SL INDUSTRIES INC
SC 13D, 1997-06-20
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                (Amendment No. )(1)

                               SL INDUSTRIES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of issuer)

                          COMMON STOCK, $.20 PAR VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of class of securities)

                                    784413106
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP number)

                              STEVEN WOLOSKY, ESQ.
                     OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME & ROSENZWEIG LLP
                                 505 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 753-7200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, address and telephone number of person
                authorized to receive notices and communications)

                                  June 16, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of event which requires filing of this statement)

         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
o.

         Note.  six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be
filed with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies
are to be sent.

                         (Continued on following pages)

                              (Page 1 of 11 Pages)

                        Exhibit Index Appears on Page 10

- --------
     (1) 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 or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 2 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------


================================================================================
      1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
                S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

                                                    STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*       (a) / /
                                                                        (b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3         SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                         PF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
                PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                              / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION

                         DELAWARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NUMBER OF             7          SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                               329,300
   OWNED BY
     EACH
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                        8          SHARED VOTING POWER

                                            -0-
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                        9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                            329,300
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                       10          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                            -0-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
                PERSON

                         329,300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
                CERTAIN SHARES*                                            / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                            5.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                         PN
================================================================================

                      SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 3 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

================================================================================
      1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
                S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

                                                      WARREN LICHTENSTEIN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*      (a) / /
                                                                       (b) / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3         SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                         00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
                PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                               / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION

                         USA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NUMBER OF             7          SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                               345,100
   OWNED BY
     EACH
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                        8          SHARED VOTING POWER

                                            - 0 -
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                        9          SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                            345,100
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                       10          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                            - 0 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
                PERSON

                         345,100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
                CERTAIN SHARES*                                             / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                             6.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                         IN
================================================================================

                      SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 4 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

         The  following  constitutes  the Schedule 13D filed by the  undersigned
(the "Schedule 13D").

Item 1.           Security and Issuer.

                  This statement  relates to shares (the "Shares") of the common
stock, par value $.20 per share ("Common  Stock"),  of SL Industries,  Inc. (the
"Issuer").  The  principal  executive  offices of the Issuer are  located at 520
Fellowship Road, Suite A114, Mt.
Laurel, New Jersey 08054.

Item 2.           Identity and Background.

                  (a) This  Statement  is filed by Steel  Partners  II,  L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Steel Partners II"), and Warren G.
Lichtenstein.

                  Steel Partners,  L.L.C., a Delaware limited  liability company
("Partners  LLC"),  is the  general  partner  of  Steel  Partners  II.  The sole
executive  officer and managing  member of Partners LLC is Warren  Lichtenstein,
who is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.

                  Each of the foregoing are referred to as a "Reporting  Person"
and  collectively  as the  "Reporting  Persons".  By virtue of his position with
Steel  Partners  II, Mr.  Lichtenstein  has the power to vote and dispose of the
Issuer's Shares owned by Steel Partners II.  Accordingly,  the Reporting Persons
are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.

                  (b)      The  principal  business  address  of each  Reporting
Person is 750 Lexington Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

                  (c)      The  principal  business  of  Steel  Partners  II  is
investing in the securities of microcap companies.  The principal  occupation of
Mr.  Lichtenstein  is investing in the  securities  of microcap  companies.  Mr.
Lichtenstein is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

                  (d)      No Reporting  Person has, during the last five years,
been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors).

                  (e)      No Reporting  Person has, during the last five years,
been  party  to a civil  proceeding  of a  judicial  or  administrative  body of
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding 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 violation with respect to such laws.

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 5 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

                  (f)  Mr. Lichtenstein is a citizen of the United States
of America.

Item 3.           Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

                  The aggregate  purchase  price of the 329,300 Shares of Common
Stock owned by Steel Partners II is $2,436,672. The Shares of Common Stock owned
by Steel  Partners  II were  acquired  with  partnership  funds.  The  aggregate
purchase  price  of  the  15,800  Shares  of  Common  Stock   purchased  by  Mr.
Lichtenstein is $57,038 and came from his personal funds.

Item 4.           Purpose of Transaction.

                  The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares of the Issuer based
on the Reporting  Persons'  belief that the Shares at current  market prices are
undervalued and represent an attractive investment  opportunity.  Depending upon
overall  market  conditions,  other  investment  opportunities  available to the
Reporting Persons,  and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the
purchase of additional Shares  desirable,  the Reporting Persons may endeavor to
increase their position in the Issuer through,  among other things, the purchase
of Shares on the open market or in private transactions,  through a tender offer
or otherwise,  on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem
advisable.

                  Mr.  Lichtenstein  has been a member of the Board of Directors
of the Issuer  since 1993,  and in that  capacity has had  discussions  with the
Issuer and intends to have future discussions with the Issuer about the business
operations of the Issuer and ways to enhance  stockholder  value,  including but
not limited to, a stock buyback program by the Issuer, a  recapitalization,  the
sale or spinoff of certain of the Issuer's business  segments,  the expansion of
the Issuer's core business segments, by acquisition or otherwise, or the sale of
the  Issuer.  The  Reporting  Persons  intend to  actively  monitor  efforts  by
management to increase  stockholder value. The Reporting Persons may also decide
in the future, should the Issuer's Shares continue to be undervalued, to propose
a transaction  whereby all or a portion of the Issuer be sold, and in connection
therewith the Reporting  Persons may seek to participate in such  transaction or
seek to acquire control of the Issuer in a negotiated  transaction or otherwise.
Should the Issuer's  Shares continue to be  undervalued,  the Reporting  Persons
also may seek in the future to have one or more of its representatives appointed
as additional members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, by agreement with
the Issuer or  otherwise,  including  by running its own slate of nominees at an
annual or special meeting of the Issuer. The Reporting Persons may in the future
propose   other  matters  for   consideration   and  approval  by  the  Issuer's
stockholders  or the Board of Directors,  but has not identified such matters at
this date. The Reporting  Persons shall take all such actions  described  herein
consistent  with Mr.  Lichtenstein's  fiduciary  obligations  as a member of the
Issuer's Board of Directors.

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 6 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------


                  No  Reporting  Person has any present  plan or proposal  which
would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) -
(j) of Item 4 of Schedule  13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur
upon completion of any of the actions discussed above. Steel Partners II intends
to review its investment in the Issuer on a continuing  basis and,  depending on
various factors including,  without limitation,  the Issuer's financial position
and investment strategy, the price levels of the Common Stock, conditions in the
securities  markets and general  economic  and industry  conditions,  may in the
future take such  actions  with  respect to its  investment  in the Issuer as it
deems appropriate including, without limitation, purchasing additional Shares of
Common  Stock or selling  some or all of its  Shares or to change its  intention
with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.

Item 5.           Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

                  (a)  The  aggregate  percentage  of  Shares  of  Common  Stock
reported  owned by each  person  named  herein is based  upon  5,786,280  Shares
outstanding,  which is the total number of Shares of Common Stock outstanding as
reported in the Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended April 30, 1997.

                  As of the close of business on June 19, 1997,  Steel  Partners
II beneficially owns 329,300 Shares of Common Stock, constituting  approximately
5.7% of the Shares  outstanding.  Mr.  Lichtenstein  beneficially  owns  345,100
Shares,   representing  approximately  6.0%  of  the  Shares  outstanding.   Mr.
Lichtenstein  has sole voting and  dispositive  power with respect to the 15,800
Shares owned by him and the 329,300  Shares owned by Steel Partners II by virtue
of his  authority  to vote and dispose of such  Shares.  All of such Shares were
acquired in open-market transactions.

                  (b)      By virtue of his positions with Steel Partners II,
Mr. Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose of the
Shares reported in this Schedule 13D.

                  (c) Schedule A annexed  hereto lists all  transactions  in the
Issuer's Common Stock in the last sixty days by the Reporting Persons.

                  (d) No person  other  than the  Reporting  Persons is known to
have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from,
or proceeds from the sale of, such Shares of the Common Stock.

                  (e)      Not applicable.

Item 6.           Contracts, Agreements, Understandings or Relationships
                  with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

                  Other than as described herein, there are no contracts,
arrangements or understandings among the Reporting Persons, or

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 7 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

between  the  Reporting  Persons  and any  other  Person,  with  respect  to the
securities of the Issuer.

Item 7.           Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

                  1.       Joint Filing Agreement

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 8 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------


                                   SIGNATURES

                  After reasonable  inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and
belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.


Dated:   June 20, 1997                   STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                         By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
                                             General Partner

                                         By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                             --------------------------
                                                 Warren G. Lichtenstein,
                                                 Chief Executive Officer

                                        /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                        --------------------------
                                             WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 9 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

                                   SCHEDULE A

               TRANSACTIONS IN THE SHARES WITHIN THE PAST 60 DAYS


    Shares of Common                 Price Per              Date of
     Stock Purchased                  Share                 Purchase
     ---------------                  -----                 --------

                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
                             -----------------------

           9,500                       6.93500                 4/21/97

           2,500                       8.54500                 6/06/97

             500                       8.54500                 6/09/97

           1,000                       9.04500                 6/13/97

           2,000                       9.06000                 6/13/97

          60,900                       9.04540                 6/16/97

           1,300                       9.29500                 6/17/97

          13,500                       9.51250                 6/19/97

          22,400                       9.90234                 6/20/97



                               WARREN LICHTENSTEIN

                                      None.



<PAGE>

- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 10 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit                                               Page
- -------                                               ----

1.       Joint Filing Agreement                        11


- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 784413106                  13D    Page 11 of 11 Pages
- --------------------------------            ------------------------------------


                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

                  In accordance with Rule 13d-1(f)(1)(iii)  under the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended,  the persons  named below agree to the joint
filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement  on Schedule  13D dated June 20,
1997  (including  amendments  thereto)  with  respect to the Common  Stock of SL
Industries,  Inc.  This Joint Filing  Agreement  shall be filed as an Exhibit to
such Statement.

Dated:   June 20, 1997                  STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                        By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
                                            General Partner


                                        By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                            --------------------------
                                                Warren G. Lichtenstein,
                                                Chief Executive Officer

                                        /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                        -------------------------------
                                            WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN



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