BT OFFICE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC
10-Q, 1998-05-15
PAPER & PAPER PRODUCTS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


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

                  For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1998

                                       OR

              ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

             For the Transition Period From __________ To __________


                         Commission file number: 1-13858


                     BT OFFICE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                     13-3245865
- ----------------------------------------      ---------------------------------
(State of incorporation or organization)      (IRS Employer Identification No.)
       
      2150 E. Lake Cook Road
      Buffalo Grove, Illinois                          60089-1877
- ------------------------------------------     ---------------------------------
  (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

                                 (847) 793-7500
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (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 practical date:

Class of Common Stock                       Shares Outstanding as of May 7, 1998
- ---------------------------------           ------------------------------------
Common stock, par value $.01 per share                 33,471,000

                                      -1-
<PAGE>


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

                          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

                      For the Quarter Ended March 31, 1998



                     Index of Information Included in Report


                                                                            Page

Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)
              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                            3
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations                  4
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                  5
              Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements             6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
            of Financial Condition and Results of Operations                   8



Part II. Other Information                                                    10




                                      -2-
<PAGE>


Part I.  Financial Information

                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)
                                
                                                   March 31         December 31
                                                     1998              1997
                                                 ------------      ------------
Assets
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                     $     21,309      $     19,466
   Accounts receivable, less allowances of
     $9,623 in 1998 and $9,753 in 1997                234,737           219,118
   Other receivables                                   22,823            33,429
   Inventories                                        120,933           123,324
   Other current assets                                31,774            29,524
                                                 ------------      ------------
  Total current assets                                431,576           424,861

Other assets                                           26,287            26,786

Property, plant and equipment                         158,803           152,137
Accumulated depreciation and amortization              68,513            64,212
                                                 ------------      ------------
Net property, plant and equipment                      90,290            87,925

Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of
   $55,964 in 1998 and $53,726 in 1997                220,789           224,129
                                                 ------------      ------------

Total assets                                     $    768,942      $    763,701
                                                 ============      ============

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
   Notes payable                                 $     18,645      $     24,591
   Accounts payable                                   145,995           140,780
   Current portion of long-term obligations           205,636           200,816
   Other current liabilities                           69,391            70,688
                                                 ------------      ------------
Total current liabilities                             439,667           436,875

Long-term obligations                                  32,838            31,837
Other liabilities                                      21,495            21,276

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock                                           335               335
   Additional paid-in capital                         270,132           270,132
   Retained earnings                                   21,470            17,137
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss               (16,995)          (13,891)
                                                 ------------      ------------
  Total stockholders' equity                          274,942           273,713
                                                 ------------      ------------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $    768,942      $    763,701
                                                 ============      ============

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
financial statements

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                         Three months ended
                                                              March 31
                                                  ------------------------------

                                                     1998               1997
                                                 -------------     -------------

Net sales                                        $   444,223       $    401,562

Costs and expenses:
   Costs of products sold                            324,474            286,011
   Selling and administrative expenses               101,466             97,043
   Depreciation and amortization                       4,493              4,206
   Amortization of intangibles                         2,391              2,683
                                                 -----------       ------------
                                                     432,824            389,943

Operating income                                      11,399             11,619

Other income (expense):
   Interest income and other                             667                651
   Interest expense                                   (4,033)            (4,052)
                                                 -----------       ------------
                                                      (3,366)            (3,401)

Income before income taxes                             8,033              8,218
Income tax expense                                     3,700              3,850
                                                 ------------      ------------
Net income                                       $     4,333       $      4,368
                                                 ===========       ============

Basic earnings per share                         $      0.13       $       0.13
                                                 ===========       ============
Diluted earnings per share                       $      0.13       $       0.13
                                                 ===========       ============

Average shares outstanding, basic                     33,471             33,471
                                                 ===========       ============

Average shares outstanding, diluted                   33,685             33,471
                                                 ===========       ============

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  condensed  consolidated
financial statements.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                                 (In thousands)

                                                            Three months ended
                                                                 March 31
                                                           ---------------------

                                                             1998         1997
                                                           -------      -------
Operating Activities

Net income                                                 $ 4,333      $ 4,368
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                             4,846        4,592
   Amortization of intangibles                               2,391        2,683
   Other                                                       819          572
Changes  in  operating  assets  and  liabilities, 
 net of  effects  of  business acquisitions:
   Receivables                                             (17,699)      (3,089)
   Inventories                                               1,495        3,092
   Other current assets                                      7,880       (1,848)
   Accounts payable and other current liabilities            4,486        2,429
                                                           -------      -------

    Net cash provided by operating activities                8,551       12,799

Investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment                  (7,764)      (3,106)
Acquisitions of businesses, less cash acquired                (405)      (1,544)
Other                                                          796         (283)
                                                           -------      -------

    Net cash used for investing activities                  (7,373)      (4,933)

Financing activities

Net repayments of notes payable                             (5,126)      (4,307)
Net borrowings under long-term obligations                   6,072        3,835
                                                           -------      -------

    Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities       946         (472)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 
    and cash equivalents                                      (281)        (512)
                                                           -------      -------

    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                1,843        6,882

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period            19,466       20,163
                                                           -------      -------

Cash and cash  equivalents at end of period                $21,309      $27,045
                                                           =======      =======


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  condensed  consolidated
financial statements.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>



                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

        Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)



1. Basis of Presentation


The accompanying  unaudited condensed  consolidated financial statements present
information in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles for
interim   financial   information  and  applicable   rules  of  Regulation  S-X.
Accordingly,  they do not  include  all  information  or  footnotes  required by
generally  accepted  accounting  principles for complete  financial  statements.
Management  believes  the  financial   statements  include  all  normal  accrual
adjustments  necessary for a fair presentation.  Operating results for the three
month  period ended March 31, 1998 do not  necessarily  reflect the results that
may be  expected  for the  full  year.  For  further  information,  refer to the
consolidated  financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.


2.  Long-term Obligations

On August 2, 1996,  the Company  entered  into a $250  million  syndicated  bank
Competitive  Advance and Revolving  Credit Facility  Agreement (the "Bank Credit
Agreement").  The Bank Credit  Agreement is being used for working capital needs
and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

As of March 31, 1998, the Company is in compliance with the financial  covenants
under the Bank Credit Agreement.  The Company does, however,  expect that one or
more  defaults or events of default may arise in 1998 as a result of breaches of
existing financial  covenants.  Accordingly,  indebtedness under the Bank Credit
Agreement has been classified as current portion of long-term obligations in the
financial  statements  at December  31, 1997 and March 31, 1998.  The  Company's
majority  shareholder,  KNP BT, has advised the Company that it will support the
Company  during 1998 and use its best efforts to prevent any default or event of
default that may arise under the Bank Credit Agreement.  As described in Note 6,
the Company  announced  that KNP BT has reached an  agreement  in  principle  to
acquire in a cash merger the outstanding  minority interest in the Company.  KNP
BT has advised the Company that it intends to reduce or  eliminate  its existing
indebtedness  under  the Bank  Credit  Agreement  and/or  otherwise  cause  such
indebtedness to be refinanced.


3.  Earnings Per Share

Basic  earnings  per  share  is  computed  by  dividing  the net  income  by the
weighted-average  number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted
earnings  per share is computed by dividing  net income by the  weighted-average
number of common  shares  outstanding,  adjusted for the  dilutive  common share
equivalents attributed to outstanding options to purchase common stock.

4.  Contingencies

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the normal course of
business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel's evaluation
of such actions, is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters
over and above previously  established accruals will not have a material adverse
effect on the financial position, net cash flows or results of operations of the
Company.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

        Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

5.   Comprehensive Income

During the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company  adopted the provision
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income."  As of  March  31,  1998  and  December  31,  1997,  accumulated  other
comprehensive  loss, as  reflected  on the condensed consolidated balance sheet,
was  comprised  entirely  of  the   currency   translation   adjustment.   Total
comprehensive  income (loss) for the  three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
was as follows:

                                                     Three Months Ended March 31

                                                        1998             1997
                                                      --------         --------

Net income                                            $  4,333         $  4,368
Other comprehensive loss:
     Unrealized currency translation loss               (3,104)          (6,896)
                                                      --------         --------

Total comprehensive income(loss)                      $  1,229         $ (2,528)
                                                      ========         ========



6.    Subsequent Event

On January 22, 1998,  KNP BT, the Company's 70%  stockholder,  announced that it
was prepared to make an offer to acquire the  approximately 30% of the Company's
stock that is publicly traded for a cash purchase price of $10.50 per share. The
Company formed an independent  committee of its Board of Directors (the "Special
Committee") to represent the interests of the minority shareholders. The Special
Committee,  together with independent  financial and legal advisors it retained,
evaluated  the  proposal.  The  Company  was served with  several  class  action
complaints  that  have  been  filed in the  Court of  Chancery  of the  State of
Delaware.  The actions  allege  breach of  fiduciary  duties and related  claims
against KNP BT, the Company and certain of its directors in connection  with the
January 22, 1998 announcement.

On May 7, 1998,  the Company  announced  that KNP BT has reached an agreement in
principle  with the Special  Committee of the Board of Directors to acquire in a
cash  merger the  outstanding  minority  interest  in the Company for $13.75 per
share.  The  agreement  is  subject to  definitive  documentation,  final  board
approval by the Company's Board of Directors,  and approval by a majority of the
Company's public  stockholders.  On May 7, 1998, the Company also announced that
KNP BT has reached an agreement in principle to settle the class action lawsuits
that were filed challenging the transaction. This settlement is subject to Court
approval. The fees and expenses associated with such settlement are not expected
to be material to the financial condition of the Company.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                                      and
                              Results of Operations


Results of Operations

Net sales  increased to $444.2  million in the first quarter of 1998 from $401.6
million in the  comparable  period last year,  an  increase of $42.6  million or
10.6%.  The  increase in sales was driven by sales from  existing  locations  of
10.4% and growth from  acquisitions  of 2.9%,  while currency  translation had a
negative impact of 2.7%.

Net sales in the United States  increased to $312.6 million in the first quarter
of 1998 from $288.5 million in the  comparable  period last year, an increase of
$24.1 million or 8.4%. The Company believes the principal  factors  contributing
to its  internal  growth  were  increased  sales to existing  customers  and new
accounts.  Net sales in the United States continue to be negatively  impacted by
increasing competitive market conditions and lower paper prices.

Net sales in Europe  increased  to $131.6  million in the first  quarter of 1998
from $113.1  million in the  comparable  period last year,  an increase of $18.5
million or 16.4%.  The  incremental  impact of the Company's  1997  acquisitions
accounted  for 10.2% of the European  sales growth in the first quarter of 1998.
Excluding the effects of foreign currency  depreciation  against the U.S. dollar
of 9.6%,  sales  growth  at  existing  locations  increased  15.8% for the first
quarter,  compared to the same period last year.  Europe's  internal  growth was
driven by the continued  double digit growth from the late 1996  acquisitions in
Sweden and the Netherlands,  the addition of new, large accounts in Germany and,
to a lesser extent, two new sales offices in Germany.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 27.0% in the first quarter of 1998
as compared to 28.8% in the comparable period last year, a decrease of 1.8%. The
decrease was  attributable  primarily to highly  competitive  market  conditions
resulting in lower product margins and a shift in product mix in Europe.

Selling and  administrative  expenses,  expressed as a percentage  of net sales,
were 22.8% in the first  quarter of 1998 as compared to 24.2% in the  comparable
period last year, a decrease of 1.4%. With the recent sales growth,  the Company
has leveraged its operating and logistics  costs while at the same time invested
in additional personnel to support the business.  The Company continues to focus
on initiatives to improve its cost structure.

In  December  1997,  the  Company  announced  its  U.S.  plan  to  implement  an
enterprise-wide system solution, known as Project Millennium,  which is designed
to standardize  business processes,  centralize certain business functions,  and
enhance  customer  service  capabilities.  As part  of the  first  phase  of the
project,  customers will gradually transition from the various legacy systems to
the national sales and order management system. The operating costs in the first
quarter of 1998 and the  comparable  quarter last year included $3.4 million and
$1.9 million,  respectively,  associated with the design and  implementation  of
Project Millennium and the enhanced national sales and order management system.

Operating  income as a percentage  of net sales was 2.6% in the first quarter of
1998 as  compared to 2.9% in the  comparable  period  last year.  Excluding  the
Project  Millennium costs described  above,  operating income as a percentage of
sales  would  have  been  3.3% in the  first  quarter  of 1998  and  3.4% in the
comparable  period in the prior year.  Excluding  the Project  Millennium  costs
described  above,  operating  income  in  the  United  States,  expressed  as  a
percentage  of net sales,  was 4.0% in the first quarter of 1998 and 4.1% in the
comparable  quarter last year.  Operating income as a percentage of net sales in
Europe in the first quarter of 1998 and 1997 was 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively.

Net income  decreased  to $4.3  million  in the first  quarter of 1998 from $4.4
million in the comparable  period last year.  Lower gross margins and additional
costs  associated  with Project  Millennium  offset the favorable  experience of
higher sales and operating cost reductions.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash  provided  by  operating  activities  in the first  quarter of 1998 of $8.6
million  was  the  result  of  $12.4   million  of  net  income,   depreciation,
amortization and other non-cash items offset by $3.8 million of net increases in
working  capital  mostly in accounts  receivable.  Cash  provided  by  financing
activities  included  $0.9  million  for net  borrowings  of notes  payable  and
long-term  obligations.  Significant cash requirements in the first three months
of 1998 included $7.8 million for capital  expenditures and $0.4 million related
to acquisitions of businesses.

As of March 31, 1998, the Company is in compliance with the financial  covenants
under the Bank Credit Agreement.  The Company does, however,  expect that one or
more  defaults or events of default may arise in 1998 as a result of breaches of
existing financial  covenants.  Accordingly,  indebtedness under the Bank Credit
Agreement has been classified as current portion of long-term obligations in the
financial  statements  at December  31, 1997 and March 31, 1998.  The  Company's
majority  shareholder,  KNP BT, has advised the Company that it will support the
Company  during 1998 and use its best efforts to prevent any default or event of
default  that may arise under the Bank  Credit  Agreement.  On May 7, 1998,  the
Company  announced  that KNP BT has reached an agreement in principle to acquire
in a cash merger the outstanding  minority  interest in the Company.  KNP BT has
advised  the  Company  that it  intends  to reduce  or  eliminate  its  existing
indebtedness  under  the Bank  Credit  Agreement  and/or  otherwise  cause  such
indebtedness to be refinanced.

The Company  continues to actively pursue acquiring  established  quality office
products  distributors  in the U.S.  and Europe as an integral  part of its long
term strategy.  The Company anticipates  significant future acquisition funding,
to the extent required, will necessitate obtaining additional debt and/or equity
capital  resources.  The  Company  continues  to examine  and  evaluate  several
alternatives.

Other

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131 ("SFAS 131"),  "Disclosure about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information."  This statement,  effective
for financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997, requires
that a public business  enterprise report financial and descriptive  information
about its reportable  operating segments.  Generally,  financial  information is
required to be reported on the basis that it is used  internally  for evaluating
segment  performance  and  deciding how to allocate  resources to segments.  The
Company is evaluating the effects of this pronouncement.

Forward Looking Statements

Various  statements  made within this  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Financial  Condition and Results of Operations  and elsewhere in this  Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q constitute  "forward looking statements" for purposes of the
Securities and Exchange  Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6  under the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended.  Investors  are  cautioned  that all forward
looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,  including those detailed in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There can be
no  assurance   that  actual   results  will  not  differ  from  the   Company's
expectations.  Factors which could cause materially  different  results include,
among  others,  uncertainties  related  to the  introduction  of  the  Company's
products  and  services;  the ability to finance and  successfully  complete and
integrate  future  acquisitions;  mix of sales by product  category and country;
continual  competitive  pressure on pricing and margins;  delays in implementing
the technological and operational changes planned under Project Millennium;  the
volatility of paper prices; the fluctuation in interest rates; and the expansion
into international markets, including currency exchange rates and general market
conditions.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


Part II.          Other Information


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The Company was served with several class action complaints that have been filed
in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.  The actions allege breach of
fiduciary  duties and related  claims against KNP BT, the Company and certain of
its directors in connection  with the January 22, 1998  announcement.  On May 7,
1998, the Company announced that KNP BT has reached an agreement in principle to
settle the class action lawsuits that were filed  challenging  the  transaction.
This settlement is subject to Court approval.  The fees and expenses  associated
with such settlement are not expected to be material to the financial  condition
of the Company.

Item 2.  Changes in Securities

Not applicable.

Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

         27.1 Financial Data Schedule
         99.1 BT Office Products International, Inc. Press Relase dated
                May 7, 1998 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

         On January 22, 1998,  the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to
report that the Company had been served with several class action  complaints in
connection  with  KNP  BT's  announcement  of its  intent  to make an  offer  to
repurchase the remaining outstanding shares of the Company.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


                     BT Office Products International, Inc.

                                    Signature


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                  BT OFFICE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                        /s/  Francis J. Leonard
                        --------------------------------------------------------

                                           Francis J. Leonard
                          Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer
                       (Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)



Date:  May 15, 1998



                                      -11-
<PAGE>


                     BT OFFICE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
         Filed with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly
                           Period Ended March 31, 1998




       Exhibit No.          Description

           27.1             Financial Data Schedule

           99.1             BT Office Products International, Inc. Press Release
                               dated May 7, 1998


 



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                            5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial  information  extracted from BT Office
Products  International,  Inc. Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended
March 31,  1998 and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by  reference  to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                  1,000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                            Mar-31-1998
<CASH>                                       21,309
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                               244,360
<ALLOWANCES>                                (9,623)
<INVENTORY>                                 120,933
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            431,576
<PP&E>                                      158,803
<DEPRECIATION>                             (68,513)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              768,942
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       439,667
<BONDS>                                      32,838
<COMMON>                                        335
                             0
                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                  270,132
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                768,942
<SALES>                                     444,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            444,223
<CGS>                                       324,474
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               432,824
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            4,033
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               8,033
<INCOME-TAX>                                  3,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           4,333
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  4,333
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.13
        


</TABLE>



Contact: Thomas F. Cullen                                     Frederic J. Spar
         General Counsel                                      Jason Lynch
         BT Office Products International, Inc.               Kekst and Company
         847-793-7500                                         847-521-4800


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


              BT OFFICE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES "AGREEMENT
               IN PRINCIPLE" BETWEEN SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND KNP BT


CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS,  May  7,  1998  - BT  Office  Products  International,  Inc.
(NYSE:BTF)  ("BTOPI") today announced that NV Koninklijke KNP BT ("KNP BT"), the
majority  owner of the  outstanding  capital  stock of  BTOPI,  has  reached  an
agreement in principle  with the Special  Committee of the Board of Directors of
BTOPI to acquire in a cash merger the outstanding minority interest in BTOPI for
$13.75 per share.  The agreement is subject to definitive  documentation,  final
board  approval by BT Office  Products  and  approval by a majority of the BTOPI
public stockholders.  No Hart-Scott-Rodino filing will be required to consummate
the transaction.

BTOPI also announced that KNP BT has reached an agreement in principle to settle
the class action lawsuits that were filed in Delaware Chancery Court challenging
the transaction has been reached. This settlement is subject to Court approval.

BT Office Products International,  Inc. is a leading full-service distributor of
office  products,  serving  primarily  medium-  and  large-size  businesses  and
institutions in major markets in both the United States and Europe.  The Company
distributes over 10,000 general office products,  business  furniture,  computer
supplies  and  accessories  and  promotional  products,  including  recycled and
recyclable products and items manufactured by minority-owned businesses.






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