction and interpretation of this Agreement shall at all times and in
all respects be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
10.4 Severability. It is expressly understood and agreed that although
Employee and Employer consider the restrictions contained in this Agreement to
be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction
contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against Employee,
the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed
amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum
extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.
Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any
restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction
cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect
the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.
10.5 Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are for
reference only and not to limit, expand, or otherwise affect the contents of
this Agreement.
10.6 Entire Agreement; Modification. Except as to the Employer's Stock
Option Plans, any instrument relating to an Option granted thereunder and
written agreements signed by both of the parties hereto from time to time after
the date hereof, this Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding
by and between Employer and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and any representations, promises, agreements, or understandings, written or
oral, not herein contained shall be of no force or effect. No change, waiver
or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid or binding
unless the same is in writing and duly executed by both parties and no evidence
of any waiver or modification shall be offered or received in evidence of any
proceeding, arbitration, or litigation between the parties hereto arising out
of or affecting this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of the parties
hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing, duly executed as
aforesaid, and the parties further agree that the provisions of this Section
10.6 may not be waived except as set forth herein.
10.7 Waiver of Breach. The waiver by Employer of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement by Employee shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by Employee.
10.8 Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth on the execution page
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of this Agreement, provided, however, that all notices to Employer shall be
directed to the attention of the Board of Directors of Employer with a copy to
the Secretary of Employer, or to such other address as either party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
10.9 Withholding Taxes. Employer may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto
and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer and Employee have duly executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.
EMPLOYER:
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY,
a Delaware Corporation
1000 Italian Way
Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024
By:_________________________________
Timothy S. Webster
President
EMPLOYEE:
____________________________________
David B. Potter
Address:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.14
American Italian Pasta Company
1997 Equity Incentive Plan
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Article 1. Establishment, Effective Date, Objectives, and Duration....... 1
Article 2. Definitions................................................... 1
Article 3. Administration................................................ 6
Article 4. Shares Subject to the Plan and Maximum Awards................. 7
Article 5. Eligibility and General Conditions of Awards.................. 8
Article 6. Stock Options.................................................10
Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights.....................................14
Article 8. Restricted Shares.............................................15
Article 9. Performance Units and Performance Shares......................16
Article 10. Bonus Shares.................................................18
Article 11. Beneficiary Designation......................................18
Article 12. Deferrals....................................................18
Article 13. Rights of Employees/Directors................................18
Article 14. Change in Control............................................18
Article 15. Amendment, Modification, and Termination.....................19
Article 16. Withholding..................................................20
Article 17. Successors...................................................21
Article 18. Additional Provisions........................................21
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT, EFFECTIVE DATE, OBJECTIVES, AND DURATION
1.1 Establishment of the Plan. American Italian Pasta Company, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby establishes an incentive
compensation plan to be known as the "American Italian Pasta Company 1997
Equity Incentive Plan" (the "Plan"). The Plan has been adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") and the stockholders of the Company.
The Plan shall be effective as of September __, 1997 (the "Effective Date").
1.2 Objectives of the Plan. The Plan is intended to allow selected
employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries to
acquire or increase equity ownership in the Company, thereby strengthening their
commitment to the success of the Company and stimulating their efforts on behalf
of the Company, and to assist the Company and its Subsidiaries in attracting new
employees, directors and consultants and retaining existing employees,
directors, and consultants. The Plan is also intended to optimize the
profitability and growth of the Company through incentives which are consistent
with the Company's goals; to provide employees and directors with an incentive
for excellence in individual performance; and to promote teamwork among
employees, directors, and consultants.
1.3 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the Effective
Date and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article 15 hereof, until all Shares
subject to it shall have been purchased or acquired according to the Plan's
provisions. However, in no event may an Incentive Stock Option be granted
under the Plan on or after the date 10 years following the earlier of (i) the
date the Plan was adopted and (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the
stockholders of the Company.
ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
2.1 "Article" an Article of the Plan.
2.2 "Award" means Options (including Incentive Stock Options), Restricted
Shares, Bonus Shares, stock appreciation rights (SARs), performance units or
performance shares granted under the Plan.
2.3 "Award Agreement" means the written agreement by which an Award shall
be evidenced.
2.4 "Board" -- see Section 1.1.
2.5 "Bonus Shares" means Shares that are awarded to a Grantee without
cost and without restrictions in recognition of past performance (whether
determined by reference to another
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employee benefit plan of the Company or otherwise) or as an incentive to
become an employee, director or consultant of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.6 "Cause" means, unless otherwise defined in any Employment Agreement or
Award Agreement, any one or more of the following:
(A) a Grantee's commission of a crime which, in the judgment of the
Committee, is likely to result in injury to the Company or a Subsidiary;
(B) the material violation by the Grantee of written policies of the
Company or a Subsidiary;
(C) the habitual neglect by the Grantee in the performance of his or
her duties to the Company or a Subsidiary;
(D) action or inaction by the Grantee in connection with his or her
duties to the Company or a Subsidiary resulting, in the judgment of the
Committee, in a material injury to the Company or a Subsidiary;
(E) the rendering of services by the Grantee for any organization or
engaging directly or indirectly in any business which is or becomes
competitive with the Company or a Subsidiary or which organization or
business, or the rendering of services to such organization or business, is
or becomes otherwise prejudicial to or in conflict with the interests of
the Company or a Subsidiary;
(F) any attempt by the Grantee directly or indirectly to induce any
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary to be employed or perform services
elsewhere or any attempt directly or indirectly to solicit (other than for
the account of the Company or a Subsidiary) the trade or business of any
current or prospective customer, supplier, or partner of the Company or a
Subsidiary; or
(G) any other conduct or act determined by the Committee to be
injurious, detrimental, or prejudicial to any interest of the Company or a
Subsidiary.
2.7 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, and regulations and rulings thereunder. References to a particular
section of the Code include references to successor provisions.
2.8 "Committee" has the meaning set forth in Article 3.
2.9 "Common Stock" means the Class A Convertible Common Stock, $.001 par
value, of the Company.
2.10 "Company" -- see Section 1.1.
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2.11 "Covered Employee" means a Grantee who, as of the date of the value
of an Award is recognizable as income, is one of the group of "covered
employees," within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).
2.12 "Disability" means, unless otherwise defined in an Employment
Agreement or Award Agreement, for purposes of the exercise of an Incentive
Stock Option after Termination of Affiliation, a disability within the meaning
of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and for all other purposes, a mental or
physical condition which, in the judgment of the Committee, renders a Grantee
unable to perform any of the principal job responsibilities which such Grantee
held or the tasks to which such Grantee was assigned at the time the disability
was incurred, and which condition is expected to be permanent or for an
indefinite duration exceeding two years.
2.13 "Disqualifying Disposition" -- see Section 6.4.
2.13 "Effective Date" -- see Section 1.1.
2.14 "Eligible Person" means (i) any employee (including any officer) of
the Company or any Subsidiary, including any such employee who is on an approved
leave of absence, layoff, or has been subject to a disability which does not
qualify as a Disability; (ii) any director of the Company or any Subsidiary;
and (iii) any person performing services for the Company or a Subsidiary in
the capacity of a consultant.
2.15 "Employment Agreement" means, with respect to any Grantee, any
employment agreement by and between the Company and such Grantee.
2.16 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time. References to a particular section of the Exchange Act
include references to successor provisions.
2.17 "Fair Market Value" means (A) with respect to any property other than
Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or
procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee, and (B)
with respect to Shares, unless otherwise determined in the good faith
discretion of the Committee, as of any date, (i) the closing price on the date
of determination on the New York Stock Exchange (or, if no sale of Shares was
reported for such date, on the next preceding date on which a sale of Shares
was reported), (ii) if the Shares are not listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, the closing price of the Shares on such other national exchange on
which the Shares are principally traded or as reported by the National Market
System, or similar organization, or if no such quotations are available, the
average of the high bid and low asked quotations in the over-the-counter market
as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated or similar
organizations; or (iii) in the event that there shall be no public market for
the Shares, the fair market value of the Shares as determined (which
determination shall be conclusive) in good faith by the Committee, based upon
the value of the Company as a going concern, as if such Shares were publicly
owned stock, but without any discount with respect to minority ownership.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Fair Market
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Value for Awards made on the effective date of the initial public offering of
the Company shall mean the price to the public pursuant to the form of final
prospectus used in connection with the initial public offering, as indicated
on the cover page of such prospectus or otherwise.
2.18 "Freestanding SAR" means an SAR that is granted independently of
any other Award.
2.19 "Grant Date" -- see Section 5.2.
2.20 "Grantee" means an individual who has been granted an Award.
2.21 "Incentive Stock Option" means an option granted under Article 6 of
the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or
any successor provisions thereto.
2.22 "including" or "includes" means "including, without limitation," or
"includes, without limitation", respectively.
2.23 "Mature Shares" means Shares for which the holder thereof has good
title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, and which such holder
either (i) has held for at least six months or (ii) has purchased on the open
market.
2.24 "Minimum Consideration" means $.001 per Share or such other amount
that is from time to time considered to be capital for purposes of Section 154
of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
2.25 "Option" means an option granted under Article 6 of the Plan.
2.26 "Option Price" means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a
Grantee pursuant to an Option.
2.27 "Option Term" means the period beginning on the Grant Date of an
Option and ending on the expiration date of such Option, as specified in the
Award Agreement for such Option and as may, in the discretion of the Committee
and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, be extended from time to time
prior to the expiration date of such Option then in effect.
2.28 "Performance-Based Exception" means the performance-based exception
from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).
2.29 "Performance Period" -- see Section 9.2.
2.30 "Period of Restriction" means the period during which the transfer of
Restricted Shares is limited in some way (the length of the period being based
on the passage of time, the
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achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as
determined by the Committee, in its discretion), and the Shares are subject to
a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Article 8.
2.31 "Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof,
including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
2.32 "Plan" -- see the introductory paragraph.
2.33 "Reload Option" -- see Section 6.5.
2.34 "Required Withholding" -- see Article 16.
2.35 "Restricted Shares" means Shares that are subject to forfeiture if
the Grantee does not satisfy the conditions specified in the Award Agreement
applicable to such Shares.
2.36 "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the
Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, together with any successor rule,
as in effect from time to time.
2.37 "Retirement" means for any Grantee who is an employee, a
Termination of Affiliation by the Grantee upon attaining age 65 with at least
five years of service as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.38 "SAR" means a stock appreciation right.
2.39 "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
or any successor thereto.
2.40 "Section" means, unless the context otherwise requires, a Section of
the Plan.
2.41 "Share" means a share of Common Stock.
2.42 "Strike Price" of any SAR shall equal, for any Tandem SAR that is
identified with an option, the Option Price of such option, or for any other
SAR, 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date of such SAR;
provided that the Committee may specify a higher Strike Price in the Award
Agreement.
2.43 "Subsidiary" means, for purposes of grants of Incentive Stock
Options, a corporation as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (with the
Company being treated as the employer corporation for purposes of this
definition) and, for all other purposes, a United States or foreign
corporation with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly,
50% or more of the then-outstanding common stock.
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2.44 "Tandem SAR" means an SAR that is granted in connection with a
related Award, the exercise of which shall require cancellation of the right to
purchase a Share under the related Award (and when a Share is purchased under
the related Award, the Tandem SAR shall similarly be canceled).
2.45 "Termination of Affiliation" occurs on the first day on which an
individual is for any reason no longer providing services to the Company or any
Subsidiary in the capacity of an employee, director or consultant, or with
respect to an individual who is an employee or director of, or consultant to, a
Subsidiary, the first day on which the Company no longer owns, directly or
indirectly, voting securities possessing at least 50% of the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of such Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 3. ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Committee. Subject to Article 15, and to Section 3.2, the Plan shall
be administered by the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board to
administer the Plan. Any references herein to "Committee" are references to
the Board, or a committee established by the Board, as applicable. To the
extent the Board considers it desirable to comply with or qualify under Rule
16b-3 or meet the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall consist of
two or more directors of the Company, all of whom qualify as "outside directors
"as defined for purposes of the regulations under Code Section 162(m) and "non-
employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. The number of members of
the Committee shall from time to time be increased or decreased, and shall be
subject to such conditions, in each case as the Board deems appropriate to
permit transactions in Shares pursuant to the Plan to satisfy such conditions
of Rule 16b-3 as then in effect.
3.2 Powers of Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the
Plan, the Committee has full and final authority and sole discretion as follows:
(i) to determine when, to whom and in what types and amounts Awards should
be granted and the terms and conditions applicable to each Award, including the
benefit payable under any SAR, performance unit or performance share, and
whether or not specific Awards shall be granted in connection with other
specific Awards, and if so whether they shall be exercisable cumulatively with,
or alternatively to, such other specific Awards;
(ii) to determine the amount, if any, that a Grantee shall pay for
Restricted Shares, whether to permit or require the payment of cash dividends
thereon to be deferred and the terms related thereto, when Restricted Shares
(including Restricted Shares acquired upon the exercise of an option) shall be
forfeited and whether such shares shall be held in escrow;
(iii) to construe and interpret the Plan and to make all determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;
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(iv) to make, amend, and rescind rules relating to the Plan, including
rules with respect to the exercisability and nonforfeitability of Awards upon
the Termination of Affiliation of a Grantee;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions of all Award Agreements (which
need not be identical) and, with the consent of the Grantee, to amend any such
Award Agreement at any time, among other things, to permit transfers of such
Awards to the extent permitted by the Plan; provided that the consent of the
Grantee shall not be required for any amendment which (A) does not adversely
affect the rights of the Grantee, or (B) is necessary or advisable (as
determined by the Committee) to carry out the purpose of the Award as a result
of any new or change in existing applicable law;
(vi) to cancel, with the consent of the Grantee, outstanding Awards and to
grant new Awards in substitution therefor;
(vii) to accelerate the exercisability (including exercisability within a
period of less than six months after the Grant Date) of, and to accelerate or
waive any or all of the terms and conditions applicable to, any Award or any
group of Awards for any reason and at any time, including in connection with a
Termination of Affiliation (other than for Cause);
(viii) subject to Sections 1.3 and 5.3, to extend the time during which any
Award or group of Awards may be exercised;
(ix) to make such adjustments or modifications to Awards to Grantees
working outside the United States as are advisable to fulfill the purposes of
the Plan;
(x) to impose such additional terms and conditions upon the grant,
exercise or retention of Awards as the Committee may, before or concurrently
with the grant thereof, deem appropriate, including limiting the percentage of
Awards which may from time to time be exercised by a Grantee; and
(xi) to take any other action with respect to any matters relating to the
Plan for which it is responsible.
The determination of the Committee on all matters relating to the Plan or
any Award Agreement shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons. No
member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in
good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.
ARTICLE 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND MAXIMUM AWARDS
4.1 Number of Shares Available for Grants. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, the number of Shares hereby reserved for issuance under
the Plan shall be 2,000,000. If any Shares subject to an Award granted
hereunder are forfeited or such Award otherwise
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terminates without the issuance of such Shares or of other consideration in
lieu of such Shares, the Shares subject to such Award, to the extent of any
such forfeiture or termination shall again be available for grant under the
Plan. The Committee shall from time to time determine the appropriate
methodology for calculating the number of shares issued pursuant to the Plan.
Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be treasury shares or newly-issued
Shares.
(a) Options: The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be
granted in the form of options, pursuant to any Award granted in any
one calendar year to any one Grantee shall be 500,000.
(b) SARs: The maximum aggregate number of SARs available under the
Plan shall be 500,000, and the maximum aggregate number of SARs that
may be granted in any one calendar year to any one Grantee shall be
500,000.
(c) Restricted Shares: The maximum aggregate number of Shares that
may be granted as Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be 500,000,
and the maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted
Shares granted in any one calendar year to any one Grantee shall be
500,000.
(d) Bonus Shares: The maximum number of Shares that may be granted
as Bonus Shares under the Plan shall be 500,000.
(e) Performance Shares/Performance Units: The maximum aggregate
payout (determined as of the end of the applicable performance period)
with respect to Awards of performance shares or performance units
granted in any one calendar year to any one Grantee shall be equal to
the value of 250,000 Shares.
4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event that the Committee
determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of
cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock
split, reverse stock split, subdivision, consolidation or reduction of capital,
reorganization, merger, scheme of arrangement, split-up, spin-off or
combination involving the Company or repurchase or exchange of Shares or other
rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar
corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that any adjustment is
determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem
equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other
securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the
number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to
outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any
Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the
holder of an outstanding Award; provided, in each case that with respect to
Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment shall be authorized to the
extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of
the Code or any successor provision thereto; and provided further, that the
number of Shares subject to any Award denominated in Shares shall always be a
whole number.
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ARTICLE 5. ELIGIBILITY AND GENERAL CONDITIONS OF AWARDS
5.1 Eligibility. The Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to any
Eligible Person, whether or not he or she has previously received an Award.
5.2 Grant Date. The Grant Date of an Award shall be the date on which the
Committee grants the Award or such later date as specified in advance by the
Committee.
5.3 Maximum Term. Any provision of the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Option Term or other period during which an Award may be
outstanding shall under no circumstances extend more than 10 years after the
Grant Date, and shall be subject to earlier termination as herein provided.
5.4 Award Agreement. To the extent not set forth in the Plan, the terms
and conditions of each Award (which need not be the same for each grant or for
each Grantee) shall be set forth in an Award Agreement.
5.5 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such
restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an
Award as it may deem advisable, including restrictions under applicable federal
securities laws.
5.6 Termination of Affiliation. Each Grantee's Award Agreement shall set
forth the extent to which the Grantee shall have the right to exercise the
option following Termination of Affiliation. Such provisions shall be
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the
Award Agreement, need not be uniform among all options granted under the Plan,
and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for Termination of
Affiliation.
5.7 Nontransferability of Awards.
(a) Each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable only
by the Grantee during the Grantee's lifetime, or, if permissible under
applicable law, by the Grantee's guardian or legal representative or by a
transferee receiving such Award pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
order (a "QDRO") as defined in the Code or Title I of the U.S. Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), or the rule thereunder, or
any analogous order in any other relevant jurisdiction.
(b) No Award (prior to the time, if applicable, Shares are issued in
respect of such Award), and no right under any Award, may be assigned,
alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a
Grantee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution (or in
the case of Restricted Shares, to the Company) or pursuant to a QDRO, and any
such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or
encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided, that the designation of a beneficiary shall not
constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or
encumbrance.
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5.8 Cancellation and Rescission of Awards.
(a) Unless the Award Agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may
cancel, rescind, suspend, withhold, or otherwise limit or restrict any
unexercised Award at any time if the Grantee is not in compliance with
all applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan or if
the Grantee has a Termination of Affiliation for Cause.
(b) Upon exercise, payment, or delivery pursuant to an option, the
Grantee shall certify in a manner acceptable to the Company that he or
she is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. In
the event a Grantee fails to comply with the provisions of this
Section 5.8 prior to, or during the six months after, any exercise,
payment, or delivery pursuant to an Award, such exercise, payment, or
delivery may be rescinded by the Company within two years thereafter.
In the event of any such rescission, the Grantee shall pay to the
Company the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a
result of the rescinded exercise, payment, or delivery in such manner
and on such terms and conditions as may be required, and the Company
shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any
amount owed to the Grantee by the Company.
5.9 Loans and Guarantees. The Committee may in its discretion allow a
Grantee to defer payment to the Company of all or any portion of (i) the Option
Price of an option, (ii) the purchase price of Restricted Shares, or (iii)
subject to applicable law, any taxes associated with the exercise,
nonforfeitability of, or payment of benefits in connection with, an Award, or
cause the Company to guarantee a loan from a third party to the Grantee, in an
amount equal to all or any portion of such Option Price, or any related taxes.
Any such payment deferral or guarantee by the Company shall be on such terms
and conditions as the Committee may determine.
ARTICLE 6. STOCK OPTIONS
6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan,
Options may be granted to any Eligible Person in such number, and upon such
terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the
Committee.
6.2 Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the Option Term, the number of
shares to which the Option pertains, the time or times at which such Option
shall be exercisable and such other provisions as the Committee shall
determine.
6.3 Option Price. The Option Price of an option under this Plan shall be
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, but shall be at least equal
to 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.
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6.4 Grant of Incentive Stock Options. At the time of the grant of any
Option, the Committee may in its discretion designate that such Option shall be
made subject to additional restrictions to permit it to qualify as an
"incentive stock option" under the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Any
Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option:
(i) shall, if granted to a 10% Owner, have an Option Price not less than
110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on its Grant Date;
(ii) shall be for a period of not more than 10 years (five years in the
case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% Owner) from its Grant Date,
and shall be subject to earlier termination as provided herein or in the
applicable Award Agreement;
(iii) shall not have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the Grant Date
of each Incentive Stock Option) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options (whether granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan
of the Grantee's employer or any parent or Subsidiary thereof ("Other Plans"))
are exercisable for the first time by such Grantee during any calendar year,
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, which
exceeds $100,000 (the "$100,000 Limit");
(iv) shall, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares (determined
on the Grant Date) with respect to the portion of such grant which is
exercisable for the first time during any calendar year ("Current Grant") and
all Incentive Stock Options previously granted under the Plan and any Other
Plans which are exercisable for the first time during a calendar year ("Prior
Grants") would exceed the $100,000 Limit, be exercisable as follows:
(A) the portion of the Current Grant which would, when added to any
Prior Grants, be exercisable with respect to Shares which would have an
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the respective Grant Date for
such options) in excess of the $100,000 Limit shall, notwithstanding the
terms of the Current Grant, be exercisable for the first time by the Grantee
in the first subsequent calendar year or years in which it could be
exercisable for the first time by the Grantee when added to all Prior Grants
without exceeding the $100,000 Limit; and
(B) if, viewed as of the date of the Current Grant, any portion of a
Current Grant could not be exercised under the preceding provisions of this
Section during any calendar year commencing with the calendar year in which
it is first exercisable through and including the last calendar year in
which it may by its terms be exercised, such portion of the Current Grant
shall not be an Incentive Stock Option, but shall be exercisable as a
separate option at such date or dates as are provided in the Current Grant;
(v) shall be granted within 10 years from the earlier of the date the
Plan is adopted or the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the
Company;
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(vi) shall require the Grantee to notify the Committee of any
disposition of any Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Incentive Stock
Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating
to certain disqualifying dispositions) (any such circumstance, a "Disqualifying
Disposition"), within 10 days of such Disqualifying Disposition; and
(vii) shall by its terms not be assignable or transferable other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during the
Grantee's lifetime, only by the Grantee; provided, however, that the Grantee
may, to the extent provided in the Plan in any manner specified by the
Committee, designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise his or her Incentive
Stock Option after the Grantee's death.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, without the consent of
the Grantee, at any time before the exercise of an option (whether or not an
Incentive Stock Option), take any action necessary to prevent such option from
being treated as an Incentive Stock Option.
6.5 Grant of Reload Options. The Committee may in connection with the
grant of an option or thereafter provide that a Grantee who (i) is an Eligible
Person when he or she exercises an Option, (ii) exercises such option for Shares
which have a Fair Market Value equal to not less than 120% of the Option Price
for such option ("Exercised Option") and (iii) satisfies the Option Price or
Required Withholding applicable thereto with Shares shall automatically be
granted, subject to Article 3, an additional option ("Reload Option") in an
amount equal to the sum ("Reload Number") of the number of Shares tendered to
exercise the Exercised Option plus, if so provided by the Committee, the number
of Shares, if any, retained by the Company in connection with the exercise of
the Exercised Option to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding
requirements; provided that no Reload Option shall be granted in connection with
the exercise of an Option that has been transferred by the initial Grantee
thereof.
6.6 Conditions on Reload Options. Reload Options shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions:
(a) the Grant Date for each Reload Option shall be the date of exercise
of the Exercised Option to which it relates;
(b) subject to Article 5, the Reload Option may be exercised at any time
during the Option Term of the Exercised Option (subject to earlier termination
thereof as provided in the Plan or in the applicable Award Agreement); and
(c) the terms of the Reload Option shall be the same as the terms of the
Exercised Option to which it relates, except that the Option Price for the
Reload Option shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant
Date of the Reload Option.
6.7 Payment. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by
the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the
number of Shares with respect to
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which the option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares
made by any one or more of the following means subject to the approval of the
Committee:
(A) cash, personal check or wire transfer;
(B) Mature Shares, valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise;
(C) with the approval of the Committee, Restricted Shares held by the
Grantee for at least six months prior to the exercise of the option, each
such share valued at the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of
exercise;
(D) subject to applicable law, pursuant to procedures previously
approved by the Company, through the sale of the Shares acquired on
exercise of the Option through a broker-dealer to whom the Grantee has
submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to
deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds
sufficient to pay for such Shares, together with, if requested by the
Company, the amount of federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes
payable by Grantee by reason of such exercise; or
(E) in the discretion of the Committee, payment may also be made in
accordance with Section 5.9.
The Committee may in its discretion specify that, if any Restricted Shares
("Tendered Restricted Shares") are used to pay the Option Price, (x) all the
Shares acquired on exercise of the option shall be subject to the same
restrictions as the Tendered Restricted Shares, determined as of the date of
exercise of the option, or (y) a number of Shares acquired on exercise of the
option equal to the number of Tendered Restricted Shares shall be subject to
the same restrictions as the Tendered Restricted Shares, determined as of the
date of exercise of the option.
ARTICLE 7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1 Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan,
SARs may be granted to any Eligible Person at any time and from time to time as
shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may grant Freestanding
SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination thereof.
Except as provided in Section 7.2, the Committee shall have complete
discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Grantee (subject
to Article 4), the Strike Price thereof, and, consistent with the provisions of
the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.
7.2 Exercise of Tandem SAR. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or
part of the Shares subject to the related Award upon the surrender of the right
to exercise the equivalent
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<PAGE> 16
portion of the related Award. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect
to the Shares for which its related Award is then exercisable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, with
respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with a related option; (i) the
Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying option;
(ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more
than 100% of the difference between the Option Price of the underlying option
and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying option at the
time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be exercised
only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the option exceeds the
Option Price of the option.
7.3 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of an SAR, the Grantee shall be
entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by
multiplying:
(a) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of
exercise over the Strike Price;
by
(b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised;
provided that the Committee may provide that the Committee may provide that the
benefit payable on exercise of any SAR shall not exceed such percentage of the
Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date as the Committee shall specify.
At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in
cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof, as set
forth in the Award Agreement.
ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED SHARES
8.1 Grant of Restricted Shares. Subject to the terms and provisions of the
Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted
Shares to any Eligible Person in such amounts as the Committee shall determine.
8.2 Award Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares shall be evidenced
by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, the
number of Restricted Shares granted, and such other provisions as the Committee
shall determine. Subject to Article 11, the Committee shall impose such other
conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the
Plan as it may deem advisable, including restrictions based upon the achievement
of specific performance goals (Company-wide, divisional, and/or individual),
time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance
goals, and/or restrictions under applicable securities laws.
8.3 Other Restrictions. The Committee shall determine the amount, if any,
that a Grantee shall pay for Restricted Shares, subject to the following
sentence. Except with respect to Restricted Shares that are treasury shares,
for which no payment need be required, the
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<PAGE> 17
Committee shall require the Grantee to pay at least the Minimum Consideration
for each Restricted Share. Such payment shall be made in full by the Grantee
before the delivery of the shares and in any event no later than 10 business
days after the Grant Date for such shares.
8.4 Effect of Forfeiture. If Restricted Shares are forfeited, then if the
Grantee was required to pay for such shares or acquired such Restricted Shares
upon the exercise of an option, the Grantee shall be deemed to have resold such
Restricted Shares to the Company at a price equal to the lesser of (x) the
amount paid by the Grantee for such Restricted Shares, or (y) the Fair Market
Value of a Share on the date of such forfeiture. The Company shall pay to the
Grantee the required amount as soon as is administratively practical. Such
Restricted Shares shall cease to be outstanding, and shall no longer confer on
the Grantee thereof any rights as a stockholder of the Company, from and after
the date of the event causing the forfeiture, whether or not the Grantee
accepts the Company's tender of payment for such Restricted Shares.
8.5 Escrow; Legends. The Committee may provide that the certificates for
any Restricted Shares (x) shall be held (together with a stock power executed
in blank by the Grantee) in escrow by the Secretary of the Company until such
Restricted Shares become nonforfeitable or are forfeited or (y) shall bear an
appropriate legend restricting the transfer of such Restricted Shares. If any
Restricted Shares become nonforfeitable, the Company shall cause certificates
for such shares to be issued without such legend.
8.6 Termination of Affiliation. Each Restricted Shares Award Agreement
shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to
receive unvested Restricted Shares following his or her Termination of
Affiliation. Such provision shall be determined in the sole discretion of the
Board, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each
Participant, need not be uniform among all Restricted Shares issued pursuant to
the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.
ARTICLE 9. PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES
9.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the terms of the Plan,
performance units or performance shares may be granted to any Eligible Person
in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as
shall be determined by the Committee.
9.2 Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each performance unit shall have an
initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each
performance share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of
a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its
discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine
the number or value of performance units or performance shares, as applicable,
that will be paid out to the Grantee. For purposes of this Article 9, the time
period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called a
"Performance Period."
9.3 Earning of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the terms of this
Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of
performance units or performance shares
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<PAGE> 18
shall be entitled to receive payout on the number and value of performance
units or performance shares earned by the Grantee over the Performance Period,
to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding
performance goals have been achieved.
If a Grantee is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business
unit of the Company during a Performance Period, then, to the extent the
Committee determines the performance goals or Performance Period are no longer
appropriate, the Committee may adjust, change or eliminate the performance
goals or the applicable Performance Period as it deems appropriate in order to
make them appropriate and comparable to the initial performance goals or
Performance Period.
9.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of
earned performance units or performance shares shall be made in a lump sum
following the close of the applicable Performance Period. Subject to the
terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned
performance units or performance shares in the form of cash or in Shares (or
in a combination thereof) which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to
the value of the earned performance units or performance shares at the close
of the applicable Performance Period. Such Shares may be granted subject to
any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The form of payout of
such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant
of the Award.
At the discretion of the Committee, a Grantee may be entitled to receive
any dividends declared with respect to Shares which have been earned in
connection with grants of performance units or performance shares which have
been earned, but not yet distributed to the Grantee. In addition, a Grantee
may, at the discretion of the Committee, be entitled to exercise his or her
voting rights with respect to such Shares.
9.5 Performance Measures. Unless and until the Committee proposes for
stockholder vote and stockholders approve a change in the general performance
measures set forth in this Article 9, the attainment of which may determine the
degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to Awards designed to qualify for
the Performance-Based Exception, the performance measure(s) to be used for
purposes of such Awards shall be chosen from among the following:
(a) Earnings (either in the aggregate or on a per-share basis);
(b) Net income (before or after taxes);
(c) Operating income;
(d) Cash flow;
(e) Return measures (including return on assets, equity, or sales);
(f) Earnings before or after taxes, and before or after depreciation
and amortization;
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<PAGE> 19
(g) Gross revenues;
(h) Share price (including growth measures and total stockholder
return or attainment by the Shares of a specified value for a
specified period of time);
(i) Reductions in expense levels in each case where applicable
determined either in a Company-wide basis or in respect of any
one or more business units;
(l) Net economic value; or
(m) Market share.
The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determinations of
the degree of attainment of the preestablished performance goals; provided,
however, that Awards which are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based
Exception, may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the
discretion to adjust such Awards downward).
In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit
Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without
obtaining stockholder approval of such changes, and still qualify for the
Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make
such changes without obtaining stockholder approval.
ARTICLE 10. BONUS SHARES.
10.1 Grant of Bonus Shares. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the
Committee may grant Bonus Shares to any Eligible Person, in such amount and upon
such terms and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the
Committee. The terms of such Bonus Shares shall be set forth in the form of the
Award Agreement.
ARTICLE 11. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
Each Grantee under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary
or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any
benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or
she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke
all prior designations by the same Grantee, shall be in a form prescribed by
the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Grantee in writing
with the Company during the Grantee's lifetime. In the absence of any such
designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Grantee's death shall be paid to
the Grantee's estate.
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<PAGE> 20
ARTICLE 12. DEFERRALS
The Committee may permit or require a Grantee to defer receipt of the
payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due by virtue
of the exercise of an Option or SAR, the lapse or waiver of restrictions with
respect to Restricted Shares, or the satisfaction of any requirements or goals
with respect to performance units or performance shares. If any such deferral
is required or permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion,
establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.
ARTICLE 13. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES/DIRECTORS
13.1 Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in
any way the right of the Company to terminate any Grantee's employment at any
time, nor confer upon any Grantee's right to continue in the employ of the
Company.
13.2 Participation. No Employee or Director shall have the right to be
selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to
be selected to receive a future Award.
ARTICLE 14. CHANGE IN CONTROL
14.1 Treatment of Outstanding Awards. The Committee may provide in an
Award Agreement for different terms and conditions to apply prior to and after a
Change in Control of the Company or a Subsidiary.
14.2 Occurrence of Change of Control. The Committee may set rules for
determining when a Change of Control of the Company or a Subsidiary has
occurred.
14.3 Pooling of Interests Accounting. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the Plan to the contrary, (a) in the event that the consummation of a Change
in Control is contingent on using pooling of interests accounting methodology
the Committee may take any action necessary to preserve the use of pooling of
interests accounting; and (b) if the Committee determines, in its discretion
exercised prior to a sale or merger of the Company that in the Committee's
judgment is reasonably likely to occur, that the exercise of SARs would
preclude the use of pooling-of-interests accounting ("pooling") after the
consummation of such sale or merger and that such preclusion of pooling would
have a material adverse effect on such sale or merger, the Committee may either
unilaterally cancel such SARs prior to the sale or merger or cause the Company
to pay the benefit attributable to such SARs in the form of Shares if the
Committee determines that such payment would not cause the transaction to become
ineligible for pooling.
ARTICLE 15. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION
15.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination. Subject to the terms of the
Plan, the Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or
terminate the Plan in whole or in part without the approval of the Company's
stockholders, except to the extent that
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<PAGE> 21
such stockholder approval may be required under the listing requirements of any
securities exchange or national market system on which are listed the Company's
equity securities or pursuant to any other regulatory or legal requirement;
provided that shareholder approval is required to increase the number of Shares
available under the Plan (except as provided in Section 4.2).
15.2 Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or
Nonrecurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and
conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual
or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Section 4.3)
affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes
in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the
Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan; provided that no such adjustment shall be
authorized to the extent that such authority would be inconsistent with the
Plan's meeting the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
15.3 Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan to the contrary (but subject to Section 14.3), no termination, amendment,
or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any
Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the
Grantee of such Award.
ARTICLE 16. WITHHOLDING
(a) Mandatory Tax Withholding.
(1) Whenever under the Plan, Shares are to be delivered upon exercise
or payment of an Award or upon Restricted Shares becoming nonforfeitable,
or any other event with respect to rights and benefits hereunder, the
Company shall be entitled to require (i) that the Grantee remit an amount
in cash, or in the Company's discretion, Mature Shares, sufficient to
satisfy all federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements related
thereto ("Required Withholding"), (ii) the withholding of such Required
Withholding from compensation otherwise due to the Grantee or from any
Shares due to the Grantee under the Plan or (iii) any combination of the
foregoing.
(2) Any Grantee who makes a Disqualifying Disposition or an election
under Section 83(b) of the Code shall remit to the Company an amount
sufficient to satisfy all resulting Required Withholding; provided that, in
lieu of or in addition to the foregoing, the Company shall have the right
to withhold such Required Withholding from compensation otherwise due to
the Grantee or from any Shares or other payment due to the Grantee under
the Plan.
(b) Elective Share Withholding.
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<PAGE> 22
(1) Subject to the following subsection, a Grantee may elect the
withholding ("Share Withholding") by the Company of a portion of the Shares
otherwise deliverable to such Grantee upon the exercise of an Award or upon
Restricted Shares becoming non-forfeitable (each, a "Taxable Event") having
a Fair Market Value equal to (i) the minimum amount necessary to satisfy
Required Withholding liability attributable to the Taxable Event; or (ii)
with the Committee's prior approval, a greater amount, not to exceed the
estimated total amount of such Grantee's tax liability with respect to the
Taxable Event.
(2) Each Share Withholding election shall be subject to the following
conditions:
(i) any Grantee's election shall be subject to the
Committee's discretion to revoke the Grantee's right to
elect Share Withholding at any time before the
Grantee's election if the Committee has reserved the
right to do so in the Award Agreement;
(ii) the Grantee's election must be made before
the date (the "Tax Date") on which the amount of
tax to be withheld is determined; and
(iii) the Grantee's election shall be irrevocable.
16.1. Notification under Code Section 83(b). If the Grantee, in
connection with the exercise of any option, or the grant of Restricted Shares,
makes the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code to include in such
Grantee's gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in
Section 83(b) of the Code, then such Grantee shall notify the Company of such
election within 10 days of filing the notice of the election with the Internal
Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant
to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code. The Committee may, in
connection with the grant of an Award or at any time thereafter, prohibit a
Grantee from making the election described above.
ARTICLE 17. SUCCESSORS
All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards
granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the
existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase,
merger, consolidation, or otherwise of all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company.
ARTICLE 18. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
18.1 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context,
any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall
include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
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<PAGE> 23
18.2 Severability. If any part of the Plan is declared by any court or
governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or
invalidity shall not invalidate any other part of the Plan. Any Section or part
of a Section so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be
construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or
part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and
valid.
18.3 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of
Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and
regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national
securities exchanges as may be required. Notwithstanding any provision of the
Plan or any Award, Grantees shall not be entitled to exercise, or receive
benefits under, any Award, and the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any
Shares or deliver benefits to a Grantee, if such exercise or delivery would
constitute a violation by the Grantee or the Company of any applicable law or
regulation.
18.4 Securities Law Compliance. (a) If the Committee deems it necessary to
comply with any applicable securities law, or the requirements of any stock
exchange upon which Shares may be listed, the Committee may impose any
restriction on Shares acquired pursuant to Awards under the Plan as it may deem
advisable. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any
Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and
other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules,
regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which
Shares are then listed, any applicable securities law, and the Committee may
cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions. If so requested by the Company, the Grantee
shall make a written representation to the Company that he or she will not sell
or offer to sell any Shares unless a registration statement shall be in effect
with respect to such Shares under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended, and
any applicable state securities law or unless he or she shall have furnished to
the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, that such
registration is not required.
(b) If the Committee determines that the exercise or nonforfeitability of,
or delivery of benefits pursuant to, any Award would violate any applicable
provision of securities laws or the listing requirements of any national
securities exchange or national market system on which are listed any of the
Company's equity securities, then the Committee may postpone any such exercise,
nonforfeitability or delivery, as applicable, but the Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause such exercise, nonforfeitability or delivery to
comply with all such provisions at the earliest practicable date.
18.5 No Rights as a Stockholder. A Grantee shall not have any rights as a
stockholder of the Company with respect to the Shares (other than Restricted
Shares) which may be deliverable upon exercise or payment of such Award until
such shares have been delivered to him or her. Restricted Shares, whether held
by a Grantee or in escrow by the Secretary of the Company, shall confer on the
Grantee all rights of a stockholder of the Company, except as otherwise
provided in the Plan or Award Agreement. At the time of a grant of Restricted
Shares, the Committee may require the payment of cash dividends thereon to be
deferred and, if the
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<PAGE> 24
Committee so determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Shares. Stock
dividends and deferred cash dividends issued with respect to Restricted Shares
shall be subject to the same restrictions and other terms as apply to the
Restricted Shares with respect to which such dividends are issued. The Committee
may in its discretion provide for payment of interest on deferred cash
dividends.
18.6 Parties to Stockholders Agreement. Prior to the delivery of Shares
to a Grantee pursuant to an Award, the Committee, in its discretion, may require
such Grantee to become party to, and such Shares to become subject to, the
Stockholders' Agreement dated as of the September ___, 1997 among the Company
and the stockholders thereto (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), provided that any
Shares delivered pursuant to an Award granted under this Plan to any Grantee who
is a party to the Stockholders Agreement as of the date hereof shall
automatically be subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement.
18.7 Nature of Payments. Awards shall be special incentive payments to the
Grantee and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary
or compensation of the Grantee for purposes of determining any pension,
retirement, death or other benefit under (a) any pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, bonus, insurance or other employee benefit plan of the Company
or any Subsidiary or (b) any agreement between (i) the Company or any
Subsidiary and (ii) the Grantee, except as such plan or agreement shall
otherwise expressly provide.
18.8 Governing Law. The Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware,
other than its laws respecting choice of law.
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Financial Data" and to the use of our report dated July 25, 1997
except Note 12, as to which the date is ______,1997, in Amendment No. 3 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-32827) and related Prospectus of
American Italian Pasta Company for the registration of 5,900,000 shares of its
common stock.
Ernst & Young LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
______________________________________________________________________________
The foregoing consent is in the form that will be signed upon the completion of
the recapitalization as described in Note 12 to the financial statements.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
Septemeber 22, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the balance sheet and
statement of operations and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 JUN-30-1997
<CASH> 1,818 2,612
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 12,494 11,616
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 14,374 11,619
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,834 28,261
<PP&E> 127,000 138,049
<DEPRECIATION> 23,247 27,790
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 141,688 145,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 32,435 14,985
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 8 11
<OTHER-SE> 15,969 40,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 141,688 145,462
<SALES> 92,074 93,616
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 92,074 93,616
<CGS> 68,555 67,821
<TOTAL-COSTS> 85,353 78,033
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,023 7,800
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,107) 4,928
<INCOME-TAX> (1,556) 1,878
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,551) 3,050
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (1,647) 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (4,198) 3,050
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
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