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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report: NOVEMBER 14, 1996
Date of Earliest Event Reported: NOVEMBER 13, 1996
DEPARTMENT 56, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-11908 13-3684956
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
ONE VILLAGE PLACE, 6436 CITY WEST PARKWAY, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (612) 944-5600
PAGE 1 OF 6
Exhibit Index on Page 4
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
A copy of each of the Press Release and the Internet/Website
Announcement, each dated November 13, 1996, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1
and 99.2, respectively, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release, dated November 13, 1996.
99.2 Internet/Website Announcement, dated November 13, 1996.
PAGE 2 OF 6
Exhibit Index on Page 4
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 14, 1996
DEPARTMENT 56, INC.
/s/David H. Weiser
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David H. Weiser
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
PAGE 3 OF 6
Exhibit Index on Page 4
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE
99.1 Press Release, dated November 13, 1996 5
99.2 Internet/Website Announcement, 6
dated November 13, 1996.
PAGE 4 OF 6
Exhibit Index on Page 4
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Exhibit 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
[Department 56 Logo]
Investor Contacts: Mark Kennedy/Tim Schugel
Telephone: (612) 944-5600
SUSAN ENGEL NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF DEPARTMENT 56
FOUNDER ED BAZINET REMAINS CHAIRMAN;
STAYS ON IN CREATIVE ROLE
Minneapolis, MN, November 13, 1996 -- Department 56, Inc. (NYSE:DFS) announced
today that Susan Engel, President and Chief Operating Officer, has been
appointed to the additional position of Chief Executive Officer. Ed Bazinet,
who founded the company twenty years ago, will continue as Chairman and will
focus his attention on creative development of its Decorative Giftware line.
"My decision to pass the Chief Executive position to Susan Engel reflects our
partnership in all areas of the company's management over the past two years.
She has my utmost confidence," Mr. Bazinet said. "For me, this is a homecoming
of sorts. Before Department 56 became known for our Collectible products, my
roots started in general giftware and home decor. I look forward to
concentrating on growing our Decorative Giftware line, and to help it create the
same market presence and appeal that our Collectibles have."
"Under Ed's leadership, Department 56 has become a premier consumer products
company with valuable brands and an exceptional franchise," Ms. Engel noted. "I
am looking forward to continuing our tradition of growth and excellence, and am
pleased that we will continue to benefit from the dedication of Ed's creative
energies."
Ms. Engel joined Department 56 as President and COO in 1994, and was appointed
to its Board in February 1996. Previously, she was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Champion Products, a division of Sara Lee Corporation.
Prior to Champion, Ms. Engel was a management consultant with Booz-Allen &
Hamilton for 14 years.
Department 56, Inc. is a leading designer, importer and distributor of fine
quality collectibles and other specialty giftware products sold through gift and
home accessory retailers. The Company is best known for its series of
collectible, handcrafted lit ceramic and porcelain houses, buildings and related
accessories in The Original Snow Village Collection and The Heritage Village
Collection. In addition, Department 56, Inc. offers an extensive line of
holiday and home decorative products, including its Snowbabies collectible
porcelain and pewter hand-painted figurines, Christmas decorative products and
other giftware items.
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Exhibit 99.2
INTERNET/WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT
[Department 56 Logo]
SUSAN ENGEL NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
D 56 FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN ED BAZINET REMAINS IN CREATIVE ROLE
Minneapolis, MN, November 13, 1996 -- Department 56 today announced that Susan
Engel, the company's President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed
to the additional position of Chief Executive Officer.
Department 56 founder Ed Bazinet continues as Chairman of the company's board of
directors and will serve in a creative role, focused on further developing the
company's decorative giftware lines.
According to Ed: "My decision to pass the Chief Executive position to Susan
reflects our partnership in all areas of the company's management over the past
two years. This is a well-earned succession of responsibility for her and she
has my utmost confidence."
"Under Ed's leadership, the small giftware division of a regional garden center
chain was nurtured into something truly special," says Susan. "Our product's
integrity and value are respected by collectors and retailers alike, and I look
forward to continuing our tradition of excellence."
"Before Department 56 became known for its collectibles such as The Original
Snow Village, The Heritage Village Collection and Snowbabies, we were a general
giftware company," Ed notes. "It's a homecoming of sorts for me -- going back
to my roots -- as I look forward not only to spending more time pursuing
personal interests but also to focusing my business efforts on Department 56's
home decorative gift, tabletop and trim lines, which were the initial foundation
of our company twenty years ago."
