VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS LTD
10-Q, 1996-06-11
GROCERIES & RELATED PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q


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

                      For the Quarter Ended April 27, 1996
                           Commision File No. 0-25686

                           VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               Delaware 06-1325376
                (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
               incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

                     Route 66; PO Box C; Randolph, VT 05060
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                  (802)728-3600
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                  Yes        X                                No

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                           Outstanding at
    Class                                                   June 7, 1996

Common Stock, $.001 Par Value                                9,678,268



<PAGE>


                                    VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY

                                                       INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        Page Number
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Part I - Financial Information

         Item 1.           Financial Statements

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets as at
                           April 27, 1996 (unaudited) and
                           October 28, 1995                                                        3

                           Consolidated Statements of Operations
                           (unaudited) for the Three Months and Six Months
                           ended April 27, 1996 and April 29, 1995                                 4

                           Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                           (unaudited) for the Six Months Months ended
                           April 27, 1996 and April 29, 1995                                       5

                           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                           (unaudited)                                                         6 - 7

         Item 2.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                           Financial Condition and Results of
                           Operation                                                          8 - 10

Part II - Other Information                                                                       11

         Item 1.           Legal Proceedings

         Item 2.           Changes in Securities

         Item 3.           Defaults upon Senior Securities

         Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         Item 5.           Other Information

         Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                           Signature                                                             12
</TABLE>

                                                         2

<PAGE>


                                VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY

                                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           April 27,          October 28,
                                                                             1996                1995
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------
                                                                          (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                     <C>                 <C>

                                                  ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash                                                                        $937,102          $1,543,260
   Accounts receivable                                                        1,021,012             800,881
   Inventory                                                                    856,388             949,570
   Other current assets                                                          63,203             144,162
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                     2,877,705           3,437,873
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - net of accumulated depreciation                      5,679,395           5,659,191
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------


OTHER ASSETS:
   Intangible assets - net of accumulated amortization                           23,198              68,900
   Other assets                                                                 113,539             100,580
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------
                                                                                136,737             169,480
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

                                                                             $8,693,837          $9,266,544
                                                                        ================    ================

                                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Accounts payable                                                            $839,327            $622,147
   Customer deposits                                                            178,839             154,160
   Accrued expenses                                                             383,048             382,791
   Line of credit                                                               577,588                   0
   Current portion of long term debt                                            130,216             210,216
   Current portion of obligations under capital lease                           221,250             221,250
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                2,330,268           1,590,564

   Long term debt                                                             1,564,480           1,679,589
   Obligations under capital lease                                              221,250             202,565
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

     TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                        4,115,998           3,472,718
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Common stock - $.001 par value, authorized                                     9,678               9,678
     20,000,000 shares, 9,678,268 issued and outstanding
     at October 28, 1995 and April  27, 1996
   Paid in capital                                                           21,399,420          21,399,420
   Accumulated deficit                                                      (16,831,259)        (15,615,272)
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

     TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                               4,577,839           5,793,826
                                                                        ----------------    ----------------

                                                                             $8,693,837          $9,266,544
                                                                        ================    ================
</TABLE>
                                                       3
<PAGE>
                   VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Six months ended                    Three months ended
                                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           April 27,          April 29,           April 27,          April 29,
                                                             1996                1995               1996                1995
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                     <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>
SALES                                                        $3,585,121          $3,080,040         $2,315,090          $2,016,457

COST OF GOODS SOLD                                            2,117,717           1,849,700          1,326,482           1,163,707
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

GROSS PROFIT                                                  1,467,404           1,230,340            988,608             852,750
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Selling, general and administrative expense               1,645,742           1,654,246            859,586             837,095
    Advertising expenses                                        941,301           1,320,251            537,457             644,114
    Amortization                                                 45,702              45,702             22,851              22,851
    Non-cash imputed stock compensation                               0              (9,548)                 0              (9,422)
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES                                      2,632,745           3,010,651          1,419,894           1,494,638
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS                                       (1,165,341)         (1,780,311)          (431,286)           (641,888)
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
    Interest - net                                              (53,847)           (101,994)           (31,578)            (40,193)
    Miscellaneous                                                 3,200             (24,848)             4,035             (17,688)
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                                    (50,647)           (126,842)           (27,543)            (57,881)
                                                        ----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------

NET (LOSS)                                                  ($1,215,988)        ($1,907,153)         ($458,829)          ($699,769)
                                                        ================   =================   ================   =================

NET (LOSS) PER SHARE                                             ($0.13)             ($0.21)            ($0.05)             ($0.07)
                                                        ================   =================   ================   =================

Weighted Average Shares Used in Computation                   9,678,268           9,011,601          9,678,268           9,678,268
                                                        ================   =================   ================   =================
</TABLE>
                                               4

<PAGE>
                                     VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY

                                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Six months ended
                                                                                 ------------------------------------
                                                                                    April 27,          April 29,
                                                                                      1996                1995
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net loss                                                                          ($1,215,988)        ($1,907,153)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:
     Depreciation                                                                        284,204             211,849
     Amortization                                                                         45,702              45,702
     (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment                                    (4,205)              2,435
      Non cash imputed stock compensation                                                      0              (9,422)
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------
                                                                                        (890,287)         (1,656,589)

   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     (Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable                                         (220,131)           (749,998)
     (Increase) Decrease in inventory                                                     93,182             163,013
     (Increase) Decrease in other current assets                                          80,959              85,114
     (Increase) Decrease in other  assets                                                (12,959)             26,944
     (Decrease) Increase in accounts payable                                             217,180            (124,413)
     (Decrease) Increase in customer deposits                                             24,679              24,202
     (Decrease) Increase in accrued expenses                                                 257            (421,808)
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------

CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                       (707,120)         (2,653,535)
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                            (210,692)           (284,856)
   Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                                                      5,117               5,500
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                       (205,575)           (279,356)
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from line of credit                                                          577,588             (21,400)
   Proceeds from debt                                                                    140,000                   0
   Principal payments of debt                                                           (411,051)           (216,361)
   Sale of common stock                                                                        0           4,315,208
   Repurchase of stock options                                                                 0             (96,750)
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                    306,537           3,980,697
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                                                         (606,158)          1,047,806

CASH - Beginning of period                                                             1,543,260           1,019,709
                                                                                 ----------------   -----------------

CASH  - End of period                                                                   $937,102          $2,067,515
                                                                                 ================   =================



Cash paid for interest                                                                  $101,846            $134,026
                                                                                 ================   =================
</TABLE>
                                                                 5

<PAGE>

                   VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                   (Unaudited)


1.       The  accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
         prepared in accordance with Form 10-Q  instructions  and in the opinion
         of  management  contain  all  adjustments  (consisting  of only  normal
         recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position,
         results of operations,  and cash flows for the periods  presented.  The
         results  have  been  determined  on the  basis  of  generally  accepted
         accounting  principles and practices applied consistently with the Form
         10-K for the year ended October 28, 1995.

         Certain information and footnote  disclosures  normally included in the
         financial  statements  presented in accordance with generally  accepted
         accounting  principles have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying
         consolidated  financial  statements  should be read in conjunction with
         the financial  statements and notes thereto  incorporated  by reference
         from the  Company's  Form 10-K and  Annual  Report  for the year  ended
         October 28, 1995.

2.       CONTINGENCIES

         A. Former Distributor
         In August 1994, an action was brought by a former distributor  alleging
         that  the  Company  breached  an  oral   distribution   arrangement  by
         terminating  its  relationship,  refusing to continue to supply it with
         the Company's products and by allowing another  distributor to sell the
         Company's  product  within its alleged  territory.  The  distributor is
         seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief. The Company has certain
         defenses  against  the claim  and  counterclaims  which it will  assert
         against the distributor at the appropriate time.

         B. Former Employees
         In March 1, 1996 the Company brought suits against two former employees
         alleging that they had breached their  contracts with the Company.  The
         suits seek injunctive relief and damages.  On April 1, 1996 the Company
         was granted a  preliminary  injunction in Vermont  Superior  Court that
         prevented these employees from pursuing a competitive  venture with the
         Company. A future hearing will address the permanency of the induction.
         Subsequently,  both employees filed  counterclaims  against the Company
         seeking monetary damages.  The Company has certain defenses arising out
         of its claims against the employees that it will assert when necessary.





                                        6

<PAGE>



3.       LONG TERM DEBT

         On April 26,  1996 the  Company  renewed  its line of  credit  with the
         Chittenden  Bank which was  scheduled  to expire on May 31,  1996.  The
         terms and  conditions  were  substantially  unchanged from the previous
         agreement.  On the same  date,  the  Company  entered  into a note with
         Chittenden to borrow up to $1,250,000 to purchase assets from the Happy
         Ice  Corporation  . The note  requires  monthly  principal  payments of
         $10,420  plus  accrued  interest at the prime rate plus 1.75% per annum
         with the balance due of $875,000 on May 1, 1999.  The Company  borrowed
         $1,150,000 on the note on May 1, 1996 and expects to borrow the balance
         at a future  date.  In addition,  the Company  entered into three notes
         with the seller,  one for $100,000 due in full on June 30, 1996 with no
         interest,  a second for  $200,000,  at 8% annual  interest,  with equal
         principal  payments  due on May 1,  1997-2000,  and a  third  for up to
         $200,000 (based on the performance of the acquired  assets) due in full
         on May 1, 1999 with accrued interest at 8% per annum.

4.       SUBSEQUENT EVENT

         On May 1, 1996  Vermont  Pure  Springs  completed  the  purchase of the
         assets of the Happy Spring Water division of the Happy Ice  Corporation
         based in  Buffalo,  New York,  a company  that  offers  Home and Office
         delivery of spring water and related  products  throughout  the Western
         New York area. The Company plans to distribute its Vermont Pure Natural
         Spring Water through these  existing  channels.  Sales for the division
         were $2.1 million in 1995.




                                        7

<PAGE>




PART I - Item 2

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following  discussion and analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
financial  statements  and notes thereto as filed in the Company's Form 10-K for
the year ended October 28, 1995.

                             Results of Operations

Sales  for the  first  half of 1996  were  $3,585,121,  16% over the  $3,080,040
reported  for the same period last year.  Sales for the three month period ended
April 27, 1996 increased 15% or $298,633  compared to same quarter in 1995, from
$2,016,457  to  $2,315,090.  The increase in sales was  attributable  to greater
consumer  awareness  in  existing  markets.  The  rate of  sales  growth  in the
Metropolitan  New York City  market  has been below the  Company's  expectations
because of a prolonged  reorganization  of the distribution  system of its major
customer. The Company expects, but can give no assurances,  that the distributor
will be successful in executing  this change over the next year  resulting in an
increase in the rate of sales growth in the area.

For the first six months,  Cost of Goods Sold increased from  $1,849,700 in 1995
to $2,117,717 in 1996 resulting in gross margins of $1,230,340, or 40% of sales,
and $1,467,404,  or 41% of sales for the respective periods.  Cost of goods sold
for the  second  quarter  of 1996  compared  to the same  period a year ago were
$1,326,482 and $1,163,707, respectively, and gross profit was $988,608 or 43% of
sales and $852,750 or 42% of sales,  respectively.  The increase in gross profit
of $237,064 and  $135,858 is due to  increased  volume which lowers the per unit
production  cost of the product and lower raw material costs,  specifically  for
PETE bottles. Although the Company has benefited from a considerable decrease in
raw material pricing over the last half of 1996, the market remains volatile and
the  stability  of  these  costs  cannot  be   guaranteed.   Significant   price
fluctuations  in the future could result in  corresponding  positive or negative
effects on cost of goods sold and gross margin.

For the six month period ended April 27, 1996 compared to the comparable  period
in 1995, total operating expenses were $2,632,745 and $3,010,651,  respectively,
a decrease of  $377,906,  or 13%.  For the three month  periods  ending the same
times operating expenses were $1,419,894 and $1,494,638,  a decrease of $74,744,
or 5%, respectively.  Selling,  general and administrative expenses decreased by
$8,504  for the first half and  increased  $22,491  for the second  quarter as a
result of consolidation of administrative  expenses while supporting  increasing
sales volume.  Advertising expenses decreased by $378,950, or 29%, for the first
six months and  $106,657,  or 17%, for the quarter.  Reduced  event  sponsorship
costs  and  media  costs  accounted  for the most  significant  portion  of this
decrease.  The  Company  anticipates  however,  that it will  continue  to spend
significant  amounts in the future for advertising and promotion as it continues
to develop brand recognition and increase market penetration.

                                        8

<PAGE>




Loss  from  operations  for the six  month  period  ended  April  27,  1996  was
$1,165,341,  as compared to $1,780,311 for the same period last year, a decrease
of $614,970 or 35%. For the quarter, loss from operations decreased $210,602, or
33%, from $641,888 to $431,286.  The losses are  attributable  to the continuing
high  level  of  expenses   associated  with  penetration  of  new  markets  and
establishing  brand  recognition.  These expenses  exceed the margin the Company
makes on its sales,  particularly  during the winter months.  The  significantly
reduced  losses  from a year  earlier  was a  direct  result  of a  decrease  in
administrative, selling, and advertising expenses.

The  Company's  net loss for the first half of 1996 was  $1,215,988  compared to
$1,907,153 for the same period last year, a decrease of $691,165 or 36%. The net
loss for the  three  months  ending  April 27,  1996 was  $458,829  compared  to
$699,769 for the  comparable  period last year. Net interest  expense  decreased
significantly  from a year  earlier as a result of  decreased  borrowing to fund
operations  through  a bank  line of credit  and  lower  borrowing  rates and an
increase in interest income because of higher investment yields.


                        Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of April 27, 1996,  the Company had working  capital of $547,437  compared to
$1,847,309  at the end of its fiscal year on October  28,  1995.  The  Company's
primary   requirements  for  capital  continue  to  be  for  the  marketing  and
promotional  activities needed to effect market penetration and expand sales and
acquire operating assets needed to accommodate the growth of the business. These
requirements  will result in continued  net cash outflows  until sales  increase
sufficiently to offset the Company's operating costs.

The decrease in working  capital of $1,299,872  reflects the use of cash to fund
the operating  loss. On April 27, 1996 the Company had borrowed  $577,588 on its
line of credit.  The maximum  available to borrow as of that date was  $763,047,
based on the level of receivables  and  inventory.  The Company pays interest on
any  outstanding  principal  at the prime rate as  published  in the Wall Street
Journal plus 1.75%,  which is currently  10.00% per annum.  The loan facility is
secured by all the inventory,  receivables and intangible assets of the Company.
It was renewed on April 26, 1996 under the terms of the original  agreement  and
expires  June 1, 1997.  In  addition,  during the  quarter  the  Company  made a
commitment to borrow up to $1,250,000  to make an  acquisition  of the assets of
the spring water division of the Happy Ice  Corporation in Western New York. The
note  matures May 1, 1999 and  requires  principal  payments of $10,420 a month,
plus accrued  interest at the prime rate plus 1.75% per annum,  with the balance
of $875,000 due on the date of maturity.  It is secured by substantially  all of
the acquired  assets as well as the collateral for the line of credit  discussed
above.  The total purchase  price of the business was up to $1,650,000  based on
the  performance  of the acquired  assets.  On May 1, 1996 the Company  borrowed
$1,150,000  on the  Chittenden  note and expects to draw down the balance in the
future.  In  addition,  it  arranged  notes with the  seller for up to  $500,000
principal and interest  payments at various dates from June 30, 1996 through May
1, 2000.


                                        9

<PAGE>



The Company  anticipates  that it has adequate  working capital for at least the
next year. Although the Company has reduced its cash usage considerably over the
last year, it may become necessary for it to seek additional  sources of working
capital later in 1996. If this is the case, no assurances  can be given that the
Company will find a source to provide  additional  working  capital  under terms
acceptable to the Company.

                                       10

<PAGE>



PART II - Other Information

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

         In February 1996, the Company commenced an action entitled Vermont Pure
         Springs,  Inc vs.  Robert  Beattie and John Maguire in Orange  Superior
         Court in the State of Vermont.  The court  assigned the case Docket No.
         S-33-2-96  Occv.  The Company  alleged  that the  defendants,  who were
         former employees of the Company,  breached their contractual and common
         law  obligations  concerning  unfair  competition  and  preservation of
         Company  trade  secrets.  The Company  sought  damages  and  injunctive
         relief.  On  April  1,  1996,  the  Orange  Superior  Court  entered  a
         preliminary   injunction  against  both  defendants  prohibiting  their
         participation  in a competing  venture known as Montpelier  Spring,  or
         disclosing  any  confidential  information  of the  Company  to a third
         party. The court denied the Company's request for a writ of attachment.
         Defendant  Maguire has filed a counterclaim and a third party complaint
         against the Company's president and Vermont Pure Holdings,  LTD seeking
         compensatory damages and punitive damages of not less than $250,000 and
         attorney's  fees for  alleged  breach  of  contract  and  unfair  trade
         competition.   Defendant  Beattie  has  filed  a  counterclaim  seeking
         unspecified  damages and attorney's  fees. The case is in the discovery
         phase and it is unclear  when it will proceed to a trial on the merits.
         The Company does not believe that the counterclaims  have any merit and
         intends to pursue the litigation and defend itself vigorously.

Item 2 - Changes in Securities

         None

Item 3 - Defaults upon Senior Securities

         None

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         None

Item 5 - Other Information

         None

Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         On May 15, 1996 the Company filed a report on Form 8-K to report, under
         Item 2, the  acquisition of certain assets of the Happy Ice Corporation
         in Buffalo, New York.


                                       11

<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.




Dated: June 7, 1996
       Randolph, Vermont




                               VERMONT PURE HOLDINGS, LTD.




                               By:   /s/ Bruce S. MacDonald
                                     Bruce S. MacDonald
                                     Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                     (Principal Accounting Officer and Principal
                                      Financial Officer)

                                       12


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              OCT-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   APR-27-1996
<CASH>                                             937,102
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,165,051
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (144,039)
<INVENTORY>                                        856,388
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,877,705
<PP&E>                                           7,187,276
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (1,507,881)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,693,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,330,268
<BONDS>                                                  0
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                             9,678
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,568,161
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,693,837
<SALES>                                          3,585,121
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,585,121
<CGS>                                            2,117,717
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,117,717
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  53,847
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,215,988)
<INCOME-TAX>                                             0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,215,988)
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,215,988)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        (0.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0
        

</TABLE>


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