R & B INC
10-Q, 2000-05-08
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
Previous: GLACIER BANCORP INC, S-8, 2000-05-08
Next: PRINCETON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC, 13F-HR, 2000-05-08



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                      Washington, D.C. 20549

                                        -------------------

                                            FORM 10-Q

                                       -------------------


                    |X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE
                                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         For the quarterly period ended March 25, 2000

                                                OR

                  |_|   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                       -------------------


                                  Commission file number 0-18914

                                            R&B, INC.

                                Incorporated pursuant to the Laws
                               of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

                                       -------------------


                           IRS - Employer Identification No. 23-2078856

                       3400 East Walnut Street, Colmar, Pennsylvania 18915
                                          (215) 997-1800

                                       -------------------


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports)  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

As of May 5, 2000 the  Registrant had 8,233,379  common shares,  $.01 par value,
outstanding.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------







<PAGE>



                                   R & B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                              INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                                          MARCH 25, 2000


                                                                        Page

Part I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        Item 1.Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

               Statements of Income:
                   Thirteen Weeks Ended March 25, 2000 and March 27, 1999 3

               Balance Sheets.......................................      4

               Statements of Cash Flows.............................      5

               Notes to Financial Statements........................      6

        Item 2.Management's Discussion and
                   Analysis of Results of Operations and

                   Financial Condition..............................      8

Part II -- OTHER INFORMATION

        Item 1.Legal Proceedings....................................     12

        Item 6.Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.....................     12

        Signature     ..............................................     13





                                            Page 2 of 13


<PAGE>



                                  PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                    R&B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>

                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                           (unaudited)

<CAPTION>
                                                               For the Thirteen Weeks Ended

                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                   March 25,    March 27,
(in thousands, except per share data)                               2000          1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>
Net Sales                                                             $53,246        $55,946
Cost of goods sold                                                     34,637         34,261
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Gross profit                                                  18,609         21,685
Selling, general and administrative expenses                           14,924         17,901
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Income from operations                                         3,685          3,784
Interest expense, net                                                   1,911          1,706
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Income before taxes                                            1,774          2,078
Provision for taxes                                                       603            727
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net Income                                                 $   1,171     $    1,351
============================================================================================
Earnings Per Share:
        Basic                                                           $0.14          $0.16
        Diluted                                                          0.14           0.16
Average Shares Outstanding:
        Basic                                                           8,413          8,348
        Diluted                                                         8,509          8,381
============================================================================================
</TABLE>



      The  accompanying  Notes  are  an  integral  part  of  these  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

                                             Page 3 of 13


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                    R&B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                        March 25,       December 25,

 (in thousands, except share data)                         2000              1999
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>
Assets                                                   (unaudited)
Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                             $        799      $      1,467
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts and customer credits of $8,310 and $8,764        42,700            49,979
  Inventories                                                  60,112            70,272
  Deferred income taxes                                         4,574             4,574
  Prepaids and other current assets                             5,911             2,543
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
     Total current assets                                     114,096           128,835
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
Property, Plant and Equipment, net                             21,895            22,919
Intangible Assets                                              32,797            33,212
Other Assets                                                    3,433             3,038
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
      Total                                                 $ 172,221         $ 188,004
=================================================== ================= =================

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt                       $     3,134        $   11,910
  Accounts payable                                             11,378            12,867
  Accrued compensation                                          2,558             2,820
  Other accrued liabilities                                     5,015             4,626
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
    Total current liabilities                                  22,085            32,223
Long-Term Debt                                                 78,464            85,283
Deferred Income Taxes                                           2,264             2,264
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity:
   Common stock, par value $.01; authorized
   25,000,000 shares; issued 8,428,528 and 8,393,796               84                84
   Additional paid-in capital                                  33,597            33,517
   Cumulative translation adjustments                            (258)             (181)
   Retained earnings                                           35,985            34,814
   Total shareholders' equity                                  69,408            68,234
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -----------------
      Total                                                 $ 172,221         $ 188,004
=================================================== ================= =================
</TABLE>

      The  accompanying  Notes  are  an  integral  part  of  these  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

                                             Page 4 of 13


<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                    R&B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                            (unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                                    For the Thirteen Weeks Ended

                                                               --------------------------------------
                                                                   March 25,           March 27,
(in thousands)                                                        2000                1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                 <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income                                                             $    1,171          $    1,351
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by(used in)
   operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                                            1,809               1,553
   Provision for doubtful accounts                                            128                 189
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
    Accounts receivable                                                     7,151              (4,679)
    Inventories                                                            10,160             (10,851)
    Prepaid expenses and other                                             (3,845)               (598)
    Accounts payable                                                       (1,489)              3,352
    Other accrued liabilities                                                 127              (1,167)
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
       Cash provided by (used in) operating activities                     15,212             (10,850)
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
   Property, plant and equipment additions                                   (365)             (1,397)
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
      Cash (used) in investing activities                                   ( 365)             (1,397)
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
   Net (repayment) proceeds of revolving credit                           (14,750)             12,750
   Repayment of term loans and capitalized lease obligations                 (845)              ( 426)
   Proceeds from common stock issuances                                        80                  42
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
       Cash (used in) provided by financing activities                    (15,515)             12,366
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                         (668)                119
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                              1,467                 915
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                              $       799           $   1,034
============================================================== ================== ===================
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
    Cash paid for interest expense                                    $     1,784          $    1,493
    Cash paid for income taxes                                        $        55          $    1,521

</TABLE>

      The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated
Financial Statements.









                                           Page 5 of 13


<PAGE>



                             R&B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
      FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 25, 2000 AND MARCH 27, 1999 (UNAUDITED)


1.       Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial  information and with the  instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of
Regulation  S-X.  However,  they  do not  include  all of  the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring  adjustments)  considered  necessary for a fair presentation
have been included.  Operating  results for the thirteen week period ended March
25, 2000 are not necessarily  indicative of the results that may be expected for
the fiscal year ending December 30, 2000. For further information,  refer to the
financial  statements  and  footnotes  thereto  included  in  R&B,  Inc.'s  (the
"Company") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1999.

2.        Restructuring Charges

        In  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  1999,   the  Company   recorded  a
restructuring  charge  of $11.4  million  ($7.5  million  after tax or $0.90 per
share) to reflect costs primarily  related to inventory  write downs  associated
with the elimination of a significant  number of  underperforming  products,  as
well as the  closing of a  warehouse  and  production  facility  in  Carrollton,
Georgia,  and a work force  reduction  of 158 people.  A total of $9.8  million,
representing  inventory  write  downs,  was  charged  to cost of sales  and $1.6
million was charged to selling,  general and administrative expenses. There were
no significant  changes to the plan in fiscal 2000.  During the first quarter of
2000, the Company charged off approximately $2.2 million in inventory related to
the restructuring and completed the planned workforce reduction.  The closing of
the  Company's  warehouse  and  production  facility in  Carrollton,  Georgia is
scheduled for the second quarter of 2000.

The following summarizes the restructuring charge and activity through March 25,
2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Employee         Facility
                                         Inventory      Termination       Shutdown
                                         Disposals     Benefits Costs
            (in thousands)                                                                  Total
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------  -------------- ----------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>
Initial Charge                                 $9,800           $ 475          $1,125          $11,400
Costs Incurred - 1999                               -           (124)           (300)            (424)
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------  -------------- ----------------
Balance at December 25, 1999                   $9,800             351             825           10,976
Costs Incurred - 2000                         (2,176)           (156)           (105)          (2,437)
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------  -------------- ----------------
Balance at March 25, 2000                      $7,624            $195            $720           $8,539
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------  -------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

















                                           Page 6 of 13


<PAGE>




3.     Inventories

      Inventories  include  the cost of  material,  freight,  direct  labor  and
overhead utilized in the processing of the Company's products.  Inventories were
as follows:

                      March 25,     December 25,
(in thousands)           2000           1999
- ------------------- -------------- --------------
Bulk product               $16,132        $20,665
Finished product            39,206         45,136
Packaging materials          4,774          4,471
- ------------------- -------------- --------------
Total                      $60,112        $70,272
=================== ============== ==============



4.   Intangible Assets

     Intangible  assets  consist  primarily of goodwill  which is amortized over
periods from 10 to 40 years. Total accumulated amortization as of March 25, 2000
was $6.5 million.  Amortization  expense of these assets was $0.4 million in the
first quarter of 2000 and 1999.

5.       Earnings Per Share

     Earnings Per share is computed  under  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No. 128,  "Earnings  Per Share;" The Company has  included  basic and
diluted  earnings  per share on the face of the  Statements  of Income  for each
period  presented.  Weighted  average  shares for  "diluted"  earnings per share
includes the assumption of the exercise of all potentially  dilutive  securities
("in the money" stock options).

                                           Page 7 of 13


<PAGE>



                                   R&B, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

                              CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

    Over the periods presented, the Company has focused its efforts on providing
an expanding array of new product  offerings and strengthening its relationships
with its customers. To that end, the Company has made significant investments to
increase  market  penetration,  primarily  in the form of  product  development,
customer service, customer credits and allowances, and strategic acquisitions.

    The Company  calculates its net sales by subtracting  credits and allowances
from  gross  sales.  Credits  and  allowances  include  costs  for  co-operative
advertising,  product  returns,  discounts  given to customers  who purchase new
products for inclusion in their stores,  and the cost of  competitors'  products
that are  purchased  from the customer in order to induce a customer to purchase
new product lines from the Company.  The credits and  allowances are designed to
increase market  penetration and increase the number of product lines carried by
customers by  displacing  competitors'  products  within  customers'  stores and
promoting consolidation of customers' suppliers.

    The Company may experience significant  fluctuations from quarter to quarter
in its results of operations due to the timing of orders placed by the Company's
customers.  Generally,  the second and third  quarters have the highest level of
customer  orders,  but the  introduction  of new products  and product  lines to
customers may cause significant fluctuations from quarter to quarter.

Results of Operations

    The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of
net sales represented by certain items in the Company's Consolidated  Statements
of Income.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Percentage of Net Sales
                                                   For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                        --------------------------------------------------
                                                March 25,                March 27,
                                                  2000                      1999
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                      <C>
Net sales                                                  100.0%                   100.0%
Cost of goods sold                                          65.1                     61.3
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Gross profit                                                34.9                     38.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses                28.0                     32.0
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Income from operations                                       6.9                      6.7
Interest expense, net                                        3.6                      3.0
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Income before taxes                                          3.3                      3.7
Provision for taxes                                          1.1                      1.3
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
Net Income                                                   2.2%                     2.4%
======================================= ========================= ========================

</TABLE>









                                          Page 8 of 13


<PAGE>



Thirteen Weeks Ended March 25, 2000 Compared to
      Thirteen Weeks Ended March 27, 1999


        Restructuring  Charges  - In the  fourth  quarter  of fiscal  1999,  the
Company recorded a restructuring charge of $11.4 million ($7.5 million after tax
or $0.90 per share) to reflect costs primarily  related to inventory write downs
associated  with the  elimination  of a  significant  number of  underperforming
products,  as well as the  closing of a  warehouse  and  production  facility in
Carrollton,  Georgia,  and a work force reduction of 158 people. A total of $9.8
million,  representing  inventory write downs,  was charged to cost of sales and
$1.6 million was charged to selling,  general and administrative expenses. There
were no significant changes to the plan in fiscal 2000. During the first quarter
of 2000, the Company disposed of approximately $2.6 million in inventory related
to the restructuring and completed the planned workforce reduction.  The closing
of the Company's  warehouse and production  facility in  Carrollton,  Georgia is
scheduled for the second quarter of 2000.

        Sale of Lift  Support  Inventory  - During  the first  quarter of fiscal
2000,  the Company sold all of its inventory and certain other assets related to
its lift support  product line as a result of a strategic  decision to eliminate
this product line. First quarter 2000 results include non-recurring net sales of
$5.5 million and gross profit of $1.6 million,  attributable  to the sale of the
inventory  and  related  assets.  The gain on the sale  was $1.6  million  ($1.1
million after tax or $0.13 per share).

        Net sales  decreased to $53.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended March
25, 2000 from $55.9 million for the same period in 1999, a decrease of 4.8%. The
sales  decline  was  approximately  13% without the effect of net sales from the
lift support  inventory  sale.  This decline is primarily  attributable to lower
sales levels in the Company's core business of hard-to-find  parts and fasteners
as a result of the flat  automotive  aftermarket  and the  Company's  efforts to
eliminate  unprofitable products in its core business and launch fewer, but more
profitable programs.

        Cost of goods sold for the thirteen weeks ended March 25, 2000 increased
to $34.6  million from $34.3 million for the same period in 1999, an increase of
1.1%. As a percent of net sales, gross profit for the thirteen weeks ended March
25, 2000  decreased to 34.9% from 38.7% for the  thirteen  weeks ended March 27,
1999.   The  reduction  in  gross  profit   percentage  is  the  result  of  the
non-recurring  lift  support line sale and a change in sales mix to an increased
portion  of  total  revenues  attributable  to  sales  of  products  other  than
hard-to-find  parts and fasteners which carry a lower gross margin. In addition,
continued  selling  price  pressures  negatively  impacted  gross  profit in the
Company's core business of hard-to-find parts and fasteners.

        Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses for the  thirteen  weeks
ended March 25,  2000  decreased  to $14.9  million  from $17.9  million for the
thirteen  weeks ended March 27, 1999,  a decrease of 16.6%.  As a percent of net
sales, selling,  general and administrative  expenses decreased to 28.0% in 2000
from 32.0% in 1999.  The  percentage  decrease  is largely  attributable  to the
revenues  from the lift  support  line sale which had no  selling,  general  and
administrative   expenses   attributable   to   them.   Selling,   general   and
administrative  expenses as a  percentage  of net sales before lift support sale
revenue were 31.3% in the three  months  ended March 25,  2000.  The decrease to
31.3% from 1999's level of 32.0% is primarily attributable to cost reductions in
the Company's  core business as a result of the  restructuring  plan recorded in
the fourth quarter of 1999.

        Interest expense,  net, increased to $1.9 million for the thirteen weeks
ended March 25, 2000 from $1.7  million for the  thirteen  weeks ended March 27,
1999.  This  increase  resulted  from  higher  interest  rates on the  Company's
Revolving Credit Facility in 2000.

        Provisions  for  income  taxes of $0.6  million  and $0.7  million  were
recorded  for the  thirteen  weeks  ended  March 25,  2000 and  March 27,  1999,
respectively.  The decrease in the  Company's  effective  tax rate from 35.0% in
1999 to 34.0% in 2000  resulted  primarily  from a lower tax rate on the gain on
the lift support line sale in 2000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Company has financed its growth through the combination of cash flow
from its  operations,  issuance of senior notes and borrowings  under its credit
facilities.  Working  capital was $92.0  million as of March 25, 2000 and $111.9
million as of March 27, 1999. The Company  believes that the cash generated from
operations and borrowings  available under its revolving credit facility will be
sufficient to meet the Company's working capital needs and to fund expansion for
the foreseeable future.

                                          Page 9 of 13


<PAGE>



        Net cash provided from  operating  activities  was $15.2 million in 2000
compared  to net cash used in  operating  activities  of $10.9  million in 1999.
During 2000,  net income as well as non-cash  provisions  for  depreciation  and
amortization  and lower accounts  receivable  and inventory  levels due to lower
sales and better working capital  management  provided $20.4 million in positive
cash flow,  however,  these  increases were partially  offset by $5.2 million in
cash used as a result  of  increases  in  prepaid  expenses,  other  assets  and
reductions  in accounts  payable.  During  1999,  net income,  depreciation  and
amortization  and an increase in accounts  payable  provided the majority of the
$6.4  million in positive  cash flow,  however  these  increases  were more than
offset by $17.3 million in cash used related  primarily to increases in accounts
receivable and inventories.

        Net cash used in investing  activities  amounted to $0.4 million in 2000
and $1.4 million in 1999.  In both  periods,  additions  to property,  plant and
equipment were the primary uses of cash.

        Net cash used in financing activities was $15.5 million in 2000 compared
to net cash provided by financing  activities  of $12.4 million in 1999.  During
2000, cash generated from operating  activities net of investing  activities was
used  to  reduce  borrowing  levels.  During  1999,  revolving  credit  facility
borrowings  provided  $12.8  million in cash which was used to fund cash used in
operating and investing activities.

        Senior Notes. In August 1998, the Company  completed a private placement
of $60 million in 6.81% Senior Notes due August 21, 2008 on an unsecured  basis.
The ten-year Notes bear a 6.81 percent fixed interest rate,  payable  quarterly,
with an initial four-year interest only period.

        Revolving Credit  Facility.  In August 1998, the Company amended its $35
million  revolving  credit  facility with First Union National Bank and National
City Bank. As amended,  the commitment for the line was extended for a five-year
term on an  unsecured  basis  with  interest  at Libor  plus 125  basis  points.
Proceeds from the Notes were used, among other things,  to paydown the term debt
portions of the bank credit facilities previously advanced to the Company by the
bank syndicate. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility amounted to $13.8
million at March 25, 2000.

        In May 2000,  the Company  amended the revolving  credit  facility.  The
terms of the  amended  agreement  include  revisions  to certain  debt  coverage
covenants,  required  the Company to obtain $1.0  million in new  financing  and
provides for  mandatory  reductions  in the facility to $20.0  million and $15.0
million by December 31, 2000 and June 30, 2001,  respectively.  In addition, the
amendment provides for an increase in the facility's  interest rate to a maximum
of Libor plus 300 basis points.  Upon an  occurrence of an Event of Default,  as
defined in the loan agreement, the banks, at their option, may require a lien on
substantially all of the Company's assets. The Company satisfied its requirement
to obtain $1.0 million in new financing by securing a $1.0 million  subordinated
loan from Richard and Steven Berman,  the President and Executive Vice President
of the Company, respectively. The subordinated loan bears interest at prime plus
100 basis points with interest only  payments  during the term of the loan.  The
loan is due on April 30, 2002 unless repaid earlier in accordance with the terms
of the amended revolving credit facility.  The Company believes that the amended
facility  together with cash generated from operations  will provide  sufficient
funding to meet the Company's working capital needs for the foreseeable future.

        Industrial Revenue Bonds. Construction of the Company's Warsaw, Kentucky
facility in 1990 was funded by the Bonds.  The Bonds bear  interest at an annual
rate of 4% payable monthly and require annual principal  payments of $300,000 or
$350,000 in  alternating  years with the final payment due in July,  2009.  Bond
borrowings amounts to $3.1 million at March 25, 2000.

        Capitalized  Leases.  The  Company's  leases  for its  Pennsylvania  and
Georgia facilities are recorded as capitalized leases in the Company's financial
statements.  In  addition,  in 1999 and 1998,  the  Company  entered  into three
sale/leaseback  transactions  relating to computer  hardware and  software.  The
aggregate amount  outstanding  under all capital leases amounted to $3.8 million
at March 25, 2000.

        Foreign  Currency  Fluctuations.  Approximately  35%  of  the  Company's
products  were  purchased  from a variety of  foreign  countries.  The  products
generally  are  purchased  through  purchase  orders  with  the  purchase  price
specified in U.S.  dollars.  Accordingly,  the Company does not have exposure to
fluctuation  in  the  relationship   between  the  dollar  and  various  foreign
currencies  between the time of execution of the purchase  order and payment for
the  product.  However,  to the  extent  that the dollar  decreases  in value to
foreign  currencies  in the future,  the price of the product in dollars for new
purchase orders may increase. The Company attempts to lessen the impact of these
currency fluctuations by resourcing its purchases to other countries.

                                         Page 10 of 13


<PAGE>




Impact of Inflation

        The Company has not generally been adversely affected by inflation.  The
Company believes that price increases  resulting from inflation  generally could
be passed on to its  customers,  since prices charged by the Company are not set
by long-term contracts.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

        Certain statements  periodically made by or on behalf of the Company and
certain  statements   contained  herein  including  statements  in  Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation; such as
statements regarding  litigation;  and certain other statements contained herein
regarding  matters that are not historical fact are forward  looking  statements
(as such term is  defined  in the  Securities  Act of 1933),  and  because  such
statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that
cause actual results to differ  materially  include but are not limited to those
factors  discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Business -
Investment Considerations."

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

        The  Company's  market risk is the  potential  loss arising from adverse
changes in interest rates. With the exception of the Company's  revolving credit
facility, long-term debt obligations are at fixed interest rates and denominated
in U.S. dollars. The Company manages its interest rate risk by monitoring trends
in interest rates as a basis for determining whether to enter into fixed rate or
variable  rate  agreements.  Under the terms of the Company's  revolving  credit
facility,  a change in either the  lender's  base rate or LIBOR would affect the
rate at which the Company could borrow funds  thereafter.  The company  believes
that the effect of any such change would be minimal.

        Although  the  Company  continues  to  evaluate   derivative   financial
instruments to manage foreign currency  exchange rate changes,  the Company does
not currently hold derivatives for managing these risks or for trading purposes.

                                         Page 11 of 13


<PAGE>



PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

        In addition to commitments  and  obligation  which arise in the ordinary
course of business,  the Company is subject to various  claims and legal actions
from time to time involving contracts,  competitive practices, trademark rights,
product  liability  claims and other  matters  arising out of the conduct of the
Company's business.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

        Exhibit No.                 Description

        27                          Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

        None

                                         Page 12 of 13


<PAGE>





                                         SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                               R & B, INC.



Date   May 8, 2000                             \s\ Richard Berman

                                                Richard Berman
                                                President

Date   May 8, 2000                             \s\ Mathias Barton

                                                Mathias Barton
                                                Chief Financial Officer and
                                                Principal Accounting Officer

                                         Page 13 of 13




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1,000

<S>                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                      DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                        MAR-25-2000
<CASH>                                                      799
<SECURITIES>                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            51,010
<ALLOWANCES>                                             (8,310)
<INVENTORY>                                              60,112
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        114,096
<PP&E>                                                   47,467
<DEPRECIATION>                                          (25,572)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          172,221
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    22,085
<BONDS>                                                  78,464
                                         0
                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                     84
<OTHER-SE>                                               69,324
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            172,221
<SALES>                                                  53,246
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         53,246
<CGS>                                                    34,637
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            14,924
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                              0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        1,911
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           1,774
<INCOME-TAX>                                                603
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       1,171
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                              1,171
<EPS-BASIC>                                                0.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              0.14





</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission