-----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, EiXThbSuDbFTiFT2ASdk6p+F45LPFtEke4OBqr2OOtJ331b2OEO63T3MMAraiDb8 9JzJ7yoYAvUmT1n49iAQoA== 0000950117-96-000257.txt : 19960329 0000950117-96-000257.hdr.sgml : 19960329 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950117-96-000257 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19951231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960328 SROS: NASD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FORSCHNER GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000731947 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-HARDWARE [5072] IRS NUMBER: 132797726 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-12823 FILM NUMBER: 96540331 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE RESEARCH DRIVE CITY: SHELTON STATE: CT ZIP: 06484-6226 BUSINESS PHONE: 2039296391 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE RESEARCH DRIVE CITY: SHELTON STATE: CT ZIP: 06484-6226 10-K 1 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. 10-K ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-1282-3 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 13-2797726 (State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) ONE RESEARCH DRIVE, SHELTON, CONNECTICUT 06484 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (203) 929-6391 SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT: Name of each exchange on Title of each class which registered -------------------- -------------------- NONE NOT APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: COMMON STOCK, $.10 PAR VALUE PER SHARE (Title of Class) 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 amendments to this Form 10-K. [ ] The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant on March 21, 1996, was approximately $57,962,718. On such date, the closing price of registrant's common stock was $12.375 per share. Solely for purposes of this calculation, shares beneficially owned by directors, executive officers and stockholders of the registrant that beneficially own more than 10% of the registrant's common stock have been excluded, except shares with respect to which such directors and officers disclaim beneficial ownership. Such exclusion should not be deemed a determination or admission by the registrant that such individuals are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant. The number of shares of Registrant's Common Stock, $.10 par value, outstanding on March 21, 1996, was 8,186,610 shares. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: NONE ================================================================================ PART I Item 1. Business. The Forschner Group, Inc. ("Forschner" or the "Company") is the exclusive distributor in the United States, Canada (with one minor exception for cutlery) and the Caribbean of the Victorinox'r' Original Swiss Army'tm' Knife, Victorinox'r' cutlery and Victorinox'r' watches. Forschner also markets its own line of Swiss Army'r' Brand Watches and other high quality Swiss made products under its Swiss Army Brand worldwide. The Company has been marketing Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and Victorinox cutlery for over fifty years and has been the exclusive United States distributor of such products since 1972, an arrangement that was formalized in 1983. Forschner added Canada and the Caribbean (including Bermuda) to its exclusive territory for Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives as well as watches and other Swiss Army Brand products are marketed primarily to retailers and also to corporate gift buyers as advertising specialty products. Forschner's cutlery line, which also includes imported products from Germany, England and Brazil, is sold primarily to the food processing and service industries. Forschner's wholly- owned subsidiary, Cuisine de France Limited, imports and distributes high quality French made consumer cutlery under the Cuisine de France'r' Sabatier'r' brand. Sales of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives accounted for approximately 39% of Forschner's 1995 sales while watches and other Swiss Army Brand products accounted for approximately 45%. Sales of professional and consumer cutlery accounted for approximately 16% of Forschner's 1995 sales. Approximately 6% of Forschner's sales in 1995 were to Cyrk, Inc., a Massachusetts-based company in the business of developing, manufacturing and distributing products for promotional programs and custom-designed sports apparel and accessories. These products were purchased for a special promotional program by a Cyrk customer which ended on March 31, 1995. During the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 no customer other than Cyrk, Inc. accounted for more than 10% of Forschner's sales in any fiscal year. Total Forschner sales for the calendar years 1995, 1994 and 1993 were $126,695,000, $144,437,000 and $102,543,000, respectively. Foreign operations accounted for 11%, 1% and 13% of Forschner's sales, assets and net income respectively, in 1995. Foreign operations were less than 10% of sales, assets and net income in 1994 and 1993. At December 31, 1995 Forschner had backlog orders of approximately $4,631,000, compared to backlog orders of $12,452,000 at December 31, 1994. 1994 backlog orders included approximately $7,000,000 relating to the special promotional program involving Cyrk, Inc. The Company was incorporated on December 12, 1974 as a successor to a New York corporation. Forschner's principal executive offices are located at One Research Drive, Shelton, Connecticut 06484 and its telephone number is (203) 929-6391. As of December 31, 1995, Forschner and its subsidiaries had 203 full-time employees, including 8 in Canada and 2 in Switzerland, and 2 part- time employees. Swiss Army Knives and Swiss Army Brand Products Forschner is the exclusive United States, Canadian and Caribbean distributor of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and Victorinox Watches under agreements with Forschner's principal supplier of pocket knives and cutlery, Victorinox Cutlery Company ("Victorinox"), a Swiss corporation and Europe's largest cutlery producer. Forschner also sells watches and other high quality products under the Swiss Army Brand worldwide. - 2 - Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives are multiblade pocket knives containing implements capable of more functions than standard pocket knives. For example, Forschner's most popular Swiss Army Knife model, the Classic, with a suggested retail price of $20, features a knife, scissors, nail file with screwdriver tip, toothpick and tweezers. Forschner markets more than 40 different models of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives containing up to 30 different implements (with up to 40 separate features), ranging from a basic knife with a suggested retail price of $10 to the highest priced model at approximately $145 as well as a SwissChamp'r' Deluxe SOS kit with a suggested retail price of $175. Forschner also sells multi-function lock-back knives designed for the hunting and sporting goods market. The Company distributes its Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean through its direct sales force to over 3,800 wholesalers and retailers, including cutlery shops, department, specialty, jewelry and sporting goods stores, catalog showrooms, mass merchandisers and mail order houses. In Canada and the Caribbean, the Company distributes its Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives principally through independent sales representatives. In addition, Forschner sells Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives through distributors to corporations and other organizations for promotional purposes, premium, employee gift award programs and corporate identity catalogs. Forschner imprints these knives primarily at its own facilities with the customer's corporate name or logo. Forschner's line of Swiss Army Brand products now includes nine models of Swiss Army Brand Watches ranging from the Renegade'tm', with a suggested retail price of $85 to the Chronograph with a stainless steel bracelet, with a suggested retail price of $495. Swiss Army Brand Watches are sold both through the direct sales force which markets Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and through a separate direct sales force selling to approximately 550 department, specialty and jewelry stores. In addition to its Swiss Army Brand Watches, Forschner sells Swiss Army Brand Sunglasses and Compasses. Forschner currently obtains a majority of its Swiss Army Brand Watches from a single Swiss supplier, who is responsible for the final assembly of watch components manufactured by several manufacturers. The Company believes that alternate suppliers would be available if necessary and that the loss of its current supplier of Swiss Army Brand Watches would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Although the Company is the largest United States seller of Swiss Army Knives it faces competition from Precise Imports Corp. ("Precise"), the United States and Canadian distributor of Swiss Army Knives manufactured by Wenger S.A. ("Wenger"), the only company other than Victorinox supplying pocket knives to the Swiss armed forces. Precise imports a substantially smaller number of knives into the United States than does Forschner. The Company also faces competition from the manufacturers and importers of other multiblade knives and multi-tools. Forschner is unable to determine its competitive position with respect to the estimated seven major competitors in the general United States pocket knife market. Forschner's direct competitors in the specialty advertising market are manufacturers of name brand products of similar price and quality. Forschner has many competitors in the sale of watches and sunglasses at all price points. Many of these competitors have market shares and resources substantially greater than those of Forschner. In 1992, in connection with the settlement of litigation with Precise, Forschner granted Precise a perpetual worldwide royalty free license to use the trademark Swiss Army in connection with Swiss made non-knife goods, other than time pieces, sunglasses and compasses. Under this agreement, Precise acknowledges Forschner's exclusive rights to the Swiss Army trademark for non-knife products including time pieces, compasses and sunglasses. The Company is the owner of United States and certain foreign trademark registrations for "Swiss Army", as applied to watches and sunglasses and has successfully defended this trademark in lawsuits in - 3 - Federal courts. Although the Company's registrations have been challenged, on the basis of the advice of its trademark counsel, Forschner expects to prevail in those proceedings. The Company is dedicated to a vigorous enforcement of these exclusive trademark rights. No U.S. trademark registrations have ever been issued for "Swiss Army" as applied to multi-bladed knives. In 1994, in a case originally brought by Forschner against Arrow Trading Co., Inc. ("Arrow") in September 1992 in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed a judgment originally issued in the Company's favor and held that the use of "Swiss Army" on Chinese made knives could not be enjoined on grounds of geographic misdescriptiveness. On remand, the District Court ruled that Arrow had violated Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act and New York common law in connection with its sale of Chinese-made multi-bladed pocketknives which Arrow called "Swiss Army Knives." The court found that Forschner had proved its contention that Arrow engaged in unfair competition and held that "Arrow, although free to use the phrase 'Swiss Army Knife' to designate its product, must amply distinguish it from the Forschner product." The court is considering the scope of an order determining how Arrow must differentiate its product. The Company intends to utilize all reasonable means to safeguard the public from being misled by inferior imitation products. On January 17, 1995, Victorinox and Wenger confirmed and memorialized in writing the grant of separate trademark licenses of Swiss Army as applied to multifunction pocket knives to each of Forschner and Precise. The license to the Company is royalty free and continues so long as Forschner is a distributor of Victorinox. If the Company's efforts to protect its trademarks prove to be unsuccessful, the Company may incur increased competition from non-Swiss made knives and other products sold under the "Swiss Army" name. No assurances can be given that such competition from non-Swiss made products would not have a material adverse effect on the business and prospects of the Company. Sales of Swiss Army Knives and Swiss Army Brand products are seasonal with sales typically stronger during July through December. Professional and Consumer Cutlery The majority of Forschner's professional cutlery products, made of stainless steel, are manufactured by Victorinox and by other manufacturers located in Germany, England and Brazil. Although the majority of Forschner's professional cutlery products are marketed under the trademarks "Forschner" and "R.H. Forschner," the Company also has a private label business. Forschner's customers for professional cutlery include distributors of hotel, restaurant, butcher, institutional, commercial fishing and slaughterhouse supplies and retail cutlery stores located throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, Forschner markets the Victorinox line of floral knives to wholesale florists. Except for retail sales made by the Company's sales force, the majority of Forschner's cutlery is sold through manufacturers' representatives and can be obtained from approximately 2,500 dealers. Professional cutlery imported from Switzerland and Germany is generally more expensive than domestic United States products. Forschner believes that it has the largest market share of imported professional cutlery products sold in the United States and that its share of all professional cutlery, foreign and domestic, sold in this country is second to the dominant seller of such products. Forschner believes that it has achieved and maintained its market share due to the quality of its products and its merchandising efforts. Sales of professional cutlery products are not seasonal. - 4 - Forschner's wholly owned subsidiary, Cuisine de France Limited, imports and distributes cutlery products for consumer use under the "Cuisine de France'r' Sabatier'r'" brand. Cuisine de France Limited holds the U.S. trademark for "Cuisine de France" and has been granted the right by the holder of the U.S. trademark registration for "Sabatier" to use the name as applied to knives in the United States. Cuisine de France Limited has exclusive distribution agreements with three separate French cutlery manufacturers located in the Thiers region of France where Sabatier cutlery was originated. Cuisine de France Limited distributes its consumer cutlery through sales representatives to retail cutlery stores and department stores. Victorinox Agreements All of Forschner's products are manufactured by independent suppliers. Forschner's principal supplier of pocket knives and cutlery is Victorinox, which has manufactured the Original Swiss Army Knife for the Swiss Army for more than 100 years. The loss of this supplier would have a material adverse effect on Forschner's business. Forschner, now Victorinox's largest single customer, has been distributing Victorinox's products since 1937. Distribution was on a non-exclusive basis for more than 45 years when, as a result of understandings reached on Forschner's behalf by Mr. Louis Marx, Jr. and Mr. Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., both now Forschner Directors, and Mr. Charles Elsener, Sr., Chief Executive Officer of Victorinox, Forschner became Victorinox's exclusive United States distributor of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives under an agreement dated December 12, 1983 (as subsequently amended, the "U.S. Distribution Agreement"). In 1992 and 1993, Messrs. Marx and Rawn, together with Mr. James W. Kennedy, then Co-Chairman of the Company, held extensive conversations, principally in Switzerland, with Victorinox looking to expand the scope of Forschner's exclusive territory. This resulted in Forschner obtaining exclusive distributorship rights first in Canada, and then in Bermuda and the Caribbean areas, as well as Forschner's receipt of exclusive U.S., Canadian and Caribbean distribution rights to the Victorinox watch, which is supplied to the Company by another Swiss manufacturer. The U.S. Distribution Agreement, together with the Company's agreements with respect to the rights obtained in 1992 and 1993 (together, the "Victorinox Agreements"), provides: Forschner is the exclusive distributor in the United States, its territories and possessions, Canada (with one minor exception), Bermuda and the Caribbean (excluding Cuba so long as Forschner is prohibited by United States law from operating therein) (together, the "Territories"), of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and most other Victorinox cutlery products and Victorinox Swiss- made watches (collectively, "Products"). The U.S. Distribution Agreement was renewed through December 12, 1998 and is subject to renewal at five year intervals at Forschner's option unless, in any two consecutive years, purchases of Products by Forschner fall below the average purchases for 1981 and 1982, which was 19,766,035 Swiss francs. Forschner's distribution rights in Canada and the Caribbean are for initial terms of seven years (expiring in 1999 and 2000, respectively), subject to renewal for successive five year periods. In the event that Victorinox elects not to renew Forschner's Canada distribution rights, Victorinox will be required to pay Forschner the amount of $3,500,000. During each calendar year Forschner must purchase from Victorinox at least 85% of the maximum quantities of each of Swiss Army Knives and cutlery - 5 - (expressed in Swiss francs) purchased in any prior year. The only remedy of Victorinox for Forschner's failure to achieve these goals would be the termination of Forschner's U.S. distribution rights. The Company purchased the required minimum for 1995. By agreement dated December 18, 1995, Victorinox and the Company agreed that for 1996 the minimum purchase requirement for Swiss Army Knives would be reduced to 75% of the maximum quantity purchased in any prior year. In each calendar year Victorinox must, if requested, furnish Forschner with up to 105% of each type of product purchased during the immediately preceding year. Victorinox has historically been able to accommodate Forschner's supply requirements even when they have exceeded such amount. However, Victorinox's plant has a finite capacity and no assurances can be given that Victorinox will continue to meet any increased supply requirements of Forschner. Pricing provisions assure that the prices paid by Forschner for products shipped to the United States will be as low or lower than those charged to any other Victorinox customer. In addition, Forschner is granted a 4% discount on purchases of pocket knives and a 3% discount on purchases of cutlery. For products shipped directly to Canada and the Caribbean (including Bermuda), the prices paid by Forschner are Victorinox's regular export prices. Forschner also pays a royalty to Victorinox of 1% of net sales of Victorinox Watches. In addition, Victorinox has informally undertaken to share in Forschner's promotional costs with respect to the Victorinox brand in an amount of up to 500,000 Swiss francs per year. Forschner will not add any new cutlery items to its current sales program without the agreement of Victorinox. Forschner will have complete discretion as to advertising, packaging, pricing and other marketing matters. In consideration of the grant of the Canada distributorship rights, Forschner issued to Victorinox 277,066 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Forschner ("Common Stock"). In consideration for the grant of the Caribbean distribution rights, the Victorinox watch distribution rights and the acquisition by Forschner of Victorinox's 20% interest in a subsidiary of Forschner, Forschner issued to Victorinox a five-year warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a discount from the market price on the date of exercise. Victorinox exercised the warrant in full in April 1994 at a price per share of $9.75, a discount of $4.25 per share from the then current market price of Forschner Common Stock. All of the shares issued upon exercise of the warrant were subsequently sold to Brae Group, Inc. ("Brae"), a corporate shareholder of Forschner that is controlled by Louis Marx, Jr., a Director of Forschner, in exchange for shares of the common stock of that corporation. Victory Capital LLC In 1994, in furtherance of its acquisition strategy, Forschner invested a total of $7,002,990, paid in cash and in shares of stock of a publicly traded corporation, to acquire 700,299 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (currently representing approximately 20.3% of the equity) of Forschner Enterprises, Inc., a privately held corporation which has since been merged into Victory Capital LLC ("Victory") - 6 - which currently conducts its operations through small and medium-sized companies which it believes present an opportunity for significant equity growth and which may benefit from Victory's management, operating and financial expertise. Victory may also acquire interests in businesses that can benefit from synergies with, and the reputation of, Forschner. Victory seeks to acquire interests which represent a controlling position in the entities in which it acquires interests. Victory currently has equity and other interests in several private and publicly traded companies. The preferred units held by Forschner carry a preference on liquidation equal to their $10 per unit cost as well as a cumulative preferred dividend. 490,000 shares of Victory's common units and 981,474 shares of Victory's Series B Preferred Units (currently representing, in the aggregate, approximately 42.7% of Victory's outstanding equity) are held by Brae, a shareholder of Forschner that is controlled by Louis Marx, Jr., a Director of Forschner. Pursuant to an agreement between Victory and Brae, if certain conditions are met, Brae is required to purchase from Victory at Victory's cost 10%, and may purchase up to 20%, of the "equity portion" (defined as the common and warrant portion, or the preferred and warrant portion if no common is purchased provided that the preferred portion is participating) of each investment made by Victory. Brae may allocate all or a portion of the securities to be acquired pursuant to such agreement among the officers, directors, employees, consultants and common stockholders of Victory in such proportions as Brae shall determine. Mr. Marx, a Director of Forschner, is Co-Chairman of the Board and a director of Victory. Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Senior Managing Director and a Director of Forschner, and A. Clinton Allen, Herbert M. Friedman, M. Leo Hart and Eric M. Reynolds, Directors of Forschner, also serve as directors of Victory. Simmons Outdoor Corporation On or about November 17, 1995, S.O.C. Corporation ("Purchaser"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Blount, Inc. ("Blount"), a Delaware corporation which itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blount International, Inc., commenced a tender offer (the "Offer") for all outstanding shares (the "Shares") of the common stock of Simmons Outdoor Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Simmons"), at $10.40 per share. Pursuant to the Tender and Option Agreement dated November 13, 1995 (the "Tender and Option Agreement") by and among Blount, Purchaser, Noel Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Forschner, Forschner tendered pursuant to the Offer 655,000 Shares (the "Simmons Shares"), which shares represented all of the Shares beneficially owned by Forschner. As of December 18, 1995, Purchaser acquired pursuant to the Offer the Simmons Shares (together with all other Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer). Forschner received in cash pursuant to the Offer $10.40 per Share, or $6,812,000 in the aggregate. These shares had been purchased by Forschner for an aggregate purchase price of $3,856,452. Item 2. Properties. The executive and administrative offices of Forschner occupy approximately 32,500 square feet of leased space in an office building located in Shelton, Connecticut. Forschner moved into these premises in September, 1993. The initial term of the lease on this space expires on September 1, 2001, subject to a renewal option for an additional five-year term. - 7 - In addition, Forschner leases approximately 7.4 acres in Shelton, Connecticut upon which the landlord has constructed a 85,000 square foot building, increased in January 1995 from 60,000 square feet, which Forschner uses as a facility for warehousing, distribution, imprinting and assembly. The lease commenced in June, 1991 and has a term of ten years. Forschner also leases approximately 13,000 square feet in a building in Toronto, Canada which it uses for office space and warehousing of products. The lease commenced in December, 1992 and has a term of five years. In 1996, Forschner entered into a four-year lease for 7,000 square feet of space in a 30,000 square foot building in Nidau, Switzerland for use as a distribution center. Forschner believes its properties are sufficient for the current and anticipated needs of its business. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth or referenced below, the Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings. Arrow filed on November 15, 1994 petitions to cancel the Company's U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 1,734,665 for watches and Reg. No. 1,715,093 for sunglasses for "Swiss Army". Arrow failed to file evidence in support of its cancellation petitions and the Company moved to dismiss the petitions on ground of lack of prosecution. Arrow has opposed the motions to dismiss, arguing inadvertent failure to prosecute. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these petitions although their outcome cannot be predicted at this time. The Company is also a plaintiff in several proceedings to enforce its intellectual property rights. In addition, see "Business - Swiss Army Knives and Swiss Army Brand Products". Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Not Applicable. - 8- PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. A. Market Information. Shares of Forschner's Common Stock are traded on the Nasdaq National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol FSNR. The range of high and low transactions for shares of Common Stock, which is the only class of capital stock of Forschner outstanding, as reported by Nasdaq since the first quarter of 1994 were as follows:
Fiscal 1994 Fiscal 1995 Fiscal 1996* ------------------- ------------------- ----------------- High Low High Low High Low First Quarter $16 $14 3/4 $12 7/8 $10 1/2 $12 5/8 $11 1/4* Second Quarter 16 1/4 10 1/4 10 7/8 10 Third Quarter 14 1/2 11 12 1/2 10 1/4 Fourth Quarter 13 10 1/2 12 3/8 11 1/8
*Through March 13, 1996. The public market for Common Stock is limited and the foregoing quotations should not be taken as necessarily reflective of prices which might be obtained in actual market transactions or in transactions involving substantial numbers of shares. B. Holders. On March 13, 1996 shares of Common Stock were held by 379 persons, based on the number of record holders, including several holders who are nominees for an undetermined number of beneficial owners. C. Dividends. The Company has not paid a cash dividend since its inception, and its present policy is to retain earnings for use in its business. Payment of dividends is dependent upon the earnings and financial condition of Forschner and other factors which its Board of Directors may deem appropriate. Under Forschner's bank loan agreement, as amended, Forschner has agreed not to declare or pay any dividends unless immediately following such payment Forschner's ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth, calculated as set forth in the agreement, does not exceed 0.75 to one, and Forschner's ratio of current assets to current liabilities is in excess of 2.5 to one. - 9 - Item 6. Selected Financial Data The following selected financial data for the five years ended December 31, 1995, was derived from the consolidated financial statements of Forschner. This data should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements, related notes and other financial information included herein.
(In thousands, except per share amounts) Year Ended December 31, 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales.............................. $126,695 $144,437 $102,543 $74,148 $60,098 Gross profit........................... 44,264 55,804 42,027 29,779 21,796 Selling, general and administrative expenses. 40,265 40,293 30,753 21,016 17,956 Operating income....................... 3,999 15,511 11,274 8,763 3,840 Gain on sale of investments............ 1,771 37 - - - Other income (expense), net............ (134) 445 251 143 (287) Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change.......... 5,636 15,993 11,525 8,906 3,553 Income tax provision................... 2,523 6,633 4,221 3,974 1,592 Income before cumulative effect of accounting change.................... 3,113 9,360 7,304 4,932 1,961 Cumulative effect of accounting change for income taxes.............. - - 220 - - -------------------------------------------------- Net income............................. $3,113 $ 9,360 $ 7,524 $ 4,932 $ 1,961 Earnings per share: Income before cumulative effect of accounting change.................. $ 0.38 $ 1.16 $ 1.04 $ 0.80 $ 0.45 Cumulative affect of accounting change for income taxes............ - - 0.03 - - -------------------------------------------------- Net income........................... $ 0.38 $ 1.16 $ 1.07 $ 0.80 $ 0.45 Other Financial Data: Current assets......................... $74,355 $78,641 $57,551 $43,664 $24,994 Total assets........................... 101,230 105,708 78,004 54,283 28,955 Current liabilities.................... 16,291 23,932 17,651 10,756 6,790 Long-term debt ........................ - - - - 8,140 Stockholders' equity................... $84,939 $81,775 $60,353 $43,038 $13,280 Weighted average number of shares outstanding.......................... 8,236 8,062 7,053 6,186 4,359
- 10 - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations RESULTS OF OPERATIONS In 1995, sales totalled $126.7 million, a 12% decrease from 1994. However, excluding sales to a single customer for a special promotional program, Forschner experienced sales growth of 10% primarily due to growth in its Swiss Army Brand Watch, cutlery and a marginal increase in sales of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Brand Knives. Sales relating to this single customer for this promotional program represented 6% and 25% of net sales in 1995 and 1994, respectively. No programs are currently scheduled with this customer for 1996. The following table shows, as a percentage of net sales, the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995:
Year Ended December 31, ----------------------- 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- Net sales.................................. 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of Sales.............................. 65.1 61.4 59.0 ----- ---- ---- Gross Profit............................. 34.9 38.6 41.0 Selling, general and administrative expenses before special charitable contributions............................ 31.8 26.9 30.0 Special charitable contribution............ - 1.0 - ---- ---- ---- Total selling, general and administrative expense................... 31.8 27.9 30.0 Operating income........................... 3.1 10.7 11.0 Interest expense........................... (.2) - (.1) Interest income............................ .4 .3 .2 Gain on sale of investments................ 1.4 - - Equity interest in unconsolidated affiliates................ (.4) - - Other income (expense), net................ .1 .1 .1 ---- ----- ----- Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change........................ 4.4 11.1 11.2 Income tax provision....................... 2.0 4.6 4.1 ---- --- ---- Income before cumulative effect of accounting change.......................... 2.4 6.5 7.1 Cumulative effect of accounting change for income taxes.................. - - .2 ---- ----- ---- Net income................................. 2.4% 6.5% 7.3% ==== ==== ====
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 With sales of $126.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, Forschner posted a 12% decrease compared to $144.4 million reported in 1994. Sales of Swiss Army Brand products decreased significantly in 1995, due to Forschner's decreased participation in a special promotional program with - 11- one customer that accounted for 6% and 25% of Forschner's 1995 and 1994 net sales, respectively. Excluding the special promotional program, the Company's sales increased by 10% for the year. For the year, excluding the promotional program, Swiss Army Brand Watch sales increased 19% and Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knife sales increased by 3%. Cutlery sales, which include both the Cuisine de France Sabatier line of cutlery and the R.H. Forschner professional line, increased 7% in 1995. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1995, was $44.3 million, 21% lower than in 1994. This is due primarily to lower sales volume as a result of the special promotional program with one customer in 1994 and unfavorable exchange rates. Forschner's gross profit margin is a function of both product mix and Swiss franc exchange rates. Since Forschner imports virtually all of its products from Switzerland, its costs are affected by both the spot rate of exchange and by its foreign currency hedging program. Forschner attempts to mitigate the impact on gross margin of exchange rate changes through selective hedging of anticipated Swiss franc purchases. To the extent the Company is not hedged, a weakening of the dollar versus the Swiss franc will negatively impact the profitability of the Company. Based on current estimated Swiss franc requirements, the Company is hedged through the first quarter of 1996. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995 were $40.3 million, $1.5 million or 4% higher than the amount for the comparable period in 1994, excluding a special charitable contribution of $1.5 million in 1994. The expense increase resulted primarily from increased selling expenses and increased expenditures in the areas of merchandising and promotion. As a percentage of net sales, total selling, general and administrative expenses (including the charitable contribution) increased from 27.9% in 1994 to 31.8% in 1995. Interest income of $557,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $166,000 or 42% higher than interest income for the comparable period in 1994, due to increased invested cash balances during most of 1995. Gain on sale of investments of $1.8 million was due primarily to the sale of the common stock of Simmons Outdoor Corporation in 1995. Gain on sale of investments was not significant in 1994. Equity interest in unconsolidated affiliates with a loss of $548,000 in 1995 was due to the Company using the equity method of accounting for its investments in Simmons Outdoor Corporation and SweetWater, Inc. in 1995. The equity method of accounting was not applicable in 1994. As a result of these changes, income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $5.6 million versus $16.0 million for 1994, a decrease of $10.4 million or 65%. Income tax expense was provided at an effective rate of 44.8% for the year ended December 31, 1995 versus 41.5% in 1994 due to increased state taxes. Net income was $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 versus $9.4 million in 1994, representing a decrease of $6.3 million or 67%. On a per share basis, net income for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $0.38 compared with $1.16 in 1994. - 12 - Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993 With sales of $144.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1994, Forschner posted a 41% increase over the $102.5 million reported in 1993. Sales of Swiss Army Brand products increased significantly in 1994, due, in part, to Forschner's continued participation in special promotional programs with a customer that accounted for 25% and 14% of Forschner's 1994 and 1993 sales. No programs are currently scheduled with this customer after the conclusion of the special programs in the first quarter of 1995. Furthermore, an agreement with this customer in the fourth quarter of 1994 which resulted in a change in pricing did adversely affect gross profit in first quarter of 1995. Excluding the special promotional programs, the Company's sales were up 23% for the year. For the year, including the promotional programs, Swiss Army Brand Watch sales rose 100% and Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knife sales were down marginally (1.5%). Cutlery sales, which include both the Cuisine de France Sabatier line of cutlery and the R.H. Forschner professional line, increased 14% in 1994. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1994, was $55.8 million 33% higher than in 1993, due to the profit from increased sales volume, offset by a reduction in gross profit margins which decreased from 41.0% in 1993 to 38.6% in 1994. The lower margin reflects the impact of shipments of sunglasses in 1994 at lower gross profit margins than the Company's average for all other products and a pricing agreement relating to Forschner's continued participation in special promotional programs with one customer which was reached in the fourth quarter of 1994. Forschner's gross profit margin is a function of both product mix and Swiss franc exchange rates. Since Forschner imports virtually all of its products from Switzerland, its costs are affected by both the spot rate of exchange and by its foreign currency hedging program. Forschner attempts to mitigate the impact on gross margin of exchange rate changes through selective hedging of anticipated Swiss franc purchases. Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding a special charitable contribution of $1.5 million, for the year ended December 31, 1994 were $38.8 million, $8.0 million or 26% higher than the amount for the comparable period in 1993. The expense increase resulted primarily from personnel costs relating to increases in headcount (principally in its sales force and distribution function) and increased expenditures in the areas of advertising, printed material, occupancy and market research. As a percentage of net sales, total selling, general and administrative expenses (including the charitable contribution) decreased from 30.0% in 1993 to 27.9% in 1994. Interest income of $391,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $214,000 or 121% higher than interest income for the comparable period in 1993, due to increased invested cash balances during most of 1994. As a result of these changes, income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $16.0 million versus $11.5 million for 1993, an increase of $4.5 million or 39%. Income tax expense was provided at an effective rate of 41.5% for the year ended December 31, 1994 versus 36.6% in 1993. The 1993 rate reflects the one-time benefit of a favorable settlement of certain tax contingencies effected in the third quarter. Income before cumulative effect of accounting change was $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1994 versus $7.3 million in 1993, representing an increase of $2.1 million or 28%. - 13 - After 1993's one-time cumulative adjustment as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which added $.2 million to income, net income of $9.4 million for 1994 compared with $7.5 million in 1993, for an increase of 24%. On a per share basis, income before the cumulative effect of an accounting change for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $1.16 compared with $1.04 in 1993. After the cumulative effect of an accounting change for income taxes of $0.03 in 1993, net income per share of $1.16 in 1994 compared with $1.07 in 1993, an increase of 9%. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of December 31, 1995 Forschner had working capital of $58.1 million compared with $54.7 million as of December 31, 1994, an increase of $3.4 million. Sources of working capital in 1995 included net income of $3.1 million and depreciation and amortization of $3.2 million, and proceeds from the sales of Simmons Outdoor Corporation common stock of $6.8 million. Significant uses of working capital included investments in common stock of $3.7 million, $2.8 million in additions to other assets and capital expenditures of $1.4 million. The Company currently has no material commitments for capital expenditures. Cash used for operating activities was approximately $16.4 million in the year ended December 31, 1995 compared with cash provided by operating activities of $8.9 million in the comparable period of 1994. The large change resulted from a decrease in net income from 1994 to 1995. In addition, increases in inventory, prepaid and other current assets, a decrease in accounts payable and a smaller increase in accounts receivable in 1995 versus 1994 were the primary contributors to the decrease. Forschner meets its short-term liquidity needs with cash generated from operations, and, when necessary, bank borrowings under its revolving credit agreements. As of December 31, 1995, Forschner had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving line of credit agreements, leaving unused lines of $20 million. Forschner's short-term liquidity is affected by seasonal changes in inventory levels, payment terms and seasonality of sales. The Company's current liquidity levels and financial resources continue to be sufficient to meet its operating needs. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The financial information required by Item 8 is included elsewhere in this report. See Part IV, Item 14. Item 9. Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. - 14 - PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant The Directors and Executive Officers of Forschner are as follows:
Director and/or Name Age Position(s) Officer Since ---- --- ---------- -------------- J. Merrick Taggart 45 President Dec., 1995 Peter W. Gilson 56 Chairman of the Executive Committee and Director(1) Dec., 1994 Thomas D. Cunningham 46 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director(2) Mar., 1994 Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. 68 Senior Managing Director and Director(3) 1990 Harry R. Thompson 66 Managing Director(4) Dec., 1994 Stanley G. Mortimer III 53 Executive Vice President and Director(5) Dec., 1994 Thomas M. Lupinski 43 Senior Vice President, Controller, Secretary and Treasurer 1986 Michael J. Belleveau 39 Vice President Jun., 1994 Leslie H. Green 48 Vice President Dec., 1995 David J. Parcells 37 Vice President - Operations 1992 Jerald J. Rinder 49 Vice President Feb., 1996 Robert L. Topazio 47 Vice President Feb., 1996 Douglas M. Rumbough 39 Vice President 1992 A. Clinton Allen 52 Director(6) 1993 Thomas A. Barron 44 Director 1983 Vincent D. Farrell, Jr. 49 Director(7) 1992 Herbert M. Friedman 64 Director(8) 1981 M. Leo Hart 47 Director(9) 1991 James W. Kennedy 45 Director(10) 1981 Keith R. Lively 44 Director Oct., 1994 Lindsay Marx 30 Director Feb., 1994 Louis Marx, Jr. 64 Director(11) 1990 Eric M. Reynolds 43 Director Mar., 1994 John Spencer 66 Director(12) 1990 John V. Tunney 61 Director(13) 1992
1. Mr. Gilson is Chairman of Forschner's Executive Committee. 2. Mr. Cunningham is a member of Forschner's Executive Committee, Management Committee and Special Products Committee. - 15 - 3. Mr. Rawn is a member of Forschner's Executive Committee, Management Committee, Nominating Committee and Special Products Committee. 4. Mr. Thompson is Chairman of Forschner's Special Products Committee. 5. Mr. Mortimer was elected a Director of Forschner in December, 1994. He had previously served as a Director of Forschner from June 1987 to June 1994. Mr. Mortimer was named Executive Vice President in May, 1988. He had become a Senior Vice President in September, 1985. Prior to that time, he was a Vice President. Mr. Mortimer is a member of Forschner's Special Products Committee. 6. Mr. Allen is Chairman of Forschner's Stock Option and Compensation Committee and Acquisition Committee. 7. Mr. Farrell is Chairman of Forschner's Audit Committee and a member of Forschner's Acquisition Committee and Executive Committee. 8. Mr. Friedman is Chairman of Forschner's Charitable Insurance Program Committee and a member of Forschner's Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and Special Products Committee. 9. Mr. Hart was Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from February 1994 to December 1995. He had become Executive Vice President and a Director in October, 1991. Mr. Hart is a member of Forschner's Management Committee, Executive Committee and Charitable Insurance Program Committee. 10. Mr. Kennedy was Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from February 1994 to December 1995. He had been President and Chief Executive Officer since March, 1988. He had become President and a Director in June, 1987 and a Senior Vice President in September, 1985. Prior to that time he was a Vice President. Mr. Kennedy is a member of Forschner's Executive Committee and Management Committee. 11. Mr. Marx is Chairman of Forschner's Management Committee and Nominating Committee and a member of Forschner's Executive Committee. Mr. Marx was Chairman of Forschner's Executive Committee until June, 1995. 12. Mr. Spencer is a member of Forschner's Audit Committee and Stock Option and Compensation Committee. 13. Mr. Tunney is a member of Forschner's Stock Option and Compensation Committee, Acquisition Committee and Charitable Insurance Program Committee. Directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders of Forschner and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. - 16 - The following sets forth the principal occupations of each of Forschner's officers and directors during the previous five years, as well as the names of any other public or affiliated companies of which they are directors. J. Merrick Taggart, President of Forschner, was elected to that position on December 13, 1995. From 1993 to November 1995 Mr. Taggart was President of Duofold, Inc, a sports apparel company, and Pringle of Scotland U.S.A., an apparel company. From 1990 to November 1992 Mr. Taggart was President of O'Brien International, a manufacturer and marketer of water sports equipment. Prior to that Mr. Taggart was Senior Vice President of Product Development for the Timberland Company, a footwear and apparel company. Peter W. Gilson, Chairman of the Executive Committee and a Director of Forschner, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Physician Support Systems, Inc., a company specializing in the management of physician's health care practices, since 1991. From 1988 to the present, Mr. Gilson has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Warrington Group, Inc., a manufacturer of safety products which was previously a division of The Timberland Company. From 1987 to 1988, Mr. Gilson served as Chief Operating Officer of The Timberland Company, a manufacturer of footwear and outdoor clothing. From 1978 to 1986, he served as President of the Gortex Fabrics Division of W.L. Gore Associates. Mr. Gilson is also a director of SweetWater, Inc. ("SweetWater"), a manufacturer and marketer of portable water filtration systems. Louis Marx, Jr., Chairman of the Management Committee and a Director of Forschner, has been associated with the Company for over 20 years and has played the key role in helping to guide its affairs during that entire period. Through discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of Victorinox, he and Mr. Rawn were responsible for Forschner obtaining exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Victorinox products and later, together with Mr. Rawn and Mr. Kennedy, negotiated the expansion of Forschner's distribution rights to include Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean and also obtained for the Company exclusive distribution rights to the Victorinox Watch. In a prior year he and Mr. Rawn played an important part in negotiating, on behalf of Forschner, the settlement of potentially expensive litigation, and more recently, Mr. Marx has played an active role in the Company's investment policy and, together with the Company's advisors, has successfully managed the Company's currency hedging program. Mr. Marx is Chairman of the Executive Committee and a director of Noel Group, Inc. ("Noel"), a publicly held company which conducts its principal operations through small and medium sized operating companies in which it holds controlling interests, a director and member of the Compensation Committee of Cyrk, Inc. ("Cyrk"), a distributer of products for promotional programs and custom-designed sports apparel and accessories, and Co-Chairman of the Board and a director of Tigera Group, Inc. ("Tigera"), an acquisition company. Mr. Marx has been a venture capital investor for more than thirty years. Mr. Marx, together with his close business associates, have been founders or substantial investors in such companies as Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Bridger Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Questor Corporation, Environmental Testing and Certification Corporation, Garnet Resources Corporation, The Prospect Group, Inc. and Noel. Mr. Marx served as a director of The Prospect Group, Inc., a company which, prior to its adoption in 1990 of a Plan of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution, conducted its major operations through subsidiaries acquired in leveraged buyout transactions ("Prospect"), from February 1986, and as Chairman of Prospect's Asset Committee from October 1988, until January 1990. Mr. Marx serves as a trustee of the New York University Medical Center and Middlebury College and as Chairman of the Madison Avenue Fund for Children. Mr. Marx is also Co-Chairman and a director of Victory. He is President and a director of Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation, a non-profit corporation formed by Forschner for charitable purposes including the - 17 - improvement of the welfare of underprivileged children. Mr. Marx is the father of Lindsay Marx, a Director of Forschner. Thomas D. Cunningham, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Forschner, was appointed to those offices in March 1994. Prior to joining Forschner, Mr. Cunningham had been with JP Morgan & Co. Incorporated since 1973 where he was appointed a Vice President in 1979, Senior Vice President in 1987, Managing Director Corporate Finance in 1988 and Managing Director - Corporate Banking Group in 1993. Mr. Cunningham is also a director of Emcor Group, Inc., a mechanical and electrical contractor. Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Senior Managing Director and a Director of Forschner, actively participates with Messrs. Marx and Kennedy in furthering the relationship between Forschner and Victorinox as well as in coordinating management strategies. He has also played an important part in obtaining and expanding the Company's exclusive distribution rights covering Victorinox products. Mr. Rawn was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Adobe Resources Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company from November, 1985 until the merger of that company in May, 1992. Mr. Rawn is also the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Noel; a director of Prospect, Victory, Staffing Resources, Inc., a temporary help corporation, and Victorinox - - Swiss Army Knife Foundation; and a Trustee of the California Institute of Technology. Harry R. Thompson, Managing Director of Forschner was appointed Managing Director in December 1994. From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Thompson was president of The Strategy Group, a business and marketing consulting firm. Mr. Thompson had previously served as a director of Forschner from June 1987 to June 1991, and as Chairman of Forschner's Board of Directors from January 1990 to October 1990 and served in senior executive capacities with the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., a leading marketing and communications organization. Stanley G. Mortimer III, Executive Vice President and a Director of Forschner, has served Forschner in a variety of capacities since September 1984. Mr. Mortimer was elected as a director in December 1994. He had previously served as a director from June 1987 to June 1994. Thomas M. Lupinski, Senior Vice President, Controller, Secretary and Treasurer of Forschner, has been Vice President of Forschner for more than five years. He served as Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to March 1994. Prior to joining Forschner, Mr. Lupinski was Finance Manager for The Revlon Health Care Group from 1982 to 1986 and was with Arthur Andersen & Co., from 1976 through 1982. David J. Parcells, Vice President - Operations, joined Forschner in December 1992. Mr. Parcells was employed by Arthur Andersen & Co. as a Senior Manager - Audit and Business Advisory Practice from 1989 through 1992 and as an Audit Manager from 1986 to 1989. Michael J. Belleveau, Vice President - Sales, was elected to the office of Vice President in June 1994. Mr. Belleveau has served Forschner in various positions since 1991. Prior to that Mr. Belleveau was a regional sales manager for Cartier, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of watches and luxury goods. Leslie H. Green, Vice President, was elected to the office of Vice President in December 1995. Ms. Green has served Forschner in various positions since January, 1991. Jerald J. Rinder, Vice President, was elected to the office of Vice President in February, 1996. From 1994 through 1995 Mr Rinder was Executive Vice President of Pringle of Scotland USA, an - 18 - apparel company. From 1993 to 1994 Mr. Rinder was Vice President - Sales/Marketing of Walkover Shoe Co. and from 1991 through 1993 was Vice President - Sales of Stride Rite Corp. Robert L. Topazio, Vice President, was elected to the office of Vice President in February, 1996. Mr. Topazio has served Forschner in various positions since September, 1992. From 1991 to 1993 Mr. Topazio was Vice President of Cuisine de France, Ltd., a marketer of consumer cutlery which was purchased by the Company in 1992. Prior to that Mr. Topazio was National Sales Manager for J.A. Henckels. Douglas M. Rumbough, Vice President - Corporate Markets, was elected to the office of Vice President in June 1992. Mr. Rumbough has served Forschner in various positions since 1981. A. Clinton Allen, a Director of Forschner, is Chairman of A. C. Allen & Co., a Massachusetts based consulting firm. Mr. Allen also serves as Vice Chairman and a director of Psychemedics Corporation, a company that provides testing services for the detection of abused substances through an analysis of hair samples, and of Dewolfe Companies, Inc., a real estate company, and as a director of SweetWater and Tigera. Thomas A. Barron, a Director of Forschner, is an author and has been Chairman of Evergreen Management Corp., a private investment firm since January, 1990. From November, 1983 through November 1989, Mr. Barron was President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Prospect. From 1988 through January, 1990, Mr. Barron served as Chairman of the Board of Forschner. Mr. Barron also serves as a director of Illinois Central Corporation, a railroad corporation, Illinois Central Railroad Company, and SweetWater. Mr. Barron has served as a Trustee of Princeton University. Herbert M. Friedman, a Director of Forschner, is a partner in the law firm of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan, where he has been a member since 1967. Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan acts as counsel to Forschner. Mr. Friedman is also a director of Noel, Prospect, Victory, Tigera and Victorinox - Swiss Army Knife Foundation. Vincent D. Farrell, Jr., a Director of Forschner, has been a Managing Director of the investment management firm of Spears, Benzak, Solomon & Farrell, Inc., ("Spears, Benzak") since 1982. Mr. Farrell is a director of Noel. M. Leo Hart, a Director of Forschner, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Brae, a privately held acquisition company. Until December 13, 1995, Mr. Hart was Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Forschner, which capacity he had served in since February 1994. Previously, he was Executive Vice President and a Director. Mr. Hart joined Forschner in October 1991. Prior to this, Mr. Hart spent the previous 15 years in senior sales and marketing positions in the hospitality industry, serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company from 1987 to 1991 and before that as Vice President - Sales and Marketing for Fairmont Hotels from 1983 to 1987. Until 1991, he was the North American Chairperson of Leading Hotels of the World, a hotel marketing association. Prior to his career in sales, Mr. Hart played professional football with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills. Mr. Hart is also a director of Victory and a director of Victorinox - Swiss Army Knife Foundation, a charitable organization. James W. Kennedy, a Director of Forschner, is President of Lahinch Group, Inc., a start-up company proposing to engage in the golf award and apparel business. Until December 13, 1995, Mr. Kennedy was Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Forschner, which capacity he had served in since February 1994. Previously, he was President of Forschner, a position he had held - 19 - since 1988. Prior to 1988, Mr. Kennedy was Senior Vice President of Forschner and had served in various sales and marketing positions with Forschner since 1975. Mr. Kennedy has served on committees for the Specialty Advertising Association International, the National Restaurant Association, the American Meat Institute, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association and the American Association of Exporters and Importers. Keith R. Lively, a Director of Forschner, is a private investor and, since January 1995 through December, 1995, was a consultant to Forschner. From 1988 through September 1994, Mr. Lively was the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of The Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Corporation. From September 1992 through September 1994, Mr. Lively was also Senior Vice President, a member of the Executive Committee and a Director of President Baking Company, which purchased The Famous Amos Chocolate Cookie Corporation in September 1992. Lindsay Marx, a Director of Forschner is a private investor. From November 1992 to January 1994, she was a production assistant at Iron Mountain Productions, a dramatic production company. Ms. Marx was an assistant to the director at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 1992 and, from September 1989 to March 1992, an artistic assistant at The Body Politic, also a dramatic production company. Ms. Marx graduated from Middlebury College in 1987. Ms. Marx, is the daughter of Louis Marx, Jr. Eric M. Reynolds, a Director of Forschner, is President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of SweetWater, a position he has held since January, 1993. Previously, from 1987 through 1990, Mr. Reynolds served as a marketing consultant to various companies including W.L. Gore & Associates and Marmot Mountain Works, Ltd., a company founded by Mr. Reynolds in 1974 that is in the business of designing, manufacturing and marketing mountaineering, backpacking and ski outerwear products. John Spencer, a Director of Forschner, holds the African Studies Professorship at Middlebury College where he has served as a member of the faculty since 1974. Mr. Spencer has also served as Dean of Middlebury College and Chairman of its History Department. Mr. Spencer is Vice-Chairman of the African American Institute, a Trustee of the Cape of Good Hope Foundation and of the University of Capetown Fund, Inc. and a director of Victorinox - Swiss Army Knife Foundation. John V. Tunney, a Director of Forschner, is currently Chairman of the Board of Cloverleaf Group, Inc. and a general partner of Sun Valley Ventures, a partnership engaged in venture capital and leveraged buyout activities. From 1971 to 1977 Mr. Tunney served as a United States Senator from the state of California and as a Member of the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1971. Mr. Tunney is also a director of Prospect, Illinois Central Corporation, Illinois Central Railroad Company, Foamex International, Inc., a foam manufacturer, and Garnet Resources Corporation. Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent shareholders are required by regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the Company believes that except for one late filing of a Form 4 by Mr. Eric Reynolds pertaining to a purchase of 1,000 shares of Common Stock, during the year ended December 31, 1995 all filing requirements applicable to the Company's officers, directors, and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with. - 20 - Item 11. Executive Compensation Summary Compensation Table The Summary Compensation Table below sets forth individual compensation information of the Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly paid executive officers of the Company for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards Payouts (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) Other Annual Restricted All Other Name and Compen- Stock Options/ LTIP Compen- Principal Position Year Salary Bonus sation Award SARS Payouts sation ------------------ ---- ------ ----- ------ ----- ---- ------- ------ J. Merrick Taggart 1995 33,654 - - - 100,000 - - President1 1994 - - - - - - - 1993 - - - - - - - James W. Kennedy 1995 240,000 300,000 - - 25,000 - 6,941 (3) Co-Chairman and 1994 250,000 125,000 - - 50,000 - 13,523 (4) Chief 1993 226,065 75,000 - - 25,000 - 12,681 (5) Executive Officer(2) M. Leo Hart 1995 210,000 75,000 - - 25,000 - 1,432 (7) Co-Chairman and 1994 220,000 125,000 - - 25,000 - 2,332 (8) Chief 1993 211,115 75,000 - - 50,000 - 2,111 (9) Executive Officer(6) Thomas D. Cunningham 1995 210,000 10,000 - - 25,000 - 4,400 (10) Executive Vice President 1994 174,308 100,000 - - 50,000 - 2,846 (11) and Chief Financial 1993 - - - - - - - Officer Stanley G. Mortimer III 1995 210,000 5,000 - - 25,000 - 8,584 (12) Executive Vice President 1994 220,000 100,000 - - - - 12,845 (13) 1993 210,961 75,000 - - 25,000 - 11,155 (14) Harry R. Thompson 1995 200,000 15,000 - - 25,000 - 2,195 (15) Managing Director 1994 - - - - - - - 1993 - - - - - - - Leslie H. Green 1995 175,000 10,000 - - 10,000 - 3,796 (16) Vice President 1994 175,000 45,000 - - - - 3,705 (17) 1993 170,000 40,000 - - 10,000 - 3,531 (18)
- ------------------- (1) Mr. Taggart was elected President on December 13, 1995. - 21 - (2) Mr. Kennedy resigned as Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer on December 13, 1995. (3) Consists of $4,620 contributed by the Company to Mr. Kennedy's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $2,321 in benefit to Mr. Kennedy of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Kennedy. (4) Consists of $4,620 contributed by the Company to Mr. Kennedy's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $8,903 in benefit to Mr. Kennedy of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Kennedy. (5) Consists of $4,497 contributed by the Company to Mr. Kennedy's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $8,184 in benefit to Mr. Kennedy of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Kennedy. (6) Mr. Hart resigned as Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer on December 13, 1995. (7) Consists of $1,432 in benefit to Mr. Hart of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit Mr. Hart. (8) Consists of $2,332 in benefit to Mr. Hart of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Hart. (9) Consists of $2,111 in benefit to Mr. Hart of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Hart. (10) Consists of $4,400 contributed by the Company to Mr. Cunningham's account under the Company's 401K savings plan. (11) Consists of $2,846 contributed by the Company to Mr. Cunningham's account under the Company's 401K savings plan. (12) Consists of $4,300 contributed by the Company to Mr. Mortimer's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $4,284 in benefit to Mr. Mortimer of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Mortimer. (13) Consists of $4,620 contributed by the Company to Mr. Mortimer's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $8,225 in benefit to Mr. Mortimer of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Mortimer. (14) Consists of $4,497 contributed by the Company to Mr. Mortimer's account under the Company's 401K savings plan and $6,658 in benefit to Mr. Mortimer of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to split dollar life insurance for the benefit of Mr. Mortimer. (15) Consists of $2,195 contributed by the Company to Mr. Thompson's account under the Company's 401K savings plans. (16) Consists of $3,796 contributed by the Company to Ms. Green's account under the Company's 401K savings plan. - 22 - (17) Consists of $3,705 contributed by the Company to Ms. Green's account under the Company's 401K savings plan. (18) Consists of $3,531 contributed by the Company to Ms. Green's account under the Company's 401K savings plan. Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year The following table sets forth, for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information regarding individual grants of options made in the last fiscal year, and their potential realizable values.
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Individual Grants Option Term (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) % of Total Options Granted Exercise or Option to Employees in Base Price Expiration Name Granted Fiscal Year(1) ($/Sh) Date 5% ($) 10% ($) - ---- ------- ------- ------- ----- ------- ------- J. Merrick Taggart 100,000(2) 10.9% $12.50 12/13/05 $786,118 $1,992,178 James W. Kennedy 25,000 2.7% $12.875 1/26/05 $202,425 $512,986 M. Leo Hart 25,000 2.7% $12.875 1/26/05 $202,425 $512,986 Thomas D. Cunningham 25,000 2.7% $12.875 1/26/05 $202,425 $512,986 Stanley G. Mortimer III 25,000 2.7% $12.875 1/26/05 $202,425 $512,986 Harry R. Thompson 25,000 2.7% $12.875 2/16/05 $202,425 $512,986 Leslie H. Green 10,000 1.1% $12.875 1/26/05 $80,970 $205,194
----------------------- (1) Based on 812,000 options granted plus 100,000 warrants. (2) Consists of warrants to purchase Common Stock. - 23 - Option Exercises and Year-End Value Table The following table sets forth option exercise activity in the last fiscal year and fiscal year-end option values with respect to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and FY-End Option/SAR Value - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Value of Number of Unexercised Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs at Options/SARs at FY-End (#) FY-End (#) Shares Acquired Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/ Name on Exercise (#) Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable - -------------------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- J. Merrick Taggart - - 25,000/75,000 $0/$0 James W. Kennedy - - 50,000/50,000 $5,469/$3,906 M. Leo Hart - - 56,250/43,750 $6,250/$3,125 Thomas D. Cunningham - - 31,250/43,750 $3,125/$3,125 Stanley G. Mortimer III - - 25,000/25,000 $2,344/$781 Harry R. Thompson - - 16,250/18,750 $71,250/$0 Leslie H. Green - - 20,000/10,000 $938/$312
Compensation of Directors The Company compensates those of its directors who were not employees of the Company in the amount of $10,000 annually plus $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors. The Chairmen of the Audit Committee, the Stock Option and Compensation Committee and the Acquisition Committee of the Board of Directors are each paid an additional annual fee of $10,000 in recognition of the additional responsibilities and time commitments associated with such positions. In 1995, Louis Marx, Jr. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. were granted options under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan to purchase 150,000 and 100,000 shares, respectively, of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $12.875 per share, the market price of the Company's Common Stock when such options were issued. On December 13, 1995 the options to purchase up to 150,000 shares granted to Mr. Marx were voluntarily returned to the Company by Mr. Marx to permit them to be reissued to others. Also on December 13, 1995, options to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock under the 1994 Stock Option Plan were granted to Mr. Peter W. Gilson at an exercise price of $12.50, the market price of such shares on the date of grant. - 24 - In addition, the Company has purchased split dollar life insurance policies in respect of each of Messrs. Louis Marx, Jr. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. See "Certain Transactions". Employment Agreement and Severance Agreement The Company entered into an employment agreement dated as of January 2, 1996 with Mr. James W. Kennedy, a director of the Company and, until December 13, 1995, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The agreement provides that Mr. Kennedy shall be employed in an executive capacity with the Company and shall be available to consult with and advise the Company on such matters as might be requested by senior management of the Company for at least eighty-five hours per month to assist on issues dealing with the maintenance of corporate trademarks; corporate legal matters; and strategic support relative to strategic relations with Victorinox Cutlery Company, the Company's key supplier. Mr. Kennedy is to be paid a salary of $140,000 per annum and, during 1996, a one time bonus of $300,000. The agreement, which has a term of five years, also provides that following the termination of the agreement Mr. Kennedy would be prohibited from competing, with certain exceptions, with the business of the Company for a period of three years. In connection with the resignation of Mr. M. Leo Hart, a director of the Company, from his position as Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company paid Mr. Hart the sum of $75,000 and accepted for surrender and cancellation all of Mr. Hart's outstanding stock options to purchase Stock. To replace of such options, the Company has issued to Mr. Hart new options covering the same number of shares and upon the same terms and conditions except that the newly issued options were fully vested upon grant and the exercise ability of such options is not contingent on Mr. Hart's employment with the Company. Pension Plan Each employee of the Company at least twenty years of age, becomes eligible to participate in the Company's Pension Trust (the "Pension Trust") after completing two Years of Credited Service (as defined in the Pension Trust). Monthly benefits at Normal Retirement Age, age sixty-five, are computed as follows: Average Monthly Compensation (as defined below) multiplied by 0.65% plus Average Monthly Compensation in excess of Social Security Covered Compensation (as defined below) multiplied by 0.65%, such sum multiplied by Years of Credited Service, not to exceed 35 years. Accrued benefits under the prior formula used by the Company's Pension Trust are grandfathered as of December 31, 1993 for Non-Highly Compensated Employees and as of December 31, 1988 for Highly Compensated Employees. "Average Monthly Compensation" is defined as one-twelfth of the highest five consecutive years of total compensation. Social Security Covered Compensation is defined as the average of the Taxable Wage Base over the 35-year period ending with the year of the Social Security Normal Retirement (ages 65 - 67, depending on year of birth). Participants will receive reduced benefits on a life annuity basis with continuation of benefits to their spouses after death unless an optional form of benefit is selected. Preretirement death benefit coverage is also provided. A participant is 100% vested in his accrued benefits, as defined in the Pension Trust, upon such accrual. The Years of Credited Service as of December 31, 1995 of each of the individuals named in the Cash Compensation table herein are as follows: - 25 - J. Merrick Taggart................ 0 years James W. Kennedy................. 20 years M. Leo Hart....................... 4 years Thomas D. Cunningham.............. 2 years Stanley G. Mortimer III.......... 11 years Harry R. Thompson................. 0 years Leslie H. Green................... 5 years The following table shows annual pension benefits under the Pension Trust assuming retirement at age sixty-five in 1996, payable as a life annuity, in various remuneration and years of employment classifications. Note that the maximum allowable compensation for years beginning in 1994 is $150,000, so remuneration in excess of that amount is not shown. Some grandfathering of benefits earned at higher compensation levels is provided. PENSION BENEFITS FOR 1995 RETIREES AT AGE 65
Years of Service ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Remuneration 15 20 25 30 35 - ------------- -- -- -- -- -- 50,000 7,061 9,415 11,769 14,123 16,476 75,000 11,936 15,915 19,894 23,873 27,851 100,000 16,811 22,415 28,019 33,623 39,226 125,000 21,686 28,915 36,144 43,373 50,601 150,000 26,561 35,415 44,269 53,123 61,976
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation In 1995, the Compensation Committee was comprised of A. Clinton Allen, John V. Tunney and John Spencer. None of these individuals is an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Common Stock on March __, 1996, by each person or group known by Forschner to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. Except as otherwise noted, each person listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed next to his or its name.
Number of Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Percent owned(1) - ------------------------ --------- --------------- Louis Marx, Jr. 667 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10021 3,022,222(2) 34.8% Brae Group, Inc. 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Houston, TX 77032 2,998,200(3) 34.5%
- 26 -
Number of Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Percent owned(1) - ------------------------ --------- --------------- Victorinox A.G. CH-6438 Ibach-Schwyz Switzerland 854,200 10.4% Tweedy, Browne Company L.P. 52 Vanderbilt Avenue New York, New York 10017 589,150(4) 7.2% David L. Babson & Co., Inc. One Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142 501,000(5) 6.1% Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 1299 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401 414,688(6) 5.07% Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. Travelers Group, Inc. 388 Greenwood Street New York, NY 10013 412,000(7) 5.03%
- ------------------ (1) Based on 8,186,610 shares of Common Stock outstanding, not including 614,108 shares held as Treasury stock. Treated as outstanding for the purposes of computing percentage ownership of each holder are shares issuable to such holder upon exercise of Options and Warrants. (2) Consists of 19,730 shares held directly by Mr. Marx, 4,292 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Marx, 2,498,200 shares held by Brae Group, Inc., which corporation Mr. Marx may be deemed to control, and 500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of a stock option held by Brae Group, Inc. (3) Includes 500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of a stock option held by Brae Group, Inc. (4) According to a Schedule 13D filed February 29, 1996, consists of shares held in the accounts of customers of Tweedy, Browne Company, L.P., a broker-dealer. (5) According to a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 1996, consists of shares which David L. Babson & Co., Inc. beneficially owns by virtue of serving as investment advisor. (6) According to a Schedule 13G dated February 7, 1996, consists of shares as to which Dimensional Fund Advisor shares power of disposition by virtue of serving as investment advisor to its clients. (7) According to a Schedule 13G dated February 1, 1996, consists of shares held by Smith Barney Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group, Inc. - 27 - The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock on March __, 1996 by each director, each officer named in the Summary Compensation Table herein and by all directors and officers of Forschner as a group.
Number of Name Shares Percent of Class(1) ---- --------- ----------------- J. Merrick Taggart 25,000(2) * Thomas D. Cunningham 37,500(3) * Stanley G. Mortimer III 32,262(4) * Harry R. Thompson 22,500(5) * Leslie H. Green 22,500(6) * A. Clinton Allen 35,000(7) * Thomas A. Barron 60,000(8) * Vincent D. Farrell, Jr. 35,000(9) * Herbert M. Friedman 15,368(10) * Peter W. Gilson 37,500(11) * M. Leo Hart 100,000(12) 1.2% James W. Kennedy 75,429(13) * Keith R. Lively -0- * Lindsay Marx 25,000(14) * Louis Marx, Jr. 3,022,222(15) 34.8% Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. 142,711(16) 1.7% Eric M. Reynolds 26,000(17) * John Spencer 1,000 * John V. Tunney -0- * All officers and directors 3,802,304(18) 40.7% as a group (23 persons)
- -------------------------- *Less than 1% of the Class. (1) Based on 8,186,610 shares of Common Stock outstanding, not including 614,108 shares held as Treasury Stock. Treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of each director and of all directors and officers as a group are shares issuable to such individuals upon exercise of options. (2) Consists of 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr. Taggart. (3) Consists of 37,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Cunningham. (4) Includes 31,250 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Mortimer. (5) Consists of 22,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Thompson. - 28 - (6) Consists of 22,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Ms. Green. (7) Consists of 35,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Allen. (8) Includes 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Barron. (9) Consists of 35,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Farrell. Excludes shares beneficially owned by Spears, Benzak, a general partnership in which Mr. Farrell has a 22% interest. (10) Includes 12,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Friedman. (11) Consists of 37,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Gilson. (12) Consists of 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Hart. (13) Includes 56,250 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Kennedy. (14) Consists of 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Ms. Marx. (15) Consists of 19,730 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Marx, 4,292 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Marx, 2,498,200 shares held by Brae Group, Inc., which corporation Mr. Marx may be deemed to control, and 500,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Brae Group, Inc. (16) Includes 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Rawn. (17) Includes 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options held by Mr. Reynolds. (18) Includes 1,128,750 shares of Common Stock issuable to directors and officers upon exercise of Options and 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants. - 29 - Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Messrs. Louis Marx, Jr., Chairman of the Company's Management Committee, and a Director of the Company, and Stanley R. Rawn Jr., Senior Managing Director and a Director of the Company, devoted considerable time and attention to the affairs of the Company during 1995. During 1995 Messrs. Marx and Rawn were principally compensated, through split dollar insurance on their lives, a method which allows the Company to recover, without interest, all premiums paid on the death of the insured and which has substantially lower earnings impact over the years than would similar amounts paid as cash compensation. Specifically, the Company has purchased split dollar life insurance payable on the death of Mr. Marx, some of which is payable on the later to die of Mr. Marx and his wife, and split dollar life insurance payable on the death of Mr. Rawn. Under these arrangements the Company will pay approximately $2,492,000 over the course of the next 14 years as premiums under the policies for Mr. Marx and approximately $1,425,000 over the course of the next six years under the policy for Mr. Rawn (in each case including amounts paid through the first fiscal quarter of 1996), and will be reimbursed, without interest, for all of the premiums that it has paid upon the death of the respective insured. The actual premiums to be paid may be higher than estimated depending upon the performance of the insurance company's investments and other factors. Pursuant to the terms of life insurance agreements entered into with each of Messrs. Marx and Rawn, Forschner shall continue to be obligated to pay these premiums during the insured's employment with the Company and in the event of the termination of such employment for any reason, unless the insured willfully and materially breaches the terms of a consulting agreement between him and Forschner and such breach continues for 30 days after written notice. Under the terms of such consulting agreements, each of Messrs. Marx and Rawn is to be engaged as a consultant immediately following the termination of his employment with Forschner and, in such event, shall receive such compensation as shall be fair under the circumstances. Mr. Marx has been so engaged as a consultant to the Company since February 15, 1995, the date on which he ceased to serve as Chairman of the Company's Executive Committee. The consulting agreements may be terminated by Forschner upon thirty days notice. In 1995, the Company paid an aggregate of $635,098 in premiums on the policies pertaining to Mr. Marx (of which $105,000 pertained to 1994 premiums) and $552,650 in premiums on the policy pertaining to Mr. Rawn (of which $237,500 pertained to 1994 premiums). There will be a small, negative earnings impact in the early years of the policies on Messrs. Marx's and Rawn's lives, and an increasingly positive impact on earnings in the later years. In July 1994, Forschner entered into a Services Agreement with Brae which beneficially owns 34.5% of the outstanding Common Stock and in which Louis Marx, Jr., a Director of Forschner, has a controlling interest, and in which Victorinox Cutlery Company ("Victorinox"), a key supplier and beneficial owner of approximately 10% of the outstanding Common Stock, has a non-controlling stock interest. Mr. M. Leo Hart, a director of Forschner, is Chief Executive Officer of Brae. Under the Services Agreement, Brae is to provide various services to Forschner for a period of four years relating to maintaining, enhancing and expanding Forschner's relationship with Victorinox. In exchange for these services, Brae received an option to purchase 500,000 shares of Forschner's Common Stock at the then current market price of $10.75 per share. The option is fully vested and can be exercised for ten years from the date of the Services Agreement. The Company loaned to Mr. James W. Kennedy, a Director of the Company, a total of $87,500. The loan bore interest at the prime rate and was paid in full, together with accrued interest, on January 3, 1996. An existing Company policy authorizes Forschner to compensate, in the form of a commission of up to 3% of net sales for up to three years, non-employees for their direct role in introducing significant new customers to the Company. In 1995 Forschner paid to Louis Marx III, a son of Louis - 30 - Marx, Jr. and a brother of Lindsay Marx, both Directors of the Company, $107,533, representing one half of a 3% commission on net sales to Cyrk, Inc. ("Cyrk"), a customer introduced to Forschner by Mr. Marx. Simmons Outdoor Corporation ("Simmons"), in which Forschner owned 655,000 shares of common stock (approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares) until December 19, 1995, sells Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives purchased from Forschner to selected sporting goods distributors. In 1995, Forschner's sales to Simmons were approximately $296,000. Forschner's 1995 purchases from Simmons of optical products for sale to Forschner's Corporate Markets customers totaled $387,000 in 1995. Both sales and purchases of products are on an arm's length basis. Herbert M. Friedman, a Director of Forschner, also served on the Board of Directors of Simmons until December 19, 1995. In June 1994, the Company received 75,299 newly issued shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of Forschner Enterprises, Inc. (n/k/a Victory Capital LLC) in exchange for all of the Company's shares of Tigera Group, Inc., a publicly traded company. The Company currently holds approximately 20.3% of the outstanding equity units of Victory. Louis Marx, Jr., a Director of Forschner, is Co-Chairman and a director of Victory. Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Senior Managing Director and a Director of Forschner, and A. Clinton Allen, Herbert M. Friedman, M. Leo Hart and Eric M. Reynolds, Directors of Forschner, also serve as Victory's directors. In 1995, Forschner paid $432,000 for legal services rendered by the law firm of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan, of which Mr. Herbert M. Friedman, a Director of the Company, is a partner. Keith R. Lively, a Director of the Company, served as a consultant to the Company from January, 1995 to December 31, 1995, for a fee of $10,000 per month, in respect of the Company's acquisition program and other matters. Peter W. Gilson, Chairman of the Executive Committee and a Director of the Company, is an employee of the Company and was compensated by the Company at the rate of $150,000 per year in 1995. It is anticipated that Lahinch Group, Inc., of which Mr. James W. Kennedy, a director of Forschner, is president, director and a significant stockholder, and of which Mr. Louis Marx, Jr. and Victorinox Cutlery Company are investors, will purchase from Forschner products for resale to the golf oriented channel of trade beginning in 1996. During 1995, the Company purchased shares of common stock of SweetWater, Inc. ("SweetWater"), a publicly traded company which manufactures and markets portable water filtration systems, for the aggregate purchase price of $1,837,000, raising the Company's percentage ownership of SweetWater to 38%. Mr. Eric M. Reynolds, a director of Forschner, is the Chief Executive Officer of SweetWater and Mr. Peter W. Gilson, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and Messrs. A. Clinton Allen and Thomas A. Barron, directors of the Company, are directors of SweetWater. During 1995, the Company purchased 5,160 shares of common stock, representing a 19% interest, of Omar Torres, Inc. ("Omar"), a privately held company in the business of designing and marketing jewelry, at $100 per share and purchased an 8% convertible note of Omar for $284,000. Victory then owned approximately 69% Omar's outstanding stock. In March 1996 Brae, a shareholder of Omar at the time of the Company's purchase, bought an additional 4,000 shares of Omar at the same purchase price per share previously paid by the Company, thus reducing the Company's and Victory's - 31 - percentage interest in Omar. Brae, which is controlled by Mr. Louis Marx, Jr., a director of the Company, and in which Victorinox also holds an interest, is an equity holder in Victory. Victorinox Cutlery Company owns approximately 10% of the outstanding Common Stock and is the supplier to the Company of Swiss Army Knives, professional cutlery products and Victorinox Watches. During the year ended December 31, 1995, Forschner made payments for Victorinox products in aggregate amount of approximately $39,676,000. The Forschner Group, Inc. Charitable Insurance Program Forschner recognizes its responsibility to the communities in which its products are sold and the importance of charitable organizations to the country at large. The Company is also aware of the benefits to commercial good will resulting from the proper discharge of its responsibilities. In order to further these objectives, the Company instituted its Charitable Insurance Program. This program allows Forschner to provide the maximum assistance to numerous charities by utilizing tax provisions intended to encourage such activities, and to eventually recover, without interest, all amounts expended. Under the Company's Charitable Insurance Program (the "Program"), adopted by the Company's Board of Directors in 1993, the Company will utilize insurance on the lives of each of its directors and other designated persons (the "Insured Directors") to fulfill charitable pledges to the Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation (the "Foundation") and to charities recommended by the Insured Directors. The Company previously purchased life insurance on one of the Company's then Co-Chairmen and designated the Foundation as a beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds, subject to the Company's right to revoke such designation. The Program enables the Company to make a meaningful commitment to the Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation, as well as a broad range of charities benefiting our communities. The Company anticipates that it will be able to make substantial contributions in the future to these charities at a minimal cost to the Company. The Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation is a tax-exempt private foundation, funded primarily by contributions from Forschner and Victorinox. It was organized in December, 1992 for general charitable purposes, including the improvement of the welfare of underprivileged children (and others) through the encouragement of organized athletic activities, including those sports in which an underprivileged child would not ordinarily participate. Louis Marx, Jr., a director of the Company, is President and a director of the Foundation. Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Senior Managing Director and a director of the Company, and Herbert M. Friedman, M. Leo Hart and John Spencer, directors of the Company, are directors of the Foundation. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies, with the right to borrow against them, and will receive the proceeds upon the death of each Insured. The proceeds will not be legally segregated from the Company's general funds and will remain subject to claims of the Company's creditors. Upon the death of an Insured Director, the Company will retain a share of the insurance proceeds equal to the cumulative premiums paid by the Company for the policy on that Insured Director's life. One half of the remaining amount will be used to fulfill a pledge to the Foundation and the other half will be used to fulfill pledges to tax-exempt charities recommended by Insured Directors and approved by the Board. - 32 - Generally, the Company will be bound to continue to pay all premiums on the policy for the life of the Insured or, in the case of Mr. Marx, as long as he is an officer or Board member or agrees to serve as a consultant to the Company. Generally, there will be a small, negative impact on earnings through 1998, and an increasingly positive impact on earnings after 1998 as the cash surrender value of the insurance increases. If a director were to leave the Company prior to the time when the cash surrender value of the policy exceeds the aggregate premiums, and the Company received no further substantial benefit from his or her services, the obligation to pay future premiums would result in a charge to earnings at the time he or she left. The charge to earnings for 1995 with respect to directors who left the Company in 1995 is insignificant. The Company would not be entitled to a tax deduction, nor would the Company realize income for regular income tax purposes, at the time the policy is obtained nor as premiums are paid. Upon the death of the director (when the policy matures and the insurance proceeds are paid) the Company would not realize income for "regular" income tax purposes, but the Company might be subject to alternative minimum tax ("AMT") on a portion of the receipts from the policy. Upon the making of the cash contribution following the death of the insured director, the Company would be entitled to a deduction. Since the Company is entitled to claim as charitable deductions only 10% of its taxable income in any year, the extent of the utilization of this deduction would depend upon income. These deductions may be carried forward for a period of five years. - 33 - PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Documents filed as part of this report: Page(s) ------- (1) Financial Statements: Report of Independent Public Accountants F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1995 and 1994 F-2 to F-3 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 F-5 to F-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 F-7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8 to F-24 (2) Schedule -- Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 F-25 All other schedules called for under Regulation S-X are not submitted because they are not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto. - 34 - (3) Exhibits.
Exhibit Title Exhibit No. ------------- ----------- (2) Not Applicable (3) (A) Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (B) By-laws, as amended. (3)-1 (4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures: (A) Excerpts from Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) hereto. * (B) Excerpts from By-Laws, as amended, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits from Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (9) Not Applicable. (10) Material Contracts (A) Employment Agreement dated as of September 15, 1983 between Forschner and Michael M. Weatherly, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-18, No. 2-87357-B. * (B) 1983 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990. * (C) Letter Agreement dated December 12, 1983 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and R.H. Forschner Co., Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (D) Mutual Agreement dated as of October 20, 1986 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (E) Letter Agreement dated as of October 20, 1986 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (F) Letter Agreement dated August 24, 1988 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Recta S.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. *
- 35 - (G) Mutual Agreement dated October 25, 1988 between Victorinox Cutlery Co. and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (H) Letter Agreement dated June 12, 1989 between Victorinox Cutlery Co. and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (I) Agreement to Lease dated June 14, 1990 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Petran Trap Falls Associates, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990. * (J) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (K) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Swiss Army Brands Ltd. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (L) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Victorinox of Switzerland, Ltd. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (M) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Excelsior Advertising, Inc. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (N) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Swiss Army Brands Ltd. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (O) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Victorinox of Switzerland, Ltd. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (P) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Excelsior Advertising Inc. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (Q) Life insurance agreement dated as of December 7, 1991 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., as Trustee u/a dtd. December 9, 1986 between Louis Marx, Jr. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr.,
- 36 - incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (R) Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated June 18, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and The Connecticut National Bank (now known as Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A.), incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (S) Letter agreement dated June 18, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and The Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (T) License Agreement dated June 30, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Precise Imports Corporation, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (U) Letter agreement dated November 11, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Michael M. Weatherly, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (V) Life insurance agreement dated December 24, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., as Trustee u/a dtd. as of October 24, 1988 between Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. and Barbara Rawn and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (W) License Agreement dated as of January 1, 1993 between Cuisine de France Limited and Coutel 'Innov, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (X) Mutual Agreement dated April 6, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (Y) Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 17, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and K.P.A., Inc. (now known as SweetWater, Inc.), incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33- 71036, filed by SweetWater, Inc. * (Z) 1993 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (AA) First Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of August 13, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (BB) Second Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of February 17, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank
- 37 - Connecticut, N.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (CC) Commercial Promissory Note dated February 17, 1994 of The Forschner Group, Inc. in the principal amount of $15,000,000, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (DD) Lease dated May 3, 1993 between One Research Drive Associates Limited Partnership and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (EE) License Agreement dated as of July 1, 1993 between Cuisine de France Limited and Coutel 'Innov, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (FF) Life insurance agreement dated as of December 24, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (GG) Life insurance agreement dated as of September 24, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (HH) Life insurance agreement dated as of September 24, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James D. Rawn, as Trustee u/a dtd. as of June 4, 1992 between Louis Marx, Jr., Grantor and James D. Rawn, Trustee, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (II) Mutual Agreement dated December 21, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (JJ) 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 33-87078 filed by The Forschner Group, Inc. * (KK) Services Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Brae Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1994. * (LL) Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Brae Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the
- 38 - Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1994. * (MM) Consulting Agreement dated as of December 7, 1991 by and between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (NN) Letter Agreement dated June 9, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Forschner Enterprises, Inc. relating to the purchase by Forschner Enterprises, Inc. of shares of Tigera Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (OO) Third Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of September 30, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (PP) First Amendment to Lease dated June 16, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Petran Trap Falls Associates, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (QQ) Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated as of December 12, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (RR) Life insurance agreement dated as of April 15, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Lawrence T. Warble, as Trustee u/a dtd. as of March 21, 1994 between Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Grantor and Lawrence T. Warble, Trustee, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. * (SS) Agreement dated June 30, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Bill- Mar Specialty Company, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1995. * (TT) Agreement dated October 6, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James W. Kennedy, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. * (UU) Letter agreement dated February 15, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Harry Thompson, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. * (VV) Letter agreement dated October 25, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Harry Thompson, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. *
- 39 - (WW) Employment agreement dated as of January 2, 1996 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James W. Kennedy. (10)-1 (XX) Warrant dated as of December 13, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and J. Merrick Taggart. (10)-2 (YY) Letter Agreement dated December 18, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company. (10)-3 (11) Statement re computation of per share earnings is not required because the relevant computations can be clearly determined from the material contained in the financial statements included herein. (12) Not applicable. (13) Not applicable. (16) Not Applicable. (18) Not Applicable. (21) Subsidiaries of Registrant. 21 (22) Not Applicable. (23) Consents of experts and counsel: Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. 23 (27) Not Applicable. (28) Not Applicable. (99) Not Applicable.
- ---------------------- * Incorporated by reference No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1995. - 40 - 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. THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. (Registrant) By /s/ J. Merrick Taggart ---------------------- J. Merrick Taggart President Date: March 27, 1996 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Thomas D. Cunningham March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Thomas D. Cunningham Chief Financial Officer and a Director /s/ Thomas M. Lupinski March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Thomas M. Lupinski Chief Accounting Officer /s/ A. Clinton Allen March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- A. Clinton Allen Director /s/ Thomas A. Barron March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Thomas A. Barron Director - 41 - March , 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Vincent D. Farrell, Jr. Director /s/ Herbert M. Friedman March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Herbert M. Friedman Director /s/ Peter W. Gilson March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Peter W. Gilson Director /s/ M. Leo Hart March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- M. Leo Hart Director /s/ James W. Kennedy March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- James W. Kennedy Director /s/ Keith R. Lively March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Keith R. Lively Director /s/ Lindsay Marx March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Lindsay Marx Director /s/ Louis Marx, Jr. March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Louis Marx, Jr. Director - 42 - /s/ Stanley G. Mortimer III March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Stanley G. Mortimer III Director /s/ Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. Director /s/ Eric M. Reynolds March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- Eric M. Reynolds Director /s/ John Spencer March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- John Spencer Director /s/ John V. Tunney March 27, 1996 - ----------------------------------------- John V. Tunney Director - 43 - REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS TO THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC.: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Forschner Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Forschner Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As explained in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 1993, the Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes. Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in Item 14(a)(2) is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Stamford, Connecticut ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP February 5, 1996 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS
DECEMBER 31, 1995 1994 ------------------------------------ Current assets Cash and short-term investments $608,757 $18,019,797 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $975,000 and $755,000, 31,970,449 29,606,328 respectively Inventories 36,733,146 26,932,105 Deferred income tax benefits 2,395,858 2,467,440 Prepaid and other 2,647,121 1,615,273 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 74,355,331 78,640,943 ------------ ------------ Deferred income tax benefits 771,371 56,634 Property, plant and equipment, net 4,105,865 4,227,658 Investments in preferred stock, at cost 7,002,990 7,002,990 Investments in common stock and note 2,591,415 4,463,080 receivable of unconsolidated affiliates Foreign distribution rights, net of accumulated amortization of $1,843,812 and $1,165,129, respectively 4,900,396 5,579,079 Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,166,339 and $2,159,756, respectively 7,502,884 5,737,337 ------------ ------------ TOTAL ASSETS $101,230,252 $105,707,721 ============== ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these balance sheets. F-2 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
DECEMBER 31, 1995 1994 -------------------- ------------ Current liabilities Accounts payable $6,479,200 $14,057,507 Accrued liabilities 8,697,994 8,651,738 Income taxes payable 1,114,389 1,223,193 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 16,291,583 23,932,438 ------------ ------------ Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share: shares authorized - - - 2,000,000; no shares issued Common stock, par value $.10 per share: shares authorized - 12,000,000; shares issued - 8,800,718 and 8,796,968, respectively 880,072 879,697 Additional paid-in capital 45,897,740 45,866,814 Foreign currency translation adjustment (9,216) (28,085) Retained earnings 43,283,540 40,170,324 ------------ ------------ 90,052,136 86,888,750 Less-cost of common stock in treasury; 614,108 shares (5,113,467) (5,113,467) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity 84,938,669 81,775,283 ------------ ------------ TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $101,230,252 $105,707,721 ============ ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these balance sheets. F-3 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------- 1995 1994 1993 ------------ -------------- -------------- NET SALES $126,694,786 $144,437,320 $102,543,224 Cost of sales 82,430,435 88,633,762 60,516,258 ------------ ------------ ------------ GROSS PROFIT 44,264,351 55,803,558 42,026,966 Selling, general and administrative expenses before special charitable contribution 40,265,716 38,792,909 30,753,401 Special charitable contribution - 1,500,000 - ------------ ------------ ------------ Total selling, general and administrative expenses 40,265,716 40,292,909 30,753,401 OPERATING INCOME 3,998,635 15,510,649 11,273,565 Interest expense (216,937) (27,674) (25,180) Interest income 556,631 391,387 176,960 Gain on sale of investments 1,771,456 36,720 - Equity interest in unconsolidated affiliates (548,200) - - Other income (expense), net 74,276 81,543 99,873 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total interest and other income, net 1,637,226 481,976 251,653 ------------ ------------ ------------ Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change 5,635,861 15,992,625 11,525,218 Income tax provision 2,522,645 6,632,895 4,221,320 ------------ ------------ ------------ Income before cumulative effect of accounting change 3,113,216 9,359,730 7,303,898 Cumulative effect of accounting change for income taxes -- -- 220,000 ------------ ------------ ------------ NET INCOME $3,113,216 $9,359,730 $7,523,898 ============ ============ ============ EARNINGS PER SHARE: Income per share before cumulative effect of accounting change $0.38 $1.16 $1.04 Cumulative effect per share of accounting change for income taxes - - 0.03 ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income $0.38 $1.16 $1.07 ============ ============ ============ WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING 8,235,849 8,061,846 7,053,107 ============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements. F-4 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993 Common Stock Foreign Par Value $.10 Additional Currency ----------------------------- Paid-In Translation Retained Treasury Shares Amount Capital Adjustment Earnings Stock ----------------------------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------- BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1992 7,110,951 $711,095 $24,620,407 ($2,082) $23,286,696 ($5,577,758) Net income - - - - 7,523,898 - Stock options exercised 492,194 49,220 5,272,993 - - - Issuance of common stock from treasury - - 125,975 - - 158,400 Issuance of common stock 45,823 4,582 751,497 - - Issuance of warrant for - - Distribution Rights - - 3,750,000 - - - Foreign currency translation adjustment - - - - - - Purchase of 3,297 shares of common stock - - - (4,747) - (52,752) --------- -------- ----------- ------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1993 7,648,968 $764,897 $34,520,872 ($6,829) $30,810,594 ($5,472,110) Net income Stock options and - - - - 9,359,730 - warrant exercised 1,111,000 111,100 10,467,657 - - Stock grant 37,000 3,700 486,925 - - - Issuance of common stock from treasury 391,360 - - 358,643 Foreign currency - - (21,256) - - translation adjustment --------- -------- ----------- ------- ----------- ----------- BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1994 8,796,968 $879,697 $45,866,814 ($28,085) $40,170,324 ($5,113,467) ========= ======== =========== ======== =========== ===========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements. F-5 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993 (CONTINUED)
Common Stock Foreign Par Value $.10 Additional Currency ----------------------------- Paid-In Translation Retained Treasury Shares Amount Capital Adjustment Earnings Stock ----------------------------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------- BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1994 8,796,968 $879,697 $45,866,814 ($28,085) $40,170,324 ($5,113,467) Net income - - - - 3,113,216 - Stock options exercised 3,750 375 30,926 - - - Foreign currency translation adjustment - - - 18,869 - - --------- --------- --------- --------------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995 8,800,718 $880,072 $45,897,740 ($9,216) $43,283,540 ($5,113,467) ========= ======== =========== ======= =========== ===========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements. F-6 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------- 1995 1994 1993 ---------- ----------- ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $3,113,216 $9,359,730 $7,523,898 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from (used for) operating activities: Cumulative effect of accounting change - - (220,000) Depreciation and amortization 3,249,376 3,207,294 2,524,742 Deferred income taxes (643,155) (1,644,567) 94,423 Treasury shares contributed to charitable - 750,003 - foundation - 303,125 - Stock award 548,200 - - Equity interest in unconsolidated affiliates 8,788 (9,030) - (Gain) loss on sales of property, plant & (1,771,456) (36,720) - equipment -------------- ---------------- --------- (Gain) on sale of investments 4,504,969 11,929,835 9,923,063 CHANGES IN OTHER CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: Accounts receivable (2,329,783) (6,105,787) (6,911,964) Inventories (9,741,351) (6,281,294) (2,476,354) Prepaid and other (1,144,356) 3,020,220 (3,311,157) Accounts payable (7,580,883) 2,765,024 6,383,575 Accrued liabilities 44,598 2,702,523 893,834 Income taxes payable (108,804) 823,193 4,585 ---------------- --------------- ---------------- NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES (16,355,610) 8,853,714 4,505,582 --------------- -------------- -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (1,430,352) (1,676,477) (2,769,013) Proceeds from sales of property, plant & equipment 21,500 22,412 4,200 Disposition of property, plant & equipment - - 1,213,538 Additions to other assets (2,814,301) (2,205,205) (2,204,800) Investments in preferred stock - (6,250,000) (2,016,500) Investments in common stock (3,709,546) - (2,784,260) Proceeds from note receivable - 186,120 43,509 Proceeds from sale of investments 6,822,282 377,490 - -------------- -------------- ------------- NET CASH (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES (1,110,417) (9,545,660) (8,513,326) -------------- -------------- -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments to acquire treasury stock - - (52,752) Proceeds from exercise of stock options and 31,301 10,766,257 5,322,213 warrant ---------------- -------------- --------------- Net cash provided from financing activities 31,301 10,766,257 5,269,461 ---------------- -------------- --------------- EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 23,686 109,638 (42,012) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (17,411,040) 10,183,949 1,219,705 Cash and short-term investments, beginning of 18,019,797 7,835,848 6,616,143 period -------------- -------------- -------------- Cash and short-term investments, end of period $ 608,757 $18,019,797 $ 7,835,848 =============== ============= ============= CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD: Interest $ 251,637 $ 27,674 $ 25,180 =============== =============== =============== Income taxes $ 3,428,792 $ 6,883,242 $ 3,068,910 ============== ============== =============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements. F-7 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1995 (1) NATURE OF BUSINESS The Forschner Group, Inc. ("Forschner" or the "Company") is the exclusive distributor in the United States, Canada (with one minor exception for cutlery) and the Caribbean of the Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox cutlery and Victorinox watches. Forschner also markets its own line of Swiss Army Brand Watches and other high quality Swiss made products under its Swiss Army Brand worldwide. Forschner's cutlery line, which also includes imported products from Germany, England, France and Brazil, is sold primarily to the food processing and service industries. Forschner's wholly-owned subsidiary, Cuisine de France Limited, imports and distributes high quality French made consumer cutlery under the Cuisine de France Sabatier brand. Forschner has only one business segment - the importation and distribution of cutlery, knives, watches and other consumer products. Approximately 6% and 25% of Forschner's revenues for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, resulted from participation in two special promotional programs with one customer. No programs currently are scheduled with this customer for 1996. Foreign operations represented 11%, 1% and 13% of sales, assets and net income in 1995, respectively. Included in the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 1995 are net assets of $689,000 relating to the Company's foreign operations. Foreign operations were less than 10% of sales, assets and net income in 1994 and 1993. (2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at 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. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rate prevailing throughout the period. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of stockholders' equity, while gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income. The Company, from time to time, enters into foreign currency forward contracts and other currency trading arrangements to hedge specific F-8 foreign currency inventory purchase commitments. Gains and losses on these contracts are deferred and recognized in cost of sales when the related inventory is sold. CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS Excess cash balances are invested primarily in U.S. treasury bills and other U.S. government agency securities, which, as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, comprised $0 and $17,188,000 of the balance of cash and short-term investments, respectively. INVENTORIES Domestic inventories are valued at the lower of cost determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method or market. Had the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method been used to value domestic inventories as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the balance at which inventories are stated would have been $2,746,000 and $2,407,000 higher, respectively. Foreign inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market determined by the FIFO method. Inventories primarily consist of finished goods and packaging material. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Major improvements which add to productive capacity or extend the life of an asset are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Property, plant and equipment are comprised of the following:
December 31, 1995 1994 ------ ------ Leasehold improvements $ 818,446 $ 658,842 Equipment 6,199,914 5,189,298 Furniture & fixtures 1,473,188 1,256,462 ---------- --------- 8,491,548 7,104,602 Accumulated depreciation (4,385,683) (2,876,944) ----------- ----------- $4,105,865 $4,227,658 =========== ==========
Depreciation is computed principally by use of the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives: Years ----- Equipment 3 to 10 Furniture and fixtures 7 to 10 The provision for amortization of leasehold improvements is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or terms of the leases, whichever is shorter. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, the total provisions for depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment were approximately $1,521,000, $1,273,000 and $1,072,000, respectively. INVESTMENTS Investments in common stock, in which the Company owns 20% to 50%, are being accounted for under the equity method, with Forschner recording its proportional share of net income or losses of these companies and amortization of goodwill related to the F-9 acquisition of the two investments. These amounts equalled losses of $548,200 for 1995. The accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 1994 reflect adjustments necessary to show Forschner's investments in Simmons Outdoor Corporation and SweetWater, Inc. under the equity method. Investments in preferred stock and common stock of which the Company owns less than 20%, are accounted for at cost. Since these investments do not have a readily determinable fair value, the valuation of these investments is subject to uncertainty. EARNINGS PER SHARE Net income per share has been computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, the computation included 50,000, 230,000 and 443,000 shares, respectively, issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants after the assumed repurchase of common shares with the related proceeds. There is no difference between primary and fully diluted earnings per share. INCOME TAXES Forschner adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" in the first quarter of 1993. SFAS No. 109 supersedes SFAS No. 96, the accounting standard that the Company had previously followed. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 109, the Company recorded a $220,000, or $0.03 per share, increase to consolidated net income. The increase in consolidated net income was recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change. Under SFAS No. 109, the provision for income taxes, as determined using the liability method, includes deferred taxes resulting from temporary differences in income for financial and tax purposes. Such temporary differences primarily result from differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. The cumulative effect on deferred taxes of changes in the corporate income tax rate is recognized as an adjustment to income tax expense. FOREIGN CURRENCY The vast majority of the Company's products are imported from Switzerland and are paid for in Swiss francs. Increases in the value of the Swiss franc versus the dollar may effectively increase the cost of these products to the Company. The increase in the cost of products to the Company may result in either higher prices charged to customers or reductions in gross margin, both of which may have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. The Company enters into foreign currency contracts and options to hedge the exposure associated with foreign currency fluctuations. However, such hedging activity cannot eliminate the long-term adverse impact on the Company's competitive position and results of operations that would result from a sustained decrease in the value of the dollar versus the Swiss franc. These hedging transactions, which are meant to reduce foreign currency risk, also reduce the beneficial effects to the Company of any increase in the dollar relative to the Swiss franc. The Company plans to continue to engage in hedging transactions; however, it is uncertain as to what extent to which such hedging transactions will reduce the effect of adverse currency fluctuations. F-10 RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year's financial statements to conform with the 1995 presentation. NEWLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In March 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of", was issued. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 121 in 1996, and believes that this accounting standard will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position and its results of operations. In October 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", was issued. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123 in 1996. The Company currently does not plan to change its method of accounting for stock-based compensation; however, SFAS No. 123 will require additional footnote disclosures relating to the effect of using a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation cost. (3) PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS Forschner imports for resale all of its Swiss Army Knives and certain of its other cutlery products from a principal supplier, Victorinox Cutlery Company ("Victorinox"), a Swiss company. Effective December 12, 1993, Forschner renewed a five-year agreement (originally signed on December 12, 1983 and as amended) with Victorinox which appoints Forschner as exclusive distributor of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and most of its other cutlery products in the United States and gives Forschner exclusive rights to use Victorinox trademarks and trade names in the United States with respect to Swiss Army Knives and cutlery. The agreement remains in effect as long as Forschner continues to purchase quantities of Swiss Army Knives and cutlery (based on the Swiss franc purchase price) at least equal to 85% of the maximum amount of purchases of each in any preceding year. Due to high 1992 year-end inventory levels, with written concurrence of Victorinox, Forschner reduced 1993 purchases to a level that was 2.3% below the minimum requirement of Swiss Army Knives. In 1995, Victorinox agreed to reduce the 1996 minimum purchase requirements on knives to 75% of the maximum amount of purchases in any preceding year. The Company purchased the required minimum during 1995 and 1994, and, based upon the current projections, management believes that the Company will purchase the required minimum during 1996. In 1995 total payments to Victorinox were $39,676,000. Pursuant to this agreement, Forschner must obtain Victorinox's permission to sell new cutlery items. All of the Swiss Army Knives and certain of the cutlery items that Forschner sells in Canada and the Caribbean also are supplied by Victorinox. Foreign distribution rights with Victorinox are comprised of the following: F-11
Cost at December 31, Amortization 1995 1994 Period ------ ------ ------- Canadian distribution rights (A) $3,483,064 $3,483,064 10 years Caribbean & Victorinox Watch distribution rights (B) 3,261,144 3,261,144 10 years ----------- ---------- 6,744,208 6,744,208 Accumulated amortization (1,843,812) (1,165,129) ------------ ----------- $4,900,396 $5,579,079 ========== ==========
(A) In April 1992, Forschner entered into an agreement with Victorinox under which it received the exclusive distribution right for Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives in Canada and was appointed the principal distributor of Victorinox professional cutlery in Canada. In exchange for the grant of these rights, Forschner issued to Victorinox 277,066 shares of its common stock from treasury. The rights received were awarded to Forschner for a fixed term with a continuous five-year renewal arrangement upon expiration of the fixed term. Victorinox has the right not to renew the agreement; however, should Victorinox choose not to renew upon expiration of the fixed term, Victorinox is required to pay Forschner $3,500,000. (B) On December 21, 1993, Forschner entered into an agreement with Victorinox under which it received the exclusive distribution rights for Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives and professional cutlery in the Caribbean. Forschner also received the right to distribute Victorinox Swiss-made watches in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and acquired the 20% share of the Company's subsidiary, Victorinox of Switzerland, Ltd., that Victorinox owned. In exchange for the grant of these rights and the stock acquired, Forschner issued to Victorinox a five-year warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at a $3.75 discount to the current market price on the date of exercise. In April 1994, the discount from the current market price was modified to $4.25 in exchange for Victorinox's agreement to pay the exercise price immediately instead of after one year as allowed by the original agreement. All of the shares issued upon exercise of the warrant were subsequently sold to a corporate shareholder of Forschner that is controlled by a director of Forschner, in exchange for shares of the common stock of that corporation. In addition, Forschner will pay Victorinox a royalty of 1% of net sales of Victorinox Watches. The Caribbean distribution rights are for a fixed term automatically renewable in successive five-year periods unless either party notifies the other at least six months prior to expiration of such period of its intent not to renew. The term of Victorinox Watch distribution rights in each territory coincides with the term in that territory for Victorinox cutlery products. The Company does not have any manufacturing facilities and imports virtually all of its products from independent suppliers. The Company's business is subject to certain risks related to its arrangements with its foreign suppliers, including possible restrictions on transfer of funds, the risk of imposition of quotas on the amount of products which may be imported into the United States (although no quota currently exists), maritime union strikes and political instability. Although the Company has a United States exclusive distributorship agreement with Victorinox Cutlery Company ("Victorinox"), its principal supplier, it does not have such contractual arrangements with its other suppliers. The agreement with Victorinox provides for certain minimum annual purchases of products by the Company, and failure to achieve these F-12 goals would result in Victorinox having the right to terminate the agreement. Such a termination would have a material effect upon the Company's operations. The agreement also provides that the Company will not add non-Victorinox items to its line of cutlery products without the prior agreement of Victorinox. Although the Company has a contractual right to receive minimum quantities of Swiss Army Knives from Victorinox, were this source of supply to fail for any reason, the Company would probably be unable to find an alternative source. Any substantial disruption of the Company's relationships with Victorinox would have a material adverse effect on its operation and results. Virtually all of the Company's imported products are subject to United States custom duties. Although 77% or $23,384,000 of total payments for watches and watch parts in 1995 were made to a single watch supplier, which is responsible for the final assembly of watch components manufactured by several manufacturers, the Company believes that alternate watch suppliers would be available, if necessary. Furthermore, the Company believes that the loss of this supplier of Swiss Army Brand Watches would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. (4) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS One of Forschner's directors is a partner in a law firm which provides legal services to Forschner and its subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, Forschner incurred fees of $432,000, $588,000 and $540,000, respectively, relating to these services. Of the 1994 fees, $176,000 were paid on behalf of Forschner Enterprises and capitalized as part of Forschner's investment therein. Six of Forschner's directors serve as directors for Victory Capital LLC, ("Victory") formerly Forschner Enterprises, Inc., including one who serves as Co-Chairman of Victory (See Note 5). Four of Forschner's directors, one of which is an executive officer of Forschner, serve as directors of SweetWater, Inc. ("SweetWater"). Simmons Outdoor Corporation ("Simmons"), in which Forschner had an investment (See Note 5), is a marketer of Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knives purchased from Forschner to selected sporting goods distributors. Forschner's sales to Simmons were $296,000 and $472,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Forschner's purchases from Simmons of optical products for sale to Forschner's Corporate Markets customers totaled $387,000 and $1,105,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. An existing company policy authorizes Forschner to compensate, in the form of a commission of up to 3% of net sales for up to three years, non-employees for their direct role in introducing significant new customers to the Company. In 1995 and 1994, Forschner paid to a relative of one of Forschner's directors half of a 3% commission on net sales to a customer, on whose board the same director also serves as a member, which in 1995 and 1994 represented 6% and 25% of Forschner's total revenues (See Note 1). No programs are currently scheduled with this customer in 1996. In July 1994, Forschner entered into a Services Agreement with Brae Group, Inc. ("Brae"), a company which is a stockholder of Forschner and in which a Forschner director and principal supplier have a controlling and minority stock interest, respectively. In addition, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Brae is also a director of Forschner. Under the Services Agreement, Brae is to provide various services to Forschner for a period of four F-13 years relating to maintaining, enhancing, and expanding Forschner's relationship with Forschner's principal supplier. In exchange for these services, Brae received an option to purchase 500,000 shares of Forschner's common stock at the then current market price of $10.75 per share. The option vested immediately and can be exercised for 10 years from the date of the Services Agreement (See Note 11). Effective January 1, 1995, Forschner entered into an agreement with a director, under which the director received $10,000 per month for consulting services rendered in 1995. This agreement was terminated on December 31, 1995. In December 1995, a Forschner director and former Co-Chairman entered into an agreement with the Company to become a sole distributor of Swiss Army Brand products to the golf market. Investors in this new entity include the Company's principal supplier and a member of Forschner's Board of Directors who is a controlling stockholder of Brae. (5) INVESTMENTS Investments consist of the following as of December 31, 1995 and 1994:
Carrying Fair Value Cost Value -------- ------ ------- December 31, 1995: Preferred stock of Victory Capital LLC (A) $ 7,002,990 $ 7,002,990 ----------- ----------- Total investment at cost $ 7,002,990 $ 7,002,990 =========== =========== Common stock of SweetWater, Inc. (C) $ 1,791,415 $ 3,430,157 $2,907,640 Common stock and note receivable of affiliated entity (D) 800,000 800,000 ------------ ------------ Total investments in common stock and note receivable of unconsolidated affiliates $ 2,591,415 $ 4,230,157 $2,907,640 =========== =========== ========== December 31, 1994: Preferred stock of Victory Capital LLC (A) $7,002,990 $7,002,990 ---------- ---------- Total investment at cost $7,002,990 $7,002,990 ========== ========== Common stock of Simmons Outdoor Corporation (B) $2,784,260 $2,784,260 $2,750,000 Common stock of SweetWater, Inc. (C) 1,678,820 1,678,820 2,371,750 ---------- ------------ ----------- Total investments in common stock of unconsolidated affiliates $4,463,080 $4,463,080 $5,121,750 ========== ========== ==========
(A) Victory Capital LLC ("Victory"), formerly Forschner Enterprises, Inc., is a F-14 privately held limited liability corporation that intends to acquire interests in businesses which it believes present an opportunity for significant equity growth and which may benefit from Victory's management, operating and financial expertise. In 1994, Forschner invested a total of $6,250,000, acquiring 625,000 shares of preferred stock. In the second quarter of 1994, Forschner increased its investment in Victory through the exchange of all of its shares of Tigera Group, Inc. for 75,299 shares of Victory valued at $752,990, and cash of $3,090, together representing Forschner's cost of Tigera shares exchanged. The preferred stock that Forschner owns accumulates an anual Preferred Amount (as defined) in any year in which Victory has profit. Upon liquidation, assets of Victory are distributed in accordance with the positive balance in each investor's Capital Account (after adjustment for unrealized gain and losses not previously reflected). Forschner is accounting for its investment on the cost basis. (B) Simmons Outdoor Corporation was a publicly traded company whose primary business is marketing and distributing branded sporting goods products (principally optical in nature). During 1995, Forschner purchased additional shares of common stock for $1,072,000, raising its percentage ownership to over 20%. Accordingly, in 1995, the Company accounted for this investment under the equity method. Forschner's share of the income of Simmons, net of amortization of goodwill, totaled $1,090,000. In the fourth quarter of 1995, this investment was sold, resulting in a pre-tax profit of $1,740,000, which is included in the gain on sale of investments. (C) SweetWater, Inc. ("SweetWater") manufactures and sells portable water purification and filtration systems to the sporting goods, recreational, travel and tourist, emergency preparedness and military markets. As of December 31, 1993, SweetWater was a private company and Forschner owned preferred stock with a 40% voting interest. In January 1994, SweetWater issued 718,750 shares of common stock in an initial public offering (resulting in 1,837,243 shares of common stock outstanding), at which time Forschner's holdings of preferred stock were converted into 430,000 shares of common stock. In January 1994, Forschner sold 72,000 shares of SweetWater to a stockholder of Victorinox for approximately $374,000. Forschner's cost for the stock sold was approximately $338,000. Through December 31, 1994, the Company accounted for this investment at fair value with changes between cost and fair value reflected as part of unrealized gains (losses) included as a component of stockholders' equity. During 1995, Forschner purchased additional shares of common stock for $1,837,000, raising its percentage ownership to 38%. Accordingly, in 1995, the Company accounted for this investment under the equity method. Forschner's share of the losses of SweetWater, including amortization of goodwill, totaled $1,638,000. As of December 31, 1995, Forschner owned 20.5% of the outstanding stock of SweetWater. SweetWater's revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995 were $2,163,000, and it's assets as of December 31, 1995 were $7,506,000. (D) In 1995, the Company purchased 5,160 shares of common stock and an 8% convertible note due in the year 2000 of a private affiliated start-up entity that is in the business of designing, manufacturing and marketing fine jewelry. The common stock and the convertible note have been recorded at cost. Due to the start-up nature of this business and to the lack of an established market for common stock, the valuation of this investment is subject to uncertainty. The amount the Company will ultimately realize from this investment may materially differ from the carrying value. F-15 (6) OTHER ASSETS Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consists of the following at December 31, 1995 and 1994:
December 31, Amortization 1995 1994 Period ------- ------ ------------- Goodwill (A) $1,179,189 $1,179,189 10 years Deferred employment agreement (B) 1,204,832 1,204,832 4-5 years Other 2,429,445 1,844,619 1-3 years ----------- ----------- 4,813,466 4,228,640 Accumulated amortization (3,166,339) (2,159,756) ----------- ----------- 1,647,127 2,068,884 Cash surrender value of life insurance (See Note 12) 5,855,757 3,668,453 ----------- ---------- $7,502,884 $5,737,337 =========== ==========
(A) On September 2, 1992, Forschner acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Cuisine de France Limited, a company which distributes a line of high quality, French-made forged cutlery. This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase with the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their fair value. (B) In December 1992, Forschner issued 140,773 shares of its common stock to a former president and current employee of Forschner as prepayment of Forschner's obligations under an employment and deferred compensation agreement. Included in other assets is the value of the shares on the date issued, net of the deferred compensation liability previously recorded. The cost is being amortized over the former president's future period of service to Forschner. For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 amortization expense was approximately $1,728,000, $1,934,000 and $1,088,000, respectively. (7) ACCRUED LIABILITIES The components of accrued liabilities were as follows as of December 31, 1995 and 1994:
1995 1994 ------ ----- Sales, marketing and promotional $3,318,970 $4,166,437 Payroll related 1,623,641 940,328 Pension 628,303 453,800 Other 3,127,080 3,091,173 ---------- ---------- $8,697,994 $8,651,738 ========== ==========
F-16 (8) REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT Forschner has a $15,000,000 revolving credit agreement which, as amended, carries interest at either the bank's Base Rate, 8.5% at December 31, 1995 and 1994, or at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), 5.5% and 6.125% at December 31, 1995, and 1994, respectively, plus 1.25%. The interest rate is at Forschner's discretion subject to the terms of the loan. Forschner had no outstanding balance under this agreement at either December 31, 1995 or 1994. Borrowings under this line are to be used for working capital requirements and, within certain restrictions, for any corporate purpose. The revolving term loan agreement contains certain restrictions relating to the payment of dividends, repurchase of stock, issuance of additional debt and sale of certain assets. In addition, the agreement requires the continuation of the exclusive distribution agreement with Forschner's principal Swiss Army Knife and cutlery supplier (See Note 3). Under the agreement, earnings available for the payment of interest (as defined) must not be less than 1.5 times interest payable, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities must exceed 2.5:1 and the ratio of indebtedness (as defined) to tangible net worth cannot exceed .75:1. Any balance outstanding is due and payable on April 30, 1996, the expiration date of the facility. The Company's bank has offered to extend the facility under similar terms with options for reduced pricing. The Company is in discussions to extend the facility to one or more other banks. In addition, the Company maintains a $5,000,000 line of credit with a financial institution. This facility is unsecured and contains no restrictions or requirements. Forschner had no outstanding balance under this agreement at December 31, 1995. (9) INCOME TAXES The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31, -------------------------------------- 1995 1994 1993 -------- ---------- ------- Current Federal $2,657,745 $7,188,549 $3,926,020 State 508,055 1,088,913 250,748 ------------- ----------- ----------- Total current 3,165,800 8,277,462 4,176,768 Deferred Federal (492,108) (1,258,334) 34,933 State (151,047) (386,233) 9,619 -------------- ------------ ------------ Total deferred (643,155) (1,644,567) 44,552 -------------- ----------- ------------ Provision for income taxes $2,522,645 $6,632,895 $4,221,320 =========== ========== ============
The 1993 tax provision reflects the reversal of tax liabilities established in prior years of approximately $500,000 which were deemed no longer required as a result of clarifications received from certain taxing authorities. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. F-17 The cumulative amount of each temporary difference that comprises the net deferred tax benefit is as follows:
December 31, 1995 1994 ------------- ------------- Depreciation $ (150,750) $ (158,399) Deferred compensation (63,167) (157,844) LIFO-related reserves currently not deductible 215,684 193,324 Other reserves currently not deductible 2,272,042 2,341,134 Equity interest in unconsolidated 651,195 - affiliates 242,225 305,859 --------------- -------------- Other $ 3,167,229 $ 2,524,074 =============== =============
The effective income tax rate differed from federal statutory rates for the following reasons:
Year Ended December 31, ---------------------------------- 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- Statutory federal income tax rate 34.0% 35.0% 34.0% State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 6.8 2.9 1.5 Foreign tax rate differences 0.8 1.4 - Other 3.2 2.2 1.1 --- --- --- Effective income tax rate 44.8% 41.5% 36.6% ==== ==== ====
(10) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Substantially all employees of Forschner and its subsidiaries are covered by a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan. Benefits are based on years of service and the employee's compensation during the five highest consecutive compensation years. Costs under the plan are accrued and funded on the basis of accepted actuarial methods. Total pension expense approximated $324,000, $218,000 and $185,000, for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The net periodic pension cost of Forschner's pension plan in 1995, 1994 and 1993 includes the following components: F-18
1995 1994 1993 ------------ ------------ -------- Service cost - benefits earned during the period $256,331 $196,795 $169,201 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 159,618 123,590 117,948 Return on assets (110,233) (94,726) (92,666) Amortization of net transition asset (14,188) (14,188) (14,188) Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost (13,529) (13,818) (13,818) Amortization of net loss 46,021 19,939 18,926 ---------- ---------- --------- Net periodic pension cost $324,020 $217,592 $185,403 ========= ========= ========
The funded status of Forschner's defined benefit plan at December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:
1995 1994 ---------- ---------- Actuarial present value of: Vested benefit obligation $1,903,390 $1,157,457 =========== ========== Accumulated benefit obligation $1,903,390 $1,157,457 =========== ========== Projected benefit obligation $2,694,164 $2,038,054 Market value of plan assets 1,565,095 1,299,223 ----------- ---------- Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation (1,129,069) (738,831) Unrecognized net loss 896,032 697,443 Unrecognized prior service cost (281,768) (295,297) Unrecognized net transition asset (99,322) (113,510) -------------- ------------ Accrued pension cost ($614,127) ($450,195) ============= ===========
Rates used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation were as follows:
December 31, ---------------- 1995 1994 ---- ---- Discount rate 7.00% 7.00% Rate of increase in future compensation levels 5.00% 5.00% Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 8.00% 7.75%
Plan assets consist principally of investments in fixed income securities, short-term investments and common stock. The Company maintains a 401(k) employee benefit plan pursuant to which participants can defer a certain percent of their annual compensation in order to receive certain benefits upon retirement, death, disability or termination of employment. The Company can elect to make a matching contribution of up to 6% of annual eligible compensation per employee. The determination to make a matching contribution is made at the beginning of each fiscal year. During 1995, 1994 and 1993 the Company incurred expenses of approximately $129,000, F-19 $88,000 and $69,000 related to this plan. The Company offers no other post retirement benefits. (11) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY In 1993 Forschner's stockholders approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of its common stock from 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 and authorized a new class of 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine the relative rights and preferences of the preferred stock. During 1994, stockholders approved adoption of The Forschner Group, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan providing for the grant of options to employees, including officers of the Company, and members of the Board of Directors. Under this plan and a previous stock option plan which has expired, options covering 1,949,344 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance, of which 131,219 remain available for issuance. Options expire no later than ten years after the date of grant. Option prices equal at least 100% of the fair market value of Forschner's common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of options is determined by the Stock Option and Compensation Committee, which administers the plan, and for options outstanding as of December 31, 1995, vesting ranges from immediately upon grant to five years. The following table summarizes stock option plan and warrant activity for the three years ended December 31, 1995:
Number of Shares Option Price --------- -------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1992 726,727 $ 3.32 - $14.00 Granted 435,000 $14.38 - $17.50 Exercised (492,194) $ 5.25 - $11.50 ------- Outstanding at December 31, 1993 669,533 $ 3.32 - $17.50 Granted 1,325,000 $10.75 - $15.25 Exercised (111,000) $ 5.25 - $11.50 Canceled (535,000) $14.50 - $17.50 ------- Outstanding at December 31, 1994 1,348,533 $ 3.32 - $17.50 Granted (A) (B) (C) (D) 912,000 $11.75 - $12.88 Exercised (3,750) $ 6.50 Canceled (B) (D) (248,658) $ 3.32 - $17.50 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 1995 2,008,125 $ 5.25 - $14.50 ========= Exercisable at December 31, 1995 1,289,250
(A) In January 1995, the Company issued 637,000 options to purchase common stock at $12.88 per share to various Forschner employees, officers and directors. These options are exercisable in four equal increments over the next three years starting with the grant date. F-20 (B) Included as granted are options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $11.75 per share to a former director, which replaced the same number of options granted in 1993 at $17.50 per share, that were canceled concurrently. The newly issued options retain vesting rights of the options they replaced. (C) In December 1995, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $12.50 per share to an officer of the Company. The warrant is exercisable in four equal increments over three years starting with the grant date. (D) Included as canceled are 150,000 options to purchase common stock at $12.88 per share which were issued to a director in January 1995. At the same time options covering 150,000 shares were granted to another director at $12.50 per share. These options are exercisable in four equal increments over three years starting with the grant date. (12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Forschner has minimum purchase requirements under an agreement with its principal Swiss Army Knife and cutlery supplier (See Note 3). At December 31, 1995, minimum rental payment commitments for office and warehouse space leased by Forschner under operating leases are: 1996 $ 1,209,000 1997 1,333,000 1998 1,331,000 1999 1,333,000 2000 1,270,000 Thereafter 810,000 During the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, rent expense was approximately $1,094,000, $945,000 and $629,000, respectively. As of February 2, 1996, Forschner has open contracts to purchase 19,000,000 Swiss francs as a hedge against future purchase of inventories. The Company maintains split dollar life insurance agreements covering two members of the Board of Directors. Primarily, these policies can only be canceled upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the insured. However, if these policies were canceled at December 31, 1995, the Company would receive in cash an amount equal to the lesser of the cash surrender value or cumulative premiums paid to date on these policies which was approximately $3,045,000. Under the terms of these life insurance policies, the Company will make approximate future premium payments, if the policies remain in force, as follows: 1996 $ 629,984 1997 582,484 1998 597,484 1999 612,484 2000 492,469 Thereafter 1,002,224 F-21 In 1993, Forschner's Board of Directors adopted a charitable insurance program that will enable Forschner to make a commitment to the Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation (the "Foundation"), a foundation which engages in various charitable activities including the promotion of athletic events for underprivileged urban youth, as well as a broad range of charities. In 1994, Forschner made a special $1.5 million contribution in the form of cash and common stock to the Foundation. Under the program, Forschner owns, is the beneficiary of, and pays all the premiums for life insurance policies on the lives of all Board members. Pursuant to the program, upon the death of each Director, the Company will retain a share of the insurance proceeds equal to the cumulative premiums paid by the Company for the policy on that Director's life. One half of any additional insurance proceeds received upon the death of an insured Director will be used to fulfill charitable pledges made to the Victorinox-Swiss Army Knife Foundation. The remaining half of the additional proceeds will be used to fulfill charitable pledges recommended by the individual Directors. Forschner is generally bound to continue to pay all premiums on the policies for the lives of the insured Directors or, in the case of the Chairman of the Management Committee, as long as he is an officer or a board member or agrees to serve as a consultant to the Company. Forschner will make approximate future premium payments related to these programs as follows: 1996 $ 1,115,194 1997 1,115,194 1998 1,115,194 1999 1,115,194 2000 1,115,194 Thereafter 8,204,744 Under existing federal tax laws, the receipt by Forschner of the proceeds from an insurance policy upon the death of a director would not result in regular taxable income to the Company; however, Forschner may be subject to alternative minimum tax on a portion of the receipts. When Forschner makes cash contributions to a designated charity, it will be entitled to a tax deduction equivalent to the sum of those contributions. The extent of the utilization of this deduction in that year will depend upon Forschner's taxable income, since the Company is entitled to claim as charitable deductions only 10% of its taxable income in any year. However, these deductions may be carried forward for tax purposes for a period of five years. For the policies obtained under the charitable insurance program in existence at December 31, 1995, based upon estimates prepared by Forschner's insurance agent, the anticipated expense to be recorded as a result of the difference between premiums paid and increases in cash surrender value of the related policies, is estimated to be less than $150,000 each year through 1998. Subsequent to 1998, it is estimated that there will be a minor positive impact on earnings. The Company entered into an employment agreement dated as of January 2, 1996 with a director of the Company who, until December 13, 1995, was Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The agreement provides that the former Co- Chairman shall be employed in an executive capacity with the Company and shall be available to consult with and advise the Company on such matters as might be requested by senior management of the Company for at least eighty-five hours per month on issues dealing with the maintenance of corporate trademarks, corporate legal matters, and strategic support relative to strategic relations with Victorinox Cutlery Company, the Company's key supplier. F-22 The former Co-Chairman is to be paid a salary of $140,000 per annum and, during 1996, a one-time bonus of $300,000. The agreement, which has a term of five years, also provides that following the termination of the agreement, this individual would be prohibited from competing, with certain exceptions, with the business of the Company for a period of three years. During the normal course of business, Forschner was involved in a legal action in which a former employee had filed a complaint against Forschner and Forschner's former Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer alleging age discrimination in connection with the plaintiff's employment with Forschner, wrongful discharge and other causes of action relating to plaintiff's discharge from Forschner. The plaintiff was seeking damages of an unspecified amount. This legal action was settled in December 1995. In 1994, in a case originally brought by Forschner against Arrow Trading Co., Inc. ("Arrow") in September 1992 in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed a judgment originally issued in the Company's favor and held that the use of "Swiss Army" on Chinese-made knives could not be enjoined on grounds of geographic misdescriptiveness. On remand, the District Court ruled that Arrow had violated Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act and New York common law in connection with its sale of Chinese-made multi-bladed pocketknives which Arrow called "Swiss Army Knives". The court found that Forschner had proved its contention that Arrow engaged in unfair competition and held that "Arrow, although free to use the phrase 'Swiss Army Knife' to designate its product, must amply distinguish it from the Forschner product." The court is considering the scope of an order determining how Arrow must differentiate its product. The Company intends to utilize all reasonable means to safeguard the public from being misled by inferior imitation products. Management and legal counsel believe that the outcome of this litigation will not result in damages or other costs that would have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company. In addition, the Company is involved in certain legal matters relating to trademark, patent, and other general business matters. Management believes that the outcome of these legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position and results of operations of the Company. F-23 (13) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Quarter Ended --------------------------------------------------------------- March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 --------- --------- ------------- ------------ 1995 Net sales $ 29,369,721 $ 25,925,259 $ 30,186,155 $ 41,213,651 Gross profit 10,700,594 8,715,449 10,466,106 14,382,202 Income before income tax provision 2,194,832 538,773 540,331 2,361,925 Net income 1,270,782 218,183 196,290 1,427,961 Net income per share $ 0.15 $ 0.03 $ 0.02 $ 0.18 1994 Net sales $27,049,038 $39,935,320 $37,264,291 $40,188,671 Gross profit 10,772,990 13,375,373 15,212,347 16,442,848 Income before income tax provision 2,658,072 2,383,669 5,927,326 5,023,558 Net income 1,539,024 1,380,144 3,431,922 3,008,640 Net income per share $ 0.21 $ 0.17 $ 0.42 $ 0.37
The decrease in net sales and gross profits in the second and third quarter of 1995 versus 1994, is due primarily to sales to a single customer for a special promotional program, which ended in the first quarter of 1995. F-24 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Additions Balance At Charged to Beginning Costs and Balance At Classification of Year Expenses Deductions End of Year Year Ended December 31, 1995: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 755,000 $220,000 $ - $ 975,000 =========== ======== ======= =========== Inventory Reserve $ 750,000 $168,000 $ 918,000 =========== ======== $ - =========== Year Ended December 31, 1994: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 710,000 $ 45,000 $ - $ 755,000 =========== ========= =========== Inventory Reserve $ 201,000 $549,000 $ - $ 750,000 =========== ======== ======= =========== Year Ended December 31, 1993: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $1,087,000 $ - ($377,000) $ 710,000 ========== ============ ======== =========== Inventory Reserve $ 440,000 $ - ($239,000) $ 201,000 =========== ============ ========= ===========
F-25 STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES ------------------------ The registered trademark symbol shall be expressed as............. 'r' The trademark symbol shall be expressed as........................ 'tm' SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------- EXHIBITS TO FORM 10-K UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 --------- THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Commission File No. 0-1282-3 EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Title Exhibit No. Page ------------- ---------- ---- (2) Not Applicable (3) (A) Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (B) By-Laws, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. (3)-1 (4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures: (A) Excerpts from Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) hereto. * (B) Excerpts from By-Laws, as amended, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits from Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (9) Not Applicable. (10) Material Contracts (A) Employment Agreement dated as of September 15, 1983 between Forschner and Michael M. Weatherly, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-18, No. 2-87357-B. * (B) 1983 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990. * (C) Letter Agreement dated December 12, 1983 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and R.H. Forschner Co., Inc. * (D) Mutual Agreement dated as of October 20, 1986 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and The Forschner Group, Inc. *
(E) Letter Agreement dated as of October 20, 1986 between Victorinox Cutlery Company and The Forschner Group, Inc. * (F) Letter Agreement dated August 24, 1988 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Recta S.A. * (G) Mutual Agreement dated October 25, 1988 between Victorinox Cutlery Co. and The Forschner Group, Inc. * (H) Letter Agreement dated June 12, 1989 between Victorinox Cutlery Co. and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (I) Agreement to Lease dated June 14, 1990 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Petran Trap Falls Associates, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990. * (J) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (K) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Swiss Army Brands Ltd. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (L) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Victorinox of Switzerland, Ltd. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (M) Security agreement dated January 31, 1991 between Excelsior Advertising, Inc. and Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. *
ii (N) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Swiss Army Brands Ltd. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (O) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Victorinox of Switzerland, Ltd. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (P) Agreement of guarantee and suretyship dated January 31, 1991 by Excelsior Advertising Inc. in favor of Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989. * (Q) Life insurance agreement dated as of December 7, 1991 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., as Trustee u/a dtd. December 9, 1986 between Louis Marx, Jr. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (R) Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated June 18, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and The Connecticut National Bank (now known as Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A.), incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (S) Letter agreement dated June 18, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and The Connecticut National Bank, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (T) License Agreement dated June 30, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Precise Imports Corporation, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (U) Letter agreement dated November 11, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Michael M. Weatherly, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual
iii Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (V) Life insurance agreement dated December 24, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., as Trustee u/a dtd. as of October 24, 1988 between Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. and Barbara Rawn and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (W) License Agreement dated as of January 1, 1993 between Cuisine de France Limited and Coutel 'Innov, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (X) Mutual Agreement dated April 6, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. * (Y) Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 17, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and K.P.A., Inc. (now known as SweetWater, Inc.), incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-71036, filed by SweetWater, Inc. * (Z) 1993 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (AA) First Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of August 13, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (BB) Second Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of February 17, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. *
iv (CC) Commercial Promissory Note dated February 17, 1994 of The Forschner Group, Inc. in the principal amount of $15,000,000, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (DD) Lease dated May 3, 1993 between One Research Drive Associates Limited Partnership and The Forschner Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (EE) License Agreement dated as of July 1, 1993 between Cuisine de France Limited and Coutel 'Innov, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (FF) Life insurance agreement dated as of December 24, 1992 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (GG) Life insurance agreement dated as of September 24, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (HH) Life insurance agreement dated as of September 24, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James D. Rawn, as Trustee u/a dtd. as of June 4, 1992 between Louis Marx, Jr., Grantor and James D. Rawn, Trustee, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (II) Mutual Agreement dated December 21, 1993 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. * (JJ) 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 33-87078 filed by The Forschner Group, Inc. *
v (KK) Services Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Brae Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1994. * (LL) Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Brae Group, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1994. * (MM) Consulting Agreement dated as of December 7, 1991 by and between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Louis Marx, Jr. * (NN) Letter Agreement dated June 9, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Forschner Enterprises, Inc. relating to the purchase by Forschner Enterprises, Inc. of shares of Tigera Group, Inc. * (OO) Third Modification to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of September 30, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Shawmut Bank Connecticut, N.A. * (PP) First Amendment to Lease dated June 16, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Petran Trap Falls Associates. * (QQ) Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated as of December 12, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr. * (RR) Life insurance agreement dated as of April 15, 1994 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Lawrence T. Warble, as Trustee u/a dtd. as of March 21, 1994 between Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Grantor and Lawrence T. Warble, Trustee. * (SS) Agreement dated June 30, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Bill-Mar Specialty Company, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1995. * (TT) Agreement dated October 6, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James W. Kennedy,
vi incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. * (UU) Letter agreement dated February 15, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Harry Thompson, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. * (VV) Letter agreement dated October 25, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Harry Thompson, incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1995. * (WW) Employment agreement dated as of January 2, 1996 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and James W. Kennedy. (10)-1 (XX) Warrant dated as of December 13, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and J. Merrick Taggart. (10)-2 (YY) Letter Agreement dated December 18, 1995 between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox Cutlery Company. (10)-3 (11) Statement re computation of per share earnings is not required because the relevant computations can be clearly determined from the material contained in the financial statements included herein. (12) Not applicable. (13) Not applicable. (16) Not Applicable. (18) Not Applicable. (21) Subsidiaries of Registrant. 21 (22) Not Applicable. (23) Consents of experts and counsel: Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. 23 (27) Not Applicable.
vii (28) Not Applicable. (99) Not Applicable. - ------------------------ * Incorporated by reference viii
EX-3 2 EXHIBIT (3)-1 EXHIBIT (3)-1 AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. (a Delaware Corporation) (as of February 15, 1995) ARTICLE I MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. Time and Place. All meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of meeting, or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the time fixed, from time to time, by the Board, provided, that the first annual meeting shall be held on a date within thirteen months after the organization of the Corporation, and each successive annual meeting shall be held on a date within thirteen months after the date of the preceding annual meeting. At each annual meeting the stockholders shall elect a Board and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Elections of Directors need not be by written ballot. Written notice stating the place, date and hour of the annual meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date of the meeting unless the lapse of the prescribed period of time shall have been waived. Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the President, and shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing by a majority of the Board, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning twenty percent of the entire capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and by or at whose direction it is being issued shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date of the meeting unless the lapse of the prescribed period of time shall have been waived. 2 Section 4. Quorum and Voting. Each stockholder shall, at any meeting of the stockholders, be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder and, except as otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, or by operation of law, the presence and affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of all of the stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, in person or represented by proxy, shall be necessary and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the valid action of the stockholders at all meetings of the stockholders. If however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if, after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. 3 Section 5. Proxies. Every proxy must be executed in writing by the stockholder or his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of three years from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by law. Section 6. Consents. Whenever, by any provision of law, the vote of stockholders at a meeting thereof is required or permitted to be taken for or in connection with any corporate action, the meeting (and notice thereof) and the vote of stockholders may be dispensed with if the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, if such a meeting were held, shall consent in writing to such corporate action being taken. Prompt notice shall be given to all stockholders of the taking of corporate action without a meeting and by less than unanimous written consent. Section 7. List of Stockholders. the officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address 4 of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Section 8. Record Date. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next 5 preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. ARTICLE II DIRECTORS Section 1. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. The number of directors shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. Section 2. Election and Tenure of Directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meetings of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article, and each Director elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting and his successor is elected and qualified, subject to the provisions of Section 3 of this Article. Directors need not be stockholders, citizens of the United States, or residents of the State of Delaware. 6 Section 3. Resignation; Removal. Any director may resign at any time. Any or all of the Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the vote of the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of Directors at a special meeting called for such purpose. Any Director may be removed for cause by the action of the Board. Section 4. Vacancies. If any vacancy occurs in the Board by reason of the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office of any Director (with or without cause), or if any new directorships are created, the directors then in office shall choose a successor or successors, or shall fill the newly created directorships (as the case may be) and the Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner displaced. If there are no Directors in office, then an election of Directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the Directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such Directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies 7 or newly created directorships, or to replace the Directors chosen by the Directors then in office. Section 5. Management of Business. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. ARTICLE III MEETINGS OF THE BOARD Section 1. Place. The Board of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Section 2. First Meeting. The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be announced at the annual meeting of stockholders, and no further notice of such meeting to the newly elected Directors shall be necessary in order to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure to so announce the time and place of such meeting, or in the event that such meeting is not held at the time and place so announced, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified 8 in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board, or as shall be specified in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 3. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Section 4. Special Meetings. Special Meetings of the Board may be called by the President on one business days notice to each Director. Special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two Directors. Section 5. Quorum and Voting. (a) Except as provided by the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or by operation of law, the presence of a majority of the Directors then in office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Board and the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be necessary to constitute the valid action of the Board. 9 (b) If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Section 6. Consents. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or Committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or Committee. Section 7. Electronic Communication. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting. ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD Section 1. Designation. The Board by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate from among 10 its members one or more committees, each consisting of one or more Directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; provided, however, that in the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Section 2. Minutes; Tenure. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required. Each committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. ARTICLE V COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Directors, as such, may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a 11 fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings. ARTICLE VI NOTICES Section 1. Form; Delivery. Notices to Directors and stockholders shall be in writing and may be delivered personally or by mail or telegram. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when deposited in the post office or a letter box, in a post-paid sealed wrapper, and addressed to Directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the records of the Corporation. Section 2. Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given by any statute, the certificate of incorporation, or these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, should be deemed equivalent to such notice. In addition, any shareholder attending a meeting of stockholders in person or by proxy without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice thereunder to him, and any 12 Directors attending a meeting of the Board without protesting prior to the meeting or its commencement such lack of notice, shall be conclusively deemed to have waived such notice of such meeting. ARTICLE VII OFFICERS Section 1. Offices; Election; and Tenure. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chairman of the Executive Committee, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board may also choose a Vice-President, additional Vice-Presidents, a Senior Managing Director, a Managing Director and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The Board at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chairman of the Board, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and the Board may appoint such other officers and agents as its shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Section 2. Resignation; Removal. Any or all of the officers elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the 13 Board at any time with or without cause and any officer may resign at any time upon written notice. Section 3. Vacancies. If an office becomes vacant for any reason, the Board shall fill such vacancy. Any officer so elected by the Board shall serve only until such time as the unexpired term of his or her predecessor shall have expired unless re-elected by the Board. Section 4. Compensation. The compensation of each officer of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board, and the compensation of agents shall either be so fixed or shall be fixed by officers thereunto duly authorized. Section 5. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and directors at which he is present and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors but, in the absence of such assignment, shall have no executive duties. Section 6. Chairman of Executive Committee. The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation at which he is present and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board 14 of Directors but, in the absence of such assignment, shall have no executive duties. Section 7. Senior Managing Director. The Senior Managing Director, if any, shall perform such duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. Section 8. Managing Director. The Managing Director, if any, shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. Section 9. The President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management of the Corporation and shall exercise such other powers and duties as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. Section 10. Vice-Presidents. The Vice-President, if any, or if there be more than one, the Vice-Presidents in the order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and shall generally assist the President and perform such other duties as the Board or the President shall prescribe. 15 Section 11. The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or President, under whose supervision he or she shall act. He or she shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and, when authorized by the Board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of the Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer. He or she shall keep in safe custody the certificate books and stockholder records and such other books and records as the Board may direct and shall perform all other duties incident to the office of Secretary. Section 12. Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries, in order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties as the Board or the President shall prescribe. 16 Section 13. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of the corporate funds, and other valuable effects, including securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond for such term, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation. Section 14. Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Treasurer, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order of their seniority or in any other order determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of 17 the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the power of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board or the President shall prescribe. ARTICLE VIII SHARE CERTIFICATES Section 1. Form; Signature. The certificates for share of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board and shall be numbered consecutively and entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. Each certificate shall exhibit the registered holder's name and the number and class of shares, and shall be signed by the President and (a) the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or (b) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and shall bear the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. Where any such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, or registered by a registrar, the signature of any such officer may be a facsimile signature. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures were placed on any such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may, nevertheless, be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. 18 Section 2. Lost Certificates. The Board may direct a new share certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the stockholder of the lost or destroyed certificate or his or her legal representative. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed. Section 3. Registration of Transfer. Upon compliance with provisions, if any, restricting the transfer or resignation of transfer of shares and upon surrender to the Corporation or any transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer and the payment of any and all taxes due thereon, it shall be the duty of the Corporation or such transfer agent to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. 19 Section 4. Registered Stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends or other distributions, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person. Section 5. Notations on Certificates. Whenever the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class of stock, and whenever the Corporation shall issue any shares of its stock as partly paid stock, the certificates representing shares of any such class or series or of any such partly paid stock shall set forth thereon the statements prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Any restrictions on the transfer or registration of transfer of any shares of stock of any class or series shall be noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares. Section 6. Fractional Share Interests. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of a share. In lieu thereof it shall either pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share, as determined by the Board, to 20 those entitled thereto or issue scrip or fractional warrants in registered or bearer form over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the Corporation or of its agent, exchangeable as therein provided for full shares, but such scrip or fractional warrants shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a stockholder except as therein provided. Such scrip or fractional warrants may be issued subject to the condition that the same shall become void if not exchanged for certificates representing full shares of stock before a specified date, or subject to the condition that the shares of stock for which such scrip or fractional warrants are exchangeable may be sold by the Corporation and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of such scrip or fractional warrants, or subject to any other conditions which the Board may determine. ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, if any, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation. 21 Section 2. Reserves. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. Section 3. Checks, etc. All checks or demands for money and notes or other instruments evidencing indebtedness or obligations of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate. Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall, unless otherwise fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, commence on the first day of January of each year. Section 5. Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal Delaware". The seal 22 may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced. ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new By-Laws may be adopted: (1) by the stockholders at any regular meeting of the stockholders or at any special meeting of the stockholders if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-Laws is contained in the notice of such special meeting, or (2) by the Board at any regular meeting of the Board or at any special meeting of the Board if notice of such alteration, amendment or adoption of new By-Laws is contained in the notice of such meeting. ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION Section 1. Right to Indemnification. (i) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, including service with 23 respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators, and (ii) the Corporation may indemnify and hold harmless in such manner any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he, she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 3 hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking 24 indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the Corporation. In the event a director or officer of the Corporation shall serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in which the Corporation maintains an investment it shall be conclusively presumed for purposes of the indemnification provided for in subsection (ii) above that such service has been undertaken at the request of the Corporation. The foregoing presumption shall apply regardless of whether such director or officer is serving such entity at the request of a third party or that his or her service with such entity was commenced prior to the effectiveness of this Article of the Certificate of Incorporation or prior to his or her becoming an officer or director of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this subsection (i) above shall be a contract right based upon an offer from the Corporation which shall be deemed to be accepted by such person's service or continued service with the Corporation for any period after the adoption of this Article of the By-Laws and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or 25 officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees or agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers. Section 2. Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under subsection 2(i) of this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible 26 under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders), that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. Section 3. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Section 4. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another 27 corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware Corporation Law. EX-10 3 EXHIBIT (10)-1 EXHIBIT (10)-1 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into as of the 2nd day of January, 1996 by and between THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, (hereinafter referred to as "Forschner" or "the Company"), and JAMES W. KENNEDY (hereinafter referred to as "Mr. Kennedy"). WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy has been Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forschner since February, 1994 and has been continuously employed as an officer by Forschner since 1981, and WHEREAS, Forschner is desirous of the continuation of Mr. Kennedy's employment with the Company. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: l. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and terminate five years from the date hereof (the "Term"). 2. DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE. (a) During the term of this Agreement, Mr. Kennedy shall be employed in such executive capacity as the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate and shall be available to consult and advise on such executive duties as might be requested by senior management of the Company. It is anticipated that Mr. Kennedy's expertise and experience would lead to frequent requests for assistance on, most particularly, but not limited to, issues dealing with the maintenance of corporate trademarks; corporate legal matters; plus support relative to strategic relations with the Victorinox Cutlery Company. Mr. Kennedy shall make himself available to assist with these duties to the Company for a minimum of 85 hours per month. If nominated and elected to the Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. Kennedy agrees to serve as a director of the Company and on any committees of the Board of Directors to which he is elected. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require Mr. Kennedy to relocate outside of the state of Connecticut. 3. BASE SALARY . Forschner shall pay to Mr. Kennedy base salary at the rate of $140,000 per annum, payable in such installments as shall accord with the normal pay practices of the Company. 4. BENEFITS. (a) When eligible under non- discriminatory standards, Mr. Kennedy shall be entitled to participate during the Term in any employee benefit plans maintained by the Company available to executive officers of the 2 Corporation, and shall be entitled to such vacations and holidays as the Company may establish as Company policy. (b) Forschner shall reimburse Mr. Kennedy, in accordance with Forschner's policy applicable to executive officers then in effect, for travel expenses incurred at the request of Forschner. (c) Forschner shall provide to Mr. Kennedy for Mr. Kennedy's exclusive use an automobile of his choosing with a monthly lease price of no more than $800.00 per month inclusive of capital cost reductions, bank fees and other such charges. (d) Forschner shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect during the Term all life insurance policies it currently maintains on the life of Mr. Kennedy, provided that this subsection shall not relate to policies of which the Company is the beneficiary. (e) Forschner shall pay to Mr. Kennedy a bonus of $300,000 on or before on or before January 15, 1996. 5. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. (a) The Company shall be entitled to terminate this agreement in any of the following circumstances: 3 (i) For "cause" by reason of the occurrence of any of the following: (A) willful misfeasance or gross negligence by Mr. Kennedy in the conduct of Mr. Kennedy's duties including the failure of Mr. Kennedy to follow lawful orders of the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (B) a material breach by Mr. Kennedy of this Agreement, (C) the commission of acts of dishonesty or moral turpitude by Mr. Kennedy that are detrimental to the Company and/or its affiliates, or (D) the conviction of, or nolo contendere plea by, Mr. Kennedy in respect of any felony. (ii) Mental or physical incapacity or inability of Mr. Kennedy to perform his duties for a consecutive period of 120 days or a non-consecutive period of 180 days during any twelve month period; or (iii) The death of Mr. Kennedy. (b) In the event of termination pursuant to the terms of this section, the obligations of the Company to provide benefits other than those already vested as provided herein shall cease upon such termination. 6. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE. (a) Mr. Kennedy acknowledges that in the course of his employment hereunder and his employment by the Company, he has and will become privy to 4 various economic and trade secrets and relationships of the Company and its affiliates. Therefore, in consideration of this Agreement, Mr. Kennedy hereby agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, except for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates: (i) during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, on behalf of himself or any other person: (A) solicit, entice, persuade or induce any employee of the Company or any affiliate, or any other person, who is under contract with or rendering services or supplying products to the Company or any affiliate, or any such individual or entity who held any such status during the two-year period preceding termination of this Agreement, (w) to terminate his or its employment by, or contractual relationship with, the Company or any affiliate or (x) to refrain from extending or renewing the same (upon the same or new terms) or (y) to refrain from rendering services to the Company or any affiliate, or (z) to become employed by or to enter into contractual relations with persons other than the Company; or (B) authorize or knowingly approve or assist in the taking of any such actions by any person other than the Company. 5 (ii)(A) subject to the exceptions contained in Section 6(a)(ii)(B), for a period ending three years after termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, consultant, officer, director, partner, shareholder or otherwise compete with the business of Forschner as the same is then conducted nor engage in the business of selling or offering for sale watches or knives. (B) this subsection 6(a)(ii) shall not restrict Mr. Kennedy from: (x) in any capacity participating in the sale of golf equipment to any persons nor (y) the sale to golf pros and golf pro shops of products purchased from Forschner for use as awards or premiums, nor (z) the sale to such persons for such purpose of watches which are not competitive with any watches then being sold or offered for sale by Forschner. (C) for purposes of this subsection 6 (a)(ii) the term "Forschner" shall include Forschner and all entities directly or indirectly controlled, controlling or under common control with Forschner provided that if Forschner becomes controlled by another entity, the restrictions of that section shall not apply to businesses of that controlling entity and its other controlled affiliates other than businesses in which Forschner and its affiliates were engaged at the time of such change of control and logical extensions of such businesses. 6 (b)(i) Mr. Kennedy acknowledges that he has substantial capabilities and experience in fields other than those which would be competitive with the Company and that the restrictions set forth above would not hinder his ability to earn a livelihood. (ii) If any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 6 should, for any reason whatsoever, be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such restrictions shall not thereby be adversely affected. Mr. Kennedy agrees that the territorial and time limitations and other restrictions in this Section 6 are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the business of the Company, and that if any such territorial or time limitations or other restrictions is held unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then he agrees and submits to the reduction of said territorial or time limitation or other restrictions to such area or period as such court shall find reasonable. (c) The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Kennedy shall not be bound by the provisions of Section 6(a)(ii) above if his employment hereunder is terminated by the Company other than pursuant to Section 5(a) hereof. 7 7. CONFIDENTIALITY. During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Mr. Kennedy will keep secret and will not, without the express written consent of the Company: (a) knowingly divulge or communicate to any third person, or use for the benefit of Mr. Kennedy or any third person, any trade secrets or privileged, proprietary or confidential information used or owned by the Company or any affiliate or disclosed to or learned by him in the course of his employment by the Company including, without limitation, information concerning products, profitability, the identity of, and information relating to dealings with customers and suppliers; or (b) retain for the benefit of himself or any third person any document or paper used or owned by the Company or any affiliate or coming into his possession in the course of his employment hereunder or make or cause to be made any copy, abstract, or summary thereof. 8. REMEDIES. Because the services of Mr. Kennedy hereunder are unique and extraordinary and the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law to protect its business from Mr. Kennedy's competition or to protect its interest in its trade secrets, confidential information and similar commercial assets, Mr. Kennedy agrees that any breach or threatened breach of any 8 provision of provisions of this Agreement relating to non-competition and confidentiality shall entitle the Company, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies available to it, to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin such breach or threatened breach without the posting of any bond or any security. 9. REPAYMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS. The Company may set off the indebtedness of Mr. Kennedy to the Company in the original principal amount of $87,500 plus accrued interest, against the bonus payment to be made pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof; provided, however, that the Company may not set off the first $100,000 of such bonus payment. 10. DIVISIBILITY OF AGREEMENT. In the event that any term, condition or provision of this Agreement is for any reason rendered void, all remaining terms, conditions and provisions shall remain and continue as valid and enforceable obligations of the parties hereto. 11. NOTICES. Any notices or other communications required or permitted to be sent hereunder shall be in writing and shall be duly given if personally delivered or sent postage pre-paid by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or sent by electronic transmission and confirmed by mail within two business days of such transmission, as follows: 9 (a) If to Mr. Kennedy: 1580 North Peters Lane Stratford, Connecticut 06497 (b) If to Forschner: The Forschner Group, Inc One Research Drive Shelton, Connecticut 06484 Either party may change his or its address for the sending of notice to such party by written notice to the other party sent in accordance with the provisions hereof. 12. MERGER. This Agreement merges and supersedes any and all other agreements between the parties hereof related in any way to the employment of Mr. Kennedy including the letter agreement between the Company and Mr. Kennedy dated October 6, 1995 and the letter agreement between the Company and Mr. Kennedy dated October 6, 1995 relating to Mr. Kennedy's stock options which letter agreements are hereby terminated. This Agreement may not be altered or amended except by a writing, duly executed by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced. 12. ARBITRATION. All claims arising out of or in connection with Mr. Kennedy's employment by the Company shall be subject to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association in the City of New York. In so agreeing, the parties understand that they may be giving up the right to have such claims tried in court or enforced by a regulatory 10 agency, but they have elected to have such claims covered by this alternate dispute resolution procedure. 13. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Connecticut with respect to agreements made and to be performed wholly therein. 14. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by Mr. Kennedy. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease or sell all or substantially all of its assets and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. 15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 11 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. /s/ James W. Kennedy ------------------------------- James W. Kennedy THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Thomas D. Cunningham ------------------------------- Title: 12 EX-10 4 EXHIBIT (10)-2 EXHIBIT (10)-2 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. Warrant to Purchase Shares Warrant granted as of December 13, 1995, (hereinafter referred to as the "Date of Grant") by THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. (the "Corporation") to J. Merrick Taggart (the "Grantee"): 1. The Warrant. (a) For value received, the Corporation hereby grants to the Grantee, effective on the Date of Grant, a warrant (the "Warrant") to purchase, on the terms and conditions herein set forth, up to 100,000 shares of the Corporation's fully paid, nonassessable shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, (the "Shares"), at the exercise price set forth above. (b) The Warrant is granted pursuant to the agreement of the Corporation in connection with Grantee's acceptance of employment by the Corporation, which arrangement was ratified by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting held on December 13, 1995. 2. The Purchase Price. The purchase price of the Shares shall be $12.50 per share, which price is no less than the fair market value of the Shares as of the date of grant. 3. Exercise of Warrant. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Warrant is exercisable over a period of ten years from the Date of Grant (the "Warrant Period") in accordance with the following schedule: Percent of Shares Subject Date to Warrant Purchasable ---- ------------------------- From the Date of Grant to the first anniversary. 25% From the first anniversary of the Date of Grant to the second anniversary. 50% From the second anniversary of the Date of Grant to the third anniversary. 75% From the third anniversary of the Date of Grant to the tenth anniversary. 100% The Warrant may be exercised from time to time during the Warrant Period as to the total number of Shares allowable under this Section 3(a), or any lesser amount thereof, provided that if this Warrant is exercisable as to 100 or more shares, then this Warrant may not be exercised for fewer than 100 shares at any one time, and if this Warrant is exercisable as to fewer than 100 shares, then this Warrant may not be exercised to purchase fewer than all of such shares. (b) Not less than fifteen calendar days nor more than thirty calendar days prior to the date upon which all or any - 2 - portion of the Warrant is to be exercised, the person entitled to exercise the Warrant shall deliver to the Corporation written notice (the "Notice") of his election to exercise all or a part of the Warrant, which Notice shall specify the date for the exercise of the Warrant and the number of Shares in respect of which the Warrant is to be exercised. The date specified in the Notice shall be a business day of the Corporation. (c) On the date specified in the Notice, the person entitled to exercise the Warrant shall pay to the Corporation the Warrant Price of the Shares in respect of which the Warrant is exercised and the amount of any Federal and state withholding taxes (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price shall be paid in full at the time of purchase, in cash or by check or with stock of the Corporation owned by the Grantee for at least six months prior to the date specified in the Notice, the value of which shall be determined in accordance with the Corporation's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). If the Warrant is exercised in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Corporation shall deliver to such person certificates representing the number of Shares or other securities in respect of which the Warrant is being exercised, which Shares or other securities shall be registered in his name. (d) The Grantee acknowledges that the right of the Grantee to exercise the Warrant shall terminate six months - 3 - after the first date after issuance of the Warrant on which the Grantee shall for any reason whatsoever (except for the death of the Grantee) cease to be an employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Plan) (such first date on which the Grantee shall cease to be an employee being referred to as the "Vesting Termination Date"), and that during such six month period, Grantee shall have the right to exercise the Warrant only to the extent that such right had accrued on the Vesting Termination Date; provided, however, that in the event of the death of the Grantee, the right to exercise the Warrant shall terminate at the time set forth in paragraph (b) of Section 7 hereof, and provided further that this Warrant is not in any event exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. The Grantee and the Corporation acknowledge that neither this Agreement nor the existence of the Warrant shall directly or indirectly give rise to any obligation on the part of the Grantee or the Corporation in respect of the continued employment of the Grantee nor confer upon the Grantee any of the rights of a shareholder, including, without limitation, the right to inquire with the management of the Corporation and to examine the books and records of the Corporation. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 3, in the event of the dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Corporation, with or into, or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to a - 4 - corporation not controlled by the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction, during the term hereof, the Warrant shall become immediately exercisable at the election of the Grantee as to all or any part of the Shares not theretofore issued and sold hereunder. The Corporation shall provide the Grantee with at least 30 calendar days notice of the consummation of any of the events referred to in the preceding sentence, during which period the Grantee may so exercise the Warrant. In such event, if the Warrant is not exercised prior to the occurrence of such event, the unexercised portion of the Warrant shall terminate upon the happening of such occurrence. In the event that there shall occur a transaction, other than a merger or sale of assets described above, which, in the judgment of the Stock Option and Compensation Committee of the Corporation shall make it impossible or impracticable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, alternative provisions shall be made so as nearly as possible to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be deemed to have been amended to conform to such provisions. (f) For purposes hereof, the terms "control" and "controlled" shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. - 5 - 4. Securities Law Matters and Transfer of Shares. (a) The Grantee represents and warrants that he is acquiring this Warrant and, in the event this Warrant is exercised, the Shares, for investment, for his own account and not with a view to the distribution thereof, and that the Grantee has no present intention of disposing of this Warrant or the Shares or any interest therein or sharing ownership thereof with any other person or entity. (b) The Grantee agrees that at the time of his exercise of the Warrant, he will furnish to the Corporation evidence, upon request, satisfactory to the Corporation, that he is an accredited investor as that term is defined in Rule 501 of the Regulations pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Act"), or a reasoned opinion of counsel in form and content satisfactory to the Corporation to the effect that the exercise of the Warrant by the Grantee does not violate any provision of the Act. (c) Any person acquiring Shares pursuant to bequest or inheritance shall, as a condition of acquiring the same, execute a document satisfactory to the Corporation agreeing to be bound by all of the restrictions of this Agreement to the full extent that such restrictions would have applied to the Grantee. - 6 - (d) The Grantee agrees that regardless of compliance with the other provisions of this Section 4, he will not at any time offer, sell, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer any of the Shares unless either: (i) A registration statement covering the Shares which are to be so offered (and their sale by the transferor thereof) has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act and such sale, transfer or other disposition is accompanied by a prospectus relating to a registration statement which is in effect under the Act covering the Shares which are to be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Act; or (ii) Counsel satisfactory to the Corporation renders a reasoned opinion in writing and addressed to the Corporation, satisfactory in form and substance to the Corporation and its counsel, that in the opinion of such counsel such proposed sale, offer, transfer or other disposition of the Shares is exempt from the provisions of Section 5 of the Act in view of the circumstances of such proposed offer, sale, transfer or other disposition. - 7 - (e) The Grantee acknowledges that (i) the Shares and the Warrant constitute "securities" under the Act and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or the Rules and Regulations promulgated under said Acts; (ii) the Shares may be required to be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act for sale by the transferee or an exemption from such registration is available; and (iii) the Corporation is not under any obligation with respect to the registration of the Shares. (f) The certificate or certificates representing the Shares may have an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions upon transfers set forth herein. (g) The Grantee acknowledges that, in the event of termination of his employment with the Corporation, his rights to exercise the Warrant are restricted as set forth in this Agreement. (h) The Grantee is advised that the Grantee or the Grantee's legal representative, as the case may be, may be required to make an appropriate representation at the time of any exercise of this Warrant in form and substance similar to the representations contained herein, relating to the Shares then being purchased. - 8 - 5. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor or assign of the Corporation and, to the extent herein provided, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Grantee's legal representatives. 6. Adjustment of Warrants. (a) The number of Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant, or the amount and kind of other securities issuable in addition thereto or in lieu thereof upon the occurrence of the events specified in Section 8 of the Plan, shall be determined and subject to adjustment, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures therein specified. (b) Fractional shares resulting from any adjustment in the Warrant pursuant to this section may be settled in cash or otherwise as the Committee shall determine. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Corporation to Grantee, and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of this Agreement. 7. Exercise and Transferability of Warrant. (a) During the lifetime of the Grantee, this Warrant is exercisable only by the Grantee and shall not be - 9 - assignable or transferable by the Grantee, and no other person shall acquire any rights therein. (b) If the Grantee shall die during the Warrant Period while in the employ of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries as defined in the Plan and shall not have fully exercised the Warrant, the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent that the Grantee's right to exercise the Warrant had accrued at the time of his death and had not been previously exercised, by the executor(s) or administrator(s) of the Grantee or by any person(s) who shall have acquired the Warrant directly from the Grantee by bequest or inheritance, provided that the executor(s), administrator(s), or any person(s) acquiring the Warrant by bequest or inheritance agrees to all the provisions of this Agreement, but only prior to the first to occur of (i) the expiration of the Warrant Period or (ii) the expiration of the period of one year after the date of the Grantee's death. - 10 - If the foregoing is in accordance with the Grantee's understanding and approved by him, he may so confirm by signing and returning the duplicate of this Agreement delivered for that purpose. THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. By /s/ Thomas D. Cunningham -------------------------- The foregoing is in accordance with my understanding and is hereby confirmed and agreed to as of the Date of Grant. /s/ J. Merrick Taggart -------------------------- J. Merrick Taggart - 11 - EX-10 5 EXHIBIT (10)-3 EXHIBIT (10)-3 THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. December 18, 1996 Victorinox Cutlery Company CH-6438 Ibach-Schwyz Switzerland Gentlemen: Please refer to the distributorship agreement between The Forschner Group, Inc. and Victorinox dated December 12, 1983 as amended. Forschner and Victorinox hereby agree as follows: 1. The 5% discount granted in the amendment dated October 25, 1988 is hereby terminated and, in place of that Victorinox agrees to grant Forschner and its affiliates a quantity discount of 4% on the lowest prices specified in Paragraph 4 of our mutual agreement of October 20, 1986 for pocket knives, and a quantity discount of 3% on such prices for cutlery, effective for all invoices including premium knives (only knife bodies). 2. Victorinox Cutlery Company hereby agrees to reduce for 1996 the 85% minimum purchase requirement set forth in Paragraph 1 of the Mutual Agreement dated September 15, 1986 between Forschner and Victorinox to 75% of the maximum of Swiss Army Knives purchased by Forschner from Victorinox in any prior year. If the foregoing correctly states our mutual understanding, kindly so indicate by signing and returning to us a copy of this letter. Very truly yours, THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. By: /s/ David J. Parcells --------------------------- CONFIRMED AND AGREED VICTORINOX CUTLERY COMPANY By: /s/ Charles Elsener --------------------- EX-21 6 EXHIBIT 21 EXHIBIT 21 LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF THE FORSCHNER GROUP, INC. Cuisine de France Limited Excelsior Advertising, Inc. Forcan, Inc. The Forschner Group (Suisse) S.A. Swiss Army Brands, Ltd. Victorinox Watch Importing Corporation Forschner Watch Repair, Inc. EX-23 7 EXHIBIT 23 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our reports included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed registration statements. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Stamford, Connecticut March 27, 1996 - 14 - EX-27 8 FDS FOR YEAR 1995
5 1,000 12-MOS DEC-31-1994 JAN-01-1995 DEC-31-1995 609 0 32,945 975 36,733 74,355 4,106 4,386 101,230 16,291 0 880 0 0 84,059 101,230 126,695 126,695 82,431 40,265 1,854 0 217 5,636 2,523 3,113 0 0 0 3,113 .38 .38 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----