SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 2 ) 1
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
120076104
(CUSIP Number)
J. Carlo Cannell
Cannell Capital LLC
245 Meriwether Circle
Alta, WY 83414
(307) 733-2284
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
to Receive Notices and Communications)
March 20, 2016
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐
Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Continued on following pages)
(Page 1 of 10 Pages)
______________________
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a current valid OMB control number.
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 2 of 10 Pages |
1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only) J. Carlo Cannell |
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2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ☐ (b) ☐ |
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3 |
SEC USE ONLY |
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4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions) WC/OO |
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5 |
CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) ☐ or 2(e) ☐ |
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6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA |
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER* 805,050 |
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8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER 0 |
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9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER* 805,050 |
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10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 |
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11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 805,050 |
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12 |
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ☐ (see instructions) |
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13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11 5.09%* |
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14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN |
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* Based on information set forth on the Form 10-Q of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., (the “Company”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2016, there were 15,829,725 shares of Common Stock par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of the Company issued and outstanding as of March 11, 2016.
As of March 30, 2016 (the “Reporting Date”), the Cuttyhunk Master Portfolio (“Cuttyhunk”), Tristan Partners, L.P. (“Tristan”), the Tristan Offshore Fund Ltd. (“Tristan Offshore”), Tonga Partners, L.P. (“Tonga”), and sundry separately managed accounts, over which J. Carlo Cannell has investment discretion (the “Cannell SMAs” and collectively with Cuttyhunk, Tonga, Tristan and Tristan Offshore, the “Investment Vehicles”), held in the aggregate 805,050 Shares.
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 3 of 10 Pages |
Cannell Capital LLC acts as the investment adviser to to Tonga, Tristan, Tristan Offshore, the Cannell SMAs, and the investor sub-advisor for Cuttyhunk. Mr. J. Carlo Cannell is the sole managing member of Cannell Capital LLC. The Reporting Person possesses the sole power to vote and to direct the disposition of the Shares held by the Investment Vehicles.
Item 1. Security and Issuer | |||||||||||
The title of the class of equity securities to which this Schedule 13D relates is the Common Stock par value $0.01 per share of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 1954 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114. | |||||||||||
Item 2. Identity and Background | |||||||||||
a) |
The name of the Reporting Person is J. Carlo Cannell (the “Reporting Person”). The Reporting Person is the sole managing member of Cannell Capital LLC, an investment sub-advisor for the Cuttyhunk Master Portfolio and investment adviser to the Cannell SMAs and to the following entities: Tonga Partners, L.P. Tristan Partners, L.P. Tristan Offshore Fund, Ltd. Set forth in the attached Annex "A" and incorporated herein by reference is a listing of the directors, general partners, managing members and controlling persons of the Reporting Person and the Investment Vehicles (collectively, the “Covered Persons”), and sets forth the principal occupation, citizenship and principal place of business of each Covered Person. |
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b) |
The principal business address of the Reporting Person is: 245 Meriwether Circle Alta, WY 83414 |
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c) |
The principal business of the Reporting Person is the performance of investment management and advisory services. The principal business of the Investment Vehicles is investment in securities. |
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d) |
Neither the Reporting Person, nor to the best of its knowledge, any of the Investment Vehicles, has, in the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). |
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e) |
Neither the Reporting Person, nor to the best of its knowledge, any of the Investment Vehicles, has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgement, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations with respect to such laws. |
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f) |
The place of organization of the Reporting Person is as follows: The citizenship of each Covered Person is set forth on the attached Annex A and incorporated herein by reference. Mr. J. Carlo Cannell is the Managing Member of Cannell Capital LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company. |
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Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration | |||||||||||
The securities to which this statement relates were acquired by the Reporting Person using the working capital of each Investment Vehicle as follows: The Cuttyhunk Master Portfolio: $442,038 Tonga Partners, L.P.: $1,217,544 Tristan Partners, L.P.: $3,346,865 Tristan Offshore Fund, Ltd.: $1,642,266 Cannell Separately Managed Accounts: $669,040 The Investment Vehicles have invested an aggregate amount of approximately $7,317,753 in the Shares. |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 4 of 10 Pages |
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction | |||||||||||
Mr. Cannell, on behalf of the Investment Vehicles, identified the Company as an entity satisfying each
Investment Vehicle’s investment criteria. The Investment Vehicles acquired and continue to hold
the Shares as a long-term investment. Mr. Cannell files this 13D amendment to reflect recent sales of the shares.
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Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer | |||||||||||
Based on information set forth in the Company’s Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2016, there were 15,829,725 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of March 11, 2016. (a) As of the Reporting Date, for the purposes of Reg. Section 240.13d-3, Cannell Capital LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 805,050 Shares, or approximately 5.09% of the Shares deemed issued and outstanding as of the Reporting Date. (b) Cannell Capital LLC possesses the sole power to vote and to direct the disposition of the Shares held by the Investment Vehicles. (c) The following table details the transactions during the sixty days on or prior to the Reporting Date in Shares, or securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for Shares, by Cannell Capital LLC or any other person or entity controlled by him or any person or entity for which he possesses voting or investment control over the securities thereof (each of which was effected in an ordinary brokerage transaction by Cannell Capital LLC on behalf of the Investment Vehicles). |
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Entity | Date | Quantity | Price Per Share |
Form Of Transaction |
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  | |||||||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/16/2016 | 32,043 | 13.7676 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/17/2016 | 31,060 | 13.6909 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/18/2016 | 3,586 | 13.9381 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/18/2016 | 30,494 | 13.9381 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/19/2016 | 678 | 13.7172 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/19/2016 | 5,770 | 13.7172 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/22/2016 | 2,639 | 13.8391 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/22/2016 | 22,437 | 13.8391 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/23/2016 | 5,010 | 13.8825 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/23/2016 | 3,582 | 13.8825 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 02/23/2016 | 9,632 | 13.8825 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 02/23/2016 | 6,389 | 13.8825 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 02/23/2016 | 13,246 | 13.8825 | Sell |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 5 of 10 Pages |
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Entity | Date | Quantity | Price Per Share |
Form Of Transaction |
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  | |||||||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/24/2016 | 6,425 | 13.8765 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/24/2016 | 4,595 | 13.8765 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 02/24/2016 | 12,352 | 13.8765 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 02/24/2016 | 8,193 | 13.8765 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 02/24/2016 | 16,986 | 13.8765 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/25/2016 | 3,621 | 13.9485 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/25/2016 | 2,590 | 13.9485 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 02/25/2016 | 6,962 | 13.9485 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 02/25/2016 | 4,618 | 13.9485 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 02/25/2016 | 9,576 | 13.9485 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/26/2016 | 3,308 | 14.0422 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/26/2016 | 2,366 | 14.0422 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 02/26/2016 | 6,360 | 14.0422 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 02/26/2016 | 4,219 | 14.0422 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 02/26/2016 | 8,747 | 14.0422 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 02/29/2016 | 2,465 | 14.4435 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 02/29/2016 | 1,762 | 14.4435 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 02/29/2016 | 4,738 | 14.4435 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 02/29/2016 | 3,143 | 14.4435 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 02/29/2016 | 6,517 | 14.4435 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/01/2016 | 344 | 14.0126 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/01/2016 | 246 | 14.0126 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/01/2016 | 661 | 14.0126 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/01/2016 | 438 | 14.0126 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/01/2016 | 911 | 14.0126 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/02/2016 | 2,964 | 13.7838 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/02/2016 | 2,120 | 13.7838 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/02/2016 | 5,699 | 13.7838 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/02/2016 | 3,780 | 13.7838 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/02/2016 | 7,837 | 13.7838 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/03/2016 | 2,647 | 13.7938 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/03/2016 | 1,892 | 13.7938 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/03/2016 | 5,088 | 13.7938 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/03/2016 | 3,375 | 13.7938 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/03/2016 | 6,998 | 13.7938 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/04/2016 | 3,000 | 13.7094 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/04/2016 | 2,145 | 13.7094 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/04/2016 | 5,768 | 13.7094 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/04/2016 | 3,826 | 13.7094 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/04/2016 | 7,934 | 13.7094 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/07/2016 | 2,955 | 13.7121 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/07/2016 | 2,113 | 13.7121 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/07/2016 | 5,680 | 13.7121 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/07/2016 | 3,768 | 13.7121 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/07/2016 | 7,811 | 13.7121 | Sell |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 6 of 10 Pages |
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Entity | Date | Quantity | Price Per Share |
Form Of Transaction |
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  | |||||||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/08/2016 | 3,781 | 13.7883 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/08/2016 | 3,018 | 13.7883 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/08/2016 | 7,106 | 13.7883 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/08/2016 | 5,105 | 13.7883 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/08/2016 | 10,594 | 13.7883 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/09/2016 | 2,555 | 13.8084 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/09/2016 | 2,039 | 13.8084 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/09/2016 | 4,800 | 13.8084 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/09/2016 | 3,449 | 13.8084 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/09/2016 | 7,157 | 13.8084 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/10/2016 | 337 | 13.8174 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/10/2016 | 269 | 13.8174 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/10/2016 | 634 | 13.8174 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/10/2016 | 455 | 13.8174 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/10/2016 | 947 | 13.8174 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/11/2016 | 1,810 | 13.7934 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/11/2016 | 1,444 | 13.7934 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/11/2016 | 3,401 | 13.7934 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/11/2016 | 2,443 | 13.7934 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/11/2016 | 5,072 | 13.7934 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/14/2016 | 991 | 13.2137 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/14/2016 | 790 | 13.2137 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/14/2016 | 1,862 | 13.2137 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/14/2016 | 1,337 | 13.2137 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/14/2016 | 2,777 | 13.2137 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/16/2016 | 1,194 | 12.6013 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/16/2016 | 953 | 12.6013 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/16/2016 | 2,245 | 12.6013 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/16/2016 | 1,613 | 12.6013 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/16/2016 | 3,347 | 12.6013 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/17/2016 | 852 | 12.4983 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/17/2016 | 680 | 12.4983 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/17/2016 | 1,602 | 12.4983 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan Offshore | 03/17/2016 | 1,151 | 12.4983 | Sell | |||||||
Tristan | 03/17/2016 | 2,390 | 12.4983 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/18/2016 | 10,329 | 12.9859 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/18/2016 | 24,929 | 12.9859 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/21/2016 | 682 | 13.0236 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/21/2016 | 1,649 | 13.0236 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/22/2016 | 117 | 12.7447 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/22/2016 | 283 | 12.7447 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/28/2016 | 20 | 12.5095 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/28/2016 | 29 | 12.5097 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/28/2016 | 51 | 12.5098 | Sell | |||||||
Cuttyhunk | 03/29/2016 | 3,119 | 12.7922 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/29/2016 | 4,355 | 12.7922 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/29/2016 | 7,526 | 12.7922 | Sell |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 7 of 10 Pages |
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Entity | Date | Quantity | Price Per Share |
Form Of Transaction |
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Cuttyhunk | 03/30/2016 | 3,270 | 13.0679 | Sell | |||||||
Cannell SMAs | 03/30/2016 | 4,567 | 13.0679 | Sell | |||||||
Tonga | 03/30/2016 | 7,890 | 13.0679 | Sell | |||||||
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer | |||||||||||
None | |||||||||||
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits | |||||||||||
None |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 8 of 10 Pages |
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: March 31, 2016
Cannell Capital LLC By: /s/ J. Carlo Cannell Name: J. Carlo Cannell Title: Managing Member |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 9 of 10 Pages |
Annex "A"
MANAGERS AND GENERAL PARTNERS OF THE REPORTING PERSON AND THE INVESTMENT VEHICLES
The following sets forth the name, principal occupation, citizenship or jurisdiction of organization and principal place of business of the directors, general partners, managing members or controlling persons of the Reporting Person and the Investment Vehicles (the “Covered Persons”) indicated below:
J. Carlo Cannell | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
J. Carlo Cannell Managing Member Investment Management Wyoming, United States (1) |
Cannell Capital LLC | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
J. Carlo Cannell Managing Member Investment Management Wyoming, United States (1) |
Tonga Partners, L.P. | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
Cannell Capital LLC Investment Adviser and General Partner Investment Management Wyoming, United States (1) |
The Cuttyhunk Master Portfolio | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
Cannell Capital LLC Investment Subadviser Investment Management Wyoming, United States (1) |
Tristan Partners, L.P. | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
Cannell Capital LLC Investment Adviser and General Partner Investment Management Wyoming, United States (1) |
Tristan Offshore Fund, Ltd. | |
Name: Title or Relationship with Reporting Person: Principal Occupation or Employment: Citizenship or Jurisdiction of Organization: Principal Place of Business: |
Cannell Capital LLC Investment Adviser Investment Management Cayman Islands (2) |
CUSIP No. 120076104 | Page 10 of 10 Pages |
Annex "B"
Agreement Regarding the Joint Filing of Schedule 13D
1) | Each of them is individually eligible to use the Schedule 13D to which this Exhibit is attached, and such Schedule 13D is filed on behalf each of them; |
2) | Each of them is responsible for the timely filing of such Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such person contained therein; but none of them is responsible for the completeness or accuracy of the information concerning the other persons making the filing, unless such person knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. |
Dated: March 31, 2016
By: /s/ J. Carlo Cannell Name: J. Carlo Cannell |
Cannell Capital LLC By: /s/ J. Carlo Cannell Name: J. Carlo Cannell Title: Managing Member |
Cannell Capital LLC
245 Meriwether Circle
Alta, WY 83414
☏ Tel (307) 733-2284 📠 Fax (307) 264-0600
✉ info@cannellcap.com
March 31, 2016
Ms. Mary Lou Fiala
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
1954 Innerbelt Business Center Drive,
St. Louis, Missouri 63114
Dear Ms. Fiala,
Because of recent actions taken by the current Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (“BBW” or the “Company”) that were financially unsophisticated, lacking in proper corporate governance and shareholder unfriendly, Cannell Capital LLC (“Cannell”) has no confidence in the current Board of BBW.
Whilst there appear to be some members of the Board that enjoy investment experience and have acted accordingly, based upon sundry conversations during the last four months with Board and management, it is the conclusion of Cannell that the Board does not even know that “it does not know.”
On our March 16, 2016 call, both you and CEO Sharon John stressed and promised how shareholder-friendly the Board was, is, and will continue to be. Actions speak louder than words, however. To wit:
Lower Buy-Back at Higher Prices
On November 20, 2015 Cannell spoke with you, Ms. Fiala. At the time, the stock had decreased from its August 2015 peak of $21.08 to $11.97 - a 47% decline.
It was our position that the most accretive use of the Company’s cash was to tender for shares - either by way of a single price or a modified Dutch tender (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1058854/000105885415000030/ccllc_bbw-13d.htm) because (i) “buying its stores” via Wall Street would be more accretive than paying for new buildings or remodels and (ii) the Company was overcapitalised and in fact should take advantage of very low borrowing costs - estimated by the parties at 3.5 to 4% - to modestly and prudently buy back shares with a mind to perhaps offer them later at substantially higher prices.
Instead during the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company bought 1,171,000 shares of stock for $19.6 million through open market purchases - a slow and expensive technique which in hindsight vindicates our advice. (The average price paid by BBW was $16.73 during that quarter. The Volume Weighted Average Price “VWAP” subsequent to our call with you through December 31, 2015 was $12.13.) Had the Company heeded our advice, it could have bought back thrice the quantity of shares at a price 25% less than what it paid.
How is buying fewer shares at a price $4.23 more than advocated by us friendly to shareholders?
Poor Corporate Governance
On February 23, 2016, Mr. Timothy Kilpin and Ms. Sarah Personette were appointed to the Board of BBW. Both Mr. Kilpin and Ms. Personette now serve on the Board’s Compensation and Development Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) with Ms. Personette also serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”).
As you and Ms. John relayed on our March 2016 call, the Board selection process is for Ms. John to interview potential Board candidates first. Only if she approves of the candidate - a candidate who, if selected, will serve as her boss - will you, Ms. Fiala, then conduct a second interview.
This process that you and Ms. John have independently established is perplexing to us since it appears to violate the Nominating Committee’s own Charter. That Charter states that the Committee shall not only “aid the Board of Directors of the Corporation in evaluating potential director nominees,” but also that the Committee shall “[e]valuate potential nominees for Board positions pursuant to the standards, policies and minimum requirements established by the Committee.” (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=182478&p=irol-govcommcomp.) If it isn’t evaluating Board candidates, what exactly does the Nominating Committee do?
Neither you nor Ms. John are members of the Nominating Committee, yet you have acted as if you are entitled to decide who joins the Board. This Executive-Board alignment reflects the experience of our own nominee to the Board, Mr. Timothy Brog. Mr. Brog was interviewed by Ms. John and then yourself but was never contacted by any member of the Nominating Committee.
Is this process shareholder-friendly or CEO-friendly? When was the last time you interviewed someone who might be your boss? With such a process in place we are baffled at how a director could ever be truly independent of the Company’s executive office.
It is poor corporate governance to give a CEO the power to accept or reject her superior, the selfsame person who will then set her compensation.
New Employment Agreements for Management
With the price of BBW stock near its 52 week-low, the Company decided it was time to reward its already well-paid management with unnecessarily rich employment and severance agreements. Far from being shareholder friendly, this behavior is typically exhibited by a Board controlled by a CEO and acting in response to a shareholder asserting its rights.
Fifteen days after Mr. Kilpin’s and Ms. Personette’s appointments to the Board, the Compensation Committee on which they serve renegotiated several executive level contracts, Ms. John’s among them.
Some of the notable changes to the benefit of Ms. John were: (i) a 20% increase in pay (10% in base pay and 10% in bonus pay); (ii) the redefinition of “Good Reason” to mean that Ms. John’s bonus can never be reduced; (iii) Ms. John’s severance package subsequent to a change of control increased from 24 months of base salary to 24 months of base salary plus her bonus; and (iv) the removal of a provision reducing the amount of severance paid to Ms. John by any amount she received by a subsequent employer during the severance period.
How does it benefit shareholders to have the Company continue to pay Ms. John after she’s been employed by a new organization? How is this shareholder friendly?
We call on the Board to show transparency by publicly disclosing how many Board and Compensation Committee meetings Mr. Kilpin’s and Ms. Personette attended prior to voting and how each Compensation Committee member voted.
When we spoke with you and Ms. John in March 2016, we did so in an attempt to arrive at a settlement agreement. The Company requested Cannell withdraw its nominees for the Board of Directors while offering nothing substantial to shareholders in return - other than promises to “keep the dialogue going.”
You couched your pitch to us while using the word “honestly” eleven times. It is the experience of Cannell that when a member of a Board of a public company who does not own much stock of the Company itself, uses the word “honestly” or the words “to be truthful” with such a high frequency, that the verisimilitude of the orator should be questioned.
Cannell has lost faith in the BBW Board of Directors. This is our notice to you that the clock is ticking.
The Company failed to buy back shares in appropriate size and at optimal prices.
New directors were selected in a less than independent manner.
The Board has favored management, approving employment contracts with beneficial changes to the chief executive to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders.
Cannell reserves the right to take appropriate action at any time, and we have no doubt that we will prevail in a contested proxy contest one year hence in the event that the Company does not correct its recent missteps and continues to institute shareholder-unfriendly changes.
Best regards!
Sincerely,
J. Carlo Cannell
Managing Member