<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. )*
of
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. )*
of
TBK Partners, L.P.
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
SPACELABS MEDICAL INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 PER SHARE
(Title of Class of Securities)
846247104
(CUSIP Number)
John D. Spears
52 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 916-0600
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
JULY 23, 1998
(Date of Event which Required Filing of this Statement)
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If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].
Check the following box if a fee is paid with the statement [ ]. (A fee is not
required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act,
but shall be subject to all the provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP NO. 846247104 Page ___ of ___ Pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC ("TBC")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [X]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
DELAWARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. SOLE VOTING POWER, TBC has sole voting power with respect
to 409,125 shares held in certain TBC Accounts (as
hereinafter defined). Additionally, certain of the
general partners of TBC may be deemed to have sole power
to vote certain shares as more fully set forth herein.
NUMBER OF -------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0 shares
EACH -------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH 0 shares, except that certain of the general partners of
TBC may be deemed to have sole power to dispose of
certain shares as more fully set forth herein.
-------------------------------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
423,000 shares held in accounts of TBC
(as herein defined)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
423,000 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[X]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
4.47%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
BD, IA, OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP NO. 846247104 Page ___ of ___ Pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
TBK Partners, L.P. ("TBK")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [X]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC, BK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
DELAWARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. SOLE VOTING POWER 65,000 shares, except that the general
partners in TBK, solely by reason of their positions as
such, may be deemed to have shared power to vote these
shares
NUMBER OF -------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 0 shares
EACH -------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH 65,000 shares, except that certain of the general
partners in TBK, solely by reason of their positions as
such, may be deemed to have shared power to vote these
shares.
-------------------------------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
65,000 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT
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PRELIMINARY NOTE
This Statement on Schedule 13D is being filed because the filing
persons may be deemed to be members of a group comprised of Tweedy, Browne
Company LLC ("TBC") and TBK Partners, L.P. ("TBK"), which group may be deemed to
be the beneficial owner in the aggregate of in excess of 5% of the Common Stock
of Spacelabs Medical Inc. However, the filing of this Schedule 13D should not be
deemed an admission that TBC and TBK comprise a group within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Act").
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER
This Schedule 13D relates to the Common Stock, $.01 par value (the
"Common Stock"), of Spacelabs Medical Inc. (the "Company"), which, to the best
knowledge of the persons filing this Schedule 13D, is a company organized under
the laws of Delaware, with its principal executive offices located at 15220 N.E.
40th Street, P.O. Box 97013, Redmond, WA 98073-9713.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND
(a) The persons filing this Schedule 13D are (i) Tweedy, Browne
Company LLC ("TBC"), a Delaware limited liability company and (ii) TBK Partners,
L.P. ("TBK"), a Delaware limited partnership. Annexed as Exhibit 99.1, which is
incorporated by reference herein, is an agreement between TBC and TBK that this
Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of each of them. The filing of this Schedule 13D
should not be deemed an admission that TBC and TBK comprise a group within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act").
This Schedule 13D contains information regarding shares of Common Stock
that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by TBC. Such shares are held in the
accounts of various customers of TBC, with respect to which accounts TBC has
investment discretion (the "TBC Accounts"), and with respect to some of which it
has obtained sole or shared voting power.
The general partners of TBK are Christopher H. Browne, William H.
Browne, Thomas P. Knapp and John D. Spears (the "General Partners"). The members
of TBC are Christopher H. Browne, William H. Browne, John D. Spears, Thomas H.
Shrager, Robert Q. Wyckoff, Jr. and Holdings (the "Members"). By reason of their
positions as such, the members of TBC may be deemed to control TBC and the
general partners of TBK may be deemed to control TBK, respectively.
(b) The business address of each of TBC, TBK and the General
Partners is 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
(c) TBC is engaged primarily in the business of a securities
broker and dealer and investment adviser, is registered as a broker-dealer and
investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is a member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
TBK is a private investment partnership and is currently, and at all
relevant times was, engaged primarily in the business of investing in securities
for its own account.
The present principal occupation of each of the General Partners is
serving as such for TBK. The present principal occupation of the Members of TBC
is serving as such. Holdings is wholly owned by Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.,
a Boston-based holding company which makes equity investments in investment
management firms, in which management personnel retain a significant interest in
the profits of the business. The principal business address of each of TBC and
TBK is set forth above.
(d) None of TBC, TBK, nor any General Partner or Member has,
during the last five years, been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations and similar misdemeanors).
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(e) None of TBC, TBK, nor any General Partner or Member has,
during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which proceeding it
or he was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or
state securities laws or finding any violations with respect thereto.
(f) TBK is a Delaware limited partnership. TBC is a Delaware
limited liability company. Each of the General Partners and Members is a citizen
of the United States of America, with the exception of Holdings, which is a
Delaware corporation.
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNTS OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION
As of the date hereof, the number of shares with respect to which TBC
may be deemed to be the beneficial owner is 423,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"TBC Shares"), all of which shares were purchased in open market transactions.
The aggregate cost of the TBC Shares, including brokerage commissions, was
$6,493,061.
The TBC Shares are held in the TBC Accounts, the funds therefor coming
from the funds on hand in each individual managed account and in certain
instances from standard margin account borrowings from brokerage accounts
maintained at Fleet Clearing Corporation. It is expected that funds used by the
TBC Accounts to purchase additional shares of Common Stock, if additional shares
are purchased by the TBC Accounts (see Item 4 hereof), will come from the funds
on hand for each individual managed account, which funds on hand at any time and
from time to time may include, among others, funds borrowed pursuant to margin
accounts maintained at Fleet Clearing Corporation. Borrowings made by certain
TBC Accounts pursuant to such margin accounts are secured by margin securities
owned by the respective accounts, including some of the TBC Shares. Interest on
outstanding borrowings under such margin accounts ranges from 1/2% to 2% over
the brokers' call rate in effect from time to time at Chase Manhattan Bank, New
York, New York, depending upon the amount of outstanding borrowings at any given
time.
As of the date hereof, TBK beneficially owns directly 65,000 shares of
Common Stock (the "TBK Shares"), all of which shares were purchased in open
market transactions hereof). The aggregate cost of the TBK Shares, including
brokerage commissions, was $999,468.
It is expected that funds used by TBK to purchase additional shares of
Common Stock, if additional shares are purchased by TBK (see Item 4 hereof),
will come from TBK's general funds, which include cash and cash equivalents on
hand and in banks.
TBK's general funds have included and it is expected that they will
from time to time include, funds borrowed by it pursuant to an understanding
with Chase Manhattan Bank. As of the date hereof, TBK has a loan outstanding
with Chase Manhattan Bank in the amount of $20,000. Borrowings made by TBK
pursuant to that understanding bear interest at the brokers' call rate in effect
from time to time at Chase Manhattan Bank. TBK's funds may also include funds
borrowed by it pursuant to a Line of Credit Agreement between TBK and Boston
Safe Deposit and Trust Company. Pursuant to the Line of Credit Agreement, TBK
may borrow up to $15,000,000 at the brokers' call rate charged from time to time
by Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company. Borrowings made by TBK pursuant to its
understandings with Chase Manhattan Bank and the Line of Credit Agreement with
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company are secured by securities owned by TBK;
such borrowings are not secured by any TBK Shares. No borrowings from Chase
Manhattan Bank or Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company were made by TBK for the
purpose of acquiring the TBK Shares. TBK reserves the right to include all or
any of the shares of Common Stock owned by it at any time or from time to time,
among the securities that serve as collateral for such borrowings, subject to
compliance with any applicable statutes and regulations.
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ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION
Each of TBC and TBK has acquired the shares of Common Stock owned by it
for investment purposes and for none of the reasons enumerated in Item 4 of
Schedule 13D, except that TBC and TBK may dispose of all or some of the TBC
Shares and the TBK Shares, respectively, or may acquire additional shares of
Common Stock from time to time, depending upon price and market conditions,
evaluation of alternative investments, and other factors. Currently, TBC and TBK
intend to acquire additional shares of Common Stock in the open market,
depending upon the price of the Common Stock from time to time.
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER
(a) As of the date hereof, TBC may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of an aggregate of 423,000 shares of Common Stock, which constitutes
approximately 4.47% of the 9,464,000 shares of Common Stock which TBC believes
to be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. The TBC Shares are
held in the TBC Accounts.
Also included in the TBC Shares are 270 shares of Common Stock held in
a charitable foundation of which Christopher H. Browne is a trustee. Mr. Browne
is a Member of TBC and a General Partner in TBK.
As of the date hereof, TBK beneficially owns directly 65,000 shares of
Common Stock, which constitutes approximately 0.69% of the 9,464,000 shares of
Common Stock which TBK believes to be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
Each of TBC and TBK disclaims that it is the beneficial owner of any of
the shares of Common Stock held in the TBC Accounts. The aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock with respect to which TBC and TBK could be deemed to be
the beneficial owner as of the date hereof, is 488,000 shares, which constitutes
approximately 5.16% of the 9,464,000 shares of Common Stock, which the filing
persons believe to be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding,
but nothing contained herein shall be construed as an admission that TBC is the
beneficial owner of any of the TBC Shares.
The aggregate number of shares and percentage of Common Stock with
respect to which each of the General Partners and Members may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner by reason of his being a general partner of TBK, or a
member of TBC, is 488,000 shares, which constitutes approximately 5.16% of the
9,464,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Each of TBC and TBK disclaims beneficial ownership of Common Stock held
by the other. Except as described herein, to the best knowledge of TBC and TBK,
no person who may be deemed to comprise a group with any of TBC, TBK, or any
other person named in Item 2 hereof, beneficially owns any shares of Common
Stock.
(b) TBC has investment discretion with respect to 423,000 shares
of Common Stock held by the TBC Accounts and has sole power to dispose or direct
the disposition of all of such shares. Of these shares of Common Stock, TBC has
sole power to vote or to direct the voting of 409,125 shares of Common Stock
held in certain TBC Accounts.
Each of the Members of TBC, solely by reason of their positions as
such, may be deemed to have (i) shared power to dispose of or to direct the
disposition of all of the shares of Common Stock held in the TBC Accounts; and
(ii) shared power to vote or direct the vote of 409,125 shares of Common Stock
held in certain TBC Accounts.
TBK has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of and dispose or
direct the disposition of the TBK Shares. Each of the General Partners of TBK,
solely by reason of their positions as such, may be deemed to have shared power
to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose or direct the disposition of the
TBK Shares.
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(c) During the sixty-day period ended as of the date hereof, TBC
and TBK have purchased shares of Common Stock in open market transactions as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NO OF SHARES PRICE
TBC ACCOUNTS PURCHASED PER SHARE
- ------------ --------- ---------
<C> <C> <C>
06/18/98 81,000 $15
06/19/98 215,800 $15
07/22/98 16,300 $15 3/4
07/23/98 105,700 $16
VANDERBILT:
06/18/98 19,000 $15
06/19/98 28,000 $15
07/22/98 8,700 $15 3/4
07/23/98 9,300 $16
</TABLE>
(d) To the best knowledge of TBC, each of the persons maintaining
an account with TBC has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt
of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock
held in said person's TBC Account.
To the best knowledge of TBK, no person other than TBK has the right to
receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds
from the sale of, the TBK Shares, except that the General Partners in TBK may be
deemed to have such rights and powers solely by reason of being general partners
in TBK.
(e) Not applicable.
ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH
RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Except as otherwise described herein, none of TBC or TBK, nor, to the
best knowledge of TBC or TBK, any other person named in Item 2 hereof, has any
contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with respect to any
securities of the Issuer.
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
Exhibit 99.1 - - Agreement pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1)(iii).
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SIGNATURE
Each of Tweedy, Browne Company LLC and TBK Partners, L.P., after
reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, hereby certifies
that the information set forth in this Statement (which includes the Exhibit
annexed hereto) is true, complete and correct.
TWEEDY, BROWNE COMPANY LLC
By /s/ Christopher H. Browne
-----------------------------------
Christopher H. Browne
Member
TBK PARTNERS, L.P.
By /s/ Christopher H. Browne
-----------------------------------
Christopher H. Browne
General Partner
Dated: July 29, 1998
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
AGREEMENT dated as of July 29, 1998 between Tweedy, Browne Company
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("TBC") and TBK Partners L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("TBK").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, TBC and TBK may be deemed to have acquired, in the aggregate,
beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the Common Stock (the "Common
Stock") of Spacelabs Medical Inc. (the "Company") and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 13d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Act"), a Statement on Schedule 13D must be filed by any person who
acquires more than five percent of registered equity securities; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(f) of the Act, only one such
Statement need be filed whenever two or more persons are required to file such a
Statement pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act with respect to the same
securities, provided that said persons agree in writing that such Statement is
filed on behalf of each of them.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
TBC and TBK do hereby agree, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(f) under the
Act, to file one Statement on Schedule 13D relating to their ownership of the
Common Stock, and do hereby further agree that said Statement shall be filed on
behalf of each of TBC and TBK. Nothing herein, however, shall be, or shall be
deemed to be, an admission that the parties hereto, or any of them, are members
of a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) with respect to any securities of the
Company.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
TWEEDY, BROWNE COMPANY LLC TBK Partners, L.P.
By /s/ Christopher H. Browne By /s/ Christopher H. Browne
------------------------------- ------------------------------
Christopher H. Browne Christopher H. Browne
Member General Partner
