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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000
Commission File Number 1-13747
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, LTD.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
Delaware 36-3761400
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER ID NO.)
650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, Illinois 60062
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
(847) 412-6200
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common Stock, $.01 par value American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the last reported closing price of
the registrant's Common Stock on April 10, 2001: $8,473,579.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, par
value $.01, as of April 10, 2001: 6,658,863.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Our company, through our subsidiaries' operations in Texas, Louisiana,
Kentucky and Oklahoma, processes, markets and distributes branded and unbranded
food products for customers in a twelve state region. Our subsidiaries are:
Carlton Foods Corp. ("Carlton"), Grogan's Farm, Inc. ("Grogan's"), Potter
Sausage Co. ("Potter"), Prefco Corp. ("Prefco"), and Richard's Cajun Foods Corp.
("Richard's").
Through Carlton, we manufacture a variety of smoked sausage products.
Approximately 42% of the total volume manufactured is sold through Prefco under
the Blue Ribbon(R) brand name. Approximately 26% of total volume manufactured
reflects private label products manufactured for other regional sausage brands
and selected chain supermarket house brands, and approximately 13% of total
volume manufactured is sold by Carlton under the brand names Carlton and Country
Boy(TM). These branded products are marketed on a regional basis, principally in
south and west Texas.
Through Grogan's, we market and distribute fresh pork sausage products
and refrigerated entrees for customers in a six state region. These products are
sold under the brand names Grogan's Farm(TM) and Partin's Country Sausage(TM).
Through Prefco, we engage in the marketing and distribution of branded
and unbranded meats to the retail grocery trade. We market and distribute our
branded meat products under the brand name Blue Ribbon(R) and Blue Ribbon Texas
Traditions. These products, which include ready to eat entrees, smoked sausages,
bacon and packaged, sliced luncheon meats, account for approximately 18% of the
sales of Prefco and are manufactured by Carlton as well as by third party
contract manufacturing companies. Blue Ribbon(R) is currently the best selling
brand of bacon in the Houston market. In addition to marketing our own branded
products, we are also a leading regional distributor of unbranded products
including boxed beef, pork, chicken and related items.
Through Potter, we process, market and distribute premium, branded
breakfast sausage, primarily in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. These products are
sold under the J.C. Potter brand name and are generally delivered to the retail
grocery trade through our distribution system. In addition, Potter manufactures
products for other branded food companies on a private-label basis. Potter is a
supplier to Prefco and a customer of Carlton.
Through Richard's, we process, market and distribute Cajun-style,
cooked, pork sausage products and specialty foods for customers in Louisiana
under the brand name Richard's(TM) and Richard's Cajun Favorites(TM).
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CORPORATE HISTORY
In April 1991, MB Acquisition Corp. ("MB Acquisition"), a corporation
owned by a group of individuals including our Chairman of the Board and certain
of our directors and stockholders, acquired our company from an entity now known
as S&B Ventures, Inc. (the "Predecessor") for a purchase price of approximately
$1.2 million (the "Acquisition"). In connection with the Acquisition, MB
Acquisition also assumed certain obligations to pay the owners of the
Predecessor $2.0 million pursuant to a non-compete agreement and $0.829 million
pursuant to consulting agreements. MB Acquisition financed the Acquisition
through a bridge loan provided by nine of its current stockholders, including an
officer and certain directors. In September 1991, Maryland Beverage, L.P. (the
"Partnership") was formed with our company and Strategic Investment Corporation
("Strategic"), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Strategic Partners
Fund, L.P., as its sole partners, and MB Acquisition was merged with and into
our company, and its assets and liabilities were contributed to the Partnership.
In September 1993, our company was reincorporated in Delaware and adopted the
name "Atlantic Beverage Company, Inc." In November 1993, in connection with our
initial public offering, Strategic (whose only asset was its interest in the
Partnership) merged with and into us. Subsequently, the Partnership was
dissolved and we succeeded to the Partnership's assets and liabilities.
On April 27, 1994, we entered into and consummated an agreement to
acquire certain assets and marketing rights from Flying Fruit Fantasy, USA, Inc.
for total consideration of approximately $1.2 million. Under the terms of this
agreement, we obtained worldwide marketing and distribution rights to a frozen
beverage served through automated dispensing machines. In December 1995, we
adopted a plan to discontinue this business.
In the first quarter of 1996, a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary
of our company, Prefco, acquired the outstanding common stock of Prefco, Inc.
Also in the first quarter of 1996, Carlton Foods, Inc. was merged into another
newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of our company, Carlton. The combined
purchase price for these entities was approximately $11.0 million, which
included approximately $3.0 million in Carlton refinanced and assumed debt.
In August 1996, a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of our company,
Richard's, acquired certain of the assets of Richard's Cajun Country Food
Processors. The consideration for these assets was $2.5 million cash and a
subordinated promissory note in the amount of $0.875 million (the "Richards
Note").
In October 1996, Grogan's Merger Corp. ("GMC"), our newly formed,
wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired and merged with the distribution and
manufacturing business of Grogan's Sausage, Inc. and Grogan's Farm, Inc.,
respectively, based in Arlington, Kentucky for total consideration of
approximately $3.8 million, consisting of $1.9 million cash, $0.2 million in a
note (the "Grogan's Note") and 573,810 shares of our common stock. In May 1999,
we reacquired the 573,810 shares for approximately $1.4 million.
In November 1996, GMC acquired the assets of Partin's Sausage
("Partin's") in consideration for $0.4 million cash, $0.225 million in a note
and 78,310 shares of our common stock. In March 2000, we reacquired 70,000 of
these shares of common stock. Partin's, based in Cunningham, Kentucky,
manufactures, markets and distributes pork sausage products.
In March 1998, our company and Potter, a newly-formed subsidiary,
acquired substantially all of the assets of J.C. Potter Sausage Company, a
branded food processing company based in Durant, Oklahoma, in consideration for
$13.0 million cash plus related transaction costs.
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From the end of 1998 through the beginning of 1999, we completed the
sale of substantially all the assets of our beverage division. The operations of
the beverage division consisted of the wholesale purchasing, marketing and
distribution of nonalcoholic beverages to retail trade accounts in the greater
Baltimore and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas.
The disposition of the beverage division was recorded in three separate
transactions. On December 1, 1998 and January 11, 1999, Canada Dry Potomac
Corporation purchased the distribution rights and inventories for the Mistic(R),
Stewart's(R) and AriZona(TM) brands, along with certain other related assets.
The remaining accounts receivable and inventory, as well as substantially all
the furniture and equipment of the beverage division, were sold to Master
Distributors, Inc. on February 2, 1999. The consideration we received from these
transactions totaled approximately $3.5 million and consisted of approximately
$3.1 million in cash, a promissory note payable to us for $0.26 million and the
assumption by the purchasers of approximately $0.14 million in liabilities and
obligations of the beverage division. We classified the beverage division's
historic results of operations and the loss incurred upon the disposal of assets
as a discontinued operation.
As a result of the disposition of our beverage division, our operations
now consist solely of the food businesses.
INDUSTRY
Following the disposition of our beverage division, our operations
consist of two business segments: food processing and food distribution. Note 19
to our Consolidated Financial Statements provides summarized financial
information by business segment for continuing operations for the last three
fiscal years. We participate in these two segments of the food industry through
our Carlton, Prefco, Richard's, Grogan's and Potter subsidiaries.
The food processing segment, which includes cooking, slicing, mixing,
grinding and similar functions, is generally capital intensive. Unbranded raw
material typically comes from packing companies. In some instances in the
packaged meat industry, packing and processing are vertically integrated. In
other instances, as is the case with our company, processing and distribution
are vertically integrated. Because of the cost of transportation and shelf-life
of the products, processing facilities tend to serve a regional clientele. Large
national meat companies therefore tend to establish strategically located
processing facilities in different geographic regions.
The food distribution segment, which serves several different classes
of customers including retail, restaurant and institutional customers, is
generally not capital intensive but provides lower gross margins and is subject
to intense price competition. Product is generally invoiced and priced according
to weight. Successful distributors typically distinguish themselves through
customer service and lower prices. Price, product selection, reliability,
in-stock rate, promptness of delivery and weekend delivery options are among the
benefits which are most highly valued. It is not uncommon for a grocery retailer
to have one primary supplier in addition to one or more secondary suppliers.
Food distribution companies typically serve a local or regional clientele.
We market our branded packaged meat business. The branded packaged meat
business is generally not capital intensive. Strong retail brands exist at
local, regional or national levels and include bacon, hot dogs, cooked and
uncooked sausage, cooked hams, chicken and turkey products. Advertising and
promotion are generally critical to the maintenance of brand equity. Companies
which market branded meat products can exist on a stand-alone basis as well as
be vertically integrated with processing and/or distribution. We reflect, to a
limited extent, both forms of vertical integration.
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STRATEGY
Our operating strategy is to grow our food businesses profitably, while
identifying and exploiting synergies among them. Key elements of this operating
strategy include increasing sales to existing customers, adding new customers
and identifying opportunities to add new products. In addition, we may acquire
businesses which are complementary to our existing subsidiaries.
PRODUCTS
Through Prefco, we distribute a wide variety of unbranded, boxed meat
products. We maintain an inventory of over 200 different stock keeping units of
unbranded products, which include beef, turkey, pork and chicken. Products are
stored in our refrigerated warehouses in Houston and are delivered on
refrigerated vehicles to several hundred customers including chain and
independent supermarkets and discount clubs. We purchase products from
approximately one dozen meat packing companies. Purchases of the same products
may be spread among several suppliers over the course of a year, and purchasing
decisions are frequently driven by price and availability, both of which are
likely to vary. Two suppliers accounted for approximately 11.6% and 10.8% of our
boxed meat purchases during 2000 and 20.9% and 8.0% of such purchases during
1999. No other supplier accounted for more than 10% of such purchases during
either year.
Also through Prefco, we market and distribute our own branded dinner
entrees, sausage, bacon and packaged, sliced luncheon meats. These products are
stored in our refrigerated warehouses in Houston. Products are delivered on our
refrigerated trucks, and customers typically include the same retail
establishments that purchase our unbranded meat products. The majority of Blue
Ribbon(R) sausage product is processed by Carlton. The balance of the sausage
product as well as the dinner entrees, bacon and luncheon meats are purchased
from a number of other contract food processing companies.
In addition to processing product for Prefco, Carlton processes,
markets and distributes its own branded smoked sausage products for the retail
grocery trade. Carlton manufactures similar products on a private label basis
for other branded food companies.
Through Richard's, we process, market and distribute Cajun-style,
cooked pork sausage products and specialty foods for customers in Louisiana
under the brand names Richard's(TM) and Richard's Cajun Favorites(TM).
Through Grogan's, we market and distribute fresh pork sausage products
for customers in a six state region. These products are sold under the brand
names Grogan's(TM) and Partin's(TM).
Through our Potter subsidiary, we process, market and distribute
premium, branded breakfast sausage, primarily in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
These products are sold under the J.C. Potter brand name and are generally
delivered to the retail grocery trade through our distribution system. In
addition, Potter processes products for other branded food companies on a
private-label basis. Potter is a supplier to Prefco and a customer of Carlton.
SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
Prefco distributes unbranded boxed beef, pork, and poultry to chain and
independent retail grocery customers, most of whom are located in the Houston
metropolitan area, and all of whom are within a 400-mile radius of our
distribution facilities. We serve several hundred customers as either their
primary or secondary fresh meat supplier. Prefco's direct sales force contacts
its customers on a daily
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basis. We deliver product using refrigerated trucks, generally within one to
three days of receiving an order.
Prefco also markets and distributes its own Blue Ribbon(R) and Blue
Ribbon Texas Traditions dinner entrees, bacon, sausage and sliced luncheon meats
to the retail grocery trade. Orders are received by the direct sales force and
from the sales force managing the route sales vehicles. The business has
historically engaged in significant radio and television advertising in the
Houston market.
Carlton solicits and receives customer orders for branded product
through direct salespeople as well as through third-party food brokers and by
telephone and facsimile transmission. Relationships with private label customers
are generally established at the senior management level, although recurring
orders from these customers are normally received over the telephone or
facsimile machine by clerical staff. Branded and private label orders are
generally filled within one to seven days and are either delivered on one of
Carlton's refrigerated vehicles, by common carrier, or are picked up by
customers.
Richard's employs a route delivery sales force. Orders are taken by the
route salespeople and filled immediately from stock on board the route sales
trucks. Richard's engages in promotions, including in-store sampling, as well as
print advertising. All customers are located within the state of Louisiana.
Grogan's employs a route delivery sales force as well. Orders are taken
by the route salespeople and filled immediately from stock onboard the route
sales trucks. Grogan's engages in promotions, including in-store sampling, as
well as in print, radio and television advertising. Customers are located in
Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.
Potter also employs a route delivery sales force. Orders are taken by
the route salespeople and filled immediately from stock on board the route sales
trucks. Potter engages in promotions, including in-store sampling, as well as in
print, radio and television advertising. Customers are located in Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Texas.
One food distribution customer, Sam's Club Inc., accounted for
approximately 30% and 43% of our total net sales during 2000 and 1999. No other
customer accounted for more than 10% of total net sales during either year. On
August 22, 2000, we announced the termination of our distribution arrangement
with Sam's Club Inc. While Sam's Club Inc. has accounted for a significant
percentage of net sales in the past, the gross margin on sales to Sam's has been
significantly lower than our sales to other customers.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Accounts Receivable. Sales are made almost exclusively on account, and
accounts receivable typically average 15 to 20 days.
Inventory. We maintain our inventory at our distribution and
processing facilities operated by Prefco in Houston, Texas, by Carlton in New
Braunfels, Texas, by Richard's in Church Point, Louisiana, by Grogan's in
Arlington, Kentucky and by Potter in Durant, Oklahoma, and Malvern, Arkansas. We
generally maintain an average of 7 to 9 days of inventory on hand, which
reflects approximately 4 to 6 days of inventory at Prefco, approximately 23 to
25 days of inventory at Carlton, approximately 10 to 12 days of inventory at
Richard's, approximately 4 to 6 days of inventory at Grogan's and approximately
14 to 16 days of inventory at Potter. We typically place purchase orders with
our suppliers by telephone and by facsimile on a daily basis. Orders are placed
both on an as-needed basis and on a scheduled basis in anticipation of future
demand. Orders are usually filled within one to ten days, and products are
transported to our warehouses by common carrier.
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COMPETITION
Food Distribution. Through Prefco, we believe that we are the second
largest of four major boxed meat distributors in the Houston market. Although
this segment of the food industry is extremely competitive, we believe that we
have generally succeeded in distinguishing ourselves through a high level of
customer service.
Food Processing. Through Potter, Prefco, Carlton, Grogan's and
Richard's, we compete with several branded meat companies, and our brands
compete with a wide variety of both regional and national brands. Among the
competitive brands are Decker, J. Bar B., Hilshire Farms, Hormel, Bryan, Bob
Evans and Jimmy Dean. Our Carlton(TM) and Country Boy(TM) brands of smoked
sausage are sold principally in the Dallas, San Antonio and Austin markets and
currently have limited market share. The Company's Blue Ribbon(R) brand
currently represents the best selling brand of bacon in the Houston market. Our
packaged, sliced luncheon meats and entrees were introduced to the Houston
market in 1995 and 1998, respectively, and currently have limited market share.
Our Richard's(TM), Richard's Cajun Favorites, Grogan's(TM) and Partin's(TM)
brands enjoy a strong regional share within their respective markets. Through
Carlton and Potter, we manufacture smoked sausage and meat products on a private
label basis for other branded food companies and, on a limited basis, for
supermarkets and restaurants. We believe that we enjoy a strong reputation for
innovation and responsiveness in creating original recipes for such customers.
We compete with a wide variety of processors, many of whom are significantly
larger and may have greater processing capacity and capital.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
We are subject to various federal, state and local statutes, including
federal occupational safety and health laws. Furthermore, we and our suppliers
are subject to various rules and regulations including those of the United
States Department of Agriculture, the United States Food and Drug Administration
and similar state agencies that relate to processing, nutritional disclosure,
labeling requirements and product names.
PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
We believe that our present insurance coverage is sufficient for our
current level of business operations, although there is no assurance that the
present level of coverage will be available in the future or at a reasonable
cost. Further, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be available
in the future as we expand our operations, that insurance, if available, will be
sufficient to cover one or more large claims, or that the applicable insurer
will be solvent at the time of any covered loss.
EMPLOYEES
We currently have a total of approximately 486 employees, including
five corporate employees, 53 employees at Prefco, 77 employees at Carlton, 71
employees at Richard's, 20 employees at Grogan's and 260 employees at Potter.
In addition, we use temporary employees from time to time.
We believe that our relations with employees are good. We have never
suffered a material work stoppage or slow down.
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RISK FACTORS
In addition to other information contained in this Form 10-K, the
following factors should be considered in evaluating our company and our
business. These factors may have a significant impact on our business, operating
results and financial condition.
INDUSTRY RISK
COMMODITY PRICE FLUCTUATIONS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESS.
We are a purchaser of pork and other meat products. Pork prices have a
significant impact on our cost of goods sold. We buy pork and other meat
products based upon market prices that are established with the vendor as part
of the purchase process. The market price is determined in the marketplace based
on factors outside our control. We may not be able to pass the effect of raw
material price increases onto our customers for any extended period of time, if
at all. As a result, increases in pork prices may have a materially adverse
effect on our operating results. We do not use commodity financial instruments
to hedge pork and other meat product prices.
CONSUMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS IS REDUCED WHEN THERE ARE OUTBREAKS OF
ILLNESS ASSOCIATED WITH MEAT OR POULTRY PRODUCTS.
The meat and poultry industries have recently been subject to
increasing scrutiny due to the association of meat and poultry products with
recent outbreaks of illness, and on rare occasions even death, caused by
foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and others which are found in
raw and improperly cooked meat. Consumer demand for meat and poultry fluctuates
as the result of such outbreaks of illness. Product recalls are sometimes
required in the meat and poultry industries to withdraw contaminated products
from the market. Product recalls would cause our expenses to be higher; if
demand for our products goes down, the resulting reduced sales could adversely
affect our results of operations and financial condition.
WE MAY NOT COMPETE EFFECTIVELY WITH COMPETITORS THAT HAVE MORE
RESOURCES AND GREATER MARKET SHARE THAN US.
Our business is highly competitive. We compete with a wide variety of
processors, many of whom are significantly larger and may have greater
processing capacity and financial resources. Our brands also compete with a wide
variety of both regional and national brands. Some of our larger national,
regional and local competitors have multiple product lines and greater brand
name recognition. Competition in the markets we serve is based primarily on
quality, service and price. There can be no assurance that we can compete
successfully with other competitor companies and maintain adequate market share.
We do not have long term contracts with any of our customers. Competitive
pressures or other factors could cause our products to lose market share or
result in significant price erosion, which would have a material adverse effect
on our results of operations.
AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, WE ARE SUBJECT TO VARIOUS RISKS
WHICH MAY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
The food industry, and the markets within the food industry in which we
compete, are subject to various risks, including:
- federal, state and local food inspection and processing controls;
- the limited shelf life of food products;
- evolving consumer preferences;
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- nutritional and health-related concerns;
- risks of product tampering;
- consumer product liability claims;
- the availability and expense of liability insurance; and
- adverse changes in general economic conditions.
AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS.
Our production facilities and products are subject to numerous federal,
state and local laws and regulations concerning among other things, health and
safety matters, food manufacture, product labeling, advertising and the
environment. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain
compliance with existing laws or regulations or that we will be able to comply
with any future laws or regulations. Our failure to comply with applicable laws
and regulations would subject us to civil remedies, including withdrawal of the
necessary United States Department of Agriculture approvals, inspection, fines,
injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any
of which would have a material adverse affect on us.
COMPANY RISK
IF CONSUMERS DO NOT LIKE OUR PRODUCTS, OUR PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH WILL BE
LIMITED.
Our business is dependent upon continued growth in consumer interest in
our products. There can be no assurance that the demand for our products can be
sustained in the future. In addition, part of our operating strategy is to
identify opportunities to add new products. There can be no assurance that
consumers will accept new products we develop or that we can attain sufficient
market share for our products.
CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER CONCENTRATION SUBJECTS OUR COMPANY TO RISKS
RELATED TO THESE THIRD PARTIES.
We derive most of our sales from retail grocery customers situated near
our local and regional operations. Adverse developments affecting these
customers or a decision by a corporate owner or franchisor to revoke its
approval of us as a distributor of branded or unbranded meat products could have
a material adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, our continued
growth is dependent in part on the continued growth and expansion of our
customers. The loss of any of our major customers could have a material adverse
effect on our business.
We purchase product from approximately one dozen meat packing
companies. There can be no assurance that meat availability will be maintained
at a sufficient level or that any of our suppliers will make timely delivery of
their products to us. Failure to receive products in a timely manner for these
or other reasons could have a materially adverse effect on us. We do not have
long-term contracts with our suppliers.
OUR ABILITY TO INTEGRATE ACQUIRED BUSINESSES WILL IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO
GROW.
We have achieved a significant portion of our growth through
acquisitions and may continue to pursue acquisitions. We will have to integrate
acquired businesses into our existing business, including our prior
acquisitions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to meet performance
expectations or successfully integrate these businesses on a timely basis
without disruption in the quality and reliability of service to our customers or
diversion of management resources.
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LOSS OF SERVICES OF PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT COULD MAKE IT
DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
We are highly dependent on the principal members of our management. The
loss of certain key management personnel, in particular Alan F. Sussna and
Thomas M. Dalton, could have a material adverse effect on us.
INVESTMENT RISK
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS
OF OUR BANK DEBT.
Our ability to fund our working capital requirements and capital
expenditures will depend in large part on our ability to comply with covenants
in our agreements with our lenders, Fleet Capital Corporation and Banc One
Capital Partners, LLC. During fiscal year 2000, we were in violation of some of
the financial ratios we are required to maintain under the terms of our debt
facilities. Our lenders have waived the non-compliance and revised our financial
covenants; however, no assurance can be given that we will remain in compliance
with these or other covenants throughout the term of our agreements with our
lenders. If we fail to comply with any covenants in the future and our lenders
fail to waive non-compliance, it would have a materially adverse effect on us.
IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR A STOCKHOLDER TO SELL HIS OR HER STOCK DUE TO
THE ILLIQUID MARKET FOR OUR STOCK.
Because there are relatively few stockholders and a substantial
percentage of the shares of our common stock are held by a few persons, our
common stock is relatively illiquid. As a result, a stockholder wishing to sell
may find it difficult to do so expeditiously. In addition, no predictions can be
made as to stability or volatility of our stock price.
IF OUR COMMON STOCK IS DELISTED FROM THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE, THE
LIQUIDITY, VISIBILITY AND PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY DECREASE.
Since December 31, 1997, our common stock has been listed on the
American Stock Exchange (AMEX). Shares of our common stock could be delisted
from AMEX if we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of AMEX. If
our common stock is delisted from AMEX, we would be forced to list our common
stock on the OTC Bulletin Board or some other quotation medium, depending on our
ability to meet the specific listing requirements of those quotation systems. If
this happens, an investor might find it more difficult to buy and sell, or to
obtain accurate price quotations for, shares of our common stock. This lack of
visibility and liquidity could further decrease the price of our common stock.
In addition, delisting from AMEX might negatively impact our reputation and, as
a consequence, our business.
A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR COMMON STOCK IS CONCENTRATED IN A SMALL
NUMBER OF STOCKHOLDERS WHO CAN INFLUENCE MATTERS REQUIRING STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.
Our directors and officers, and persons related to them, hold in excess
of 35% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, these
stockholders have the ability to substantially influence the outcome of all
corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of the
directors, and to influence our policies and direction.
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IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANY CASH DIVIDENDS WILL BE PAID ON OUR COMMON
STOCK.
We anticipate that future earnings, if any, will be retained for use in
the business or for other corporate purposes, and it is not anticipated that any
cash dividends on our common stock will be paid in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Prefco. We lease a 20,000 square foot refrigerated warehouse in
Houston. The lease for this facility expires in November 2001. In addition,
Prefco also leases a 5,000 square foot office facility, the lease for which
expires March 31, 2002.
Carlton. We lease a 20,000 square foot processing facility and a 2,000
square foot office facility in New Braunfels, Texas. The lease on the processing
facility expires in September 2005, with one five-year renewal option, and the
lease on the office facility is on a month to month basis.
Richard's. We own a 12,500 square foot processing facility in Church
Point, Louisiana.
Grogan's. We rent a 4,000 square foot distribution facility in
Arlington, Kentucky on a month to month basis.
Potter. We own a 120,000 square foot rendering, processing,
distribution, warehouse and administrative facility in Durant, Oklahoma. In
addition, we own a 6,800 square foot distribution facility in Malvern, Arkansas.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of 2000.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our Common Stock is principally traded on the American Stock Exchange
("AMEX") under the symbol "ABR." The following table sets forth, for the periods
indicated, the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock as reported by
AMEX.
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STOCK PRICES STOCK PRICES
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High Low High Low
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1999 2000
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1st Quarter 3 1 15/16 1st Quarter 3 1/8 1 5/8
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2nd Quarter 2 3/4 2 1/16 2nd Quarter 3 1/8 2
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3rd Quarter 2 1/2 1 7/8 3rd Quarter 2 7/16 1 5/8
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4th Quarter 2 1/8 1 3/8 4th Quarter 1 1/2 7/8
==========================================================================================
As of April 10, 2001, there were approximately 150 shareholders of
record of our Common Stock. We have not paid any cash dividends since our
initial public offering. We anticipate that earnings, if any, will be retained
for use in the business or for other corporate purposes, and it is not
anticipated that any cash dividends on the Common Stock will be paid in the
foreseeable future.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data is based on our consolidated
financial statements. Our financial statements as of December 31, 1999 and 2000
and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2000,
including the notes thereto and the related report of KPMG LLP, independent
certified public accountants, are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and our consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in
this Form 10-K.
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net sales $134,006 $151,204 $181,023 $196,998 $177,743
Income (loss) from continuing operations 441 434 1,820 1,261 (856)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
including loss on disposal 455 (77) (1,301) (72) (153)
Net income (loss) 896 357 324 1,189 (868)
Basic income (loss) per common share from
continuing operations 0.08 0.06 0.25 0.18 (0.13)
Diluted income (loss) per common share from
continuing operations 0.08 0.06 0.24 0.18 (0.13)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common
share 0.17 0.05 0.04 0.17 (0.13)
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BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets $ 32,823 33,245 45,665 44,743 41,531
Long-term obligations -- 6,270 18,514 17,426 12,800
During the fourth quarter of 1998, we decided to dispose of our beverage
division. The beverage division has been treated as a discontinued operation and
prior years' financial statements have been restated.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
GENERAL
In 1996 we implemented a new corporate strategy that resulted in the
acquisition of five food businesses. Each of these businesses represented a
preeminent local or regional branded processed meat company. In addition to
significantly increasing our size, the newly acquired businesses created a
broader platform for future growth.
In order to acquire and operate our food businesses, we formed four new
subsidiaries during 1996: Prefco Corp., Carlton Foods Corp., Richard's Cajun
Foods Corp., and Grogan's Farm, Inc. In 1998, we formed a fifth new subsidiary,
Potter Sausage Company, to acquire the business of J.C. Potter Sausage Company
and affiliates.
In conjunction with the new corporate strategy, during 1998 we also
completed the sale of substantially all the assets of our beverage division,
which operated as a distributor of non-alcoholic beverages in the Baltimore and
Washington D.C. metropolitan areas. The disposition occurred in three
transactions on December 1, 1998, January 11, 1999 and February 2, 1999.
On October 13, 2000, a failed thermostat caused a fire at our
processing plant in Arlington, Kentucky resulting in the total destruction of
the facility and its equipment. As a result of the fire, we shifted the majority
of our production to other facilities in Texas and Oklahoma. We are currently in
the process of evaluating our options to permanently replace the capacity of
this plant, including the possibility of rebuilding it. We maintain replacement
cost property insurance and business interruption insurance. We believe this
event will have an impact on our revenues for the foreseeable future and this
event has resulted in our revising certain financial covenants with our senior
and subordinated lenders. However, largely due to the insurance that we
maintained, we do not anticipate that this event will have a long-term material
adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations. We believe
that our insurance proceeds will exceed the net book value of the destroyed
assets, however, the Company is unable to predict with certainty at this time
what the ultimate outcome will be.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
Net Sales. Net sales decreased by $19.3 million or 9.8% from $197.0
million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to $177.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. The decrease in net sales during the year was primarily
due to the loss of a major customer (Sam's Club) that built and began using its
own warehouse and distribution system in August 2000. Sam's Club accounted for
approximately 30% of our total net sales for fiscal 2000 as compared to 43% of
our total net sales during fiscal 1999.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased by approximately $1.5 million or
5.7% from $26.2
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million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to approximately $24.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2000. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales
increased from 13.3% for the year ended December 31, 1999 to 13.9% for the year
ended December 31, 2000. Both the decrease in gross profit dollars and the
increase in the gross profit percentage margin are primarily attributable to the
loss of the Sam's Club distribution business discussed in Net Sales. This
business earned a gross margin percentage significantly lower than our sales to
other customers. The decrease in gross profit dollars also reflects the increase
in the prices of certain of our raw materials over those paid in fiscal 1999 for
both the food processing segment and the food distribution segment. Pork prices
have a significant impact on our cost of goods sold and higher pork prices in
fiscal 2000 negatively impacted gross profit as compared to 1999.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $1.3 million or 6.0% from $21.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 1999 to $22.7 million for the year ended December
31, 2000. This increase reflects an increase in the size of the direct store
delivery fleet, higher salaries and benefits, the costs incurred in the launch
phase of a new product line and increases in the costs of distributing our
products, primarily related to the cost of fuel. As a percentage of net sales,
selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 10.9% for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to 12.8% for the year ended December 31, 2000. In
addition to the increased costs discussed, this increase was partially
attributable to the fact that the Sam's Club distribution business did not incur
the same level of selling, general and administrative expenses per sales dollar
as our other customers.
Income from Operations. Income from operations decreased $2.8 million
from $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to $2.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2000. This decrease is attributable to factors discussed
above.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $0.3 million from $2.5
million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to $2.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our cost of
variable-rate borrowings and the related outstanding balances.
We issued warrants with a put option in conjunction with the debt
incurred at the time of the Potter acquisition. We are required to accrete the
value of the warrants and mark-to-market the estimated fair value of the put
option. Any increases to such value are charged to earnings as additional
interest expense. To the extent of any charges to earnings, any subsequent
decreases to the value of the warrants are added to earnings as additional
interest income. Furthermore, any such additional interest expense would not be
deductible in our federal or state income tax returns and, therefore, would
increase our effective income tax rate. For purposes of these calculations, the
fair value of the warrants is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing
model. During the years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000, we recorded no
additional interest expense, as the net fair value of the warrants did not
increase.
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Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing
operations decreased from $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to a
loss of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. This decrease is
attributable to the factors discussed above.
Income Taxes The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate
primarily because of state income taxes and the non-deductibility of a portion
of the goodwill amortization.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, we changed our method
of accounting for production parts inventory from expensing upon purchase to
capitalizing upon purchase and expensing upon installation. The $141,000
cumulative effect of the change on prior years is included in the net loss for
the year ended December 31, 2000.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Net Sales. Net sales increased by $16.0 million or 8.8% from $181.0
million for the year ended December 31, 1998 to $197.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the
impact of the acquisition of Potter, which we acquired on March 20, 1998, and
the introduction of new branded product lines in key markets.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by approximately $2.0 million or
8.3% from $24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 to approximately
$26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. Gross profit as a percentage
of net sales was 13.3% for both the year ended December 31, 1998 and 1999. The
dollar increase primarily reflects the impact of the Potter acquisition. Pork
prices have a significant impact on our cost of goods sold and lower pork prices
during 1998 favorably impacted gross profit as compared to 1999.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $1.6 million or 8.0% from $19.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 1998 to $21.4 million for the year ended December
31, 1999. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 10.9% for both the year ended December 31, 1998 and 1999. This
dollar increase is attributable primarily to the increase in sales.
Income from Operations. Income from operations increased $0.4 million
from $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 to approximately $4.8
million for the year ended December 31, 1999. This increase is attributable to
the factors discussed above.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $0.3 million from $2.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1998 to $2.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to increased levels
of debt (and the related amortization of deferred
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financing costs and note discounts) that were necessary to finance the
acquisition of Potter.
Income from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations
was $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999.
Income Taxes. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate
primarily because of state income taxes, the non-deductibility of goodwill
amortization and the reduction of the valuation allowance of $462,500 in 1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31,
1998 was $2.6 million. The cash generated from operating activities was
primarily the result of income from continuing operations, depreciation and
amortization and increases in accrued expenses, which were partially offset by
an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in accounts payable. Net cash
provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 1999 was $5.0
million. This amount was principally the result of income from continuing
operations, depreciation and amortization, an increase in accounts payable and a
decrease in accounts receivable. This was partially offset by an increase in
inventory and a decrease in accrued expenses. Net cash used in operating
activities for the year ended December 31, 2000 was $1.4 million. This was
principally the result of a loss from continuing operations and a decrease in
accounts payable that was partially offset by depreciation and amortization and
a decrease in accounts receivable.
Cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1999 and 2000 was $13.6 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million,
respectively, which was primarily related to capital expenditures and in 1998,
the cash paid for the acquisition of Potter.
Cash provided by financing activities in the year ended December 31,
1998 was $8.9 million, principally affected by the borrowings under the term
debt and notes payable to finance the acquisition of Potter and an increase in
the bank overdraft. These amounts were partially offset by payments of term debt
and notes payable under the line of credit. Cash used in financing activities in
the year ended December 31, 1999 was $4.1 million, principally affected by the
payments of term debt and notes payable under the line of credit, the repurchase
of our common stock and a decrease in the bank overdraft. Cash provided by
financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2000 was $2.0 million,
principally affected by borrowings under the line of credit which were partially
offset by the payments of term debt and the repurchase of our common stock.
In the first quarter of 1998, we acquired substantially all of the
assets of Potter, a branded food processing company located in Durant, Oklahoma,
in consideration for approximately $13.0 million in cash, plus assumed
liabilities and related transaction costs. In connection with this
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acquisition, we borrowed approximately $6.5 million in senior subordinated debt
("Senior Subordinated Note") from Banc One Capital Partners, LLC ("BOCP"). In
connection with this Senior Subordinated Note we issued detachable common stock
warrants with a put option. We also refinanced our line of credit and term debt
("Fleet Facility") through Fleet Capital ("Fleet"). The Fleet Facility provided
a line of credit balance as of March 31, 1998, of approximately $7 million,
which was $0.4 million greater than the balance previously outstanding under the
existing line of credit facility.
As of December 31, 1999 and 2000, we had outstanding under the Fleet
Facility approximately $8.9 million and $7.2 million, respectively, in term debt
and approximately $0.8 million and $5.1 million respectively in line-of-credit
borrowings. The Company owed $6.5 million to Banc One under the Senior
Subordinated Note, and approximately $2.7 million of subordinated debt to former
owners of Prefco, Richard's, Grogan's and Partin's. The interest on the Senior
Subordinated Note was 10% per annum for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999
and 2000. Under the terms of an amendment to the Senior Subordinated Note dated
April 13, 2001 and effective January 17, 2001, this interest rate was increased
to 15% per annum. This increase is accrued, compounded monthly and payable in
full on June 30, 2003. The subordinated debt owed to former owners bears
interest at an average rate of approximately 7.7% per annum. The term debt and
line of credit agreement under the Fleet Facility bear annual interest at either
the bank's prime rate plus 1% (9.25% and 9.75% at December 31, 1999 and 2000
respectively) or adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5%, at our option.
Warrants issued in conjunction with the Senior Subordinated Note
provide that on the occurrence of a Put Trigger Event (defined below), if the
average trading volume of our stock for four consecutive weeks is less than 15%
of the number of shares issuable to the holder of the put warrants, such holders
would have a thirty day right to require us to redeem the warrants for a cash
amount equal to the greater of a cash flow formula (defined in the Warrant
Agreement) or the fair market value of the underlying shares based upon an
appraisal, in each case, net of an exercise price of $3.38 per share. For these
purposes, a "Put Trigger Event" would occur upon the earlier of certain events,
including the fifth anniversary of the warrants, a sale of all or substantially
all of our assets, or a business combination in which we are not the surviving
corporation.
If the holder of the warrants exercises the put option, our ability to
satisfy such obligation will depend on our ability to raise additional capital.
Our ability to secure additional capital at such time will depend upon our
overall operating performance, which will be subject to general business,
financial, competitive and other factors affecting us and the processed meat
distribution industry, certain of which factors are beyond our control. No
assurance can be given that we will be able to raise the necessary capital on
terms acceptable to us, if at all, to satisfy the put obligation in a timely
manner. If we are unable to satisfy such obligation, our business, financial
condition and operations will be materially and adversely effected.
During fiscal year 2000, we were in violation of some of the financial
ratios we are
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required to maintain under the terms of the Fleet Facility and the Senior
Subordinated Note. Both Fleet and BOCP have waived the non-compliance
and revised our financial covenants. As conditions to the waiver by BOCP, and
the revision to our financial covenants, we agreed to continue the default rate
of interest (effective as of January 17, 2001 and payable as described above) of
15% per annum, which went into effect when we violated the financial covenants,
to obtain the approval of BOCP prior to any renewal of the employment agreement
with our chief executive officer, to terminate our management agreement with
Sterling Advisors, and to use commercially reasonable efforts, subject to our
board of directors fiduciary duties, to obtain replacement financing for the
Senior Subordinated Note. In addition, Sterling BOCP, LLC, an entity owned by
some of our directors, officers and 5% shareholders, purchased 10% of BOCPs'
interest in the BOCP Senior Subordinated Note and the related warrants with a
put option.
A junior subordinated note to a former owner in the principal amount of
$1.4 million was due on March 31, 2001, but was not paid because of restrictions
under the Fleet Facility and the Senior Subordinated Note. Two additional junior
subordinated notes to former owners, one in the amount of $0.85 million and
another in the amount of $0.2 million, become due on July 31, 2001, and
September 30, 2001 respectively. Payment on each of these notes will be made
when such payment will not violate the covenants under our credit facilities.
Under the terms of an inter-creditor subordination agreement, the former owners
are prohibited from exercising any remedy with respect to this debt until the
Fleet Facility and the Senior Subordinated Note are paid in full; however, the
interest rates of 9%, 6.35% and 8%, respectively, on each note increases by 2%
per annum after its due date until the principal is paid.
We believe that cash generated from operations and bank borrowings will
be sufficient to fund our debt service, working capital requirements and capital
expenditures as currently contemplated for 2001. However, our ability to fund
our working capital requirements and capital expenditures will depend in large
part on our ability to continue to comply with covenants in the Fleet Facility
and the Senior Subordinated Note. Our ability to continue to comply with these
covenants will depend on a number of factors, certain of which are beyond our
control, including but not limited to, implementation of our business strategy,
prevailing economic conditions, uncertainty as to evolving consumer preferences,
sensitivity to such factors as weather and raw material costs, the impact of
competition and the effect of each of these factors on our future operating
performance. No assurance can be given that we will remain in compliance with
such covenants throughout the term of the Fleet Facility and the Senior
Subordinated Note.
We, from time to time, review the possible acquisition of other
products or businesses. Our ability to expand successfully through acquisition
depends on many factors, including the successful identification and acquisition
of products or businesses and our ability to integrate and operate the acquired
products or businesses successfully. There can be no assurance that we will be
successful in acquiring or integrating any such products or businesses.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are subject to certain market risks. These risks relate to commodity
price fluctuations, interest rate changes, fluctuations in the value of the
warrants with the put option, and credit risk.
We are a purchaser of pork and other meat products. We buy pork and
other meat products based upon market prices that are established with the
vendor as part of the purchase process. Our operating results of the Company are
significantly impacted by pork prices. We do not use commodity financial
instruments to hedge pork and other meat product prices.
Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to our debt
obligations and temporary cash investments. We do not use, and have not in the
past year used, any derivative financial instruments relating to the risk
associated with changes in interest rates.
We are required to accrete the value of the warrants and mark-to-market
the estimated fair value of the put option. Any increases to such value are
charged to earnings as additional interest expense. To the extent of any charges
to earnings, any subsequent decreases to the value of the warrants are added to
earnings as additional interest income. Furthermore, any such additional
interest expense would not be deductible in our federal or state income tax
returns and, therefore, would increase our effective income tax rate. For
purposes of these calculations, the fair value of the warrants is estimated
using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999 and 2000, we recorded no additional interest expense, as the
estimated fair value of the warrants did not exceed the carrying value of the
warrants.
We are exposed to credit risk on certain assets, primarily accounts
receivable. We provide credit to customers in the ordinary course of business
and perform ongoing credit evaluations. We currently believe our allowance for
doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover customer credit risks.
RECENTLY ISSUED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 138 "Accounting
for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" established
accounting and reporting standards for hedging activities and derivatives. As
issued, SFAS 133 was effective for fiscal quarters beginning after June 15,
1999. In June 1999, SFAS 137 was issued effectively deferring the date of
required adoption of SFAS No. 133 to fiscal quarters of all fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. We will adopt SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138, as
required, in fiscal year 2001. We generally do not use derivative financial
instruments other than the warrants with a put option. In connection with the
required adoption of SFAS No. 133 in fiscal 2001, we will reduce the warrants
with a put option to their fair value during the first quarter of 2001.
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
We want to provide stockholders and investors with meaningful and
useful information. Therefore, this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains
forward-looking information and describes our belief concerning future business
conditions and our outlook based on currently available information. Whenever
possible, we have identified these forward looking statements by words such as
"believes," "estimates," "will depend" and similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that would
cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those
expressed in these statements. These risks and uncertainties include the
following: risks associated with acquisitions, including integration of acquired
businesses; new product development and other aspects of our business strategy;
uncertainty as to evolving consumer preferences; customer and supplier
concentration; the impact of competition; the impact of change in the valuation
of the warrants with the put option on our net income and effective tax rate;
our ability to raise additional capital; our ability to refinance our senior
subordinated debt by December 31, 2001 in accordance with our covenant to BOCP
to use our commercially reasonable efforts to do so; sensitivity to such factors
as weather and raw material costs and the factors discussed above under the
caption "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." Readers
are encouraged to review information in Item 1 under the heading "Risk Factors"
and our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 4, 1997 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for a more complete description of these factors. We
assume no obligation to update the information contained in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See discussion under the caption "Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures about Market Risk" in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our 2000 Financial Statements and the related Report of Independent
Auditors are set forth on pages F-1 THROUGH F-20 of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
DIRECTORS
CLASS II -- DIRECTORS TO BE ELECTED AT THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING:
Merrick M. Elfman. Mr. Elfman, age 43, is Chairman of our company, a
position he has held since July 1996, and he has been a director of our Company
since 1993. Mr. Elfman has been Chairman of Ecom Group, Inc., a privately-held
distributor of specialty lighting products ("Ecom"), since 1989 and a director
of Becker Group, Ltd., a privately-held company in the mall decorations business
("Becker Group"), since 1998. He is also the founder of Elfman Venture Partners,
Inc. ("EVP"), a private investment firm of which he has been president since
1987.
John T. Hanes. Mr. Hanes, age 64, has served as a director of our
company since December 1997 and is a member of the Audit Committee. From 1994 to
the present, Mr. Hanes has served as President of The John T. Hanes Company, a
management consulting firm, and he has been a director of Premier Valley Foods,
a privately-held manufacturer and marketer of the DelMonte brand of dried
fruits, since 1998. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Hanes served as the Chairman and
President of Doskocil Companies/Wilson Foods Corporation, Incorporated, a
publicly-held manufacturer of pizza and other processed meat products, and he
retired as its Chief Executive Officer.
Steven M. Taslitz. Mr. Taslitz, age 42, has served as a director of our
company since 1991. Mr. Taslitz is a co-founder and Managing Principal of
Sterling Capital, Ltd., a private investment firm which was founded in 1984
("Sterling Capital"), and Sterling Group, Inc., an affiliate of Sterling Capital
("Sterling Group"), and a partner of Sterling Advisors, LP ("Sterling
Advisors"). He has served as the President of Sterling Group since 1984. Mr.
Taslitz is a director of Ecom and Becker Group.
CLASS III -- DIRECTORS SERVING UNTIL 2002 ANNUAL MEETING:
John A. Miller. Mr. Miller, age 47, has served as a director of our
company since September 1993 and is currently a member of the Audit Committee
and the Compensation Committee. Mr. Miller has served as President of North
American Paper Company since 1988. Mr. Miller has been a director of Network
Services Inc. since 1991, where he is a member of the Compensation Committee and
Audit Committee; a director of Becker Group, since 1998; and a director of
International Collectors Society LP, a privately-held collectibles company
("ICS"), since 1998, where he is a member of the Compensation Committee.
Alan F. Sussna. Mr. Sussna, age 44, has served as a director, President
and Chief Executive Officer of our company since March 1996. From 1991 through
1995, Mr. Sussna was a director of Bain & Company, a consulting firm. Through
his association with Bain & Company and as a partner in the consulting firm of
McKinsey & Company, he has opened offices as well as led those firms' Consumer
Goods practices. In the fall of 1999, Mr. Sussna was elected to the board of
directors of StartSampling, Inc., an internet start-up. In the summer of 2000,
Mr. Sussna was elected to the board of directors of Opto-Lynx, an Indiana based
high technology start-up. Mr. Sussna has also held industry positions as
Executive Vice President -- Sales and Marketing for Jim Beam Brands and in
product management at Frito-Lay, Inc.
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CLASS I -- DIRECTORS SERVING UNTIL 2003 ANNUAL MEETING:
Eric D. Becker. Mr. Becker, age 38, served as Chairman of our company
from September 1993 through July 1996, and he has been a director since 1991,
the year our Company's business was purchased from a predecessor. Mr. Becker is
also a co-founder and Managing Principal of Sterling Capital and, since 1984,
Mr. Becker has also been Chairman and Vice President of Sterling Group. Mr.
Becker is also Chairman of ICS and Becker Group. Mr. Becker has also been a
Principal of Sterling Advisors since 1984 and Managing Principal of Sterling
Venture Partners since 1999. Mr. Becker has also been a partner of Fund
Management Services, a fund management company, since November 1999.
Brian Fleming. Mr. Fleming, age 55, has served as a director of our
company since December 1997 and is currently a member of the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Fleming is President of E.W. Knauss & Son, a manufacturer of
processed meat products specializing in dried beef and meat snacks, a position
he has held since 1998. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Fleming was the President of
Knauss Snack Food Company, a privately-held meat snack business. Prior to 1991,
Mr. Fleming was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Acme Foods Company,
a privately-held meat snack company. Mr. Fleming is presently a director of The
Decal Source, which designs and distributes decals for use in Nascar motor
sports, a position he has held since 1998.
G. Cook Jordan, Jr. Mr. Jordan, age 49, has served as a director of our
company since September 1993 and he is a member of the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Jordan is a co-founder and managing principal of
Jordan, Knauff & Company, a private investment bank. From 1998 to 1999, Mr.
Jordan was a general partner at CID Equity Partners, a venture capital
investment fund. From 1996 through 1998, Mr. Jordan was a principal at C3
Holdings, LLC, a private investment firm. From 1988 through 1996, Mr. Jordan
served as a Manager of Allstate Venture Capital, which was affiliated with
Allstate Insurance Company. Mr. Jordan has also been a director at Day's Molding
and Machinery, a plastic injection molder, since 1998, and he was a director at
ACR Systems, Inc., a systems developer, from 1997 to 2001.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In addition to Merrick M. Elfman and Alan F. Sussna, whose biographies
are listed in the directors section above, our company has the following two
executive officers:
Thomas M. Dalton. Mr. Dalton, age 52, has served as our Chief Financial
Officer and Senior Vice President since April 1998. He was also elected to the
additional position of Chief Operating Officer in March 2001. Mr. Dalton served
as a director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Richelieu Group, a privately-held company with nine operating subsidiaries in
food processing and distribution from 1985 to 1993. From 1994 through 1998, Mr.
Dalton served as a director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
of SNA Inc., a food processing and distribution company, and he has been a
director of Duo-Fast Corporation, a privately-held manufacturer and distributor
of tools and fasteners since 1997.
Steve Englander. Mr. Englander, age 45, has served as our Senior Vice
President - Marketing since August 1998. Prior to his employment with our
company, Mr. Englander was Vice President of Marketing with Morningstar Foods, a
position he held from September 1995 through March 1998. From September 1991
through June 1995, he was Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Eagle Snacks,
a division of Anheuser Busch.
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires our officers, directors and
certain beneficial holders of our common stock to file reports about their
beneficial ownership of our common stock. Specific due dates for these reports
have been established and we are required to disclose in this Form 10-K any
failure to file by these dates during 2000. All of these filing requirements
were timely satisfied. In making these disclosures, we have relied solely upon
written representations of our directors and executive officers and copies of
the reports they filed with the SEC.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth annual and long-term compensation for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 for services in all
capacities to our company of (i) our chief executive officer, and (ii) our next
two most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the "Named
Officers"). No other executive officer of our company received total annual
salary and bonus in excess of $100,000 during 2000.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
-------------------------------- ------------
SECURITIES ALL OTHER
UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) OPTIONS(#) ($)(2)
--------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ---------- ------------
Alan F. Sussna, 2000 348,007 100,000 -- 44,250
President and Chief Executive 1999 335,394 145,500 -- 40,523
Officer 1998 310,346 50,000 500,000 27,704
Thomas M. Dalton, Senior Vice 2000 172,048 50,000 -- 23,625
President and Chief Financial 1999 159,808 33,750 125,000 20,854
Officer(1) 1998 110,425 -- 75,000 12,462
Steven E. Englander(3), 2000 112,144 6,500 -- 15,724
Senior Vice President - Marketing 1999 106,999 10,000 -- 14,060
1998 39,095 -- 45,000 3,231
--------------
(1) Mr. Dalton joined our company as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer on April 6, 1998.
(2) These amounts represent $3,704, $1,523 and $5,250 contributed by us
in 1998, 1999, and 2000 respectively, to our 401(k) Plan on behalf of
Mr. Sussna; $24,000, $39,000 and $39,000 paid to Mr. Sussna in 1998,
1999 and 2000 respectively, as an allowance for transportation costs
and health related benefits; $12,462, $18,000 and $19,500 paid to
Mr. Dalton in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively, as an allowance for
transportation costs and health related benefits; $3,231, $12,000 and
$12,000 paid to Mr. Englander in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, as
an allowance for transportation costs and health related benefits;
$2,854 and $2,060 contributed by us in 1999 to our 401(k) Plan on
behalf of Mr. Dalton and Mr. Englander, respectively; $4,125 and
$3,724 contributed by us in 2000 to our 401(k) on behalf of Mr. Dalton
and Mr. Englander, respectively.
(3) Mr. Englander joined our company as Senior Vice President-Marketing on
August 10, 1998.
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OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES
During 2000, 33,000 options were granted to our employees, however, we
granted no options to our Named Officers. Additionally, there were no option
exercises by our Named Officers in 2000.
Shown below is information with respect to outstanding options held by
our Named Officers as of December 31, 2000. All options reflected in the chart
below were granted under our Option Plan and our Named Officer's employment
agreement.
AGGREGATED 2000 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS AT 12/31/00 OPTIONS AT 12/31/00
NAME EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(1)
---- ------------------------- -----------------------------
Alan F. Sussna 366,667/383,333 $0/$0
Thomas M. Dalton 133,333/66,667 $0/$0
Steven E. Englander 15,000/30,000 $0/$0
------------------
(1) Based on closing price of $0.875 per share of Common Stock on December
29, 2000, as reported by the American Stock Exchange.
DIRECTORS' FEES
Under our option plan, non-employee directors receive options to purchase 10,000
shares of Common Stock on January 1 of each year.
CONSULTING AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Effective March 15, 1996, we entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Sussna, pursuant to which Mr. Sussna serves as our Chief Executive Officer
and President. The initial term of the employment agreement was for five years,
which extends for additional one year periods commencing March 15, 2001 unless
and until terminated by written notice given by either party to the other six
months prior to each applicable termination date. Mr. Sussna's employment
agreement was renewed in 2001 and it is currently in effect until March 15,
2002. The employment agreement provides that we will pay Mr. Sussna base
compensation of $230,000 in the first year of the employment agreement and
$200,000 per year thereafter, subject to normal cost of living increases, as
well as those increases permitted by our Compensation Committee. The base
compensation was raised to $300,000 per year in April 1997, $338,250 per year in
1999 and $355,163 in 2000. Mr. Sussna will also receive an annual bonus of up to
50% of his base salary, based on our actual cash flow and management objectives.
Pursuant to his
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employment agreement, Mr. Sussna received options to purchase 250,000 shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, which options vest in
five equal installments on the first through fifth anniversaries of the
effective date of the employment agreement, subject to acceleration upon the
satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the employment agreement. In
1998, our Compensation Committee granted Mr. Sussna options to purchase an
additional 500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per
share, 250,000 of which options vest in three equal installments on the first
through third anniversaries of the date of the grant, while the vesting of the
remaining 250,000 options depends upon our stock price achieving certain levels.
In 2000, Mr. Sussna received no options to purchase shares of our common stock.
Effective April 6, 1998, we entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Dalton, pursuant to which Mr. Dalton serves as our Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. In March 2001, Mr. Dalton was elected to the additional
position of Chief Operating Officer. The initial term of the employment
agreement was for three years, which extends for additional one year periods
commencing April 6, 2001 unless and until terminated by written notice given by
either party to the other six months prior to each applicable termination date.
Mr. Dalton's employment agreement was renewed in 2001 and it is currently in
effect until April 6, 2002. The employment agreement provides that we pay Mr.
Dalton base compensation of $150,000 in the first year of the employment
agreement, subject to normal cost of living increases, as well as those
increases permitted by our Compensation Committee. In 1999, Mr. Dalton's base
compensation was increased to $165,000 per year and he became eligible for an
annual bonus of up to 40% of his base salary. In 2000, Mr. Dalton's base salary
was increased to $173,250 per year. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr.
Dalton received options to purchase 75,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $3.375 per share which options vest in three equal
installments on the first through third anniversaries of the date of grant,
subject to acceleration upon the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in
Mr. Dalton's employment agreement. In 1999, our Compensation Committee also
granted Mr. Dalton options to purchase an additional 125,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share, which vest in three equal
installments on each of July 23, 1999, 2000 and 2001, subject to acceleration
upon the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in Mr. Dalton's employment
agreement.
Effective August 10, 1998 we entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Englander, pursuant to which Mr. Englander serves as our Senior Vice
President - Marketing. The employment agreement may be terminated by Mr.
Englander or us at any time, subject in some circumstances to our obligation to
pay Mr. Englander's compensation for a period of up to six months after the
termination, which period depends upon the reason for the termination and the
duration of Mr. Englander's employment with us prior to termination. The
employment agreement provides that we will pay Mr. Englander base compensation
of $107,000 per year during his employment with us, subject to normal cost of
living increases. In 2000, Mr. Englander's base compensation was increased from
$106,999 to $112,349. Mr. Englander will also receive an annual bonus of up to
30% of his base salary, 50% of which will be based on our overall performance
and 50% of which will be based upon management objectives described by our chief
executive officer on an annual basis. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr.
Englander received options to purchase 45,000 shares of our common stock, 15,000
of which have an exercise price of $2.875 per share and vest in three equal
installments on the first through third anniversaries of the date of the
employment agreement, 15,000 of which have an exercise price of $3.31 per share
(the average closing price of the ten trading days preceding August 10, 1999)
and vest in three equal installments on the second through fourth anniversaries
of the date of the employment agreement, and 15,000 of which have an exercise
price of $2.3191 per share (the average closing price of the ten trading days
preceding August 10, 2000) and vest in three equal installments on the third
through fifth anniversaries of the date of the employment agreement.
The employment agreements for Mr. Sussna and Mr. Dalton provide for
certain separation benefits. These provisions provide that if the executive's
employment is terminated either (1) by us
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without cause, or (2) by the executive due to a reduction in responsibility
without his consent, a reduction in his base salary, relocation of his office
from Chicago, Illinois, our failure to comply with the terms of the employment
agreement, or certain changes of control of our company, then the executive will
receive one-half or the full amount (depending upon whether the termination
occurs before or after the second anniversary of the effective date of the
executive's employment) of the executive's base salary, the annual bonus to
which the executive would have been entitled but for the termination, and
continued employee benefits for the maximum period permitted by law. These
separation benefits are also triggered if the aggregate beneficial ownership of
the following individuals is reduced to less than 15% of the number of shares of
common stock outstanding: Douglas L. Becker, Eric D. Becker, Merrick M. Elfman,
Bruce L. Goldman, Rudolf Christopher Hoehn-Saric and Steven M. Taslitz, as well
as their spouses and dependent children or trusts established for their benefit.
The employment agreements for Mr. Sussna, Mr. Dalton and Mr. Englander
also contain certain non-competition and confidentiality provisions pursuant to
which they agree not to compete with our company for a period of two years
(three years in the case of Mr. Sussna) following termination of their
employment with us, nor will they solicit for employment any director,
stockholder or certain employees of our company during such period. The
employment agreements also provide that Mr. Sussna, Mr. Dalton and Mr. Englander
will not disclose any confidential information concerning our company and our
business to any other person or entity except as may be required by law.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
ownership of our common stock as of April 10, 2001, by each person known by our
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, each director of our Company, each Named
Officer (as defined below), and all executive officers and directors as a group.
The information presented in the table is based upon the most recent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by such persons or upon
information otherwise provided by such persons to us.
SHARES BENEFICIALLY
NAMES OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS OWNED(1) PERCENTAGE OWNED
--------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------
Douglas L. Becker................................... 405,957 (2) 6.07%
Eric D. Becker...................................... 510,957 (3) 7.58%
Merrick M. Elfman................................... 538,859 (4) 7.99%
Philip L. Glass..................................... 408,768 (5) 6.14%
Bruce L. Goldman.................................... 647,076 (6) 9.72%
Rudolf Christopher Hoehn-Saric...................... 436,699 (7) 6.53%
Alan F. Sussna...................................... 621,307 (8) 8.78%
Steven M. Taslitz................................... 518,434 (9) 7.68%
Thomas M. Dalton.................................... 320,189(10) 4.62%
Steven Englander.................................... 21,592(11) *
Brian T. Fleming.................................... 41,500(12) *
John T. Hanes....................................... 39,900(12) *
G. Cook Jordan, Jr. ................................ 94,107(13) 1.4%
John A. Miller...................................... 202,405(14) 3.01%
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All directors and executive officers as a group
(10 persons)........................................ 2,909,250(15) 37.22%
-------------------
*Less than one percent
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to
securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed
outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the
person holding such option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding
for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Except where indicated otherwise, and subject to community property
laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock
shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2) Includes 30,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options. The
address for this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370,
Northbrook, IL 60062.
(3) Includes 392,293 shares held by Mr. Becker's wife (of which Mr. Becker
disclaims beneficial ownership) and 85,000 shares underlying currently
exercisable options or options exercisable within 60 days. The address
for this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, IL
60062.
(4) Includes 84,500 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days. Of the remaining 454,359 shares,
433,805 are held by Mr. Elfman and his wife jointly. The address for
this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, IL
60062.
(5) Includes 130,240 shares held by the Glass International Ltd. Profit
Sharing Plan and Trust dated July 1, 1983 (the "Trust"). Mr. Glass and
his wife, Ellen V. Glass, are co-trustees and also the beneficiaries of
the Trust. Of the remaining shares, 278,528 are held by Mr. Glass and
his wife jointly, either as joint tenants or tenants in common. The
address for this shareholder is 20 N. Wacker, #3400, Chicago, IL
60606-3102.
(6) Includes 250,346 shares held by Mr. Goldman and Mr. Taslitz as
co-trustees of the KJT Gift Trust. Mr. Goldman disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares held by the KJT Gift Trust. The address for
this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, IL
60062.
(7) Includes 24,593 shares held by Mr. Hoehn-Saric as Trustee for the
benefit of Gabriella Hoehn-Saric and 21,519 shares held by him as
Trustee for the benefit of Rudolph Christopher Hoehn-Saric, Jr. Also
includes 30,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days. The address for this shareholder is
c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, IL 60062.
(8) Includes 175,528 shares held by Mr. Sussna as trustee of the Alan F.
Sussna Trust and 9,803 shares held by Mr. Sussna's wife, Brenda B.
Sussna, as trustee of the Brenda B. Sussna Trust. Mr. Sussna disclaims
beneficial ownership of all 9,803 shares held by his wife as trustee of
the Brenda B. Sussna Trust. Also includes 416,667 shares underlying
currently exercisable options, or options exercisable within 60 days,
which are held by Mr. Sussna as Trustee of the Alan F. Sussna Trust.
The address for this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370,
Northbrook, IL 60062.
(9) Includes 144,923 shares held by Mr. Taslitz as trustee of the Kathy J.
Taslitz Trust and 250,346 shares held by Mr. Taslitz and Mr. Goldman as
co-trustees of the KJT Gift Trust. Mr. Taslitz disclaims beneficial
ownership of the 250,346 shares held by him as co-trustee of the KJT
Gift Trust. Also includes 89,500 shares underlying currently
exercisable options or options exercisable within 60 days. The address
for this shareholder is c/o 650 Dundee Road, Suite 370, Northbrook, IL
60062.
(10) Includes 278,333 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days.
(11) Includes 15,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options with
options exercisable within 60 days.
(12) Includes 35,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days.
(13) Includes 59,500 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 19,607 shares held by
Mr. Jordan's IRA.
(14) Includes 59,500 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days.
(15) Includes 1,158,000 shares underlying currently exercisable options or
options exercisable within 60 days.
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On October 1, 2000, we entered into a management agreement with
Sterling Advisors pursuant to which Sterling Advisors was to provide us with
management and advisory services, including assisting our executives in making
management, financial and strategic decisions, during the initial term ending
April 30, 2002. Messrs. Douglas Becker (a 5% beneficial owner of our common
stock), Eric Becker (a director and 5% beneficial owner), Rudolph Christopher
Hoehn-Saric (a 5% beneficial owner), and Steven Taslitz (a director and 5%
beneficial owner) own Sterling Advisors. During the initial term of the
management agreement, we were to pay Sterling Advisors a consulting fee of
$36,000 per month. Additionally, we were to pay $200,000 to Sterling Advisors on
the date of execution of the management agreement. The management agreement also
contains certain non-competition and confidentiality provisions pursuant to
which Sterling Advisors agrees not to compete with us or disclose any
confidential information for a period of two years following termination of the
agreement, nor will it solicit for employment any director, stockholder or
certain employees of our company during such period. In connection with the
April 2001 restructuring of our senior subordinated debt to Banc One Capital
Partners, described in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, this management agreement was terminated
and all amounts payable thereunder were waived.
Also in connection with the April 2001 restructuring of our senior
subordinated debt to Banc One Capital Partners, Sterling BOCP, LLC purchased a
10% interest in the senior subordinated debt from Banc One Capital Partners,
including a corresponding 10% interest in the warrants with a put option which
were issued in connection with the senior subordinated debt. These warrants with
a put option are described in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of
Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations. Sterling BOCP is owned by Messrs. Douglas Becker (a 5% beneficial
owner), Eric Becker (a director and 5% beneficial owner), Merrick Elfman (an
executive officer, director and 5% beneficial owner), Bruce Goldman (a 5%
beneficial owner), John Miller (a director) and Steven Taslitz (a director and
5% beneficial owner.
Our Company, Sterling Group and Messrs. Eric Becker, Steven Taslitz,
Douglas Becker and Christopher Hoehn-Saric entered into a non-compete and
non-disclosure agreement containing certain non-competition and confidentiality
provisions pursuant to which Sterling Group and Messrs. E. Becker, Taslitz, D.
Becker and Hoehn-Saric agreed not to compete with us for a period ending one
year after Sterling Group's consulting relationship with our Company is
terminated, nor will they solicit for employment any director, stockholder or
certain employees of our Company during such period. This agreement also
provides that neither Sterling Group nor these individuals will disclose any
confidential information concerning us and our business to any other person or
entity except as may be required by law.
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PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
1. The consolidated financial statements of the Company and
its subsidiaries, together with the applicable reports of
independent public accountants:
Page
----
Independent Auditors' Report F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets - as of December 31, 1999 and 2000 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations - for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1999 and 2000 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1999 and 2000 F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6
2. The following exhibits are filed with this report or
incorporated by reference as set forth below:
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. (the
"Company"), including all amendments thereto (1)
3.2 By-Laws of the Company (1)
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate (1)
4.2 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated November
1, 1997 (2)
4.3 $1.4 million Subordinated Note made by ABEV Acquisition Corp. in favor of
Franklin Roth and Allen Pauly (3)
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4.4 6.35% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due July 31, 2001 made
by Richard's Cajun Foods Corp. and the Company in favor of J.L. Richard in
the original principal amount of $850,000 (4)
4.5 8% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due September 30, 2001 made
by Grogan's Merger Corp. in favor of Bobby L. Grogan and Betty R. Grogan
in the original principal amount of $219,593 (4)
4.6 8% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due December 31, 2003 made
by Grogan's Farm, Inc. in favor of Jefferson Davis and Roger Davis in the
original principal amount of $219,593 (4)
4.7 Secured Promissory Note dated as of March 20, 1998 of the Company and
certain of its subsidiaries payable to Fleet Capital Corporation in the
original principal amount of $11,000,000 (4)
4.8 Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among Fleet Capital
Corporation, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (4)
4.9 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 20,
1999 among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries (*)
4.10 Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001
among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries (*)
4.11 Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 between the Company and
Fleet Capital Corporation (4)
4.12 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. and Subsidiaries Senior Subordinated Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among the
Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Banc One Capital Partners, LLC
("Banc One") (4)
4.13 Limited Waiver of Covenants Under and Amendment to Senior Subordinated
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001 among the
Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Banc One (*)
4.14 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001 among the
Company, certain of its subsidiaries, Banc One, Sterling BOCP, LLC
("Sterling") and Fleet Capital Corporation (*)
4.15 Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement dated April 13, 2001 among
Banc One, Sterling, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (*)
4.16 Senior Subordinated Note due March 31, 2005 of the Company payable to Banc
One dated as of April 13, 2001 in the original principal amount of
$5,850,000 (*)
4.17 Senior Subordinated Note due March 31, 2005 of the Company payable to
Sterling dated as of April 13, 2001 in the original principal amount of
$650,000 (*)
4.18 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Common Stock Purchase
Warrant of Banc One dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.19 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Common Stock Purchase
Warrant to Sterling dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
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34
4.20 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Contingent Common Stock
Purchase Warrant of Banc One dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.21 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Contingent Common Stock
Purchase Warrant of Sterling dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.22 Amended and Restated Put Option Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001 among
the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.23 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 13,
2001 among the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.24 Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001
among the Company, certain of its shareholders, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.25 Amended and Restated Preemptive Rights Agreement dated as of April 13,
2001 among the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.26 Debt Subordination Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among Banc One
Capital Partners, LLC, the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Fleet
Capital Corporation (4)
4.27 Lien Subordination Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 between Fleet
Capital Corporation and Banc One Capital Partners, LLC (4)
10.1 Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreement dated September 24, 1993 among
the Company, Sterling Group, Inc., Eric D. Becker, Steven M. Taslitz,
Douglas L. Becker and R. Christopher Hoehn-Saric (1)
10.2 Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement (1)
10.3 Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 23, 1999 among the Company and Bobby
L. Grogan and Betty Ruth Grogan (5)
10.4 The Company's 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (6)
10.5 Employment Agreement dated October 29, 1996 between the Company and Alan
F. Sussna (7)
10.6 Employment Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998 between the Company and
Thomas M. Dalton (8)
10.7 Employment Agreement dated August 10, 1998 between the Company and Steven
Englander (9)
10.8 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2000 between the Company and Merrick
M. Elfman. (*)
21 Subsidiaries of the Company (4)
23 Consent of KPMG LLP (*)
------------------
*Filed herewith.
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement No.
33-69438 or the amendments thereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement No.
333-39561 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
March 15, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 1, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
May 21, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 24, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 1996, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for
the quarter ended September 30, 1998, and incorporated herein by
reference.
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(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
On October 23, 2000, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 13, 2000 disclosing Item 5 that the Arlington, Kentucky plant of
Grogan's Sausage, one of our divisions, was destroyed by fire.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, LTD.
By: /s/ THOMAS M. DALTON
---------------------------------------
Thomas M. Dalton
Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Dated as of April 13, 2001.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ ERIC D. BECKER Director April 13, 2001
-------------------------------
Eric D. Becker
Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting April 13, 2001
/s/ THOMAS M. DALTON officer)
-------------------------------
Thomas M. Dalton
/s/ MERRICK M. ELFMAN Director April 9, 2001
-------------------------------
Merrick M. Elfman
Director April ___, 2001
-------------------------------
Brian Fleming
/s/ JOHN T. HANES Director April 10, 2001
-------------------------------
John T. Hanes
Director April ___, 2001
-------------------------------
G. Cook Jordan, Jr.
/s/ JOHN A. MILLER Director April 13, 2001
-------------------------------
John A. Miller
Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/ ALAN F. SUSSNA (principal executive officer) April 13, 2001
-------------------------------
Alan F. Sussna
/s/ STEVEN M. TASLITZ Director April 13, 2001
-------------------------------
Steven M. Taslitz
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Independent Auditors' Report
To the Stockholders of
Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atlantic Premium
Brands, Ltd. (a Delaware Corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999
and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2000. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Atlantic Premium
Brands, Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 2000, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for production parts inventory in 2000.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 16, 2001, except as to the third paragraph of Note 9 and the fifth
paragraph of Note 16, which are as of April 13, 2001
F-1
38
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
1999 2000
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 1,841 $ 780
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $348 and $206, respectively 9,623 7,791
Inventory 5,610 5,453
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 475 1,707
Income taxes receivable 390 802
Deferred income taxes 587 375
Net assets of discontinued operations 78 124
------ -------
Total current assets 18,604 17,032
Property, plant and equipment, net 12,549 11,293
Intangible assets, net 13,153 12,788
Deferred income taxes - 101
Other assets, net 437 317
------ -------
Total assets $44,743 $41,531
====== =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank overdraft $ 2,963 $ 3,167
Notes payable under line of credit 751 5,053
Current maturities of long-term debt 1,964 4,882
Accounts payable 10,572 5,645
Accrued expenses 1,414 1,721
------- -------
Total current liabilities 17,664 20,468
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 15,986 11,365
Deferred income taxes 5 -
Put warrants 1,435 1,435
------- -------
Total liabilities 35,090 33,268
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares
authorized; none issued or outstanding - -
Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares
authorized; 6,845,069 and 6,658,863 shares
issued and outstanding, respectively 68 67
Additional paid-in-capital 10,898 10,377
Accumulated deficit (1,313) (2,181)
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity 9,653 8,263
------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $44,743 $41,531
======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-2
39
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Net sales $ 181,023 $ 196,998 $ 177,743
Cost of goods sold 156,870 170,751 153,008
-----------------------------------------
Gross profit 24,153 26,247 24,735
Selling, general and administrative
expenses:
Salaries and benefits 8,537 9,875 10,479
Other operating expenses 9,593 9,449 9,982
Depreciation and amortization 1,663 2,123 2,258
-----------------------------------------
Total selling, general and
administrative expenses 19,793 21,447 22,719
-----------------------------------------
Income from operations 4,360 4,800 2,016
Interest expense 2,206 2,491 2,788
Other income, net 116 38 41
-----------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income taxes and change
in accounting principle 2,270 2,347 (731)
Income tax expense (450) (1,086) (125)
-----------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing
operations 1,820 1,261 (856)
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations (742) (72) (153)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (559) - -
-----------------------------------------
Income (loss) before change in accounting
principle and extraordinary loss 519 1,189 (1,009)
Change in accounting principle - - 141
Extraordinary loss (195) - -
-----------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 324 $ 1,189 $ (868)
-----------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares:
Basic 7,384,372 7,054,284 6,707,908
-----------------------------------------
Diluted 7,576,236 7,193,748 6,707,908
-----------------------------------------
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before change in
accounting principle and extraordinary loss $ 0.25 $ 0.18 $ (0.13)
Loss from discontinued operations,
including loss on disposal (0.18) (0.01) (0.02)
Change in accounting principle - - 0.02
Extraordinary loss (0.03) - -
----------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.04 $ 0.17 $ (0.13)
----------------------------------------
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before change in
accounting principle and extraordinary loss $ 0.24 $ 0.18 $ (0.13)
Loss from discontinued operations,
including loss on disposal (0.17) (0.01) (0.02)
Change in accounting principle - - 0.02
Extraordinary loss (0.03) - -
----------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.04 $ 0.17 $ (0.13)
----------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-3
40
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands)
Additional Total
Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Stockholders'
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Equity
------ ------ ------- ------- ------
Balance, December 31, 1997 7,374 $74 $12,141 $(2,826) $9,389
Issuance of common stock in
connection with employee stock
purchase plan 27 - 60 - 60
Exercise of stock options 12 - 46 - 46
Issuance of stock options to non-employee - - 13 - 13
Net income - - - 324 324
----------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 7,413 74 12,260 (2,502) 9,832
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (579) (6) (1,381) - (1,387)
Issuance of common stock in
connection with employee stock
purchase plan 11 - 19 - 19
Net income - - - 1,189 1,189
----------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1999 6,845 68 10,898 (1,313) 9,653
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (241) (2) (578) - (580)
Issuance of common stock in
connection with employee stock
purchase plan 55 1 57 - 58
Net loss - - - (868) (868)
------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 2000 6,659 $ 67 $10,377 $(2,181) $ 8,263
============================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
41
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 324 $ 1,189 $ (868)
Adjustments to reconcile net
income (loss) to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities
Extraordinary loss 195 -- --
Depreciation and amortization 1,370 2,123 2,258
Amortization of debt discount
and deferred financing costs 293 246 250
Deferred income taxes (269) 44 106
Options issued to non-employee 13 -- --
Decrease (increase) in accounts
receivable, net (1,273) 814 1,832
Decrease (increase) in inventory 484 (1,153) 157
Decrease (increase) in prepaid
expenses 154 243 (12)
Increase in income taxes receivable -- -- (412)
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable (1,486) 4,964 (4,927)
Increase (decrease) in accrued
expenses and other 2,794 (3,459) 307
-----------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities 2,599 5,011 (1,309)
-----------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment (889) (1,954) (1,254)
Invested in plant construction in progress -- -- (524)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment 179 105 69
Cash paid for businesses acquired,
including deferred acquisition fees and
net of cash acquired (12,870) -- --
Other -- (7) (28)
-----------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (13,580) (1,856) (1,737)
-----------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft 2,670 (1,110) 204
(Payments) borrowings under line of credit (5,260) (175) 4,302
Payments of term debt and notes payable 11,761 (1,399) (1,953)
Payments of financing costs (352) -- --
Issuance of common stock 107 19 58
Repurchase of common stock -- (1,387) (580)
-----------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities 8,926 (4,052) 2,031
-----------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued
operations 2,645 964 (46)
-----------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash 590 67 (1,061)
Cash, beginning of period 1,184 1,774 1,841
-----------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ 1,774 $ 1,841 $ 780
=========================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
42
ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, Ltd.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY:
The accompanying consolidated financial statements present the accounts of
Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant
inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's
financial statements have been restated to classify the results of operations
and net assets of the beverage division as discontinued operations. Accordingly,
all amounts included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements pertain
to continuing operations except where otherwise noted. See further discussion in
Note 3 - "Discontinued Operations".
The Company is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of
packaged meat and other food products in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma
and surrounding states.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company records sales when product is delivered to the customers. Discounts
provided, principally based on volume, are recorded as reductions of sales at
the time of the sale.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS
Shipping and handling costs are included in salaries and benefits and other
operating expenses. These amounts are $2,893, $3,874 and $3,944 for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000
CASH
Cash consists of cash held in various deposit accounts with financial
institutions. As of December 31, 2000, $261 was restricted to support a standby
letter of credit.
INVENTORY
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market and is comprised of raw
materials, finished goods, production parts and packaging supplies. Cost is
determined using the first-in, first-out method. See Note 10 for information
concerning the 2000 change in accounting for production parts.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of applicable
depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at annual
rates of 3% to 20% for buildings and building improvements, and 10% to 20% for
equipment, furniture and vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the
lesser of the lease term or asset life. Additions and improvements that
substantially extend the useful life of a particular asset are capitalized.
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense. Upon sale, the cost and
related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts.
OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of deferred acquisition costs, cash surrender value of life
insurance, and deferred financing costs. Deferred financing costs are being
amortized over 5 to 7 years, representing the term of the related debt, using
the effective interest method.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The excess of cost over the fair market value of tangible net assets and
trademarks of acquired businesses is amortized on a straight-line basis over the
F-6
43
periods of expected benefit, which range from 10 to 40 years. Amortization
expense for each of the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 was $465,
$570 and $498, respectively. Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 1999
and 2000 was $1,757
and $2,255, respectively. Subsequent to an acquisition, the Company continually
evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the
remaining estimated useful life of an intangible asset may warrant revision or
that the remaining balance of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. When
factors indicate that an intangible asset should be evaluated for possible
impairment, the Company uses an estimate of the related business' undiscounted
future cash flows over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the
intangible asset is recoverable.
ADVERTISING
Advertising expenditures are expensed in the period in which the advertising
first takes place.
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic income per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share assumes the exercise
of all options which are dilutive, whether exercisable or not. The dilutive
effect of stock options is measured under the treasury stock method.
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments to manage its
market and interest rate risk, however it does not use nor hold derivative
positions for trading purposes. In 1998, the Company entered into a derivative
financial instrument in connection with the issuance of warrants to purchase
shares of common stock. The structure of the transaction requires that increases
in the value of the common stock underlying the warrants be recognized currently
as interest expense in the income statement. Subsequent to the effective date of
this transaction, the market price of the Company's common stock was generally
lower than the exercise price for the warrants, and accordingly, no interest
expense was recorded for these warrants.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting
for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," established
accounting and reporting standards for hedging activities and derivatives. As
issued, SFAS 133 was effective for fiscal quarters beginning after June 15,
1999. In June 1999, SFAS 137 was issued effectively deferring the date of
required adoption of SFAS No. 133 to fiscal quarters of all fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. We will adopt SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138, as
required, in fiscal year 2001. We generally do not use derivative financial
instruments other than the warrants with a put option. In connection with the
required adoption of SFAS No. 133 in fiscal 2001, we will reduce the warrants
with a put option to their fair value during the first quarter of 2001.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting for its fixed
plan stock options. As such, compensation expense is recorded on the date of
grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the
exercise price.
F-7
44
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
CASH PAID CASH PAID
FOR TAXES FOR INTEREST
Year ended December 31, 1998
Related parties $ - $ 200
Other 414 1,968
Year ended December 31, 1999
Related parties - 200
Other 974 2,045
Year ended December 31, 2000
Related parties - 215
Other 373 2,320
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the prior years' consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company decided to sell substantially all
the assets of its beverage division. The beverage division has been accounted
for as a discontinued operation. Interest expense has been allocated to the
beverage division based on its net assets as a percentage of total consolidated
net assets.
The sale was recorded in three separate transactions. Effective December 1,
1998, certain assets were sold for cash of approximately $2,200. Effective
January 11, 1999, additional assets were sold for cash of approximately $900.
Effective February 2, 1999, the Company completed its disposition of the
beverage division when it sold the remaining assets and liabilities for
approximately $400 in cash and notes.
Selected statements of income data for discontinued operations is as follows:
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 1999 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $19,597 $ - $ -
Operating income (loss) (729) (72) (226)
Income tax benefit 341 - 73
Loss from discontinued
operations (742) (72) (153)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets of discontinued operations consist of current assets, primarily
related to accounts receivable.
F-8
45
4. INVENTORY:
Inventory consisted of the following as of December 31:
1999 2000
---- ----
Raw materials $ 423 $ 662
Finished goods 3,821 2,712
Packaging supplies 1,366 1,582
Production parts - 497
------ ------
Total $5,610 $5,453
====== ======
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 1999 and 2000 are summarized as
follows:
1999 2000
---- ----
Land $ 664 $ 664
Buildings and building improvements 7,589 6,627
Equipment and furniture 5,334 5,493
Leasehold improvements 499 507
Vehicles 2,110 2,242
Construction in process - 524
--------------------
16,196 16,057
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization (3,647) (4,764)
--------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net $12,549 $11,293
====================
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 was
$1,197, $1,563 and $1,760, respectively.
6. OTHER ASSETS:
Other assets are comprised of the following as of December 31, 1999 and 2000:
1999 2000
---- ----
Deferred financing costs and intangible assets $ 614 $ 628
Cash surrender value of life insurance and other assets 64 25
------------------
678 653
Less - accumulated amortization (241) (336)
------------------
Other assets, net $ 437 $ 317
==================
Amortization of deferred financing costs of $92, $120 and $124 has been included
within interest expense in the accompanying consolidated income statements for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
7. SIGNIFICANT SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS:
For the year ended December 31, 1998, two suppliers provided approximately 18%
and 13%, respectively, of the Company's total product purchases. A single
customer accounted for approximately 43% of the Company's net sales.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, a single supplier provided approximately
17% of the Company's total product purchases. A single customer accounted for
approximately 43% of the Company's net sales.
F-9
46
For the year ended December 31, 2000, two suppliers provided approximately 12%
and 11%, respectively, of the Company's total product purchases. A single
customer accounted for approximately 30% of the Company's net sales.
8. INCOME TAXES:
Income tax (expense) benefit for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and
2000, was allocated as follows:
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Income (loss)from continuing operations $(450) $(1,086) $(125)
Loss from discontinued operations 341 - 73
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations 288 - -
Extraordinary loss 122 - -
-----------------------------
$ 301 $(1,086) $ 52
=============================
Income tax (expense) benefit of continuing operations consisted of the
following:
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Current:
Federal $(591) $ (853) $ 141
State (250) (190) (160)
Deferred:
Federal (64) (38) (85)
State (7) (6) (21)
----------------------------
(912) (1,086) (125)
Decrease in valuation allowance 462 - -
----------------------------
Income tax of continuing operations $(450) $(1,086) $(125)
============================
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 1999 and 2000 are
presented below:
1999 2000
---- ----
Deferred tax assets attributable to:
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 497 $ 543
Inventory 63 65
Accrued expenses 270 87
Accounts receivable 136 81
Other 101 397
------------------
Deferred tax assets 1,067 1,173
------------------
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
Property, plant and equipment 270 448
Other 215 249
------------------
Deferred tax liabilities 485 697
------------------
Net deferred tax assets $ 582 $ 476
==================
As of December 31, 2000, the Company has approximately $1,300 of net operating
loss carryforwards for tax purposes, expiring through 2010.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
F-10
47
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable
income in making this assessment. Based upon the level of projected future
taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible,
management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the
benefits of these deductible differences at December 31, 2000. The amount of the
deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near
term if estimates of future taxable income during the net operating loss
carryforward periods are reduced.
The items which gave rise to differences between income taxes in the
consolidated income statements and income taxes computed at the Federal
statutory rate are summarized below:
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Statutory Federal income tax rate (34.0)% (34.0)% 34.0%
State income taxes, net of
Federal income tax effect (5.0) (5.5) (20.4)
Nondeductible amortization of goodwill (4.4) (7.1) (26.0)
Reduction of valuation allowance 20.4 -
Other 3.2 0.3 (4.7)
-----------------------------------
Total (19.8)% (46.3)% (17.1)%
===================================
9. DEBT:
Long-term debt as of December 31, 1999 and 2000, consisted of the following:
1999 2000
---- ----
Subordinated promissory note to former shareholders
of Prefco, bearing interest at 9% annually,
payable in quarterly installments of interest,
with all outstanding principal and interest due
March 2001 $ 1,400 $ 1,400
Subordinated promissory note to former shareholder
of Richard's, bearing interest at 6.35%
annually, payable in quarterly installments
of interest, with all outstanding principal and
interest due July 2001 875 875
Subordinated promissory note to former
shareholders of Grogan's, effective October 1998,
bearing interest at 8% annually, payable in
quarterly installments of interest, with all
outstanding principal and interest
due September 2001 200 200
Subordinated promissory note to former
shareholders of Partin's, bearing interest
at 8% annually, payable in quarterly installments
of interest, with all outstanding principal and
interest due December 2003 225 225
Senior subordinated note bearing interest at 10%,
principal due in quarterly installments beginning
June 30, 2003, with all outstanding principal and
interest due March 31, 2005 6,500 6,500
Term note bearing interest at prime rate plus 1% or
adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5%, principal due in varying
amounts payable monthly through March 2003 8,913 7,194
Capital lease obligations and other 992 758
---------------------
Total 19,105 17,152
Less: Current maturities (1,964) (4,882)
Unamortized debt discount (1,155) (905)
---------------------
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and
unamortized debt discount $15,986 $11,365
=====================
F-11
48
The future maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2000, are as follows:
2001 $ 4,882
2002 2,502
2003 5,116
2004 3,829
2005 823
-------
$17,152
=======
The term note bears interest at either the bank's prime rate plus 1% or adjusted
LIBOR plus 2.5%, at the Company's option. This loan is due in varying amounts
payable monthly through March 2003 and is secured by substantially all the
assets of the Company.
Under the terms of the line of credit agreement, which expires in March 2003,
the Company is permitted to borrow up to $15,000, subject to advance formulas
based on accounts receivable, inventory and letter of credit obligations
outstanding. Amounts borrowed are due on demand and bear interest at either the
bank's prime rate plus 1% or adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5%. Interest is payable
monthly and amounts are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company.
The weighted average interest rates related to the line of credit existing at
December 31, 1999 and 2000, were 8.98% and 10.3%, respectively. As of December
31, 2000, approximately $125 of standby letters of credit were outstanding under
the line of credit facility.
The $6,500 senior subordinated note, maturing on March 31, 2005 bears interest
at 10% per annum. A loan amendment dated April 13, 2001, and effective January
17, 2001, increased the interest rate by 5% per annum. This incremental amount
of interest is accrued and payable on June 30, 2003. Principal is payable in
quarterly installments beginning June 30, 2003. This increased interest rate was
one of the conditions to a waiver of certain covenants by the holder of the
senior subordinated debt. In addition, the Company agreed to obtain the approval
of the senior subordinated debt holder prior to any renewal of the Company's
employment agreement with its chief executive officer, to terminate a management
agreement between the Company and Sterling Advisors (see Note 16), and to use
its commercially reasonable efforts, subject to the board of directors'
fiduciary duties, to obtain replacement financing for the senior subordinated
debt. In addition, an entity owned by some of the Company's directors, officers
and 5% stockholders agreed to purchase 10% of senior subordinated debt holder's
interest in the senior subordinated note, including 10% of the detachable put
warrants described in the next paragraph.
The subordinated debt was issued with detachable put warrants to purchase
666,947 shares of nonvoting common stock at $3.38 per share and a contingent
warrant to purchase up to a maximum of 428,753 shares of nonvoting common stock
at $3.38 per share based upon the equity value of the Company on certain dates.
The warrants were recorded at an estimated fair value of $1,435, and the related
discount on the senior subordinated note was recorded for the same amount. This
discount is being amortized over the seven year term of the note as additional
interest expense. Amortization of the debt discount was $247 and $250 for the
years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
In connection with the Company's line of credit, term note and senior
subordinated note agreements, the Company is required to meet certain financial
and non-financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with these covenants
as of December 31, 2000 or has received waivers with respect to any events of
non-compliance.
The subordinated promissory note to the former shareholders of Prefco due March
2001 ("Junior Creditors") was not paid because such payment would have violated
certain covenants under the term note and senior subordinated note. Payment will
be made on this subordinated note when such payment will not violate these
covenants. Under the terms of an inter-creditor subordination agreement, the
Junior Creditors are prohibited from exercising any remedy with respect to this
debt until the term note and senior subordinated note are paid in full; however,
the interest rate of 9% increases by 2% per annum after its due date until the
principal is paid.
F-12
49
10. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable, and
accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.
Fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated using discounted cash
flow analyses, based on the Company's current incremental borrowing rates for
similar types of borrowing arrangements. The aggregate face value of the
Company's long-term debt as of December 31, 1999 and 2000, was $19,105 and
$17,152, respectively. The face amount of the Company's long-term debt
approximated its fair value as of December 31, 1999 and 2000.
Fair value of the put warrants is estimated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The carrying amount and fair value of the put warrants as of
December 31, 1999 were approximately $1,435 and $400, respectively. The carrying
amount and fair value of the put warrants as of December 31, 2000 were
approximately $1,435 and $33, respectively.
11. INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
The weighted average shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per
common share for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 are as
follows:
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Weighted average shares outstanding
for basic income per common share 7,384,372 7,054,284 6,707,908
Dilutive effect of stock options 191,864 139,464 -
-------------------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding
for diluted income per common share 7,576,236 7,193,748 6,707,908
=====================================
As a result of the loss from continuing operations for the year ended December
31, 2000, the impact of options with an exercise price that was less than the
average weighted market price of the common stock during the year was excluded
due to their antidilutive effect.
Options to purchase 633,591, 1,199,659 and 1,722,042 shares of common stock at
prices ranging from $2.50 to $6.50 per share were outstanding during 1998, 1999
and 2000, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted
income per common share because the options' exercise price was greater than the
average weighted market price of the common stock during the year.
Put warrants to purchase up to a maximum of 1,095,700 shares of common stock at
$3.38 per share were outstanding as of December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 but were
not included in the computation of diluted income per common share because the
warrants' exercise price was greater than the weighted average market price of
the common stock.
12. STOCK OPTIONS:
Prior to April 1999, the Company had a stock option plan (the Old Plan) and a
Director's stock option plan (the Director Plan). In April 1999, the Company
adopted a 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the Option Plan), which
amended and restated both the Old Plan and the Director Plan into the Option
Plan. The Option Plan authorizes the Company to grant, to eligible individuals,
options for the purchase of shares of the Company's common stock.
F-13
50
Under the terms of the Option Plan, the Company may issue up to 3,000,000
options to directors, officers, advisors, full-time employees and other eligible
individuals. In general, the option exercise price equals the stock's market
price on the date of grant and the options vest during periods of up to ten
years. Under the terms of the Option Plan, the Company issues 10,000 options to
eligible outside directors at the beginning of each year of service. These
options vest quarterly over one year. No compensation expense was recognized for
the issuance of options under the Old Plan, the Director Plan or the Option Plan
during 1998, 1999 and 2000.
The Company has elected to account for its stock-based compensation plans using
the intrinsic value method. The Company has computed for pro forma disclosure
purposes the value of all options granted subsequent to 1994, using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model; the following assumptions were used for
option grants:
1999 2000
---- ----
Risk-free interest rate (range) 5.56% - 5.75% 5.35% - 6.25%
Expected dividend yield 0.00% 0.00%
Expected lives 5-6 years 5-6 years
Expected volatility 53% 51.5%
Adjustments were made for options forfeited prior to vesting. Had compensation
expense for these plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant
date, the Company's net income (loss) and income (loss) per common share
reflected on the accompanying consolidated income statements would have been
reduced to the following pro forma amounts:
1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ----
Net income (loss):
As reported $324 $1,189 $ (868)
Pro forma 18 848 (1,043)
Basic income (loss) per common share:
As reported .04 .18 (0.13)
Pro forma - .12 (0.16)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
As reported .04 .18 (0.13)
Pro forma - .12 (0.16)
Because the fair value method of accounting has not been applied to options
granted prior to 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation expense may not be
representative of that to be expected in future years.
The following table summarizes option activity and related information.
1998 1999 2000
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE
Outstanding, beginning
of year 866,236 $2.98 1,653,192 $3.01 1,704,659 $2.66
Granted 845,491 3.01 310,571 2.33 113,000 2.05
Exercised (58,535) 2.40 - - - -
Forfeited or expired - - (259,104) 4.36 (95,617) 2.74
------- -------- --------
Outstanding, end
of year 1,653,192 $3.01 1,704,659 $2.66 1,722,042 $2.57
===============================================================================
Exercisable, end
of year 692,410 $3.30 1,136,852 $2.39 1,236,363 $2.46
Weighted average
fair value of
options granted $1.46 $ .88 $ .04
The Company has a Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) plan) whereby employees may
contribute up to the limits established by the Internal Revenue Service.
Matching contributions are made by the Company equal to 50% of employee
F-14
51
contributions, subject to certain limitations. The Company's matching
contributions during 1998, 1999 and 2000 were $107, $208 and $235, respectively.
During 1997, the Company approved an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock
Purchase Plan"). The Stock Purchase Plan qualified as an "employee stock
purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. All regular
full-time employees, as defined, of the Company (including officers) are
eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. Directors who are not
employees are not eligible. A maximum of 250,000 shares of the Company's common
stock is reserved for issuance under the Stock Purchase Plan. The Stock Purchase
Plan allows the eligible employees to purchase common stock of the Company,
through payroll deductions, at a discounted price from the market price.
The exercise price under the plan is 85% of the lesser of the market value of
the Company's common stock on two defined dates during the plan year.
13. REPURCHASE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK:
On May 13, 1999, the Company completed the repurchase of 573,810 shares of
Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.40 per share, for an aggregate purchase
price of $1,377. The Company purchased these shares from Bobby L. and Betty Ruth
Grogan, who received the shares in connection with the Company's October 1996
acquisition of Grogan's Sausage, Inc. and Grogan's Farms, Inc.
14. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE:
During the year ended December 31, 2000, the Company changed its method of
accounting for production parts inventory from expensing upon purchase to
capitalization upon purchase and expensing upon installation. In prior years,
the Company has had a low level of production parts inventory on hand. However,
as production capacity has increased, as well as the necessity of reducing
equipment down-time, the Company now requires a larger amount of production
parts inventory. Accordingly, the Company believes that the capitalization of
production parts inventory results in a better measurement of operating results
by expensing production parts at the time they are placed into service and start
generating revenues.
The $141 cumulative effect of the change on prior years is included in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2000. The
effect of the change on the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, excluding the
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, was to decrease loss from
continuing operations and net loss by $163 to $856 and $868, respectively. The
after tax effect of the change on the year ended December 31, 2000, including
the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, was to decrease net
loss by $304. The effect of the change on basic and diluted loss per common
share from continuing operations and net loss for the year ended December 31,
2000 was to decrease loss per common share from continuing operations and net
loss per common share by $.02 and $.05, respectively. The pro forma effect of
the adoption for specific periods prior to January 1, 2000 could not be
determined as the Company did not separately track inventory supplies for such
prior periods.
15. COMMITMENTS:
OPERATING LEASES
The Company leases warehouses, office buildings and most of its delivery
vehicles under operating leases. These leases have remaining terms ranging from
one to five years. Rental expense under these leases for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 was $1,681, $1,734 and $1,648, respectively. As
of December 31, 2000, future minimum lease payments under these operating leases
are as follows:
2001 $1,161
2002 302
2003 286
2004 220
2005 and thereafter 114
------
$2,083
======
F-15
52
It is expected that in the normal course of business most leases that expire
will be renewed or replaced by leases on the same or similar properties; thus,
it is anticipated that future annual rent expense will not be materially less
than the amount shown for 2000.
16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
The Company had a consulting agreement (the Agreement) with Elfman Venture
Partners, Inc. and Sterling Advisors L.P., a partnership owned by certain
stockholders of the Company (the Managers). The term of the Agreement was
through December 31, 2001. The Agreement provided that the Company would pay a
base fee of $300 per year, which would increase 5% for each year the Agreement
remained in effect. The Agreement also stipulated adjustments to the base fee
for future acquisitions or sales. During each year the Agreement was in effect,
the Company was also required to grant options to purchase 25,000 shares of the
Company's $.01 par value common stock. Such options vested on each December 31
at an exercise price equal to the market price on the preceding January 1 (see
Note 12).
The Agreement was amended effective July 1, 1997 in connection with the J.C.
Potter Sausage Company (Potter) Acquisition. This amendment (the Potter
Amendment) provided for an aggregate payment to the Managers of $750 for
services provided in connection with the Potter acquisition and the related
financing, in lieu of all other fees that would have been payable under the
Agreement for the period July 1, 1997 through December 31, 1998.
The Agreement was further amended effective as of December 1, 1998 in connection
with the Beverage Division disposition (see Note 3). This amendment (the
Beverage Amendment) provided for an aggregate payment to the Managers of $260
for services provided in connection with the disposition of the Beverage
Division, in lieu of all other base fees that would have been payable under the
Agreement for the period from January 1, 1999 through July 15, 1999.
Subsequent to July 15, 1999, and up until October 1, 2000, there was no
agreement in place. As of October 1, 2000, the Company entered into a Management
Agreement (the Second Agreement) with Sterling Advisors, L.P. (Sterling), which
was subsequently rescinded in connection with the amendment to the senior
subordinated note (see Note 10). No expenses were incurred nor payments made to
Sterling under the Second Agreement.
Also in connection with the amendment dated April 13, 2001 to the senior
subordinated note, Sterling BOCP, LLC, an entity owned by certain directors and
stockholders of the Company, purchased a 10% interest in the senior subordinated
note, including a corresponding 10% interest in the detachable put warrants
which were issued in connection with the senior subordinated note.
17. GROGAN'S FIRE:
On October 13, 2000, the Grogan's manufacturing plant located in Arlington,
Kentucky was totally destroyed by fire and the impacted assets' net book value
of $1,220 was written off. The Company has shifted most of the production to
other Company owned facilities in Texas and Oklahoma. The Company maintains
replacement cost property insurance and business interruption insurance. The
Company has filed a claim and believes that its insurance proceeds will
adequately cover all losses and that the temporary loss of inventory and
equipment will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations.
However, the Company is unable to predict with certainty what the ultimate
outcome will be. Accordingly, the Company has recorded as an asset the net book
value of the plant and equipment destroyed in the amount of $1,220 which is
included in other current assets.
18. ACQUISITIONS:
As of March 20, 1998, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and
certain liabilities of Potter for approximately $10,500 in cash plus related
transaction costs. At that time, an outstanding $7,450 term loan and $8,500
revolving line of credit were refinanced. The new debt consisted of an $11,000 a
term note, a $15,000 line of credit and a $6,500 senior subordinated note with
detachable put warrants (see Note 10).
F-16
53
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting,
whereby the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed based upon fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair
values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as
goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 years for the
portion related to transaction costs and over 40 years for the remainder.
19. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION:
The Company's operations have been classified into two business segments: food
processing and food distribution. The food processing segment includes the
processing and sales of sausage and related food products to distributors and
retailers in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky and other surrounding states.
The food distribution segment includes the purchasing, marketing and
distribution of packaged meat products to retailers and restaurants, primarily
in Texas.
Summarized financial information, by business segment, for continuing operations
in 1998, 1999 and 2000 is as follows (corporate overhead not specifically
associated with a segment has been presented separately):
1998 1999 2000
Net sales:
Food processing $ 49,218 $ 59,861 $ 71,637
Food distribution 137,681 147,791 119,960
--------------------------------------
$186,899 $207,652 $191,597
======================================
Interest expense:
Food processing $ 315 $ 128 $ 156
Food distribution 194 130 130
--------------------------------------
$ 509 $ 258 $ 286
======================================
Depreciation and amortization:
Food processing $ 1,384 $ 1,732 $ 1,847
Food distribution 267 264 277
--------------------------------------
$ 1,651 $ 1,996 $ 2,124
======================================
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes:
Food processing $ 4,662 $ 4,204 $ 2,296
Food distribution 1,756 2,531 2,598
--------------------------------------
$ 6,418 $ 6,735 $ 4,894
======================================
Capital expenditures:
Food processing $ 821 $ 1,791 $ 1,188
Food distribution 92 137 61
--------------------------------------
$ 913 $ 1,928 $ 1,249
======================================
Segment assets:
Food processing $ 26,129 $ 26,778 $ 27,510
Food distribution 15,820 14,957 11,631
--------------------------------------
$ 41,949 $ 41,735 $ 39,141
======================================
Inter-segment sales and related receivables and payables among the segments
during 1998, 1999, and 2000, for the purpose of this presentation, have not been
eliminated.
F-17
54
The following are reconciliations of reportable segment revenues, profit or
loss, assets, and other significant items to the Company's consolidated totals:
1998 1999 2000
Net sales:
Total for reportable
segments $186,899 $207,652 $191,597
Elimination of inter-segment
net sales (5,876) (10,654) (13,854)
--------------------------------------
Total consolidated net sales $181,023 $196,998 $177,743
======================================
Income from continuing operations
before income tax:
Total for reportable
segments $ 6,418 $ 6,735 $ 4,894
Corporate (4,148) (4,388) (5,625)
---------------------------------------
Total consolidated income
from continuing operations $ 2,270 $ 2,347 $ (731)
=======================================
Assets:
Total for reportable
segments $ 41,949 $ 42,125 $ 39,141
Corporate 2,476 2,540 2,315
Net assets of discontinued
operations 1,240 78 80
--------------------------------------
Consolidated total assets $ 45,665 $ 44,743 $ 41,536
======================================
Other significant items:
Interest expense
Total for
reportable segments $ 509 $ 258 $ 286
Corporate 1,697 2,233 2,502
--------------------------------------
Consolidated interest expense $ 2,206 $ 2,491 $ 2,788
======================================
Depreciation and amortization:
Total for reportable
segments $ 1,651 $ 1,996 $ 2,124
Corporate 12 127 134
--------------------------------------
Consolidated depreciation
and amortization $ 1,663 $ 2,123 $ 2,258
======================================
Capital expenditures:
Total for
reportable segments $ 913 $ 1,928 $ 1,249
Corporate (24) 26 5
--------------------------------------
Consolidated capital
expenditures $ 889 $ 1,954 $ 1,254
======================================
20. CONTINGENCIES:
Lawsuits and claims are filed against the Company from time to time in the
ordinary course of business. These actions are in various preliminary stages,
and no judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts.
Management, after reviewing developments to date with legal counsel, is of the
opinion that the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
F-18
55
21. ACCRUED EXPENSES:
Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 31:
1999 2000
Compensation and benefits $ 956 $ 816
Other 458 905
------------------
Total $ 1,414 $1,721
==================
22. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED AND IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA):
Quarter Ended
-------------
1999 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
---- -------- ------- ------------ -----------
Net sales............................ $45,973 $47,473 $49,058 $54,494
======= ======= ======= =======
Gross profit......................... $ 6,642 $ 6,077 $ 6,579 $ 6,949
======= ======= ======= =======
Income from continuing operations.... $ 534 $ 296 $ 260 $ 171
Loss from discontinued operations.... - - - (72)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income........................... $ 534 $ 296 $ 260 $ 99
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average shares:
Basic ............................. 7,413 7,100 6,839 6,846
Effect of stock options............ 186 160 124 75
------- ------- ------- -------
Diluted ........................... 7,599 7,260 6,963 6,921
======= ======= ======= =======
Basic income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations.............. $ .07 $ .04 $ .04 $ .02
Discontinued operations............ - - - (.01)
Net income ................ $ .07 $ .04 $ .04 $ .01
Diluted income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations.............. $ .07 $ .04 $ .04 $ .02
Discontinued operations............ - - - (.01)
Net income ........................ $ .07 $ .04 $ .04 $ .01
F-19
56
Quarter Ended
-------------
2000 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
---- -------- ------- ------------ -----------
Net sales.......................... $51,491 $54,434 $39,751 $32,067
======= ======= ======= =======
Gross profit....................... $ 6,563 $ 5,948 $ 5,788 $ 6,436
======= ======= ======= =======
Income (loss) from continuing
Operations $ 191 $ (231) $ (295) $ (396)
Loss from discontinued
operations........................ - - (114) (39)
Change in accounting principle 141 - - -
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss).................. $ 332 $ (231) $ (409) $ (560)
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average shares:
Basic ........................... 6,812 6,751 6,633 6,708
Effect of stock options.......... 201 - - -
------- ------ ------ ------
Diluted ......................... 7,013 6,751 6,633 6,708
======= ====== ====== ======
Basic income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations............ $ .03 $ (.03) $ (.04) $ (.09)
Discontinued operations - - (.02) (.01)
Change in accounting principle... .02 - - -
Net income (loss)................ $ .05 $ (.03) $ (.06) $ (.10)
Diluted income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations............ $ .05 $ (.03) $ (.04) $ (.09)
Discontinued operations - - (.02) (.01)
Change in accounting principle... .02 - - -
Net income (loss)................ $ .05 $ (.03) $ (.06) $ (.10)
The sum of the quarterly income per share amounts do not equal the annual income
per share amount due to rounding.
F-20
57
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. (the
"Company"), including all amendments thereto (1)
3.2 By-Laws of the Company (1)
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate (1)
4.2 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated
November 1, 1997 (2)
4.3 $1.4 million Subordinated Note made by ABEV Acquisition Corp. in
favor of Franklin Roth and Allen Pauly (3)
4.4 6.35% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due July 31, 2001
made by Richard's Cajun Foods Corp. and the Company in favor of J.L.
Richard in the original principal amount of $850,000 (4)
4.5 8% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due September 30,
2001 made by Grogan's Merger Corp. in favor of Bobby L. Grogan and
Betty R. Grogan in the original principal amount of $219,593 (4)
4.6 8% Subordinated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note due December 31, 2003
made by Grogan's Farm, Inc. in favor of Jefferson Davis and Roger
Davis in the original principal amount of $219,593 (4)
4.7 Secured Promissory Note dated as of March 20, 1998 of the Company
and certain of its subsidiaries payable to Fleet Capital Corporation
in the original principal amount of $11,000,000 (4)
4.8 Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among Fleet
Capital Corporation, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (4)
4.9 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December
20, 1999 among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company and certain of
its subsidiaries (*)
4.10 Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April
13, 2001 among Fleet Capital Corporation, the Company and certain of
its subsidiaries (*)
4.11 Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 between the
Company and Fleet Capital Corporation (4)
4.12 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. and Subsidiaries Senior Subordinated
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among
the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Banc One Capital
Partners, LLC ("Banc One") (4)
4.13 Limited Waiver of Covenants Under and Amendment to Senior
Subordinated Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of April
13, 2001 among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Banc One
(*)
4.14 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001 among
the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, Banc One, Sterling BOCP,
LLC ("Sterling") and Fleet Capital Corporation (*)
4.15 Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement dated April 13, 2001
among Banc One, Sterling, the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries (*)
4.16 Senior Subordinated Note due March 31, 2005 of the Company payable
to Banc One dated as of April 13, 2001 in the original principal
amount of $5,850,000 (*)
4.17 Senior Subordinated Note due March 31, 2005 of the Company payable
to Sterling
58
dated as of April 13, 2001 in the original principal amount of
$650,000 (*)
4.18 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Common Stock
Purchase Warrant of Banc One dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.19 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Common Stock
Purchase Warrant to Sterling dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.20 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Contingent Common
Stock Purchase Warrant of Banc One dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.21 Atlantic Premium Brands, Ltd. Warrant Certificate Contingent Common
Stock Purchase Warrant of Sterling dated as of April 13, 2001 (*)
4.22 Amended and Restated Put Option Agreement dated as of April 13, 2001
among the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.23 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April
13, 2001 among the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.24 Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of April 13,
2001 among the Company, certain of its shareholders, Banc One and
Sterling (*)
4.25 Amended and Restated Preemptive Rights Agreement dated as of April
13, 2001 among the Company, Banc One and Sterling (*)
4.26 Debt Subordination Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 among Banc
One Capital Partners, LLC, the Company, certain of its subsidiaries
and Fleet Capital Corporation (4)
4.27 Lien Subordination Agreement dated as of March 20, 1998 between
Fleet Capital Corporation and Banc One Capital Partners, LLC (4)
10.1 Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreement dated September 24, 1993
among the Company, Sterling Group, Inc., Eric D. Becker, Steven M.
Taslitz, Douglas L. Becker and R. Christopher Hoehn-Saric (1)
10.2 Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement (1)
10.3 Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 23, 1999 among the Company and
Bobby L. Grogan and Betty Ruth Grogan (5)
10.4 The Company's 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (6)
10.5 Employment Agreement dated October 29, 1996 between the Company and
Alan F. Sussna (7)
10.6 Employment Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998 between the Company
and Thomas M. Dalton (8)
10.7 Employment Agreement dated August 10, 1998 between the Company and
Steven Englander (9)
10.8 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2000 between the Company and
Merrick M. Elfman. (*)
21 Subsidiaries of the Company (4)
23 Consent of KPMG LLP (*)
------------------
*Filed herewith
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement No.
33-69438 or the amendments thereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
59
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement No.
333-39561 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
March 15, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 1, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
May 21, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 24, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 1996, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for
the quarter ended September 30, 1998, and incorporated herein by
reference.