<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)
Filed by the Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ X ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ X ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ X ] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
---------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
---------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
---------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
---------------
5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
--------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement no.:
----------------
3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
---------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.
--------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
June 29, 1998
--------------------
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Serengeti Eyewear, Inc. (the
"Company") will be held at the Courtyard Marriott, 850 University Parkway,
Sarasota, Florida at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 29, 1998, for the following
purposes:
i. To elect three directors to Class I of the Board of
Directors to serve for a three year term and one
director to Class II of the Board of Directors to
serve for a two year term.
ii. To ratify and approve the selection of independent
auditors of the Company to serve until the next
annual meeting of shareholders.
iii. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only holders of record at the close of business on May 18, 1998 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
MILTON NEVITT
Secretary
June 9, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All persons to whom the accompanying proxy is addressed are requested
to date, execute and return it promptly in the enclosed, self-addressed
envelope. No postage is required if mailed within the United States.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.
--------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held
June 29, 1998
--------------------
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
by the Board of Directors of Serengeti Eyewear, Inc. (the "Company") of proxies
and voting instructions in the accompanying form for use at the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be held at the Courtyard Marriott, 850 University Parkway,
Sarasota, Florida at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 29, 1998, and at all
adjournments thereof. The shares represented by proxies solicited by the Board
of Directors of the Company will be voted in accordance with the directions
given therein. If no direction is indicated, the proxy will be voted in favor of
the proposals set forth in the notice attached to this proxy statement. Any
shareholder may revoke his proxy at any time prior to the voting thereof by
giving notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company, by granting a proxy
bearing a later date or by voting in person at the meeting.
The total number of shares of the Company's common stock, $.001 par
value ("Common Stock"), outstanding as of May 18, 1998 was 2,384,000. The Common
Stock is the only class of securities of the Company entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting, each share being entitled to one non-cumulative vote. Only
shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 1998 will be
entitled to vote. A majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote, or 1,192,001 shares, must be present at the meeting in person
or by proxy in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Abstentions and broker nonvotes will be counted for purposes of determining the
presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. Directors will
be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Approval of each
other matter will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
thereon. Abstentions will be counted in tabulations of the votes cast on each of
the proposals presented at the meeting, whereas broker nonvotes will not be
counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.
"Broker nonvotes" are proxies received from brokers who, in the absence of
specific voting instructions from beneficial owners of shares held in brokerage
name, have declined to vote such shares in those instances where discretionary
voting by brokers is permitted.
The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Company.
Proxies may be solicited by directors, officers or employees of the Company in
person or by telephone.
The principal executive offices of the Company are at 8125 25th Court
East, Sarasota, Florida 34243. This proxy statement and the form of proxy are
being mailed to shareholders on or about June 9, 1998.
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, three directors of Class I of
the Board of Directors are to be elected for a three year term and one director
of Class II of the Board of Directors is to be elected for a two year term. The
nominees will be elected by a plurality of the shares present and voting at the
meeting. At the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will
vote the shares covered thereby for the election of the nominees named below to
the Board of Directors of the Company unless instructed to the contrary.
The four nominees and the six current directors with unexpired terms,
their ages, the years in which they began serving as directors and business
experience are set forth below:
Directors to be Elected to Serve Until the 2001 Annual Meeting (Class I)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal occupation and business
Name Age experience during the past five years
------ ----- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Dr. Jeffrey B. Sack 37 Dr. Jeffrey Sack is a new nominee to the Board of Directors.
Dr. Sack has practiced medicine for the last twelve years.
William L. McMahon 45 William McMahon is a new nominee to the Board of
Directors. Mr. McMahon has been Director, Financial
Reporting and Corporate Development of Uniroyal
Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of plastic sheet and
acrylic products, since November 1992. His responsibilities
include public reporting, general accounting, billing, credit
and acquisition due diligence. From June 1984 to November
1992, Mr. McMahon was Vice President of Buccino &
Associates, Inc., a national management consulting firm
specializing in corporate turnarounds. From June 1979 to
June 1984, Mr. McMahon was Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer of Goldblatt Bros., Inc., a department
store chain.
Edward Borix 48 Edward Borix became Vice President of Operations,
Worldwide of the Company in March 1997 and a director of
the Company in May 1997. From January 1995 until joining
the Company, Mr. Borix was a Vice President of Fidelity
Investments, an investment company. From 1979 to 1995, he
was a general manager and director of distribution for
various manufacturing plants of Bausch & Lomb, Inc., a
manufacturer of diverse eyeglass, eyewear and other optical
products.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
Director to be Elected to Serve Until the 1999 Annual Meeting (Class II)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal occupation and business
Name Age experience during the past five years
------ ----- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John Kopinski 45 John Kopinski is a new nominee to the Board of Directors.
Mr. Kopinski has been President and a director of Rickart
South, Inc., a manufacturer of flexible packaging materials,
since 1988.
</TABLE>
Directors whose terms do not expire until the 1999 Annual Meeting (Class II)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal occupation and business
Name Age experience during the past five years
------ ----- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William Keener 53 William Keener, a director of the Company since July 1996,
has served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Credit
Officer of SouthTrust Bank of the Suncoast, a commercial
bank, since May 1994. From March 1990 to May 1994, Mr.
Keener served as a Senior Vice President and Group
President for Commercial Lending and, thereafter, as First
Vice-President for Commercial Real Estate for Sunbank,
N.A., a commercial bank.
Michael Burke 48 Michael Burke became Vice President-Marketing of the
Company in January 1997 and a director of the Company in
May 1997. From January 1995 until joining the Company,
Mr. Burke served as a marketing consultant to the Company.
From November 1992 through June 1994, he was Vice
President and general manager of the sunglass division of
Smith Sport Optics, a sunglass distributor. From June 1985
until November 1992, Mr. Burke served as Vice President-
Marketing of Bausch & Lomb, Inc.'s Ray-Ban sunglasses
division.
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
Directors whose terms do not expire until the 2000 Annual Meeting (Class III)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal occupation and business
Name Age experience during the past five years
------ ----- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen Nevitt 50 Stephen Nevitt became the President of the Company in
1993. Prior to such time, he served as Vice President and a
director of the Company since its founding in 1976 by his
father, Milton Nevitt. As Vice President, he was involved in
all phases of operations including management and sales. As
President, he has been given primary responsibility for
management and sales and has also been responsible for
design and development of the Company's products as well
as product procurement. Mr. Nevitt is primarily responsible
for the Company's account with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
("Wal-Mart").
Milton Nevitt 76 Milton Nevitt founded the Company in 1976 and served as
its President and a director until 1993, and has since served
the Company as a Vice President and a director. As
President, Mr. Nevitt was primarily responsible for sales and
administration. As Vice President, Mr. Nevitt focuses on
sales and also oversees the account responsibilities of the
Company's independent sales representatives and coordinates
the Company's overall sales with the Company's National
Sales Manager. Mr. Nevitt's career in the sunglass industry
began in 1950 as a manufacturer's representative for Rayex
Corporation, a major domestic supplier of popular priced
sunglasses. Mr. Nevitt worked in that capacity until Rayex
ceased its business operations in 1976. Mr. Nevitt founded
the Company shortly thereafter.
David B. Newman 43 David B. Newman, a director of the Company since
December 1994, has for over the last nine years been a
partner of the law firm Cooperman Levitt Winikoff Lester &
Newman, P.C., which has acted as outside counsel to the
Company since 1987.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal occupation and business
Name Age experience during the past five years
------ ----- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michael J. Guccione 50 Michael J. Guccione became a Vice President and director
of the Company in December 1994. Since joining the
Company in 1992, Mr. Guccione's primary responsibilities
have been marketing and product development of the
Company's H2Optix(R)and other product lines. Mr. Guccione
became employed by Wal-Mart in 1976 and started and
headed its fine jewelry division. Mr. Guccione was also in
charge of the development of the sunglass business at
Wal-Mart and travelled extensively throughout the Far East
and Pacific Rim for the purpose of developing resources for
the purchase of sunglasses. After leaving Wal-Mart in 1990,
Mr. Guccione independently ran a management consulting
firm until joining the Company.
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee and a
Stock Option Committee. The Board of Directors has no nominating or compensation
committee; nominees for election as directors of the Company are selected by the
Board of Directors. During 1997, there were no meetings of the Audit Committee
and one meeting of the Stock Option Committee. The Stock Option Committee also
took action once by unanimous written consent. All of the Stock Option Committee
members attended the Committee meeting.
The Audit Committee was created in August 1996 in connection with the
Company's listing on The Nasdaq National Market. The Audit Committee consists of
three directors, two of whom are independent directors. The current members of
the Audit Committee are William Keener, David B. Newman and Stephen Nevitt. Its
functions are to (i) recommend the appointment of independent accountants, (ii)
review the arrangements for and scope of the audit by independent accountants,
(iii) review the independence of the independent accountants, (iv) consider the
adequacy of the system of internal accounting controls and review any proposed
corrective actions, (v) review and monitor the Company's policies regarding
business ethics and conflicts of interest, (vi) discuss with management and the
independent accountants the Company's annual financial statements and key
accounting and reporting matters, and (vii) review the activities and
recommendations of the Company's accounting department.
The Stock Option Committee is presently comprised of two non-employee
directors, William Keener and David B. Newman. The Stock Option Committee
administers the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and determines,
among other things, the time or times at which options will be granted, the
recipients of grants, whether a grant will consist of incentive stock options,
nonqualified stock options and stock appreciation rights (in tandem with an
option or free-standing) or a combination thereof, the option periods, the
limitations on option exercise and the number of shares to be subject to such
options, taking into account the nature and value of services rendered and
contributions made by the recipient to the success of the Company. The Stock
Option Committee also has authority to interpret the Plan and, subject to
certain limitations, to amend provisions of the Plan as it deems advisable.
During 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company held seven meetings
and took action twice by unanimous written consent. All of the directors
attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board.
5
<PAGE>
Identification of Executive Officers
Except as set forth below, there are no executive officers of the
Company in addition to those listed in the preceding paragraphs as Directors of
the Company.
Lucia Almquist became Vice President-Corporate Development of the
Company in January 1997. Ms. Almquist was a director of the Company in between
May 1997 and May 1998. From 1991 through 1997, Ms. Almquist served as Vice
President - Licensing and Merchandising for the Bon Jour Group, Ltd., a designer
and manufacturer of various fashion products.
Neil Winter became the Chief Financial Officer of the Company in
January 1997. Mr. Winter was director of the Company between May 1997 and May
1998. From 1985 until joining the Company, Mr. Winter was a principal of Winter,
Scheifley & Associates, P.C., a firm of certified public accountants principally
engaged in the auditing of financial statements for companies required to file
reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such firm served as the
Company's independent auditors from January 1994 until December 1996. The
Company's 1996 financial statements have been audited by Bartnick, P.A., and the
Company's 1997 financial statements have been audited by BDO Seidman LLP., both
of which are unrelated firms of certified public accountants.
6
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information as of May 18, 1998
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock by (i) any shareholder known by the Company to beneficially own more than
five percent of such outstanding shares, (ii) the Company's directors and
executive officers, and (iii) the directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each
beneficial owner of five percent or more of such Common Stock is the same as the
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Amount Ownership
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned (1) Percentage (1)
------------------- ---------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Nevitt Family Trust (2) 506,103 21.2%
Milton Nevitt 278,781 11.7%
Stephen Nevitt 1,408,422 (3)(4) 46.4%
Michael J. Guccione 200,830 (5) 8.2%
David B. Newman 560,103 (3)(6) 23.0%
c/o Cooperman Levitt Winikoff
Lester & Newman, P.C.
800 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
William Keener 1,000 *
Neil Winter 15,000 (7) *
Michael Burke 2,000 *
Lloyd J. Fuller 0 --
Lucia Almquist 0 --
Edward Borix 3,000 *
Dr. Jeffrey B. Sack 3,500 *
William L. McMahon 0 --
John Kopinski 0 --
John R. Clarke 200,000 (8) 7.7%
1725 Lazy River Lane
Dunwoody, Georgia 30350
RBB Bank Aktiengesellschaft (9) (9)
Burging 16
8010 Graz, Austria
Jerome B. Fox 122,700 (10) 5.1%
7821 Wilton Crescent Circle
University Park, Florida 34201
Directors and executive officers 1,963,033 (11) 62.0%
as a group (10 persons)
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
- ----------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Computation based on the term beneficial ownership as used in the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission which, for
purposes of the computation of ownership by the named holder, deems
outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
and convertible securities exercisable or convertible on the date, and
within sixty (60) days following the date, of determination of
beneficial ownership. As of April 1, 1998, 2,384,000 shares of Common
Stock were actually issued and outstanding.
(2) The indicated trust (the "Trust") was created pursuant to a Trust
Agreement, dated as of September 11, 1992, between Milton Nevitt, as
grantor, and Stephen Nevitt and David B. Newman, as trustees. Such
trustees have the sole power to vote the shares held by the Trust. The
children of Milton Nevitt, including Stephen Nevitt, are the
beneficiaries under the Trust.
(3) Includes 506,103 shares held by the Trust, for which such beneficial
owner acts as trustee.
(4) Includes 647,961 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted
pursuant to the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Stephen
Nevitt, pursuant to exercise of a power granted in the subscription
agreement covering the issuance of the Company's Preferred Shares (as
described in Footnote (9) below), has the power to direct the voting of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof for the
election of a majority of the directors of the Company through October
2000. The table does not include shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of such Preferred Shares.
(5) Includes 68,026 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted
pursuant to the Plan.
(6) Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted
pursuant to the Plan.
(7) Represents shares issuable upon exercise of options granted pursuant to
the Plan.
(8) Represents shares issuable upon exercise of the Series D Warrant which
entitles the holder to purchase such number of shares at an exercise
price of $5.50 per share at any time prior to September 30, 2001.
(9) RBB is the registered owner of 7,500 shares of Series A 6.5%
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Stock"), 7,500 shares of Series
B 6% Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Stock") and 7,500 shares of
Series C 6% Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series C Stock"; collectively
with the Series A Stock and the Series B Stock, the "Preferred Shares")
of the Company. Such Preferred Shares are presently convertible into
shares of Common Stock of the Company at a price determined by dividing
the stated value of the series ($7,500,000 for each) by a price equal
to the lower of (i) $5.50 in the case of the Series A Stock, $6.75 in
the case of the Series B Stock and 8.25 in the case of the Series C
Stock, and (ii) 80% of the average market price (as defined) for the
ten consecutive trading days ending three days prior to the notice of
conversion. As of April 1, 1998, the average market price for the ten
previous consecutive trading days was approximately $1.64 per share.
The above computation of beneficial ownership excludes shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares. See "Certain
Transactions - To Finance the Serengeti Acquisition."
(10) Such information was set forth in a Schedule 13D, dated October 24,
1997. Such Schedule 13D also stated that the spouse of Mr. Fox owns an
additional 600 shares of Common Stock and that Mr. Fox disclaims
beneficial ownership with respect to those shares.
(11) Includes 780,987 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted to
pursuant to the Plan.
8
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation for services rendered
to the Company paid in 1995, 1996 and 1997 to the Chief Executive Officer and
the Company's other four most highly paid executive officers who received total
annual salary and bonus in excess of $100,000 (collectively, the "Named
Executives").
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Long Term Compensation Awards
Compensation Securities Underlying
Name and Principal Position Year Salary($) Options(#)
- --------------------------- ------ ------------ -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Stephen Nevitt 1997 178,768 750,000
President (CEO) 1996 166,730
1995 143,702
Michael Burke 1997 158,515 105,000
Vice President
Lucia Almquist 1997 144,193 75,000
Vice President
Neil Winter 1997 142,815 65,000
Chief Financial Officer
Lloyd Fuller * 1997 135,764 75,000
Vice President
</TABLE>
- -------------
* Mr. Fuller's employment with the Company ceased as of June 3, 1998.
Set forth below is information with respect to grants of stock options
during the year ended December 31, 1997 to the named executive officers in the
Summary Compensation Table.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent of Total
Options
Number of Securities Granted To Exercise or
Underlying Options Employees Base Price
Name Granted (#) In Fiscal Year ($/Sh) Expiration Date
------ -------------------- ---------------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stephen Nevitt 579,935 41.1% 2.94 4/02/07
20,065 0.1% 3.24 4/02/02
150,000 10.6% 3.24 4/02/02
Michael Burke 105,000 7.4% 2.94 6/30/00
Lucia Almquist 75,000 5.3% 2.94 6/30/00
Neil Winter 65,000 4.6% 2.94 8/13/00
Lloyd Fuller 75,000 5.3% 2.94 8/13/00
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
Other than those granted to Messrs. Nevitt and Winter, the options
listed above are subject to certain performance criteria during the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Such criteria were not met for 1997 and,
accordingly, the following options were forfeited: Michael Burke - 25,000; Lucia
Almquist - 25,000; and Lloyd Fuller - 25,000. See "Employment Agreements" below.
Fiscal Year End Option Values
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised In-the-Money
Underlying Unexercised Options
Options at Fiscal Year End (#) at Fiscal Year End($) **
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable* Exercisable Unexercisable
------ ------------- ---------------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stephen Nevitt 613,948 136,052 - -
Michael Burke 0 105,000 - -
Lucia Almquist 0 75,000 - -
Neil Winter 0 65,000 - -
Lloyd Fuller 0 75,000 - -
</TABLE>
- -------------
* Other than those granted to Messrs. Nevitt and Winter, the options listed
above are subject to certain performance criteria during the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Such criteria were not met for 1997 and,
accordingly, the following options were forfeited: Michael Burke - 25,000; Lucia
Almquist - 25,000; and Lloyd Fuller - 25,000. See "Employment Agreements" below.
**The last sales price of the Common Stock was approximately $2.06 per share on
December 31, 1997.
Report on Option Repricing
The Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") was established as an
employment incentive to retain persons necessary for the development and
financial success of the Company. In April 1997, as a result of the decrease in
the market price of the Company's Common Stock during the preceding months and
recognizing that previously granted stock options had lost much of their value
in motivating employees (including the Named Executives) to remain with the
Company and share in its overall financial goals, the Company's Stock Option
Committee, pursuant to authority granted under the Plan, approved the repricing
of 1,315,000 options, including 1,070,000 options granted to the Named
Executives (the "Old Options"). Such repricing was effected by offering to grant
new options (the "New Options") at an exercise price of $2.94 per share (except
that 220,065 incentive New Options which were offered to two persons were
offered at an exercise price of $3.24 per share), which was the fair market
value of the Company's Common Stock on April 3, 1997 (or 110% of such fair
market value with respect to the incentive New Options offered to the two
persons) in exchange for the Old Options, based on a replacement ratio of one
New Option for one Old Option. All New Options to the Named Executives expire on
the same expiration date of the Old Options except with respect to Mr. Nevitt
whose incentive New Options expire five years from the date of grant and whose
non-incentive New Options expire ten years from the date of grant. By repricing
the Old Options, the Company intends to reward key employees who held Old
Options, including the Named Executives, for their contributions to the Company.
Employment Agreements
In January 1997, the Company entered into a three year employment
agreement with Michael Burke whereby Mr. Burke became employed as Vice
President-Marketing of the Company. The contract provides for an annual base
10
<PAGE>
salary of $160,000 in 1997, $175,000 in 1998, and $190,000 in 1999. The contract
also provides for incentive compensation and stock options as follows:
1998: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $60.0 million and $6.2 million,
respectively, then Mr. Burke will receive $15,000 and 15,000 stock
options or If net sales and pretax profits exceed $63.0 million and
$6.5 million, respectively, then Mr. Burke will receive $35,000 and
35,000 stock options
1999: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $80.0 million and $6.9 million,
respectively, then Mr. Burke will receive $15,000 and 20,000 stock
options or If net sales and pretax profits exceed $84.0 million and
$7.25 million, respectively, then Mr. Burke will receive $35,000 and
45,000 stock options
In January, 1997, the Company entered into a three year employment
agreement with Lucia Almquist whereby Ms. Almquist became employed as Vice
President-Corporate Development of the Company. The contract provides for annual
base salary of $150,000 in 1997, $165,000 in 1998, and $180,000 in 1999. The
contract also provides for incentive compensation and stock options as follows:
1998: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $60.0 million and $6.2 million,
respectively, then Ms. Almquist will receive $15,000 and 10,000 stock
options or If net sales and pretax profits exceed $63.0 million and
$6.5 million, respectively, then Ms. Almquist will receive $30,000 and
25,000 stock options
1999: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $80.0 million and $6.9 million,
respectively, then Ms. Almquist will receive $15,000 and 10,000 stock
options or If net sales and pretax profits exceed $84.0 million and
$7.25 million, respectively, then Ms. Almquist will receive $30,000 and
25,000 stock options
In January 1997, the Company entered into a three year employment
agreement with Neil Winter whereby Mr. Winter became employed as the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company. The contract provides for an annual base
salary of $138,000 in 1997, $150,000 in 1998, and $165,000 in 1999. In addition,
the contract provides for additional compensation and stock options of $10,000
and 15,000 stock options in 1997, $15,000 and 25,000 stock options in 1998 and
$15,000 and 25,000 stock options in 1999. The contract also provides for
incentive compensation as follows:
1998: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $63.0 million and $6.5 million,
respectively, then Mr. Winter will receive $10,000
1999: If net sales and pretax profits exceed $84.0 million and $7.25 million,
respectively, then Mr. Winter will receive $15,000
Each of the employment agreements contain a covenant by the employee
not to compete with the Company until the expiration of a one year period after
the expiration or termination of the agreement.
William Keener, a non-employee director of the Company in 1997 received
a fee of $500 per month for his services as a director.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Prior to the Serengeti Acquisition
On November 1, 1991, Joseph Feldman, the brother-in-law of Milton
Nevitt, a Vice President of the Company, made a loan in the principal amount of
$880,522 to the Company. The loan was to become due in April 1995 with interest
at the rate of 9% per annum. On December 30, 1994, Mr. Feldman converted a
portion of such loan in the principal amount of $510,000 into equity of the
Company in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 99,724 shares
11
<PAGE>
of Common Stock. The then remaining outstanding principal amount of the loan
($370,522) became payable, with interest of 9% per annum, over a three-year
period ending January 31, 1998, with monthly payments of interest in the amount
of $2,779 during the first year and monthly payments of principal and interest
in the amount of $16,927 during the remaining two years. The loan was repaid
during 1998.
Between January and October 1993, Milton Nevitt loaned an aggregate
amount of $281,450 to the Company. The loans were to become due in April 1995
with interest at the rate of 9% per annum. On December 30, 1994, the remaining
principal balance of such loans, in the amount of $270,128, was contributed by
Mr. Nevitt to the capital of the Company without the issuance of any additional
shares of capital stock. During November 1993, Milton Nevitt loaned an
additional amount of $285,000 to the Company. The remaining balance of such loan
at December 31, 1997 in the amount of $44,575 is payable upon demand.
The Company's former credit facility (which was repaid on February
13, 1997) was guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of Stephen and Milton
Nevitt and their wives, by Michael Guccione, and by the Nevitt Family Trust.
To Finance the Serengeti Acquisition
On October 4, 1996, the Company issued 7,500 shares of its Series A
6.5% Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value (the "Series A Shares"), to
RBB, a banking institution whose principal offices are located in Austria, in a
private offshore offering pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). RBB purchased the Series A Shares for a
purchase price equal to their aggregate stated value of $7.5 million as set
forth in a Regulation S Offshore Subscription Agreement dated September 29,
1996, which also contemplated the purchase of the Series B Shares and Series C
Shares referred to below. The purpose of such investment was to fund, in part,
the acquisition on February 13, 1997 of the assets of the Serengeti Eyewear
division of Corning Incorporated (the "Acquisition").
Pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale, dated as of October
29, 1996, between the Company and Corning, the Company agreed to purchase the
Serengeti assets for a purchase price of $27.5 million, which was effected on
February 13, 1997. RBB purchased, concurrently with the closing of the
Acquisition, 7,500 shares of the Company's Series B 6% Convertible Preferred
Stock, $.001 par value (the "Series B Shares"), and 7,500 shares of the
Company's Series C 6% Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value (the "Series
C Shares"; together with the Series A Shares and the Series B Shares, the
"Preferred Shares"), for a purchase price equal to their aggregate stated value
of $15.0 million. The proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Preferred
Shares were approximately $20.9 million (net of commissions and the estimated
expenses of such sale). The Company applied such net proceeds to the Acquisition
purchase price. The Company financed the remainder of such purchase price and
related costs and expenses with borrowings under a credit facility with SunTrust
Bank, Central Florida, National Association.
Concurrently with the issuance of the Series A Shares, the Company
also issued to RBB a Series A Warrant of the Company (the "Series A Warrant") to
purchase up to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $5.5625 per share. The Series A Warrant is exercisable at any time
commencing January 1, 1999 and on or prior to December 31, 2002. In addition,
the Company issued to RBB, concurrently with the issuance of the Series B Shares
and the Series C Shares, a Series B Warrant of the Company (the "Series B
Warrant") and a Series C Warrant of the Company (the "Series C Warrant"), each
of which entitles RBB to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of Common
Stock at a per share exercise price of (i) $7.50 with respect to the Series B
Warrant and (ii) $10.00 with respect to the Series C Warrant. Each of the Series
B Warrant and the Series C Warrant is exercisable at any time commencing January
1, 1999 and on or prior to December 31, 2002.
The Company has also issued, as part of the commission payable to a
third party in connection with the sale of the Series A Shares, a Series D
Warrant of the Company (the "Series D Warrant") to purchase up to an aggregate
of 200,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share. The
Series D Warrant is immediately exercisable and expires on or prior to September
30, 2001.
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected BDO Seidman LLP as its
independent auditors for 1998. Although shareholder ratification of the Board of
Directors' action in this respect is not required, the Board of Directors
considers it desirable for shareholders to pass upon such appointment. If the
shareholders do not ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman LLP, the engagement of
independent auditors will be reevaluated by the Board of Directors.
A representative of BDO Seidman LLP is expected to attend the meeting
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the
appointment of BDO Seidman LLP.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors
and executive officers and persons who own beneficially more than 10% of the
Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such
Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to file copies of
such reports with the Company. Based solely upon a review of the copies of such
reports filed with the Company, the Company believes that during 1997 such
reporting persons complied with the filing requirements of said Section 16(a).
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's 1997 Annual Report, which includes the Company's Annual
Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (Form 10-KSB), is being mailed
to shareholders together with this proxy statement. No part of such Annual
Report shall be regarded as proxy-soliciting material or as a communication by
means of which any solicitation is being or is to be made.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be brought before
the meeting. However, if other matters should come before the meeting, it is the
intention of each person named in the proxy to vote such proxy in accordance
with his judgment on such matters.
1999 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders are entitled to submit proposals on matters appropriate
for shareholder action consistent with regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. In order for shareholder proposals for the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy
statement, they must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the
Company's principal executive offices not later than March 1, 1999.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
MILTON NEVITT
Secretary
June 9, 1998
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SERENGETI EYEWEAR, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Stephen Nevitt and Milton
Nevitt as proxies, each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes
them to vote all shares of Common Stock of the undersigned at the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to be held at the Courtyard Marriott,
850 University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 29,
1998, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND "FOR" THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON
THE REVERSE SIDE.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
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Please mark
votes as in
X this example.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2.
1. Election of Directors.
Nominees:
(Class I) Jeffrey Sack, William L. McMahon, Edward Borix
(Class II) William Kopinski
------ ------
| | FOR | | WITHHELD
| | ALL | | FROM ALL
| | NOMINEES | | NOMINEES
------ ------
- ------
| |
| |
| |
- ------ --------------------------------------
For all nominees except as noted above
2. Selection of Independent Auditors. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
------ ------ ------
| | | | | |
------ ------ ------
MARK HERE ------
FOR ADDRESS | |
CHANGE AND ------
NOTE AT LEFT
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.
Joint owners should each sign. When signing
as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full title
as such.
Signature:_____________________Date_________
Signature:_____________________Date_________
15
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