-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Iiqp7F2yTAjIyGO8XXH5oNMDw7bC0kVjeTgnLgIlpu1ni3eigncHNUcMfLkQc6Cb +DhXeowT1LkMXFos/TAUsQ== 0000950135-02-000370.txt : 20020414 0000950135-02-000370.hdr.sgml : 20020414 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950135-02-000370 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020130 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20020130 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST YEARS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000055698 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS PLASTIC PRODUCTS [3080] IRS NUMBER: 042149581 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-07024 FILM NUMBER: 02522413 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE KIDDIE DR CITY: AVON STATE: MA ZIP: 02322-1171 BUSINESS PHONE: 5085881220 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE KIDDIE DR CITY: AVON STATE: MA ZIP: 02322-1171 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KIDDIE PRODUCTS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 b41807fye8-k.txt THE FIRST YEARS, INC. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 -------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 30, 2002 THE FIRST YEARS INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 0-7024 04-2149581 - --------------------- ----------------- ------------------ (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) ONE KIDDIE DRIVE AVON, MASSACHUSETTS 02322-1171 --------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 588-1220 --------------------------------------------------------- ITEM 5. OTHER. On January 30, 2002, the Registrant publicly disseminated the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 The Registrant's Press Release dated January 30, 2002. Page 2 of 6 pages SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE FIRST YEARS INC. (Registrant) Date: January 30, 2002 /s/ John R. Beals ----------------------------------------- John R. Beals Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Page 3 of 6 pages EXHIBIT INDEX -------------
EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE NUMBER - ------- ----------- ----------- 99.1 The Registrant's Press Release dated January 30, 2002. 5
Page 4 of 6 pages EX-99.1 3 b41807fyex99-1.txt PRESS RELEASE EXHIBIT 99.1 the THE FIRST YEARS INC. first CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS years(R) One Kiddie Drive Expert developed Parent preferred Avon, MA 02322-1711 Tel: 508-588-1220 Fax: 508-583-9067 www.thefirstyears.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Beals Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (508) 588-1220 KAPLAN AND WENZ APPOINTED DIRECTORS OF THE FIRST YEARS INC. AVON, MASSACHUSETTS, JANUARY 30, 2002 - The First Years Inc. (Nasdaq:KIDD) announced today that at its regularly scheduled Board meeting held last week, Beth J. Kaplan and Richard E. Wenz were appointed to serve as Directors of the Company, effective February 20, 2002. "We are thrilled that two such highly qualified persons as Beth Kaplan and Dick Wenz will become members of our Board," commented Ronald Sidman, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Each brings a record of extensive leadership and accomplishments in businesses allied to The First Years' interests." Ms. Kaplan is currently a managing partner of Axcel Partners, LLC, a venture capital firm which focuses on early stage companies developing new technologies for retail and consumer goods. Ms. Kaplan was, from 2000 to 2001, Managing Director, Operations, of Internet Capital Group; from 1996 to 1999, Senior Executive Vice President of Rite Aid Corporation; and from 1981 to 1996, associated in various capacities with Procter & Gamble, most recently as President of its Noxell Division, the domestic cosmetics unit of Procter & Gamble. Ms. Kaplan graduated with a BS and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Mr. Wenz is presently a consulting partner of DB Capital Partners, the private equity arm of Deutsche Bank. Mr. Wenz was, from 1997 to 2000, President and Chief Operating Officer of Safety 1st, Inc., in which capacity he was the architect of that juvenile products company's strategic and operational turnaround. From 1995 to 1997 he was a partner of The Lucas Group, a nationally recognized strategy consulting firm; from 1992 to 1994, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Professional Golf Corporation; from 1990 to 1991, Senior Vice President of Electrolux Corporation; from 1983 to 1989, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wilson Sporting Goods Company; and prior thereto, a partner of Arthur Young & Co, a predecessor of Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Wenz received a BS in accounting from Northern Illinois University. "A priority of the Nominating Committee has been to recruit highly qualified, independent persons to the Board who have knowledge of, and experience in, The First Years business segments," stated Mr. Sidman. "Beth and Dick Page 5 of 6 pages bring a wealth of strategic experience to the Company's leadership. With their appointments, independent directors now hold 50% of the Board seats." Separately, the Company announced that its 2002 Annual Stockholders meeting will be held on May 16, 2002, commencing at 10:30 a.m. in Stoughton, Massachusetts. ABOUT THE FIRST YEARS The First Years Inc. is a leading international marketer of feeding, soothing, play and care products for infants and toddlers. The Company's distinctive brands include: "The First Years," licenses from the Walt Disney Company and "Sesame Street," licensed from the Sesame Workshop. Included in this release are certain "forward-looking" statements, involving risks and uncertainty, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's financial performance, available cash, and possible allocation of cash to its stockholders. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, which include, but are not limited to, sales of The First Years(R) brand, trends in sales of The First Years Brand and licensed products, continued success of new Disney character refreshed graphics, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, the success of new enhancements to the Company's brand image, growth in international sales, ability to attract and retain key personnel, and sales and earnings results. Information with respect to important factors that should be considered are contained in Exhibit 99 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Page 6 of 6 pages -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----