-----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, SQUf8kgiI0uWphh2SM2rxmt6mJWIdMZ4OmdAs6KP+nXbkBCqUE6BU5VxnkHOlbi7 RUp9HuxNl+9TX3o9ranv+w== 0000950135-99-001467.txt : 19990325 0000950135-99-001467.hdr.sgml : 19990325 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950135-99-001467 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K405 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990324 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000770949 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RUBBER & PLASTICS FOOTWEAR [3021] IRS NUMBER: 042678061 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K405 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09340 FILM NUMBER: 99571196 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 TECHNOLOGY CTR DR CITY: STOUGHTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02072 BUSINESS PHONE: 7814015000 10-K405 1 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL, LTD. 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 Commission File Number 1-9340 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 04-2678061 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 100 TECHNOLOGY CENTER DRIVE, STOUGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02072 (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (781) 401-5000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Name of each exchange each class on which registered Common Stock, par value, $.01 per share New York Stock Exchange Common Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] As of March 11, 1999, the aggregate market value of the registrant's voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $799,931,073. As of March 11, 1999, 55,969,886 shares of the registrant's Common Stock were outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (certain parts as indicated herein in Parts I, II and IV). Definitive Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1999 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 4, 1999 (certain parts as indicated herein in Part III). 2 PART I Item 1. Business. Reebok International Ltd., a Massachusetts corporation organized on July 26, 1979, is a global company engaged primarily in the design and marketing of sports and fitness products, including footwear and apparel, as well as the design and marketing of footwear and apparel for non-athletic "casual" use. The Company has four major brand groups: the Reebok Division, which is primarily responsible for the Company's REEBOK(R) brand, the Greg Norman Division, which is responsible for the GREG NORMAN(R) brand, and the Company's subsidiaries, The Rockport Company, Inc. ("Rockport") which is responsible for the ROCKPORT(R) brand, and Ralph Lauren Footwear Co., Inc. which is responsible for footwear sold under the RALPH LAUREN(R) and POLO SPORT(R) brands. (Reebok International Ltd. is referred to herein, together with its subsidiaries, as "Reebok" or the "Company" unless the context requires otherwise.) During calendar year 1998, net income for the Company decreased to $23.9 million, or $.42 per diluted share (inclusive of a $35 million (pre-tax) special charge in the first quarter for personnel-related expenses in connection with ongoing business re-engineering efforts and the restructuring of certain underperforming marketing contracts) from $135.1 million, or $2.32 per diluted share (inclusive of special charges related to the Company's global restructuring activities and the restructuring of a number of marketing contracts, as well as a special tax benefit related to a favorable ruling concerning outstanding tax matters associated with the June 1996 sale of the Company's Avia subsidiary), for the year ended December 31, 1997. Net sales for the Company decreased by 11.5%, from $3.644 billion in 1997 to $3.225 billion in 1998. The following is a discussion of the business of each of the Company's operating units. REEBOK DIVISION The Reebok Division designs, produces and markets sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, that combine the attributes of athletic performance and style, as well as related sports and fitness products. The Division's products include footwear for a variety of sports and fitness categories, lifestyle footwear marketed under the Reebok Classic brand, and sports and fitness apparel and accessories. The Reebok Division's products also include footwear and apparel for children sold under the REEBOK(R) brand, as well as footwear and apparel sold under the WEEBOK(R) brand. The Division continues to expand its product scope through its strategic licensing program, pursuant to which the Company's technologies and/or trademarks are licensed to third parties for fitness equipment, sporting goods, sports and fitness videos and related products and services. The Reebok Division has recently been reorganized into six strategic business units (SBU's), each of which will have responsibility for product and marketing for the unit's business, as well as certain responsibility for profitability and cash flow for the unit. The SBU's are: The Classic Footwear SBU, which will focus on lifestyle footwear; The Performance Footwear SBU, which will be responsible for Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Training, Football, Golf, Running, Soccer, Tennis and Adventure/Outdoor footwear categories; The Fitness SBU, which will be responsible for men's and women's Fitness and Walking footwear categories, the Division's existing exercise equipment business and other related sports and fitness products (under the Division's licensing program) and Reebok University; 1 3 The Global Apparel SBU, which is responsible for sports and fitness apparel worldwide; The Kids' Products SBU, which will focus on children's products sold under the REEBOK and WEEBOK brands; and The Retail Operations SBU, which will be responsible for Reebok retail stores, as well as developing retail merchandising and promotional concept. During the past few years, the Reebok Division has focused its efforts on enhancing the performance of its products and developing proprietary technologies which can help consumers reach their own personal level of achievement. The Reebok Division seeks to broaden its targeted customer base beyond athletes, to include consumers of all ages who seek sports and fitness products that will help them lead healthier and happier lives. By building upon its heritage and strengths in the fitness and lifestyle categories, the Division's strong technology platform and its reputation as an authentic performance brand, Reebok plans to offer products that appeal to a broad segment of the marketplace. TECHNOLOGY Reebok places a strong emphasis on technology and has continued to incorporate various proprietary performance technologies in its products, focusing on cushioning, stability and lightweight features. As part of its commitment to offer leading footwear technologies, the Division engages in product research, development and design activities in the Company's Stoughton, Massachusetts headquarters, where it has a state-of-the-art 50,000 square foot product development facility which is dedicated to the design and development of technologically-advanced athletic and fitness footwear, and in its various Far East offices. Reebok also has product development centers in the Far East to enable its development activities to be more closely integrated with production. There are development centers in Korea and in China and a new development center was opened in Taiwan in 1998. Reebok's most significant proprietary technology is its DMX(R) technology which provides superb cushioning utilizing an active air flow system. Originally introduced in 1995, Reebok has enhanced and expanded this technology by developing multiple versions of DMX to meet the performance demands of various activities. This structure is set up to take into account performance attributes, aesthetics and price among the various versions. Reebok currently offers a broad array of products which incorporate the different versions of DMX at various price-points, and in numerous footwear categories. For example, the Company's DMX 10 technology incorporates a ten-pod, heel to forefoot, active air transfer system delivering cushioning when and where it is needed. The DMX(R) 10 technology was first introduced at retail in April 1997 in the Run DMX. In February 1998, Reebok debuted at retail DMX 6, a six-pod, heel to forefoot, active air transfer system, in a running shoe, Run DMX 6. During 1998, the Company further expanded its offering of products featuring DMX technology, and began offering DMX Lite products which combine the cushioning benefits of the DMX technology with the lightweight advantages of the 3D ULTRALITE technology (discussed below). In November 1998, Reebok introduced The Answer II, an Allen Iverson signature basketball shoe which combines DMX and 3D ULTRALITE. The Fusion shoe, which combines the DMX 10 pod system with 3D ULTRALITE was introduced in early 1999. The Company plans to introduce other DMX Lite products in 1999. 2 4 3D ULTRALITE technology is Reebok's approach to lightweight performance footwear. 3D ULTRALITE is a proprietary material that allows the midsole and outsole to be combined in one injection molded unit composed of foam and rubber, thus making the shoe lightweight, flexible and durable. In 1998, the Company expanded its introduction of 3D ULTRALITE technology at retail in a variety of footwear categories. Finally, Reebok has incorporated advanced technology into its apparel products with the introduction of HYDROMOVE(R) technology in certain performance apparel. This moisture management system helps keep athletes warm in cold weather and dry and cool in hot weather. Performance apparel incorporating the HYDROMOVE technology first became available at retail at the end of 1996. During 1998 Reebok continued to offer apparel products incorporating the HYDROMOVE technology. MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES The Reebok Division devotes significant resources to advertising its products to a variety of audiences through television, radio and print media and utilizes its relationships with major sports figures in a variety of sports to maintain and enhance visibility for the REEBOK brand. The Reebok Division's advertising program in 1998 was directed toward both the trade and the ultimate consumers of REEBOK(R) products. The major advertising campaigns in 1998 included the "Creating Possibilities" campaign which focused on Reebok's proprietary DMX and 3D ULTRALITE technologies and their ability to create possibilities for athletes, one athlete at a time, and the "Clones" ad campaign which featured Reebok breaking out from the competition with its DMX technology and proclaimed the DMX(R) 10 running shoe as "The Best Running Shoe in the History of the World". Consistent with the Division's effort to broaden its consumer appeal, "Reebok Unlimited" has been adopted as the marketing umbrella for the brand, representing unlimited possibilities and the "unlimited" array of products that Reebok offers consumers for the various aspects of their life, from performance products to lifestyle and children's products. Under this umbrella, the Division is currently testing and developing a new brand position "The Human Movement" reflecting increasing consumer frustration with professional sports and its current emphasis on unhealthy economic and competitive attitudes over the love of sport itself. This humanity positioning is the very essence of the original values of the REEBOK brand, grounded in the Reebok Human Rights Awards, Reebok's efforts to improve factory working conditions and Reebok's focus on comfort and performance product benefits that consumers can feel. Consistent with this positioning, the Division continues to be significantly involved in athletic endorsements and sport sponsorships, but has focused on fewer key sponsorships, achieving more of a balance in its marketing activities and promoting fitness and other activities, as well as sports. Some of the key athlete endorsements in 1998 included Reebok's endorsement arrangement with Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, with whom Reebok markets a signature line of footwear and apparel. Other endorsements in basketball in 1998 came from professional players such as Shawn Kemp, Kenny Anderson and Steve Smith. In addition, Reebok sponsors a number of college basketball programs and has a sponsorship agreement with the Harlem Globetrotters. To promote the sale of its cross training footwear in 1998, Reebok used endorsements by prominent athletes such as National Football League ("NFL") players Derrick Thomas, John Elway, Herman Moore and Ben Coates, as well as Major League Baseball ("MLB") players Juan Gonzalez , Nomar Garciaparra, Mo Vaughn and Roger Clemens. To promote its cleated football and baseball shoes, the Company also has endorsement contracts with numerous MLB and NFL players, and sponsors a number of college football programs. 3 5 The Company has an agreement with NFL Properties under which Reebok has been designated a "Pro Line" licensee for the U.S. and international markets with the right to produce and market uniforms and sideline apparel bearing NFL team logos. Pursuant to this agreement, in 1998 Reebok supplied uniforms and sideline apparel to the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons. This arrangement ended with the 1998 season. In addition to the Pro Line license, Reebok has an agreement with the NFL under which Reebok is one of only three brands authorized to provide NFL players with footwear that has visible logos. In soccer, Reebok has a number of sponsorship agreements including contracts with Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal and the Netherlands, Spain's Raul who plays for European Cup holder Real Madrid and Spain, and Argentinean Gabriel Batistuta of Fiorentina. The Company also has major sponsorship agreements with the Liverpool Football Club, one of the world's best known club soccer teams, and, beginning in 1999, with the Argentina National Football Association, who are two time World Cup winners. In addition, Reebok sponsors the national teams of Colombia and Chile, as well as such club teams as Aston Villa (UK), Borussia Moenchengladbach (Germany), Palmeiras (Brazil), Brondby (Denmark) and the Bolton Wanderers of England, for which the sponsorship includes naming rights to the team's new soccer arena, the Reebok Stadium. Reebok is also the official uniform supplier of U.S. Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution. Tennis promotions in 1998 included endorsement contracts with well-known professionals including Venus Williams, Patrick Rafter and Michael Chang. Promotional efforts in running included endorsement contracts with such prominent runners as Ato Boldon, Kim Batten and Marie Jose Perec. To promote its women's sports and fitness products, Reebok sponsored athletes such as Rebecca Lobo of the WNBA, as well as Michelle Akers and Julie Foudy of the U.S. national soccer team, Lisa Fernandez of the U.S. national softball team and Liz Masakayan, pro beach volleyball player. In addition, Reebok sponsors a variety of college basketball and volleyball teams. In 1998 the Reebok Division also continued its promotional and educational efforts in the fitness area. Through Reebok University and its network of Master trainers and Alliance fitness instructors, the Division develops and promotes numerous fitness programs such as its WALK REEBOK program which promotes walking, its CYCLE REEBOK program that features the CYCLE REEBOK studio cycle, the Reebok Flexible Strength program that develops strength and flexibility simultaneously and the RNT and Reebok Strength programs which focus on strength training. These programs were complemented by the marketing and sale of a line of REEBOK(R) fitness videos, as well as the marketing and sale of REEBOK fitness equipment products such as the STEP REEBOK exercise platform, the CYCLE REEBOK studio cycle, the REEBOK Body Trec, the REEBOK ACD line of home treadmills and the REEBOK home bike collection. To gain further visibility for the REEBOK brand, Reebok has entered into certain key sport sponsorships, such as an arrangement under which Reebok was designated the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Russian Olympic Committee and approximately 25 individual associated Russian sports federations; this arrangement was extended through the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, Reebok will be an official sponsor of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the official sports brand of the 1998 and 2000 Australian Olympic teams, as well as an official sponsor and supplier of sports footwear and apparel to the national Olympic teams from New Zealand, Poland and South Africa. Reebok also has school-wide sponsorship arrangements with colleges such as University of Texas, University of Virginia and University of Wisconsin. In 1998, the Reebok Division also ran marketing promotions on its Internet website. 4 6 During 1998 the Reebok Division brought its message on product performance and brand essence directly to the consumer. As part of this strategy, the Division launched a direct-to-the-consumer campaign called "Try on the Future" in 1998 which involved a nationwide mobile tour designed to give consumers the opportunity to experience and "try on" Reebok's new products and technologies. The campaign generated positive responses from consumers regarding REEBOK products. U.S. OPERATIONS The Reebok Division's U.S. operations unit is responsible for all footwear and apparel products sold in the United States by the Division. This unit is also responsible for operations in Canada which are managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary. Sales of footwear in the United States totaled approximately $1.062 billion in 1998 compared to $1.229 billion in 1997. REEBOK(R) brand apparel sales (including GREG NORMAN(R) apparel) in the U.S. in 1998 totalled approximately $362.2 million, compared to approximately $431.9 million in 1997. In the U.S., the Reebok Division uses both an employee sales force as well as independent sales representatives to sell its products. Reebok's U.S. national sales staff and locally-based sales employees and sales representatives are supported by field service representatives employed by Reebok who travel to assist in retail merchandising efforts and provide information to consumers and retailers regarding the features of the Company's products. The Division's U.S. distribution strategy emphasizes high-quality retailers and seeks to avoid lower-margin mass merchandisers and discount outlets. REEBOK(R) footwear is distributed primarily through specialty athletic retailers, sporting goods stores and department stores, with specialty products, such as golf products and equipment, also being distributed in certain specialty channels. Distribution of the Company's apparel line is predominantly through department, sporting goods and specialty stores. The Reebok Division also sells its products through REEBOK(R) concept or company stores, see discussion under "Retail" below. INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS The Reebok Division's international sales are coordinated from the Company's corporate headquarters in Stoughton, Massachusetts, which is also where the Division's regional operations responsible for Latin America are located. There are also regional offices in Leusden, Holland, which is responsible for Europe; in Hong Kong, which is responsible for Far East operations; and in Delhi, India, which is responsible for India, the Middle East and Africa. The Canadian operations of the Division are managed through a wholly-owned subsidiary headquartered outside of Toronto, Canada. The Division markets REEBOK(R) products internationally through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and majority-owned subsidiaries in Japan, India, South Korea, Spain and South Africa. In November 1998, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary to assume responsibility for the distribution of REEBOK and ROCKPORT products in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, following the bankruptcy of Reebok's former distributor for this territory. The Company anticipates divesting its minority stake in its Brazilian distributor, which will thereafter function as an independent distributor. REEBOK products are also marketed internationally through 28 independent distributors and joint ventures in which the Company holds a minority interest. The Company or its wholly-owned U.K. subsidiary holds partial ownership interests in 6 of these international distributors, with its percentage of ownership ranging from 30 to 35 percent. Through this international distribution network products bearing the REEBOK brand are actively marketed in approximately 170 countries and territories. 5 7 In 1998 Reebok continued restructuring its international logistics operations. This global restructuring effort includes reducing the number of European warehouses in operation, establishing a shared services company to centralize European administrative operations, and implementing a global management information system. The global restructuring initiative, a major portion of which is expected to be completed in 1999, should enable the Company to achieve operational efficiencies and to manage its business on a global basis more cost-effectively. In November 1998 Reebok began receiving limited product in its new 700,000 square foot distribution center in Rotterdam, which will ultimately receive all inbound product for European distribution. The facility began limited shipping in January 1999 for one Reebok European distributor and other European distributors will be gradually phased in through 1999 and 2000. Reebok's shared services company has also begun operation and provides administrative support to a few European distributors. The shared services company will expand its operation to additional European distributors during 1999. During 1998 the contribution of the Division's International operations unit to overall sales of REEBOK(R) products (including GREG NORMAN(R) apparel) decreased to $1.267 billion from $1.471 billion in 1997. The Division's 1998 international sales were negatively impacted by adverse financial conditions in Latin America, the Far East and Russia, as well as foreign currency exchange rates. These sales figures do not reflect the full wholesale value of all REEBOK products sold outside the United States in 1998 because some of the Division's distributors are not subsidiaries and thus their sales to retailers are not included in the calculation of the Division's international sales. If the full wholesale value of all international sales of REEBOK products are included, total sales of REEBOK products outside the United States represent approximately $1.454 billion in wholesale value, consisting of approximately 29.6 million pairs of shoes totalling approximately $828.8 million in wholesale value of footwear sold outside the United States in 1998 (compared with approximately 33.2 million pairs totalling approximately $1.098 billion in 1997) and approximately $625.1 million in wholesale value of REEBOK apparel (including GREG NORMAN apparel) sold outside the United States in 1998 (compared with approximately $680.5 million in 1997). LICENSING The Company has continued to pursue its strategic trademark and technology licensing program begun in 1991. This program is designed to pursue opportunities for licensing the Company's trademarks, patents and other intellectual property to third parties for sporting goods, apparel and related products and services. The licensing program is focused on expanding the REEBOK(R) brand into new sports and fitness markets and enhancing the reputation of the Company's brands and technologies. The Company has pursued strategic alliances with licensees who Reebok believes are leaders and innovators in their product categories and who share Reebok's commitment to offering superior, innovative products. The Company believes that its licensing program reinforces Reebok's reputation as a market leader. The Company's licensing program includes such products as a full line of athletic gloves, all featuring the REEBOK trademark and Reebok's Vector Logo; a collection of REEBOK performance sports sunglasses; REEBOK weight belts, both with and without Reebok's INSTAPUMP(TM) technology, a collection of REEBOK infant and toddler apparel, a line of REEBOK team uniforms and jackets, and REEBOK school supplies. Through licensees, Reebok also sells REEBOK fitness videos and REEBOK fitness audio tapes. Pursuant to its licensing program, Reebok has a full line of REEBOK fitness equipment products for the home market, as well as fitness equipment products designed for use in health clubs and other institutional markets. The initial home fitness products debuted at the Super Show in Atlanta in February 1998. Home fitness products include the REEBOK ACD line of home treadmills, 6 8 the REEBOK elliptical cross-trainer and the REEBOK home bike collection. Reebok's line of club fitness products include the REEBOK Body Trec(TM), REEBOK Body Peak, REEBOK Studio Cycle and the REEBOK Ridge Rocker. Through its licensee, Reebok also launched a line of strength equipment products in April 1998 in Europe and introduced a line of REEBOK strength products in the U.S. at the end of 1998. Reebok has also entered into various license agreements for the sale of the REEBOK fitness equipment products internationally. As part of the Company's licensing program, WEEBOK(R) infant and toddler apparel and accessories and a line of WEEBOK(R) footwear are sold by licensees. WEEBOK is a fashion-oriented, kid specific brand, which offers apparel in sizes 0-7 and footwear in sizes 0-12. Reebok is a partner in the REEBOK Sports Club/NY, a premier sports and fitness complex in New York City featuring a wide array of fitness equipment, facilities and services in a luxurious atmosphere. The club utilizes approximately 125,000 square feet and occupies 5 floors of the Lincoln Square project. A REEBOK concept store, as well as ROCKPORT and GREG NORMAN concept stores, is located in the building. Reebok has also entered into a license agreement under which its licensee developed a Reebok Sports and Fitness Center in Bologna, Italy, which opened in early 1999. RETAIL The Company operates in the United States approximately 175 factory direct stores (including REEBOK, ROCKPORT and GREG NORMAN stores and combination stores, in which stores for all three brands are located at a single site) which sell a variety of footwear, apparel and accessories marketed under the Company's various brands. The Company intends to continue to open additional factory direct stores, although its policy is to locate and operate these retail outlets in such a way as to minimize disruption to its normal channels of distribution. The Company also operates a REEBOK(R) "concept" or company retail store in New York City. The store sells a wide selection of current, in-line REEBOK(R), footwear and apparel. Internationally, there are a number of REEBOK retail stores owned by the Company, its subsidiaries or its independent distributors. The Company continues to open retail stores either directly or through its distributors in numerous international markets. REEBOK retail shops are important means of presenting the brand in markets such as China, India, Korea, Russia and South America, as well as in other international markets. The Company is currently working to develop a retail store concept to showcase the REEBOK brand at retail and expects to incorporate this design into independently-owned retail stores, dedicated exclusively to the sale of Reebok products. In 1998 the Company tested one such concept in a store in the United States and further testing will be done in 1999. THE ROCKPORT COMPANY The Company's Rockport subsidiary, headquartered in Marlboro, Massachusetts, designs, produces and distributes specially engineered comfort footwear for men and women worldwide under the ROCKPORT(R) brand, as well as apparel through a licensee. Rockport's net sales increased by approximately $21.4 million in 1998, to $533.9 million from $512.5 million in 1997. Rockport's sales include $73.2 million of sales of the RALPH LAUREN footwear business in 1998 and $64.0 million in 1997. 7 9 Designed to address the different aspects of customers' lives, the ROCKPORT product line includes casual, dress, outdoor performance, golf and fitness walking shoes. In 1998, Rockport continued to focus on its men's business with extension of its World Tour product into additional patterns. In addition, Rockport expanded its customer base by introducing new styles and contemporary collections to attract younger consumers. Rockport also prepared for a renewed focus on its women's business in 1999, with the introduction in 1998 of its Journey 21 collection, a casual woman's shoe collection featuring Rockport's Soul Sensation(TM) footbed, which provides relaxation and comfort through a system of air channels that deliver massage-like stimulation. Rockport plans to introduce in 1999 other women's footwear products incorporating this new footbed. Internationally, the ROCKPORT brand continues to grow. In 1998 the ROCKPORT brand's international revenues grew in excess of 20% through expansion within its existing markets and opening of new markets. Rockport focused in 1998 on the expansion of its retail presence through an increase in the United States in the number of its ROCKPORT shops - independent retail shops dedicated exclusively to the sale of ROCKPORT products - - from 21 to 34, the opening of a number of Rockport shop-in-shops and increased placement of Rockport fixturing with third-party retailers. In addition, Rockport emphasized retail in its international business by opening additional "concept" or retail shops outside of the United States, operated by Rockport distributors or third party retailers. Rockport continued its "uncompromise" marketing campaign with ads highlighting people who are comfortable with their particular individuality, coupled with the tag line "Be comfortable. Uncompromise(TM). Start with your feet." In 1998 this campaign featured such personalities as Tony nominee John Leguizamo and the world's most famous drag queen, Ru Paul dressed as a man. In addition, Rockport promoted its connection to adventure travel through sponsorship of the Earthwatch Institute, a non-profit organization that conducts research expeditions throughout the world. During 1998 Rockport continued expanding its offerings on its Internet website, and grew its business-to-business direct purchase program which enables employees at participating companies to purchase ROCKPORT products through Rockport's website. Rockport markets its products to authorized retailers throughout the United States primarily through a locally-based employee sales staff, although Rockport utilizes independent sales agencies for certain products. Internationally, Rockport markets its products through approximately 30 locally based distributors in approximately 50 foreign countries and territories. A majority of the international distributors are either subsidiaries of the Company or joint venture partners or independent distributors which also sell REEBOK brand products. Rockport distributes its products predominantly through select higher-quality national and local shoe store chains, department stores, independent shoe stores, and outdoor outfitters, emphasizing retailers that provide substantial point-of-sale assistance and carry a full product line. Rockport also sells its products through independently-owned ROCKPORT dedicated retail shops, as well as ROCKPORT concept or company stores. Rockport has concept or company retail stores in San Francisco, California, Boston, Massachusetts, Newport, Rhode Island, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and New York City. In addition, there are a number of ROCKPORT shops - independent stores which sell Rockport products exclusively - in the U.S. as well as internationally. Rockport has not pursued mass merchandisers or discount outlets for the distribution of its products. 8 10 RALPH LAUREN(R) BRAND In 1998 the RALPH LAUREN footwear business, which was acquired in May 1996, continued to grow. A broader range of products was offered in the POLO SPORT(R) athletic footwear line. In addition, RALPH LAUREN Footwear extended its design and development work to include the RLX(TM) collection, consisting of high performance athletic footwear, and the Lauren(TM) collection for women; for both categories, product will be introduced at retail in 1999. RALPH LAUREN footwear is marketed to authorized retailers principally through an employee staff, although RALPH LAUREN Footwear retained independent sales agencies in 1998 for sales of certain products to specialty distribution points. Products are distributed primarily through higher-quality department stores and, in the case of POLO SPORT footwear, through specialty athletic retailers. Products are also sold through space licensing arrangements at RALPH LAUREN/POLO retail stores. The Ralph Lauren Footwear Company operates "concept" footwear departments in RALPH LAUREN/POLO stores in a number of locations in the United States, including New York City, and Beverly Hills, California and new departments in Chicago, Illinois, and Palm Beach, Florida, which opened at the end of 1998. In addition, the Ralph Lauren footwear subsidiary has footwear retail operations in approximately 19 RALPH LAUREN/POLO factory direct stores and operates one factory direct store in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. GREG NORMAN(R) BRAND The Company's Greg Norman Division produces a collection of apparel and accessories marketed under the GREG NORMAN(R) name and logo. The GREG NORMAN Collection has grown from a golf apparel line to a broader line of men's casual sportswear. The GREG NORMAN product line has been expanded to include a wide range of apparel products -- from leather jackets and sweaters to activewear and swimwear -- at a variety of upper-end price-points. In the Fall of 1999, the Greg Norman Division plans to introduce a Greg Norman Boys' Collection to complement the men's apparel line. The Greg Norman Division intends to grow the GREG NORMAN brand further by offering a variety of lifestyle products and expanding into international markets. It is anticipated that the Division will accomplish such expansion through various licensing and distribution arrangements. In 1998 Greg Norman footwear, leather and hosiery products were sold through licensees of the Company. The Division anticipates entering into a number of new agreements which will broaden the scope of products offered and expand distribution internationally. The GREG NORMAN brand is marketed through its endorsement by pro golfer Greg Norman, and a marketing and advertising campaign designed to emphasize his aggressive, bold, charismatic and "winning" style. The current tag line for the brand and marketing focus is the theme "Attack Life(TM)". GREG NORMAN products are distributed principally at department and men's specialty stores, on-course pro-shops and golf specialty stores and are sold by a combination of independent and employee sales representatives. The GREG NORMAN Collection is also sold in GREG NORMAN dedicated shops within independently-owned retail stores, as well as GREG NORMAN concept or company stores. There are two GREG NORMAN concept or company retail stores in New York City. In 1998, the GREG NORMAN Collection significantly expanded its shelf space at third-party retailers and a number of new GREG NORMAN dedicated shops within third-party retailers were opened. 9 11 MANUFACTURING Virtually all of the Company's products are produced by independent manufacturers, almost all of which are outside the United States, except that some of the Company's apparel and some of the component parts used in the Company's footwear are sourced from independent manufacturers located in the United States. Each of the Company's operating units generally contracts with its manufacturers on a purchase order basis, subject in most cases to the terms of a formal manufacturing agreement between the Company and such manufacturers. All contract manufacturing is performed in accordance with detailed specifications furnished by the operating unit, subject to strict quality control standards, with a right to reject products that do not meet specifications. To date, the Company has not encountered any significant problem with product rejection or customer returns due to quality problems. The Company generally considers its relationships with its contract manufacturers to be good. As part of its commitment to human rights, the Company has adopted certain human rights standards and a monitoring program which applies to manufacturers of its products. Through its human rights initiatives, Reebok has eliminated the need for toluene from all cold cement shoe production (representing 98% of Reebok athletic shoe production in Asia), has an ongoing program to provide technical assistance to improve air quality in factories producing REEBOK footwear, has implemented a worker communication system to resolve conflicts in such factories and has taken steps to increase certain wages and to reduce overtime hours at such factories. In conjunction with its human rights program, the Company required its supplier of soccer balls in Pakistan to end the use of child labor by centralizing all production, including ball stitching, so that the labor force can be adequately monitored to prevent the use of child labor. Reebok soccer balls are sold with a guarantee that the balls are made without child labor. China, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines were the Company's primary sources for footwear, accounting for approximately 42%, 25%, 18%, and 6%, respectively, of the Company's total footwear production during 1998 (based on the number of units produced). The Company's largest manufacturer, which has several factory locations, accounted for approximately 14% of the Company's total footwear production in 1998. Reebok's wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, and a network of affiliates in China, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines, provide quality assurance, quality control, and inspection services with respect to footwear purchased by the Reebok Division's U.S. and International operations. In addition, this network of affiliates inspects certain components and materials purchased by unrelated manufacturers for use in footwear production. The network of affiliates also facilitates the shipment of footwear from the shipping point to point of destination, as well as arranging for the issuance to the unrelated footwear manufacturers of letters of credit, which are the primary means used to pay manufacturers for finished products. The Company's apparel group utilizes the services of independent third parties, as well as the Company's Hong Kong subsidiary and its network of affiliates in the Far East, to assist in the placement, inspection and shipment of apparel and accessories orders internationally. Production of apparel in the United States is through independent contractors which are retained and managed by the Company's apparel group. ROCKPORT(R) footwear products are produced by independent contractors which are retained and managed through country managers employed by Rockport. The remainder of the Company's order placement, quality control and inspection work abroad is handled by a combination of employees and independent contractors in the various countries in which its products are made. 10 12 SOURCES OF SUPPLY The principal materials used in the Company's footwear products are leather, nylon, rubber, ethylvinyl acetate and polyurethane. Most of these materials can be obtained from a number of sources, although a loss of supply could temporarily disrupt production. Some of the components used in the Company's technologies are obtained from only one or two sources, and thus a loss of supply could disrupt production. The principal materials used in the Company's apparel products are cotton, fleece, nylon and spandex. These materials can be obtained from a number of sources. The footwear products of the Company that are manufactured overseas and shipped to the United States for sale are subject to U.S. Customs duties. Duties on the footwear products imported by the Company range from 6% to 37.5% (plus a unit charge in some cases of 90 cents), depending on whether the principal component is leather or some other material and on the construction. As with its international sales operations, the Company's footwear and apparel production operations are subject to the usual risks of doing business abroad, such as import duties, quotas and other threats to free trade, foreign currency fluctuations and restrictions, labor unrest and political instability. See "TRADE POLICY" below. The Company believes that it has the ability to develop, over time, adequate substitute sources of supply for the products obtained from present foreign suppliers. If, however, events should prevent the Company from acquiring products from its suppliers in China, Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines, or significantly increase the cost to the Company of such products, the Company's operations could be seriously disrupted until alternative suppliers were found, with a significant negative financial impact. TRADE POLICY For several years, imports from China to the U.S., including footwear, have been threatened with higher or prohibitive tariff rates, either through statutory action or intervention by the Executive Branch, due to concern over China's trade policies, human rights, foreign weapons sales practices and its foreign policy. Further debate on these issues is expected to continue in 1999. However, the Company does not currently anticipate that restrictions on imports from China will be imposed by the U.S. during 1999. If adverse action is taken with respect to imports from China, it could have an adverse effect on some or all of the Company's product lines, which could result in a negative financial impact. The Company has put in place contingency plans which should allow it to diversify some of its sourcing to countries other than China if any such adverse action occurred. In addition, the Company does not believe that it would be more negatively impacted by any such adverse action than its major competitors. The actual effect of any such action will, however, depend on a number of factors, including how reliant the Company, as compared to its competitors, is on production in China and the effectiveness of the contingency plans put in place. The European Union ("EU") imposed import quotas on certain footwear from China in 1994. The effect of such quota scheme on Reebok has not been significant because the quota scheme provides an exemption for certain higher-priced special technology athletic footwear, which exemption is available for most REEBOK products. This exemption does not, however, cover most of Rockport's products and thus could result in an adverse effect on Rockport's international sales. As a result, Rockport is pursuing alternative sources for its products to reduce such effect. However, there can be no guarantee that Rockport will be successful in implementing such alternative sourcing arrangements. In addition, the EU has imposed antidumping duties against certain textile upper footwear from China and Indonesia. A broad exemption from the dumping duties is provided for athletic textile footwear which covers most REEBOK models. If the athletic footwear exemption remains in 11 13 its current form, few REEBOK product lines will be affected by the duties; however, ROCKPORT products would be subject to these duties. Nevertheless, the Company believes that those REEBOK and ROCKPORT products affected by the duties can generally be sourced from other countries not subject to such duties. If, however, the Company was unable to implement such alternative sourcing arrangements, certain of its product lines could be adversely affected by these duties. The EU also has imposed antidumping duties on certain leather upper footwear from China, Thailand and Indonesia. These duties apply only to low cost footwear, below the import prices of most Reebok and Rockport products. Thus the Company's products have not been significantly impacted by such duties. The EU continues to review the athletic footwear exemption which applies to both the quota scheme and antidumping duties discussed above. The Company, through relevant trade associations, is working to prevent imposition of a more limited athletic footwear exception. Should revisions be adopted narrowing such exemption, certain of the Company's product lines could be affected adversely, although the Company does not believe that its products would be more severely affected than those of its major competitors. Various other countries have taken or are considering steps to restrict footwear imports or impose additional customs duties or other impediments, which actions affect the Company as well as other footwear importers. The Company, in conjunction with other footwear importers, is aggressively challenging such restrictions and is attempting to develop new production capacity in countries not subject to those restrictions. Nevertheless, such restrictions have in some cases had a significant adverse effect on the Company's sales in some of such countries, most notably Argentina, although they have not had a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole. PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS Sales of the following categories of products contributed more than 10% to the Company's total consolidated revenue in the years indicated: 1998, footwear (approximately 72%) and apparel (approximately 28%); 1997, footwear (approximately 72%) and apparel (approximately 27%); 1996, footwear (approximately 75%) and apparel (approximately 24%). TRADEMARKS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS The Company believes that its trademarks, especially the REEBOK and ROCKPORT trademarks, and its rights to use the GREG NORMAN name and logo, are of great value, and the Company is vigilant in protecting these marks from counterfeiting or infringement. Loss of the REEBOK, ROCKPORT or GREG NORMAN trademark rights could have a serious impact on the Company's business. The Company also believes that its technologies and designs are of great value and the Company is vigilant in procuring patents and enforcing its patents and other proprietary rights in the United States and in other countries. WORKING CAPITAL ARRANGEMENTS In conjunction with the Company's repurchase of approximately 17 million shares of its common stock pursuant to a Dutch Auction self-tender offer in 1996, the Company entered into a credit agreement underwritten by Credit Suisse and a syndicate of major banks. The facility included a committed $750 million revolving credit line to replace the Company's previous $300 million revolving credit facility. The balance of the facility is a $640 million six-year term loan which was 12 14 used to finance the share repurchase. In July 1997, the Company amended and restated this agreement to reduce the revolving credit portion of the facility to $400 million. As part of this amendment, the commitment fees the Company is required to pay on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, as well as the borrowing margins over the London Interbank Offer Rate paid on the term loan and used portion of the revolving credit facility, were reduced. The amendment further removed or relaxed various covenants including the restrictions on asset acquisitions and sales, capital expenditures, future indebtedness and investments. The Company subsequently amended its credit arrangements in October 1998 to relax the debt coverage ratio covenants in such agreements. The balance of the term loan as of December 31, 1998 was approximately $427 million. The Company also has various arrangements with numerous banks which provide an aggregate of approximately $974 million of uncommitted facilities, substantially all of which are available to the Company's foreign subsidiaries. Of this amount, approximately $340 million is available for short-term borrowings and bank overdrafts, with the remainder available for letters of credit for inventory purchases. At December 31, 1998, approximately $167 million was outstanding for open letters of credit for inventory purchases, in addition to approximately $48 million in notes payable to banks. The Company also has authority to issue up to $200 million of commercial paper which is supported to the extent available by its revolving credit and loan agreements, referred to above. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had no commercial paper obligations outstanding. In December 1998, Moody's Investor Service, Inc. ("Moody's") lowered the Company's credit rating and in January 1999, Standard & Poor's Rating Group ("S&P") lowered the Company's credit rating, based in each case on the negative conditions in the athletic footwear industry and the Company's recent financial performance. The Company's overall debt ratings remain investment grade. As a result of the Company's lower credit rating, it may be more difficult for the Company to borrow and the costs of borrowing will increase, including the costs the Company incurs under some of its existing credit arrangements. SEASONALITY Sales by the Company of athletic and casual footwear tend to be seasonal in nature, with the strongest sales occurring in the first and third quarters. Apparel sales also generally vary during the course of the year, with the greatest demand occurring during the spring and fall seasons. SINGLE CUSTOMER There was no single customer of the Company that accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales in 1998. BACKLOG The Company's backlog of orders at December 31, 1998 (many of which are cancelable by the purchaser), totalled approximately $1.097 billion, compared to $1.224 billion as of December 31, 1997. The Company expects that substantially all of these orders will be shipped in 1999, although, as noted above, many of these orders are cancelable. The backlog position is not necessarily indicative of future sales because the ratio of future orders to "at once" shipments and sales by Company owned retail stores may vary from year to year. In addition, many markets in South America and Asia Pacific are not included in the backlog since sales are made by independent distributors. 13 15 COMPETITION AND COMPETITORS Competition in sports and fitness footwear and apparel sales is intense. Competitors include a number of sports and fitness footwear and apparel companies, such as Nike, Adidas, Fila, New Balance and others. Competition is very strong in each of the sports and fitness footwear and apparel market segments, with new entrants and established companies providing challenges in every category. The casual footwear market into which the ROCKPORT(R) product lines fall is also highly competitive. Competitors include a number of companies such as Timberland, Bass, Clark and Dexter. Some competitors are highly specialized, while others have varied product lines and some maintain their own retail outlets. The Company believes that Rockport has a strong position in the walking shoe market. Competition in this area, however, has intensified as the activity of walking has grown in popularity and as athletic shoe companies have entered the market. In addition, certain ROCKPORT products compete with leading makers of dress shoes. The Company's other product lines also continue to confront strong competition. The REEBOK(R) apparel line competes with well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas and Fila. The GREG NORMAN(R) line competes with Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Nautica and other makers of men's casual sportswear. The RALPH LAUREN footwear brand competes with such brands as Cole Haan, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Prada and Gucci. In addition, the new RLX/POLO SPORT line will compete with major athletic shoe companies. ISSUES AND UNCERTAINTIES This report includes, and other documents, information or statements released or made from time to time by the Company may include, forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Prospective information is based on management's then current expectations or forecasts. Such information is subject to the risk that such expectations or forecasts, or the assumptions underlying such expectations or forecasts, become inaccurate. The following discussion identifies certain important issues and uncertainties that are among the factors that could affect the Company's actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PREFERENCES The footwear and apparel industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid changes in consumer preferences, as well as technological innovations. A major technological breakthrough or marketing or promotional success by one of the Company's competitors could adversely affect the Company's competitive position. A shift in consumer preferences could also negatively impact the Company's sales and financial results. Currently, the athletic footwear and apparel industry has been experiencing some shift in consumer preference away from athletic footwear to "casual" product offerings. This change in preference has adversely affected the Company's business, as well as that of some of its competitors. The Company is taking steps to respond to this shift by focusing on its products and technologies and pursuing growth opportunities with its ROCKPORT, RALPH LAUREN Footwear and GREG NORMAN brands. There is, however, substantial uncertainty as to whether the Company's actions will be effective and how significant the adverse impact of the shift in consumer preference will be on the Company's business. The outcome will be dependent on a number of factors, including the extent of the change in consumer preference, consumer and retailer acceptance of the Company's products, technologies and marketing, 14 16 and the ability of the Company to effectively respond to the shift in the marketplace, as well as the other factors described herein. Whether the Company's DMX(R) technology will be successful on a long-term basis is dependent on numerous factors including consumer preference, consumer and retailer acceptance of such technology, competitive product offerings, the Company's ability to utilize such technology and to extend it to other products, as well as other factors described herein. In addition, in countries where the athletic footwear market is mature (including the U.S.), sales growth may be dependent in part on the Company increasing its market share at the expense of its competitors, which may be difficult to accomplish. The Company also faces strong competition with respect to its other product lines, such as the ROCKPORT product line, the GREG NORMAN Collection and the RALPH LAUREN and POLO SPORT footwear lines. Competition in the markets for the Company's products occurs in a variety of ways, including price, quality, product design, brand image, marketing and promotion and ability to meet delivery commitments to retailers. The intensity of the competition faced by the various operating units of the Company and the rapid changes in the consumer preference and technology that can occur in the footwear and apparel markets constitute significant risk factors in the Company's operations. INVENTORY RISK The footwear industry has relatively long lead times for design and production of product and thus, the Company must commit to production tooling and in some cases to production in advance of orders. If the Company fails to accurately forecast consumer demand or if there are changes in consumer preference or market demand after the Company has made such production commitments, the Company may encounter difficulty in filling customer orders or in liquidating excess inventory, or may find that retailers are canceling orders or returning product, all of which may have an adverse effect on the Company's sales, its margins and brand image. In addition, the Company may be required to pay for certain tooling if it does not satisfy minimum production quantities. SALES FORECASTS The Company's investment in advertising and marketing and in certain other expenses is based on sales forecasts and is necessarily made in advance of actual sales. The markets in which the Company does business are highly competitive, and the Company's business is affected by a variety of factors, including brand awareness, changing consumer preferences, fashion trends, retail market conditions, currency changes and economic and other factors. There can be no assurance that sales forecasts will be achieved, and to the extent sales forecasts are not achieved, these investments will represent a higher percentage of revenues, and the Company will experience higher inventory levels and associated carrying costs, all of which would adversely impact the Company's financial condition and results. See also discussion below under "Advertising and Marketing Investment." PRICING AND MARGINS The prices that the Company is able to charge for its products are dependent on the type of product offered and the consumer and retailer response to such product, as well as the prices charged by the Company's competitors. If, for example, the Company's products provide enhanced performance capabilities, the Company should be able to achieve relatively higher prices for such products. The gross margins which the Company earns are dependent on the prices which the Company can charge for these goods and the costs incurred in acquiring the products for sale. To the extent that the Company has higher costs, such as the higher startup costs associated with technological products, its margins will be 15 17 lower unless it can increase its prices or reduce its costs. Recently, the Company has experienced an improving trend in its pricing margins as a result of manufacturing efficiencies and changes in sourcing initiated to take advantage of currency opportunities in the Far East. There can be no assurance that this trend will continue. In addition, because of the shift in the marketplace and the resulting over-inventoried promotional retail environment, the Company has encountered increased returns and cancellations from retailers, which have adversely affected its margins. The ability of the Company to increase its full margin business is dependent on a number of factors including the success of the Company's products and marketing, the retail environment and general industry conditions. In addition, because of the over-inventoried environment, retailers have been more reluctant to place future orders for products, thus the Company has fewer future orders and may be required to take on more inventory risk to fulfill "at once" business. BACKLOG The Company reports its backlog of open orders for the Reebok brand. However, its backlog position is not necessarily indicative of future sales because the ratio of future orders to "at once" shipments, as well as sales by Company-owned retail stores, may vary from year to year. In addition, many customer orders are cancelable. The recent slowdown at retail has resulted in higher cancellations and returns. Additionally, many markets in South America and Asia Pacific are not included in the backlog since sales are made by independent distributors. ADVERTISING AND MARKETING INVESTMENT Because consumer demand for athletic footwear and apparel is heavily influenced by brand image, the Company's business requires substantial investments in marketing and advertising, including television and other advertising, athlete endorsements and athletic sponsorships, as well as investments in retail presence. In the event that such investments do not achieve the desired effect in terms of increased retailer acceptance and/or consumer purchase of the Company's products, there could be an adverse impact on the Company's financial results. There has been some shift in the marketplace away from certain "icon" athletes and the products they endorse. As a result, the Company has re-evaluated its investment in certain sports marketing deals and has eliminated or restructured certain of its marketing contracts that no longer reflect Reebok's brand positioning. RETAIL OPERATIONS The Company currently operates approximately 175 retail stores in the U.S. (including REEBOK, ROCKPORT and GREG NORMAN stores and combination stores, in which stores for all three brands are located at a single site) and a significant number of retail stores internationally which are operated either directly or through the Company's distributors or other third parties. The Company has made a significant capital investment in opening these stores and incurs significant expenditures in operating these stores. To the extent the Company continues to expand its retail organization, the Company's performance could be adversely affected by lower than anticipated sales at its retail stores. The performance of the Company's retail organization is also subject to general retail market conditions. The recent over-inventoried promotional environment in the U.S. has resulted in a decline in retail margins, thus adversely affecting the Company's own retail business. In 1998 comparative store sales declined in the Company's own retail business, following two years of comparative store sales increases. TIMELINESS OF PRODUCT Timely product deliveries are essential in the footwear and apparel business since the Company's orders are cancelable by customers if agreed upon delivery windows are not met. If as a result of design, production or distribution problems, the Company is late in delivering product, it could 16 18 have an adverse impact on its sales and/or profitability. INTERNATIONAL SALES AND PRODUCTION A substantial portion of the Company's products are manufactured abroad and approximately 40% of the Company's sales are made outside the U.S. The Company's footwear and apparel production and sales operations are thus subject to the usual risks of doing business abroad, such as currency fluctuations, longer payment terms, potentially adverse tax consequences, repatriation of earnings, import duties, tariffs, quotas and other threats to free trade, labor unrest, political instability and other problems linked to local production conditions and the difficulty of managing multinational operations. If such factors limited or prevented the Company from selling products in any significant international market or prevented the Company from acquiring products from its suppliers in China, Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines, or significantly increased the cost to the Company of such products, the Company's operations could be seriously disrupted until alternative suppliers were found or alternative markets were developed, with a significant negative impact. See also discussion below under "Economic Factors". SOURCES OF SUPPLY The Company depends upon independent manufacturers to manufacture high-quality product in a timely and cost-efficient manner and relies upon the availability of sufficient production capacity at its existing manufacturers or the ability to utilize alternative sources of supply. A failure by one or more of the Company's significant manufacturers to meet established criteria for pricing, product quality or timeliness could negatively impact the Company's sales and profitability. In addition, if the Company were to experience significant shortages in raw materials or components used in its products, it could have a negative effect on the Company's business, including increased costs or difficulty in delivering product. Some of the components used in the Company's technologies are obtained from only one or two sources and thus a loss of supply could disrupt production. See also discussion below under "Economic Factors". RISK ASSOCIATED WITH INDEBTEDNESS The Company has a substantial credit facility which consists of a $640 million term loan (as of December 31, 1998, the outstanding balance of such debt was approximately $427 million) and has a $400 million revolving credit line (as of December 31, 1998, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit line). As a result of this indebtedness, the Company currently faces significant interest expense and debt amortization. The credit arrangement contains certain covenants (including restrictions on liens and the requirements to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum debt to cash flow ratio) which are intended to limit the Company's future actions and which may also limit the Company's financial, operating and strategic flexibility. In addition, the Company's failure to make timely payments of interest and principal on its debt, or to comply with the material covenants applicable thereto, could result in significant negative consequences. The Company believes that its cash, short-term investments and access to credit facilities, together with its anticipated cash flow from operations, are adequate for the Company's current and planned needs in 1999. However, the Company's actual experience may differ from the expectations set forth in the preceding sentence. Factors that might lead to a difference include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed herein, as well as future events that might have the effect of reducing the Company's available cash balances (such as unexpected operating losses or increased capital or other expenditures, as well as increases in the Company's inventory or accounts receivable) or future events that might reduce or eliminate the availability of external financial resources. 17 19 As indicated above, in December 1998, Moody's lowered the Company's credit rating and in January 1999, S&P lowered the Company's credit rating. As a result of these actions, it may be more difficult for the Company to borrow and the costs of borrowing will increase. RISK OF CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS The Company conducts operations in various international countries and a significant portion of its sales are transacted in local currencies. As a result, the Company's revenues are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts and options to hedge its exposure for merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars that will be sold to customers in other currencies. The Company also uses foreign currency exchange contracts and options to hedge significant inter-company assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies. However, no assurance can be given that fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates will not have an adverse impact on the Company's revenues, net profits or financial condition. In 1998, the Company's international sales, gross margins and profits were negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. EURO CONVERSION On January 1, 1999, eleven of the fifteen member countries of the European Union adopted a single currency called the Euro. On this date, fixed conversion rates between the existing currencies of these countries ("legacy currencies") and the Euro were established and the Euro is now traded in the currency markets and may be used in business transactions. The legacy currencies will remain as legal tender together with the Euro until at least January 1, 2002 (but not later than July 1, 2002). During the transition period, parties may settle transactions using either the Euro or a participating country's legacy currency. The use of a single currency in the eleven participating countries may result in increased price transparency which may affect Reebok's ability to price its products differently in various European markets. Although it is not clear what the result of this price harmonization might be, one possible result is lower average prices for products sold in certain of these markets. Conversion to the Euro is not expected to have a significant impact on the amount of Reebok's exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates since most of Reebok's exposures are incurred against the U.S. dollar, as opposed to other legacy currencies. Reebok's foreign exchange hedging costs should also not change significantly. Nevertheless, because there will be less diversity in Reebok's currency exposures, changes in the Euro's value against the U.S. dollar could have a more pronounced effect, whether positive or negative, on the Company. The Company has made the necessary changes in its internal and banking systems in Europe to accommodate introduction of the Euro and can make and receive payments in Europe using the Euro. As part of its global restructuring, the Company is in the process of implementing SAP software on a global basis; the SAP system will be Euro-compatible. Other business functions will be converted for the Euro by the end of the transition period or earlier to meet business needs. The Company does not expect such conversion costs to be material. CUSTOMERS Although the Company has no single customer that represents 10% or more of its sales, the Company has certain significant customers, the loss of which could have an adverse effect on its business. There could also be a negative effect on the Company's business if any such significant customer became insolvent or otherwise failed to pay its debts. See also discussion below under "Economic Factors". 18 20 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The Company believes that its trademarks, technologies and designs are of great value. From time to time the Company has been, and may in the future be, the subject of litigation challenging its ownership of certain intellectual property. Loss of the REEBOK, ROCKPORT or GREG NORMAN trademark rights could have a serious impact on the Company's business. Because of the importance of such intellectual property rights, the Company's business is subject to the risk of counterfeiting, parallel trade or intellectual property infringement. The Company is, however, vigilant in protecting its intellectual property rights. LITIGATION The Company is subject to the normal risks of litigation with respect to its business operations. ECONOMIC FACTORS The Company's business is subject to economic conditions in the Company's major markets, including, without limitation, recession, inflation, general weakness in retail markets and changes in consumer purchasing power and preferences. Adverse changes in such economic factors could have a negative effect on the Company's business. For example, the recent slowdown in the athletic footwear and branded apparel markets has had negative effects on the Company's business. As a result of current market conditions, a number of the Company's competitors have generated excess inventories which they are attempting to sell off. The U.S. market has also suffered from over capacity due to significant retail expansion during a period of softening consumer demand. This has resulted in inventory backups and heavy promotional activity. This over-inventoried, promotional environment has made it more difficult for the Company to sell its products and has negatively impacted the Company's gross margins. The current financial crisis in the Far East has also had a negative impact on the Company's business. The economic problems in Asia have had an adverse effect on the Company's sales to that region. Such financial difficulties have also increased the risk that certain of the Company's customers in the region will be unable to pay for product orders. In addition, most of the Company's products are manufactured in the Far East by third party manufacturers. The current economic conditions have made it more difficult for such manufacturers to gain access to working capital and there is a risk that such manufacturers could encounter financial problems which could affect their ability to produce products for the Company. Similar problems have also resulted from the financial difficulties in Latin America (especially Brazil) and in Russia. TAX RATE CHANGES AND DEFERRED TAX ASSETS If the Company was to encounter significant tax rate changes in the major markets in which it operates, it could have an adverse effect on its business or profitability. In addition, the tax rate can be affected by the Company's geographic mix of earnings. If more revenue is earned in markets where the tax rate is relatively higher, the Company's effective tax rate will increase. The Company expects that the full year 1999 tax rate will be higher than the rate for 1998. The Company has approximately $177 million of net deferred tax assets, of which approximately $70 million is attributable to the expected utilization of tax net operating loss carry- forwards. There can be no assurance that the Company will realize the full value of such deferred tax assets, although the Company has tax planning strategies which are designed to utilize at least a portion of the tax net operating loss carryforwards and thereby reduce the likelihood that they expire unused. Realization of the deferred tax assets will be dependent on a number of factors including the level of taxable income generated by the Company, the countries in which such income is generated, as well as 19 21 the effectiveness of the Company's tax planning strategies. If the Company estimates of future taxable income are not realized in the near-term, the net carrying value of the deferred tax assets could be reduced, thereby reducing future net income. GLOBAL RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES The Company is currently undertaking various global restructuring activities designed to enable the Company to achieve operating efficiencies, improve logistics and reduce expenses. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively execute on its restructuring plans or that such benefits will be achieved. Moreover, in the short-term the Company could experience difficulties in product delivery or other logistical operations as a result of its restructuring activities, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's business. In the short-term, the Company could also be subject to increased expenditures and charges because of inefficiencies resulting from such restructuring activities. For example, the Company is currently consolidating its warehouses in Europe. Such consolidation should enable it to achieve efficiencies and improve logistics. However, in the short-term, such benefits may not be achieved and if difficulties arise in effecting such consolidation, the Company could experience operational difficulties, excess inventory or a decline in sales. Delays in product shipment could result in additional order cancellations, added distribution costs and increased markdowns on products. During 1998 the Company incurred approximately $43 million in start-up costs (consisting of increased costs of sales, as well as selling, general and administrative expenses) as a result of its global restructuring efforts. These incremental start-up expenses are expected to continue in 1999. YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE The Company has conducted a global review of its information technology (IT) systems, as well as its non-IT computer systems, to identify the systems that could be affected by the technical problems associated with the year 2000 and has developed an implementation plan to address the "year 2000" issue. The Company made a strategic decision in 1993 to adopt a new global information system, the SAP system, which will replace most legacy systems. The Company's Rockport subsidiary will not be converted to the new SAP system by the end of 1999 and thus modifications to its existing software are being made to make it year 2000 compliant. The Company presently believes that, with modifications to existing software and converting to SAP software and other packaged software, the year 2000 will not pose significant operational problems for the Company's computer systems. However, if the modifications and conversions are not implemented or completed in a timely or effective manner, the year 2000 problem could have a material adverse impact on the operations and financial condition of the Company. In addition, in converting to SAP software, the Company is relying on its software partner to develop and support new software applications and there could be problems in successfully developing and implementing such new applications. The Company is the first in the apparel and footwear industry to implement this new software application and, because of the year 2000 time restraints, the schedule for implementation is accelerated. Thus, there are substantial risks that problems could arise in implementation or that the system may not be fully effective by the end of 1999. Finally, the Company is dependent on its suppliers, joint venture partners, independent distributors and customers to implement appropriate changes to their IT and non-IT systems to address the "year 2000" issue. The failure of such third parties to effectively address such issue could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Estimates of time and cost and risk assessments are based on currently available information. Developments that could affect such estimates and assessments include, but are not limited to, the ability to hold to the schedule defined for SAP and other package conversion; the ability to remediate all relevant computer code for those limited applications targeted to be remediated; co-operation and remediation success of the Company's suppliers and customers; and the ability to implement suitable contingency 20 22 plans in the event of year 2000 system failures at the Company or its suppliers or customers. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 6,600 employees in all operating units. None of these employees is represented by a labor union. The Company has never suffered a material interruption of business caused by labor disputes with employees. Management considers employee relations to be good. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS The Company is filing herewith selected portions of its Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998 (the "1998 Annual Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Financial information pertaining to the Company's foreign and domestic operations is incorporated herein by reference from Note 17 on page 63 of the 1998 Annual Report. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The following information is submitted as to the executive officers of the Company:
NAME AGE OFFICE HELD - ---- --- ----------- Paul B. Fireman 55 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors Carl J. Yankowski 50 Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Reebok Division and Director Angel R. Martinez 43 Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of the Reebok Division Kenneth I. Watchmaker 56 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Anthony J. Tiberii 58 Senior Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rockport Company James R. Jones, III 54 Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Barry Nagler 42 Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Officers hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting in lieu thereof, and thereafter until their respective successors are chosen and qualified. Paul B. Fireman is the founder of the Company and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since the Company's founding in 1979 and its Chairman of the Board since 1986. Mr. Fireman served as President of the Company from 1979 to 1987 and was appointed again to that position in 1989. Mr. Fireman has been a Director since 1979. 21 23 Carl J. Yankowski was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Reebok Division in September 1998. Prior to that he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Sony Electronics Inc., a subsidiary of the Sony Corporation, from November 1993 to January 1998. Angel R. Martinez was appointed Chief Marketing Officer of the Reebok Division in October 1998. He has been an Executive Vice President of the Company since February 1994. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rockport Company, Inc. from August 1994 to October 1998. Prior to that, Mr. Martinez was the President of the Fitness Division of the Company from September 1992 to January 1994 and Executive Vice President of Marketing Services from January 1994 to August 1994, and prior to that he was Vice President for Business Development of the Company for several years. Mr. Martinez joined the Company in 1980. Kenneth I. Watchmaker has been an Executive Vice President of the Company since February 1994. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company in June 1995. Previously, since February 1994, he was an Executive Vice President of the Company with responsibility for finance, footwear production and management information systems. He joined the Company in July 1992 as Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance, Reebok Division. Prior to joining Reebok, Mr. Watchmaker was the partner in charge of audit services in the Boston office of Ernst & Young. Anthony J. Tiberii was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rockport Company, Inc. and a Senior Vice President of the Company in December 1998. He was acting President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rockport Company, Inc. from October 1998 to December 1998. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer of The Rockport Company, Inc. since January 1995. Prior to that, since 1990 he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Rockport Company, Inc. Mr. Tiberii joined Rockport in 1982 as Vice President of Finance. James R. Jones, III has been Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for the Company since May 1998. Mr. Jones joined Reebok as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the Reebok Division in April 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Jones was Vice President of Human Resources of Inova Health System from May 1996 through April 1997. From July 1995 through May 1996, Mr. Jones was the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Franciscan Health System. Prior to that, since 1991, Mr. Jones was the Vice President of Human Resources of The Johns Hopkins University. Barry Nagler has been Senior Vice President of the Company since February 1998 and General Counsel since September 1995. Mr. Nagler was previously a Vice President of the Company since May 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Nagler was divisional Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for the Company since September 1994. He joined the Company in June 1987 as Counsel. Item 2. Properties. The Company leases most of the properties that are used in its business. Its corporate headquarters and the offices of the Reebok Division and its U.S. Operations are located in office facilities in Stoughton, Massachusetts. At its corporate headquarters, the Company occupies under lease approximately 200,000 square feet of space. The Company signed a six-year lease in July 1989, with two three-year renewal options, for its principal facility at its corporate headquarters. This lease was later amended to extend the term of the lease until June 30, 2000, with a three-year renewal option thereafter. This facility and three other smaller facilities, one of which is leased and the other two of which are owned by the Company, at the Company's corporate headquarters are located approximately one mile from the Reebok Division's U.S. Operations group's principal warehouse and distribution center in Stoughton, which is owned by the Company and which contains approximately 450,000 total square feet 22 24 of usable space. In order to address the need for additional space at its corporate headquarters, in March 1998 the Company secured, through a leasing arrangement, a 42 acre site in Canton, Massachusetts, which is being developed as a corporate headquarters facility. Construction of the corporate headquarters facility is expected to take approximately two years and to be complete in 2000. The facility is leased by the Company through an operating lease agreement entered into for the purpose of financing construction costs for the corporate headquarters facility. Under the agreement, the lessor purchases the property, pays for the construction costs and subsequently leases the facility to the Company. The initial lease term is six years with five two-year renewal options. The lease provides substantial residual value guarantees by the Company and includes a purchase option at original cost of the property. In 1994, the Company purchased a building in Avon, Massachusetts containing approximately 400,000 square feet of space which it uses as an office and warehouse. The Company also leases approximately 330,000 square feet of space in Memphis, Tennessee which it uses as a warehouse and distribution center. In 1993, Rockport purchased its corporate headquarters facility in Marlboro, Massachusetts, containing approximately 80,000 square feet of floor space. In 1995, Rockport completed construction of a distribution center of approximately 285,000 usable square feet on approximately 140 acres of land in Lancaster, Massachusetts which it purchased in 1992. The Company's International operations were previously headquartered in Stockley Park, London where the Company's U.K. subsidiary still leases approximately 37,000 square feet under a fifteen year lease which is guaranteed by the Company. This property has been subleased to two parties for the term of the lease. In June 1998, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for the purpose of financing construction costs for a new distribution facility in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Under the agreement, the lessor leased the land pursuant to a 99 year ground lease, paid for the construction costs and subsequently leases the entire facility to the Company. The initial lease term is six years with one five-year renewal option. The lease provides for substantial residual value guarantees by the Company and includes a purchase option at original cost of the property. The Company's wholly-owned Canadian distribution subsidiary, Reebok Canada Inc., leases an approximately 145,000 square foot office/warehouse facility in Aurora, Ontario pursuant to a lease which expires in 2001. The Company and its subsidiaries own and lease other warehouses, offices, showrooms and retail and other facilities in the United States and in various foreign countries to meet their space requirements. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that these arrangements are satisfactory to meet its needs. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. Not applicable. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Not applicable. 23 25 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. The Company is filing herewith selected portions of its 1998 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from page 68 of the 1998 Annual Report. Item 6. Selected Financial Data. The Company is filing herewith selected portions of its 1998 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from page 37 of the 1998 Annual Report. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company is filing herewith selected portions of its 1998 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from pages 38 through 45 of the 1998 Annual Report. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations due to its international sales, production, and funding requirements. In the normal course of business, the Company employs established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies using a variety of financial instruments. It is the Company's policy to utilize financial instruments to reduce risks where internal netting and other strategies cannot be effectively employed. The Company's objective in managing its exposure to interest rate changes is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps to manage net exposure to interest rate changes related to its portfolio of borrowings. The Company maintains fixed rate debt as a percentage of its net debt between a minimum and maximum percentage, which is set by policy, or as may be required by certain loan agreements. The Company's objective in managing the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate changes. The Company enters into forward exchange contracts and options to hedge its exposure for merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars that will be sold to customers in other currencies. The Company also uses foreign currency exchange contracts and options to hedge significant inter-company assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies. Accordingly, these contracts change in value as foreign exchange rates change to protect the value of these assets, liabilities, and merchandise purchases. The gains and losses on these contracts offset changes in the value of the related exposures. It is the Company's policy to enter into foreign currency and interest rate transactions only to the extent considered necessary to meet its objectives as stated above. The Company does not enter into foreign currency or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes. 24 26 The Company prepared a sensitivity analysis of its financial instruments to determine the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, and the fair value of its financial instruments. The interest rate analysis assumed a 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates of all financial instruments. The foreign currency rate analysis assumed that each foreign currency rate would change by 10% in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar on all financial instruments. Based on the results of these analyses of the Company's financial instruments, a 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates from year-end 1998 levels would reduce the fair value of the interest rate swaps by $9.7 million and a 10% adverse change in foreign currency rates would reduce the fair value of the forward currency exchange contracts and options by $39 million. In addition, a 100 basis point increase in interest rates from year-end 1998 levels would increase interest expense on floating rate debt (net of hedges) by $1.3 million. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS 133"), which the Company is required to adopt effective January 1, 1999. SFAS 133 will require the Company to record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in derivative fair values will either be recognized in earnings as offsets to the changes in fair value of related hedged assets, liabilities and firm commitments or, for forecasted transactions, deferred and recorded as a component of other stockholders' equity until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a hedging derivative's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. The impact of SFAS 133 on the Company's financial statements will depend on a variety of factors, including future interpretative guidance from the FASB, the future level of forecasted and actual foreign currency transactions, the extent of the Company's hedging activities, the types of hedging instruments used and the effectiveness of such instruments. However, the Company does not believe the effect of adopting SFAS 133 will be material to its financial position. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The Company is filing herewith selected portions of its 1998 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidated financial statements required by this Item, together with the report of the Company's independent auditors for 1998, are contained therein and are incorporated herein by reference from pages 46 through 65 of the 1998 Annual Report. The supplementary financial information required by this Item is contained in the 1998 Annual Report on page 66 and such information is incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements, supplementary data, and Report of Independent Auditors for 1997 and 1996 are listed under Part IV, Item 14 in this report. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. Not applicable. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. The information required by this Item with respect to the Registrant's directors is incorporated herein by reference from the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 4, 1999, which will be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on or before March 25 27 26, 1999 (the "1999 Proxy Statement"), under the headings "Information with Respect to Nominees", "Transactions with Management and Affiliates" and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934". Information called for by this Item with respect to the registrant's executive officers is set forth under "Executive Officers of Registrant" in Item 1 of this report. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the 1999 Proxy Statement under the headings "Compensation of Directors", "Executive Compensation", "Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan", "Employee Agreements", "Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation" and "Performance Graphs". Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the 1999 Proxy Statement under the heading "Beneficial Ownership of Shares". Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the 1999 Proxy Statement under the heading "Transactions with Management and Affiliates". PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K. (a)(1) and (2) List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules. a. Financial Statements The following consolidated financial statements appearing in the Company's 1998 Annual Report are incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Form 10-K: 1998 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and 1997 46 For each of the three years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996: Consolidated Statements of Income 47 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 48 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 49 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 50-63 26 28 2. Financial Statement Schedule The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Reebok International Ltd. is included in Item 14(d) and presented as a separate section of this report: FORM 10-K PAGE Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts F-1 All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. (a) b. Exhibits Listed below are all the Exhibits filed as part of this report. Certain Exhibits are incorporated by reference from documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Exhibit (3) Articles of incorporation and by-laws. 3.1 Restated Articles of Organization of the Company, as amended (1) 3.2 By-laws, as amended (5, 6, 8, 18) (4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures. 4.1 Indenture, dated as of September 15, 1988, as amended and restated by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 22, 1993, between Reebok International Ltd. and Citibank N.A., as Trustee (4, 12) 4.2 Common Stock Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1990 between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, as amended (7, 9, 10) 4.3 Amendment No. 3 dated as of January 1, 1999 to Common Stock Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1990 between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, as amended (21) (10) Material Contracts. 10.1 Distributorship Agreement between Reebok International Limited and the Company (2) 10.2 Trademark License Agreement between Reebok International Limited and the Company (2) 10.3 Lease Agreement, dated March 1, 1988, as amended, between Reebok International Ltd. and North Stoughton Industrial Park Development Trust (5, 13) 27 29 10.4 Purchase and Sale Agreement between Reebok International Ltd. and Pentland Group plc dated March 8, 1991 (8) 10.5 Agreements with various banks in Hong Kong reflecting arrangements for letter of credit facilities (8) 10.6 Credit Agreement, dated August 23, 1996, among the Company, the Lenders and Co-Agents named therein and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 23, 1996 (15) 10.7 Amended and Restated Credit and Guarantee Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1997, among Reebok International Ltd., Reebok International Limited, the Lenders and Co-Agents named therein, Citibank N.A. as Documentation Agent and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent (17) 10.8 Amendment No. 2 dated as of September 30, 1998 to the Amended and Restated Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated as of July 1, 1997, among Reebok International Ltd., Reebok International Limited, the Lenders and Co-Agents named therein, Citibank N.A. as Documentation Agent and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent (22) 10.9 Participation Agreement dated as of March 27, 1998 among Reebok International Ltd., as Lessee and as Guarantor, Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, L.P., as Lessor, the Lenders named therein, Credit Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent (19) 10.10 First Amendment dated as of September 30, 1998 to Participation Agreement dated as of March 27, 1998 among Reebok International Ltd., as Lessee and Guarantor, Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, L.P., as Lessor, the Lenders named therein, Credit Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent (22) 10.11 Lease dated as of March 27, 1998 between Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, L.P., as Lessor, and Reebok International Ltd., as Lessee (19) 10.12 Guaranty from Reebok International Ltd. dated as of March 27, 1998 (19) Management Contracts and Compensatory Plans. 10.13 Reebok International Ltd. 1994 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (16, 17) 10.14 Reebok International Ltd. Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, as amended (13, 18) 10.15 Reebok International Ltd. 1985 Stock Option Plan, as amended (11) 10.16 Reebok International Ltd. 1987 Stock Option Plan for Directors, as amended (12) 10.17 Reebok International Ltd. 1987 Stock Bonus Plan (3) 10.18 Reebok International Ltd. Excess Benefits Plan (8) 10.19 Reebok International Ltd. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (14) 28 30 10.20 Amendment to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated as of February 23, 1999 10.21 Reebok International Ltd. Executive Performance Incentive Plan, as amended (14, 16) 10.22 Stock Option Agreement with Paul B. Fireman (8) 10.23 Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with Paul B. Fireman (11) 10.24 Letter Agreement with Paul R. Duncan dated December 29, 1997 (18) 10.25 Employment Agreement with Kenneth Watchmaker (12) 10.26 Change of Control Agreement with Kenneth Watchmaker (17) 10.27 Supplemental Retirement Program for Kenneth Watchmaker (12) 10.28 Change of Control Agreement with Angel Martinez (17) 10.29 Employment Agreement dated April 17, 1996 with Roger Best (16) 10.30 Employment Agreements dated September 11, 1997 with Roger Best (18) 10.31 Change of Control Agreement with James R. Jones, III (17) 10.32 Change of Control Agreement with Barry Nagler (17) 10.33 Form of Non-Competition Agreements signed by James R. Jones, III, Angel Martinez, Robert Meers, Barry Nagler, Kenneth Watchmaker and Anthony Tiberii (18) 10.34 Employment Agreement dated September 8, 1998 between Carl J. Yankowski and Reebok International Ltd. (20) 10.35 Promissory Note dated September 11, 1998 by Carl J. Yankowski to Reebok International Ltd. (20) 10.36 Change of Control Agreement with Carl J. Yankowski 10.37 Letter Agreement dated July 14, 1998 between Robert Meers and Reebok International Ltd. (20) (12) Statement Re Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (13) Annual Report to Security Holders. 13.1 Selected Portions of Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders (21) Subsidiaries. 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of the Company 29 31 (23) Consents of experts and counsel. 23.1 The consent of Ernst & Young LLP (27) Financial Data Schedule. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. None. (c) Exhibits. The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (d) Financial Statement Schedules. The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (1) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 30, 1987 and incorporated by reference herein and as an Exhibit to Registration Statement No. 11-13370 and incorporated by reference herein. (2) Filed as an Exhibit to Registration Statement No. 2-98367 and incorporated by reference herein. (3) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 28, 1988 and incorporated by reference herein. (4) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8-K filed on September 29, 1988 and incorporated by reference herein. (5) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 30, 1989 and incorporated by reference herein. (6) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 26, 1990 and incorporated by reference herein. (7) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8-A filed on July 31, 1990 and incorporated by reference herein. (8) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 28, 1991 and incorporated by reference herein. (9) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8 Amendment to Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 4, 1991 and incorporated by reference herein. (10) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8 Amendment to Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 13, 1991 and incorporated by reference herein. (11) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 27, 1992 and incorporated by reference herein. (12) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 26, 1993 and incorporated by reference herein. (13) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 30, 1995 and incorporated by reference herein. (14) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 29, 1996 and incorporated by reference herein. 30 32 (15) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. (16) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 27, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein. (17) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. (18) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-K dated March 25, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein. (19) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference. (20) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference. (21) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8-A/A filed on February 24, 1999 and incorporated by reference herein. (22) Filed as an Exhibit to Reebok International Ltd. Form 8-K filed on October 22, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein. 31 33 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. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. BY: /s/ KENNETH WATCHMAKER --------------------------- Kenneth I. Watchmaker Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: March 24, 1999 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. /s/ PAUL B. FIREMAN - ----------------------------- Paul B. Fireman Director, Chairman of the Board and President (Chief Executive Officer) /s/ KENNETH I. WATCHMAKER - ----------------------------- Kenneth I. Watchmaker Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Chief Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ CARL J. YANKOWSKI - ----------------------------- Carl J. Yankowski Executive Vice President Director /s/ PAUL R. DUNCAN - ----------------------------- Paul R. Duncan Director /s/ M. KATHERINE DWYER - ----------------------------- M. Katherine Dwyer Director /s/ WILLIAM F. GLAVIN - ----------------------------- William F. Glavin Director 32 34 /s/ MANNIE L. JACKSON - ----------------------------- Mannie L. Jackson Director /s/ RICHARD G. LESSER - ----------------------------- Richard G. Lesser Director /s/ THOMAS M. RYAN - ----------------------------- Thomas M. Ryan Director /s/ GEOFFREY NUNES - ----------------------------- Geoffrey Nunes Director Dated: March 24, 1999 33 35 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. (Amounts in thousands)
Balance at end of Balance at Charged to Charged to Deductions Balance at description Beginning Costs and Other From End of period of Period Expenses Accounts Allowances(A) Period - ----------- --------- -------- -------- ------------ ------ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $44,003 $ 8,228 $ 4,848 $47,383 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $43,527 $16,471 $15,995 $44,003 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $46,401 $10,225 $13,099 $43,527
(A) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries F-1 36 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT LOCATION 3.1 Restated Articles of Organization Incorporated by of the Company, as amended reference 3.2 By-laws, as amended Incorporated by reference 4.1 Indenture, dated September 15, 1988, Incorporated by as amended and restated by the First reference Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 22, 1993, between Reebok International Ltd. and Citibank N.A., as Trustee 4.2 Common Stock Rights Agreement dated Incorporated by as of June 14, 1990 between the reference Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, as amended 4.3 Amendment No. 3 dated as of January Incorporated by 1, 1999 to Common Stock Rights reference Agreement dated as of June 14, 1990 between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, as amended 10.1 Distributorship Agreement between Incorporated by Reebok International Limited and reference the Company 10.2 Trademark License Agreement between Incorporated by Reebok International Limited and the reference Company 10.3 Lease Agreement, dated March 1, 1988, Incorporated by as amended, between Reebok reference International Ltd. and North Stoughton Industrial Park Development Trust 10.4 Purchase and Sale Agreement between Incorporated by Reebok International Ltd. and Pentland reference Group plc dated March 8, 1991 10.5 Agreements with various banks in Hong Incorporated by Kong reflecting arrangements for letter reference of credit facilities 37 10.6 Credit Agreement, dated August 23, Incorporated by 1996, among the Company, the Lenders reference and Co-Agents named therein and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 23, 1996 10.7 Amended and Restated Credit and Incorporated by Guarantee Agreement, dated as of reference July 1, 1997, among Reebok International Ltd., Reebok Inter- national Limited, the Lenders and Co-Agents named therein, Citibank N.A. as Documentation Agent and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent 10.8 Amendment No. 2 dated as of September Incorporated by 30, 1998 to the Amended and Restated reference Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated as of July 1, 1997, among Reebok International Ltd., Reebok Inter- national Limited, the Lenders and Co-Agents named therein, Citibank N.A. as Documentation Agent and Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent 10.9 Participation Agreement dated as of Incorporated by March 27, 1998 among Reebok reference International Ltd., as Lessee and as Guarantor, Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, L.P., as Lessor, the Lenders named therein, Credit Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent 10.10 First Amendment dated as of September Incorporated by 30, 1998 to Participation Agreement reference dated as of March 27, 1998 among Reebok International Ltd., as Lessee and Guarantor, Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, L.P., as Lessor, the Lenders named therein, Credit Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent 10.11 Lease dated as of March 27, 1998 Incorporated by between Credit Suisse Leasing 92A, reference L.P., as Lessor, and Reebok International Ltd., as Lessee 10.12 Guaranty from Reebok International Incorporated by Ltd. dated as of March 27, 1998 reference 38 10.13 Reebok International Ltd. 1994 Equity Incorporated by Incentive Plan, as amended reference 10.14 Reebok International Ltd. Equity and Incorporated by Deferred Compensation Plan for reference Directors, as amended 10.15 Reebok International Ltd. 1985 Stock Incorporated by Option Plan, as amended reference 10.16 Reebok International Ltd. 1987 Stock Incorporated by Option Plan for Directors, as amended reference 10.17 Reebok International Ltd. 1987 Stock Incorporated by Bonus Plan reference 10.18 Reebok International Ltd. Excess Incorporated by Benefits Plan reference 10.19 Reebok International Ltd. Supplemental Incorporated by Executive Retirement Plan reference 10.20 Amendment to Supplemental Executive Filed herewith Retirement Plan dated as of February 23, 1999 10.21 Reebok International Ltd. Executive Incorporated by Performance Incentive Plan, as amended reference 10.22 Stock Option Agreement with Paul Incorporated by B. Fireman reference 10.23 Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement Incorporated by with Paul B. Fireman reference 10.24 Letter Agreement with Paul R. Incorporated by Duncan dated December 29, 1997 reference 10.25 Employment Agreement with Kenneth Incorporated by Watchmaker reference 10.26 Change of Control Agreement with Incorporated by Kenneth Watchmaker reference 10.27 Supplemental Retirement Program for Incorporated by Kenneth Watchmaker reference 10.28 Change of Control Agreement with Incorporated by Angel Martinez reference 10.29 Employment Agreement dated April 17, Incorporated by 1996 with Roger Best reference 39 10.30 Employment Agreements dated Incorporated by September 11, 1997 with Roger Best reference 10.31 Change of Control Agreement with Incorporated by James R. Jones, III reference 10.32 Change of Control Agreement with Incorporated by Barry Nagler reference 10.33 Form of Non-Competition Agreements Incorporated by signed by James R. Jones, III, reference Angel Martinez, Robert Meers, Barry Nagler, Kenneth Watchmaker and Anthony J. Tiberii 10.34 Employment Agreement dated September 8, Incorporated by 1998 between Carl J. Yankowski and reference Reebok International Ltd. 10.35 Promissory Note dated September 11, Incorporated by 1998 by Carl J. Yankowski reference 10.36 Change of Control Agreement with Filed herewith Carl J. Yankowski 10.37 Letter Agreement dated July 14, Incorporated by 1998 between Robert Meers and reference Reebok International Ltd. 12. Statement Re Computation of Ratio Filed herewith of Earnings to Fixed Charges 13.1 Selected Portions of Registrant's Filed herewith 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of the Company Filed herewith 23.1 The consent of Ernst & Young LLP Filed herewith 27. Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith
EX-10.20 2 AMEND. TO SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN 1 EXHIBIT 10.20 AMENDMENT TO SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN DATED FEBRUARY 23, 1999 SECTION 4. (f) FORFEITURE OF BENEFIT. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, a Participant shall cease participation in this Plan and such Participant (and his/her spouse) shall forfeit his/her entire benefits under this Plan upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) The Participant voluntarily terminates his/her employment with Employer prior to attaining age 65 and following his/her termination of employment with Employer, but prior to attaining age 65, the Participant provides services as an employee, consultant, or otherwise for any person or entity other than Employer for renumeration ("Outside Services"). For purposes of this clause, the determination of what constitutes Outside Services shall be made by Employer, in its sole judgment and discretion, taking into account whatever factors Employer deems necessary or appropriate; PROVIDED, that Participant shall not be deemed to be providing Outside Services, if Participant is engaged in teaching, government or public service or service as a corporate director or if the Participant is employed for less than twenty-five hours per week as an employee for a non-profit company or as a consultant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all of the following conditions are satisfied, then this provision relating to the forfeiture of benefits shall not apply: (1) if a Participant has entered into a Change in Control Agreement with Employer, (2) such Participant voluntarily terminates employment following a Change of Control (as defined in such agreement), and (3) such termination results in the payment of benefits under the Change of Control Agreement. (2) The Participant's employment with Employer is terminated by Employer for "cause", as determined by Employer in its reasonable judgment and discretion. (3) At any time the Participant, directly or indirectly, owns, manages, operates, controls, is employed by or acts as an officer, director or consultant for, any footwear or apparel company (a "Competitive Activity") unless Employer consents in advance in writing to such Competitive Activity. In order to administer the restrictions set forth above, each Participant who is no longer employed by Employer shall be required to certify to Employer on an annual basis (1) if the Participant voluntarily terminated his/her employment, that the Participant is not providing Outside Services and (2) that the Participant is not engaged in any Competitive Activity. Participant shall also provide Employer with such additional information regarding his/her activities as Employer may request in order to confirm compliance with the restrictions set forth above. EX-10.36 3 CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT W/CARL J.YANKOWSKI 1 EXHIBIT 10.36 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT AGREEMENT, made this 12th day of November, by and between Carl J. Yankowski ("Executive") and Reebok International Ltd. (the "Company"), WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Company to agree to provide benefits under circumstances described below to Executive; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the possibility of a change of control of the Company, followed by a termination of the Executive's employment or a reduction in his responsibility or compensation, is unsettling to the Executive and wishes to make arrangements at this time to help assure his continuing dedication to his duties to the Company and its shareholders, notwithstanding any attempts by outside parties to gain control of the Company; and WHEREAS, the Board believes it important, should the Company receive proposals from outside parties, to enable the Executive, without being distracted by the uncertainties of his own employment situation, to perform his regular duties, NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. In the event that any individual, corporation, partnership, company, or other entity (a "Person"), which term shall include a "group" (within the meaning of section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")), begins a tender or exchange offer, circulates a proxy to the Company's shareholders, or takes other steps to effect a "Change of Control" (as defined in paragraph 3 below), Executive agrees that he will not voluntarily leave the employ of the Company and will render the services contemplated in the recitals to this Agreement until such Person has terminated the efforts to effect a Change of Control or until a Change of Control has occurred. 2. If, within 24 months following a Change of Control, Executive's employment with the Company terminates other than as a result of the death, total disability or retirement of the Executive at or after his normal retirement date, (i) by the Company other than for "Cause" (as defined in paragraph 4 below), or (ii) by Executive for "Good Reason" (as defined in paragraph 4 2 below), then: a. The Company will pay to Executive within 30 days of such termination of employment a lump-sum cash payment equal to 300% of the aggregate of (i) his then-current annual base salary (or, if his base salary has been reduced at any time after the Change of Control, his base salary in effect prior to the reduction), (ii) his target bonus for the then-current year or, if higher, his bonus for the most recent calendar year ended before the Change of Control, (iii) the amount of his then-current annual automobile allowance and (iv) the annual cost of life insurance then furnished to him by the Company. b. All of Executive's outstanding stock options, restricted shares and other similar incentive interests and rights will become immediately and fully vested and exercisable. c. Executive will be treated for purposes of the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP") as having three additional Years of Continuous Service. The Company will, within 30 days of his termination, pay to him, in a single lump-sum cash payment, the present value of his benefit under the SERP. Present value will be determined by applying the "applicable mortality table" and "applicable interest rate" then in effect for purposes of section 417(e)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor provision. d. The Company will pay to Executive, in a single lump-sum cash payment, an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the total distribution that he receives following his termination under the Company's Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plan and its Excess Benefits Plan and (ii) the total distribution that he would have received under such plans had he accumulated three additional Years of Service for Vesting prior to termination. The payment will be made at the same time that he receives his distribution from those plans. e. Executive, together with his dependents, will continue following such termination of employment to participate fully, with no contribution to the cost required of him or them, in all accident and health plans maintained or sponsored by the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control, or receive substantially the equivalent coverage (or the full value thereof in cash) from the Company, until the third anniversary of such termination. f. The Company will promptly reimburse Executive for any and all legal fees and expenses incurred by him as a result of such termination of employment, including 3 without limitation all fees and expenses incurred in connection with efforts to enforce the provisions of this Agreement (provided such efforts result in Executive's recovery of any sum from the Company, whether through court award or settlement). 3. A Change of Control will occur for purposes of this Agreement if (i) any Person who does not currently own directly or indirectly 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of securities of the Company representing more than 30% (or, if higher, the aggregate percentage of the combined voting power of the Company's then-outstanding securities held by or for the benefit of Paul Fireman and his family) of the combined voting power of the company's then-outstanding securities, (ii) there is a change of control of the Company of a kind which would be required to be reported under Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Act (or a similar item in a similar schedule or form), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement, (iii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board thereafter, or (iv) individuals who, at the date hereof, constitute the Board (the "Continuing Directors") cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any director who is not in office at the date hereof but whose election by the Board or whose nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the date hereof or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved shall be deemed to be a Continuing Director for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3, a "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because of (i) the acquisition of securities of the Company (or any reporting requirement under the Act relating thereto) by an employment benefit plan maintained by the Company for its employees or (ii) the occurrence of a leveraged buy-out or recapitalization of the Company so long as Executive retains all the benefits of this Agreement following the leveraged buy-out or recapitalization, and Executive's existing stock options are converted to replacement options or some other form of equity on a basis no less favorable than that generally adopted for other senior executives of the Company. 4. a. "Cause" means only: conviction of the Executive for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. b. "Good Reason" means any one or more of the following: (i) Failure by the Company to maintain Executive in 4 the positions, with the titles, that he held immediately prior to the Change of Control or downgrading of his responsibilities or authority. (ii) Reduction of Executive's base salary or failure in any year to pay to him a bonus at least equal to his target bonus for the year in which the Change of Control occurs. (iii) Material reduction in the health, disability or life insurance benefits that the Company was providing Executive immediately prior to the Change of Control. (iv) Failure by the Company to provide Executive with the opportunity to participate in any executive compensation or benefit plan or program that is then generally available to other senior executives of the Company. (v) Relocation of Executive's principal place of business more than 30 miles from the its location immediately prior to the Change of Control. 5. In the event that it is determined that any payment or benefit provided by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, either under this Agreement or otherwise, will be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor provision ("section 4999"), the Company will, prior to the date on which any amount of the excise tax must be paid or withheld, make an additional lump-sum payment (the "gross-up payment") to Executive. The gross-up payment will be sufficient, after giving effect to all federal, state and other taxes and charges (including interest and penalties, if any) with respect to the gross-up payment, to make Executive whole for all taxes (including withholding taxes) and any associated interest and penalties, imposed under or as a result of section 4999. Determinations under this Section 5 will be made by Ernst & Young unless Executive has reasonable objections to the use of that firm, in which case the determinations will be made by a comparable firm chosen by Executive after consultation with the Company (the firm making the determinations to be referred to as the "Firm"). The determinations of the Firm will be binding upon the Company and Executive except as the determinations are established in resolution (including by settlement) of a controversy with the Internal Revenue Service to have been incorrect. All fees and expenses of the Firm will be paid by the Company. If the Internal Revenue Service asserts a claim that, if successful, would require the Company to make a gross-up payment or an additional gross-up payment, the Company and Executive will cooperate fully in resolving the controversy with the Internal 5 Revenue Service. The Company will make or advance such gross-up payments as are necessary to prevent Executive from having to bear the cost of payments made to the Internal Revenue Service in the course of, or as a result of, the controversy. The Firm will determine the amount of such gross-up payments or advances and will determine after final resolution of the controversy whether any advances must be returned by Executive to the Company. The Company will bear all expenses of the controversy and will gross Executive up for any additional taxes that may be imposed upon Executive as a result of its payment of such expenses. 6. If the Company is at any time before or after a Change of Control merged or consolidated into or with any other corporation or other entity (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity), or if substantially all of the assets thereof are transferred to another corporation or other entity, the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the corporation or other entity resulting from such merger or consolidation or the acquirer of such assets, and this paragraph 6 will apply in the event of any subsequent merger or consolidation or transfer of assets. In the event of any merger, consolidation, or sale of assets described above, nothing contained in this Agreement will detract from or otherwise limit Executive's right to participate or privilege of participation in any stock option or purchase plan or any bonus, profit sharing, pension, group insurance, hospitalization, or other incentive or benefit plan or arrangement which may be or become applicable to executives of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or the corporation acquiring such assets of the Company. In the event of any merger, consolidation or sale of assets described above, references to the Company in this Agreement shall unless the context suggests otherwise be deemed to include the entity resulting from such merger or consolidation or the acquirer of such assets of the Company. 7. All payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive or his dependents, beneficiaries, or estate will be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to tax and/or other payroll deductions as may be required by law. 8. There shall be no requirement on the part of the Executive to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate damages in order to be entitled to the full amount of any payments and benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement, and the amount of such payments and benefits shall not be reduced by any compensation or benefits received by Executive from other employment. 9. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Company and the Executive, or as a right of the Executive to continue in the employ of the Company, or as a limitation of the right of the Company to 6 discharge the Executive with or without Cause; the Executive may, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, have the right to receive upon termination of his employment the payments and benefits provided in this Agreement and shall not be deemed to have waived any rights he may have either at law or in equity in respect of such discharge. 10. No amendment, change, or modification of this Agreement may be made except in writing, signed by both parties. Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be in lieu of payments and other benefits, if any, to which Executive may be entitled under any other severance agreement or severance plan of the Company. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive, his executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns, and the Company and its successors. The validity, interpretation, and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company shall have no right of set-off or counterclaims, in respect of any claim, debt, or obligation, against any payments to Executive, his dependents, beneficiaries or estate provided for in this Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. No right or interest to or in any payments or benefits hereunder shall be assignable by the Executive; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this provision shall not preclude him from designating one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be payable after his death and shall not preclude the legal representative of his estate from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto under his will or, in the case of intestacy, to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to his estate. The term "beneficiaries" as used in this Agreement shall mean a beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated to receive any such amount, or if no beneficiary has been so designated, the legal representative of the Executive's estate. No right, benefit, or interest hereunder, shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, hypothecation, or set-off in respect of any claim, debt, or obligation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process, or assignment by operation of law. Any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any action specified in the immediately preceding sentence shall, to the full extent 7 permitted by law, be null, void, and of no effect. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Reebok International Ltd. and Executive have each caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date set forth above. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. By: /s/ PAUL FIREMAN ----------------------------- Agreed: /s/ CARL J. YANKOWSKI - ------------------------------ EX-12 4 STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS 1 EXHIBIT 12 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. (Amounts in Thousands) Exhibit 12 - Statement RE: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
December December 1998 1997 -------- -------- Earnings Pretax Income $ 35,852 $147,609 Add: Interest on indebtedness 60,671 64,365 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 363 399 Interest on Letters of Credit included in cost of goods sold Portions of rent representative of the interest factor 15,104 15,123 -------- -------- Income as adjusted $111,990 $227,496 ======== ======== Fixed Charges Interest on indebtedness $ 60,671 $ 64,365 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 363 399 Interest on Letters of Credit included in cost of goods sold Portions of rent representative of the interest factor 15,104 15,123 -------- -------- Fixed charges $ 76,138 $ 79,887 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.47 2.85
EX-13.1 5 SELECTED PORTIONS OF 1998 ANNUAL REPORT 1 FINANCIAL DATA Selected Financial Data 37 Quarterly Results of Operations 66 MD&A Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition 38 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Balance Sheets 46 Consolidated Statements of Income 47 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 48 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 49 NOTES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 50 REPORTS Report of Independent Auditors 64 Report of Management 65 CORPORATE INFORMATION Directors & Officers 67 Shareholder Information 68 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL RESULTS AND CORPORATE INFORMATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 2 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 Net sales $3,224,592 $3,643,599 $3,478,604 $3,481,450 $3,280,418 Income before income taxes and minority interest 37,030 158,085 237,668 275,974 417,368 Net income 23,927 135,119 138,950 164,798 254,478 Basic earnings per share .42 2.41 2.06 2.10 3.09 Diluted earnings per share .42 2.32 2.03 2.07 3.02 Dividends per common share -- -- .225 .300 .300 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 Working capital $ 749,512 $ 887,367 $ 946,127 $ 900,922 $ 831,856 Total assets 1,739,624 1,756,097 1,786,184 1,651,619 1,649,461 Long-term debt 554,432 639,355 854,099 254,178 131,799 Stockholders' equity 524,377 507,157 381,234 895,289 990,505 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Financial data for 1998 includes special after-tax charges of $23,674, or $0.42 per share, in connection with the Company's various business re-engineering efforts and the restructuring or adjustment of certain underperforming marketing contracts. The earnings per share amounts prior to 1997 have been restated as required to comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." For further discussion regarding the calculation of earnings per share, see Notes 1 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. On June 7, 1996, Reebok completed the sale of substantially all of the operating assets and business of its subsidiary, Avia Group International, Inc. ("Avia"); accordingly, subsequent to that date, the operations of Avia are no longer included in the Company's financial results. 1997 results include an income tax benefit of $40,000, or $0.69 per diluted share, related to the conclusion in 1997 of outstanding tax matters associated with the sale of Avia. 1997 also includes total special after-tax charges of $39,161, or $0.67 per diluted share, relating to restructuring activities in the Company's global operations. Financial data for 1995 includes total special after-tax charges of $44,934, or $0.56 per diluted share, of which $33,699 relates to the sale of Avia and $11,235 relates to facilities consolidation, severance and other related costs associated with the streamlining of certain segments of the Company's operations. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 37. 3 MD&A MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE COMPANY'S REVENUES, EARNINGS, SPENDING, MARGINS, ORDERS, PRODUCTS, ACTIONS, PLANS, STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES. ANY SUCH STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. PROSPECTIVE INFORMATION IS BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S THEN CURRENT EXPECTATIONS OR FORECASTS. SUCH INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO THE RISK THAT SUCH EXPECTATIONS OR FORECASTS, OR THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING SUCH EXPECTATIONS OR FORECASTS, BECOME INACCURATE. FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS AND COULD CAUSE SUCH RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED BELOW AND THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY'S 1998 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K UNDER THE HEADING "ISSUES AND UNCERTAINTIES." - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING RESULTS 1998 Net sales for the year ended December 31, 1998 were $3.225 billion, an 11.5% decrease from the year ended December 31, 1997 sales of $3.644 billion. The Reebok Division's worldwide sales (including the sales of the Greg Norman Collection) were $2.691 billion in 1998, a 14.1% decrease from sales of $3.131 billion in 1997. U.S. footwear sales of the Reebok Brand decreased 13.6% to $1.062 billion in 1998 from $1.229 billion in 1997. U.S. footwear sales of the Reebok Brand were adversely impacted by over-capacity in the market due to significant retail expansion during a period of softening consumer demand. This has resulted in inventory backups and heavy promotional activity to move the excess quantities. Despite the sales decline, U.S. footwear sales of the Reebok Brand generated a 44% sales increase in its running category and increases in its kids and outdoor categories as compared with 1997. U.S. footwear sales in other categories declined in 1998. U.S. apparel sales of the Reebok Brand decreased by 16.1% to $362.2 million from $431.9 million in 1997. Increased sales of apparel in the Company's retail outlet stores and its Greg Norman Collection were more than offset by declines in Reebok branded and licensed apparel. The Company is in the process of repositioning the Reebok U.S. apparel business by upgrading its product offerings and exiting many of its unprofitable licensed apparel contracts. International sales of the Reebok Brand (including footwear and apparel) were $1.267 billion in 1998, a decrease of 13.8% from International sales of $1.471 billion in 1997. The European region reported a sales increase during 1998, whereas all other International regions reported sales declines. The Company's sales performance is being adversely affected by economic conditions in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Russia. As compared to 1997, 38. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 4 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION sales in Asia Pacific declined 47% or approximately $150 million for the year and footwear sales to unconsolidated Latin American distributors declined by 50% or approximately $60 million. During 1998, operations in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Russia negatively impacted the Company's earnings by approximately $50.0 million on a pre-tax basis, as compared to 1997. Another factor affecting International sales comparisons is currency, particularly in Russia and Asia Pacific. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates accounted for approximately a 3% decline in sales in 1998. Most of the Reebok Brand's International footwear categories declined during the year, however, the classic and kids categories had sales increases. Rockport's sales for 1998 (including sales of the Ralph Lauren Footwear Brand) increased by 4.2% to $533.9 million from $512.5 million in 1997. International revenues, which grew by 8.2%, accounted for approximately 20.0% of Rockport's sales (excluding sales of Ralph Lauren Footwear) in both 1998 and 1997. Increased sales in the walking, outdoor and men's categories were partially offset by decreased sales in the women's category. The Company has been strategically repositioning its Rockport women's products in an effort to expand that segment of the business. For 1998, women's products represented only 20% of Rockport's sales. During 1998, Rockport expanded its branded retail presence by opening a number of shop-in-shop and retail concept areas. The Ralph Lauren Footwear Brand had a sales increase of approximately 15.0% in 1998 as compared to 1997, with all of the increase coming from the Polo Sport segment. During 1999, the Company intends to expand the Polo Sport segment of the Ralph Lauren/Polo Sport footwear business and to debut a separate Lauren product segment. The Company's overall gross margin was 36.8% of sales which is comparable to last year's rate of 37.0%. During the second half of 1998, U.S. footwear pricing margins for the Reebok Brand were restored to levels that the Company was achieving prior to the introduction of its technology products, which is an improvement over last year. This is the result of manufacturing efficiencies the Company has achieved with technology products and from sourcing changes initiated to take advantage of currency opportunities in the Far East. This improvement was offset by a greater percentage of the Company's business being off-price due to the promotional activity in the market. International margins continue to be adversely affected by the strong U.S. dollar. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 were $1.043 billion, or 32.4% of sales, as compared to $1.069 billion, or 29.4% of sales for 1997. While overall spending declined, the increased spending as a percentage of sales is attributable to additional expansion of retail presence for all of the Company's brands and investments in research, design, development and production. Also included in 1998 results were severance expenses relating to the reorganization of certain business units and start-up expenses for the Company's new European logistics and shared service companies and global information system re-engineering efforts. These start-up expenses, many of which are redundant in nature, amounted to approximately $43.5 million for 1998. Of this amount, $34.1 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses and $9.4 million is included in cost of sales. The Company expects to incur additional start-up expenses during most of 1999 or until such time as these business re-engineering efforts are fully implemented. The Company has benefited from the various cost reduction programs initiated last year, as all other selling, general and administrative expenses declined from last year's levels. As described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded a special pre-tax charge of $35.0 million, amounting to approximately $23.7 million after taxes or $0.42 per share, relating to restructuring activities in the Company's global operations. The charge included personnel related expenses and other charges associated with certain underperforming marketing contracts. The business re-engineering should enable the Company to achieve greater operating efficiencies. The underperforming marketing contracts have been terminated or restructured to focus the Company's spending on those key athletes and teams who are more closely aligned with its core brand positioning. Interest expense decreased in 1998 as compared to 1997 as a result of debt repayments. Other expense was $19.2 million for the twelve months, an increase of $13.0 million from last year. This increase is primarily due to the currency devaluation in Russia and the Company's write-down of its investment in its Brazilian joint venture. The effective income tax rate was 32.2% for 1998 as compared to 33.2% for 1997 (exclusive of certain one-time tax benefits received in 1997). Looking forward, dependent on the geographic mix of earnings in 1999, the Company expects that the full year 1999 rate will be approximately 36.0%. However, the rate could fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on where the Company earns income geographically, and, if the Company incurs non-benefitable losses in certain economically troubled regions, the rate could increase further. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 39. 5 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION At December 31, 1998, the Company had recorded net deferred tax assets of $177.6 million, of which $69.7 million is attributable to the expected utilization of tax net operating loss carryforwards. The remainder, $107.9 million, is attributable to tax credit carryforwards and the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Although realization is not assured, management believes that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. The estimate of future taxable income relates to operations of the Company which have, in the past, generated a level of taxable income in excess of amounts of future taxable income necessary to realize the deferred tax assets. In addition, the Company has tax planning strategies which can utilize a portion of the tax net operating loss carryforwards and thereby reduce the likelihood that they will expire unused. However, if the Company's estimates of future taxable income are not realized in the near-term, the net carrying value of the deferred tax assets could be reduced thereby impacting future net income. OPERATING RESULTS 1997 Net sales for the year ended December 31, 1997 were $3.644 billion, a 4.7% increase from the year ended December 31, 1996 sales of $3.479 billion, which included $49.4 million of sales from the Company's Avia subsidiary that was sold in June 1996. The Reebok Division's worldwide sales (including sales of the Greg Norman Collection) were $3.131 billion in 1997, a 5.0% increase from comparable sales of $2.982 billion in 1996. The stronger U.S. dollar has adversely impacted Reebok Brand worldwide sales comparisons with the prior year. On a constant dollar basis, sales for the Reebok Brand worldwide increased 8.3% in 1997 as compared to 1996. The Reebok Division's U.S. footwear sales increased 3.0% to $1.229 billion in 1997 from $1.193 billion in 1996. The increase in the Reebok Division's U.S. footwear sales is attributed primarily to increases in the running, walking, and men's cross-training categories. The increase in sales in these categories was partially offset by decreases in Reebok's basketball, outdoor and women's fitness categories. The underlying quality of Reebok footwear sales in the U.S. improved from last year. Sales to athletic specialty accounts increased approximately 31%, and the amount of off-price sales declined from 7.6% of total Reebok footwear sales in 1996, to 3.2% of total Reebok footwear sales in 1997. The Reebok Division's U.S. apparel sales increased by 37.2% to $431.9 million from $314.9 million in 1996. The increase resulted primarily from increases in branded core basics, licensed and graphic categories. The Reebok Division's International sales (including footwear and apparel) were $1.471 billion in 1997, approximately equal to the Division's International sales in 1996 of $1.474 billion. The International sales comparison was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. On a constant dollar basis, for the year ended December 31, 1997, the International sales gain was 6.4%. All International regions generated sales increases over the prior year on a constant dollar basis. For International sales, increases in the running, classic and walking categories were offset by decreases in the basketball and tennis categories. Generally in the industry there is a slowdown in branded athletic footwear and apparel at retail and there is a significant amount of promotional product offered across all distribution channels. As a result of this situation and the expected ongoing negative impact from currency fluctuations, the Company expects it will be difficult to increase sales in 1998. Rockport's sales for 1997 increased by 14.5% to $512.5 million from $447.6 million in 1996. Exclusive of the Ralph Lauren footwear business, which was acquired in May 1996, Rockport's sales increased 7.3% in 1997. International revenues, which grew by 46.0%, accounted for approximately 21.0% of Rockport's sales (excluding Ralph Lauren Footwear) in 1997, as compared to 16.0% in 1996. Increased sales in the walking and men's categories were partially offset by decreased sales in the women's lifestyle category. The decrease in the women's lifestyle category was the result of a strategic initiative to re-focus the women's business around an outdoor, adventure and travel positioning and reduce the product offerings in the refined women's dress shoe segment. Rockport continues to attract younger customers to the brand with the introduction of a wider selection of dress and casual products. The Ralph Lauren footwear business performed well in 1997 and is beginning to generate sales growth in its traditional segments, reflecting the benefits of improved product design and development and increased distribution. Rockport plans to expand the current product line of Ralph Lauren/Polo Sport athletic footwear during 1998 with additional products which will be available at retail during 1999. The Company's gross margin declined from 38.4% in 1996 to 37.0% in 1997. Margins are being negatively impacted by both start-up costs and initially higher manufacturing costs on the Company's new technology products (DMX 2000 and 3D Ultralite). In addition, the decline reflects a significant impact from currency fluctuations as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar and a decrease in full-margin at-once business as a result of an over-inventoried promotional retail 40. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 6 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION environment. The Company estimates that 100 basis points of the margin decline is due to currency. Looking forward, the Company expects margins to continue to be under pressure through at least the first half of 1998. However, the Company believes that if the technology product line expands and gains greater critical mass and with improving production capabilities, the new technology products are capable of generating margin improvement. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of sales from 30.6% in 1996 to 29.4% in 1997. The reduction is primarily due to the absence of certain advertising and marketing expenses associated with the 1996 Summer Olympics. In addition, non-brand building general and administrative infrastructure expenses declined. Research, design and development expenses increased 27.0% for the year and retail operating expenses increased in support of new store openings. At December 31, 1997, the Company operated 157 Reebok, Rockport and Greg Norman retail stores in the U.S. as compared to 141 at the end of 1996. As described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company recorded special pre-tax charges of $58.2 million relating to restructuring activities in the Company's global operations. The restructuring should enable the Company to achieve operating efficiencies, including improved inventory management, credit management, purchasing power and customer service and should provide the organization with access to a single global data base of company, supplier and customer information. The restructuring initiatives should also improve logistics, allow the Company to focus its spending on those key athletes and teams who are more closely aligned with its brand positioning and produce cost savings once completed during 1999. Interest expense increased as a result of the additional debt the Company incurred to finance the shares acquired during the 1996 Dutch Auction share repurchase. As described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Internal Revenue Service notified the Company in August 1997 that it had approved the Company's tax treatment of certain losses related to the sale of its Avia subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company recorded a tax benefit in the quarter ended September 30, 1997 totaling $40.0 million. Excluding the favorable impact of this special income tax credit, the Company's effective tax rate was 33.2% in 1997, as compared with 35.4% in 1996. The decrease in the rate is attributable to a change in the mix of the earnings between domestic and international subsidiaries. The Company expects its effective tax rate in 1998 to be further reduced to 31.0%-32.0% as a result of the change in geographic mix of earnings and ongoing efforts to improve cash ow through various tax planning initiatives. The $10.5 million increase in other expense in 1997 relates primarily to currency losses due to the stronger U.S. dollar. Year-to-year earnings per share comparisons benefited from the Company's share repurchase programs including the Dutch Auction share repurchase which was completed in August 1996. Weighted average common shares outstanding (dilutive) for the year ended December 31, 1997 declined by 15.0% to 58.3 million shares, as compared to 68.6 million shares for the year ended December 31, 1996. REEBOK BRAND BACKLOG The Reebok Brand backlog (including Greg Norman Collection apparel) of open customer orders scheduled for delivery during the period from January 1, 1999 through June 30, 1999 declined 10.8% as compared to the same period last year. North American backlog for the Reebok Brand, which includes the U.S. and Canada, decreased 19.8% and the International backlog increased 5.1%. Reebok U.S. footwear backlog decreased 18.0% and Reebok U.S. apparel backlog (including Greg Norman Collection apparel) decreased 24.7% as compared to the same period last year. U.S. backlog comparisons are against a period last year that had not yet been significantly impacted by the industry slowdown which began in late 1997. That retail slowdown, which continued during 1998, resulted in higher retail cancellations and returns during the year. In addition, the Company believes retailers are leaving more open-to-buy dollars available for at-once business. These changes in business conditions suggest that the percentage changes in open backlog are not necessarily indicative of future sales trends. In addition, many orders are cancelable, sales by Company-owned retail stores can vary from year-to-year, many markets in Latin America and Asia Pacific are not included in the open orders since sales are made by independent distributors and the ratio of orders booked early to at-once shipments can vary from period to period. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 41. 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF CAPITAL The Company's financial position remains strong. Working capital was $749.5 million at December 31, 1998 and $887.4 million at December 31, 1997. The current ratio at December 31, 1998 was 2.2 to 1 compared to 2.5 to 1 at December 31, 1997. The decline in the current ratio is primarily the result of lower earnings and the payment of long-term debt and increased capital expenditures. Accounts receivable decreased by $43.9 million from December 31, 1997, a decrease of 7.8%. This is the result of the Reebok Division reducing the average days sales outstanding in U.S. receivables by 2 days as compared to last year end, as well as the decrease in sales. Inventory decreased by $28.5 million, or 5.1% from December 31, 1997. U.S. footwear inventories of the Reebok Brand decreased 14.7% at year end as compared to 1997. Reebok U.S. apparel inventories were down 34.8% and Reebok retail outlet inventories were down 8.8% despite adding twenty-eight additional outlet stores over the course of the year and absorbing additional excess inventories generated by the Company. During the year ended December 31, 1998, cash and cash equivalents decreased $29.7 million and outstanding borrowings decreased by $111.9 million. In September 1998, in cooperation with its bank group, the Company amended certain of its credit arrangements to relax its debt to operating cash flow ratio covenant through June, 2000. All other material terms and conditions of the credit arrangements remain unchanged. Cash provided by operations during 1998 was $151.8 million, as compared to cash provided by operations of $126.9 million during 1997, a $24.9 million improvement despite lower earnings. The change in operating cash flow year-to-year is attributable to improved inventory management practices and improved cash collections in the U.S. Cash generated from operations, together with the Company's existing credit lines and other financial resources, is expected to adequately finance the Company's current and planned 1999 cash requirements. However, the Company's actual experience may differ from the expectations set forth in the preceding sentence. Factors that might lead to a difference include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "Issues and Uncertainties," as well as future events that might have the effect of reducing the Company's available cash balances (such as unexpected operating losses or increased capital or other expenditures, as well as increases in the Company's inventory or accounts receivable), or future events that might reduce or eliminate the availability of external financial resources. CONTINGENCIES The Company's footwear and apparel production operations are subject to the usual risks of doing business abroad, such as import duties, quotas and other threats to free trade, foreign currency fluctuations, labor unrest and political instability. The Company believes that it has the ability to develop, over time, adequate substitute sources of supply for the products obtained from present foreign suppliers. If, however, events should prevent the Company from acquiring products from its suppliers in Indonesia, China, Thailand or the Philippines, or significantly increase the cost to the Company of such products, the Company's operations could be seriously disrupted until alternative suppliers are found. For several years, imports from China to the U.S., including footwear, have been threatened with higher or prohibitive tariff rates, either through statutory action or intervention by the Executive Branch, due to concern over China's trade policies, human rights, foreign weapons sales practices and its foreign policy. Further debate on these issues is expected to continue in 1999. However, the Company does not currently anticipate that restrictions on imports from China will be imposed by the U.S. during 1999. If adverse action is taken with respect to imports from China, it could have an adverse effect on some or all of the Company's product lines, which could result in a negative financial impact. The Company has put in place contingency plans which should allow it to diversify some of its sourcing to countries other than China if any such adverse action occurs. In addition, the Company does not believe that it would be more negatively impacted by any such adverse action than its major competitors. The actual effect of any such action will, however, depend on a number of factors, including how reliant the Company, as compared to its competitors, is on production in China and the effectiveness of the contingency plans put in place. The European Union ("EU") imposed import quotas on certain footwear from China in 1994. The effect of such quota scheme on Reebok has not been significant because the quota scheme provides an exemption for certain higher-priced special technology athletic footwear, which exemption is available for most REEBOK products. This exemption does not, however, cover most of Rockport's products and thus could result in an adverse effect on Rockport's international sales. 42. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 8 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION As a result, Rockport is pursuing alternative sources for its products to reduce such effect. However, there can be no guarantee that Rockport will be successful in implementing such alternative sourcing arrangements. In addition, the EU has imposed antidumping duties against certain textile upper footwear from China and Indonesia. A broad exemption from the dumping duties is provided for athletic textile footwear which covers most REEBOK models. If the athletic footwear exemption remains in its current form, few REEBOK product lines will be affected by the duties; however, ROCKPORT products would be subject to these duties. Nevertheless, the Company believes that those REEBOK and ROCKPORT products affected by the duties can generally be sourced from other countries not subject to such duties. If, however, the Company was unable to implement such alternative sourcing arrangements, certain of its product lines could be adversely affected by these duties. The EU also has imposed antidumping duties on certain leather upper footwear from China, Thailand and Indonesia. These duties apply only to low cost footwear, below the import prices of most Reebok and Rockport products. Thus the Company's products have not been significantly impacted by such duties. The EU continues to review the athletic footwear exemption which applies to both the quota scheme and antidumping duties discussed above. The Company, through relevant trade associations, is working to prevent imposition of a more limited athletic footwear exception. Should revisions be adopted narrowing such exemption, certain of the Company's product lines could be affected adversely, although the Company does not believe that its products would be more severely affected than those of its major competitors. Various other countries have taken or are considering steps to restrict footwear imports or impose additional customs duties or other impediments, which actions affect the Company as well as other footwear importers. The Company, in conjunction with other footwear importers, is aggressively challenging such restrictions and is attempting to develop new production capacity in countries not subject to those restrictions. Nevertheless, such restrictions have in some cases had a significant adverse effect on the Company's sales in some of such countries, most notably Argentina, although they have not had a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole. Lawsuits arise during the normal course of business. The Company does not expect the outcome of any existing litigation to have a significant impact on its financial position or future results of operations. The Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts and options to hedge its exposure for merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars that will be sold to customers in other currencies. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in net income except that gains and losses on contracts which hedge specific foreign currency commitments are deferred and accounted for as a part of the transaction. The Company also uses forward currency exchange contracts and options to hedge significant intercompany assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency. Contracts used to hedge intercompany balances are marked to market and the resulting transaction gain or loss is included in the determination of net income. Foreign currency losses realized from settlements of transactions included in net income for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 were $12.0 million and $8.1 million, respectively. The Company has used forward exchange contracts and options as an element of its risk management strategy for several years. At December 31, 1998, the Company had forward currency exchange contracts and options, all having maturities of less than one year, with a notional amount aggregating $323.1 million. The contracts involved twelve different foreign currencies. One currency represented 23% of the aggregate notional amount. The notional amount of the contracts intended to hedge merchandise purchases was $160.6 million. Deferred gains (losses) on these contracts were not material at December 31, 1998 or 1997. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate movements by effectively converting a portion of its variable rate long-term debt from floating to fixed rates. These agreements involve the exchange of variable rate payments for fixed rate payments without the effect of leverage and without the exchange of the underlying principal amount. Interest rate differentials paid or received under these swap agreements are recognized over the life of the contracts as adjustments to interest expense. At December 31, 1998, the notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $295.0 million. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and hedging instruments. The Company places cash equivalents with high credit major REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 43. 9 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. Credit risk on trade receivables is somewhat minimized as a result of the Company's worldwide customer base and the fact that no one customer represents 10% or more of the Company's net sales. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to hedging instruments. The counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions. The Company continually monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and places dollar and term limits on the amount of contracts it enters into with any one party. YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE The year 2000 issue, which is common to most corporations, concerns the inability of information technology (IT) systems, including computer software programs, as well as non-IT systems, to properly recognize and process date sensitive information related to the year 2000 and beyond. This could potentially cause a system failure or miscalculation that could disrupt operations. In order to determine the Company's readiness for the year 2000, the Company has conducted a global review of both its IT and non-IT systems to identify the systems that could be affected by the technical problems associated with the year 2000. As part of this review, a management team was selected to inventory all IT (mainframe, network and desktop hardware and software), and non-IT embedded systems (security, fire prevention, elevators, climate control systems, etc.) to address the year 2000 issue, including an assessment of the costs required to effect such a plan. The team is currently in the process of evaluating these inventoried items to determine a remediation method and implementation plan. The IT evaluation is substantially complete and the non-IT evaluation for all major subsidiaries was substantially completed at the end of December 1998. While the Company believes that most of its critical non-IT systems will function without substantial year 2000 compliance problems, the Company will continue to review, test and remediate (if necessary) such systems. In 1993 the Company developed a strategic information systems plan which provided for the adoption of a new global information systems infrastructure which would substantially improve the Company's systems capability. This new global system will replace most legacy systems with year 2000 compliant software and will thus also address the year 2000 issue. The Company began investments in this new global strategic system in 1994, with investments continuing each year thereafter and expected to continue through the year 2000. The global SAP system being adopted by the Company did not previously have an appropriate application for the footwear and apparel industry. Thus the Company, together with its software vendor and another company in the apparel industry, developed a new software application for the footwear and apparel industry which is now being implemented by the Company. The Company believes that, with modifications to existing software and converting to SAP software and other packaged software, the year 2000 will not pose significant operational problems for the Company's computer systems. However, if the modifications and conversions are not implemented or completed in a timely or effective manner, the year 2000 problem could have a material adverse impact on the operations and financial condition of the Company. In addition, in converting to SAP software, the Company is relying on its software partner to develop and support new software applications and there could be problems in successfully developing and implementing such new applications. The Company is the first in the apparel and footwear industry to implement this new software application and, because of the year 2000 time restraints, the schedule for implementation is accelerated. Thus, there are substantial risks that problems could arise in implementation or that the system may not be fully effective by the end of 1999. The SAP system has been installed and implementation has been substantially completed in two of the Company's business units, as well as, in certain other functional areas. The system is now being configured for rollout to other operating units. The Company also plans to do testing of its year 2000 readiness during 1999 for operations not included in the expected SAP implementation. The Company's Rockport subsidiary will not be converted to the new SAP system by the end of 1999. Accordingly, modifications to its existing software are being made to make it year 2000 compliant. 44. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 10 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION Because the Company's conversion to SAP software will replace much of the Company's software with year 2000 compliant systems, it is difficult to segregate the incremental costs associated with the year 2000 issue. The Company expects that the total costs of converting to the global SAP system will be approximately $75 million, of which approximately $50 million has been spent to date. Capitalized costs which are included in this estimate are expected to be approximately $30 million. These costs do not include internal staffing costs. These estimates assume that the Company will not incur significant year 2000 related costs on behalf of its suppliers, customers or other third parties. The Company is also focusing on major suppliers and customers to assess their compliance with the year 2000. This effort is being handled internally and is currently in process. The Company will be assessing its largest customers and vendors to determine that their operations are year 2000 compliant. The Company is also developing plans to test year 2000 compliance with significant suppliers during 1999 and will use the results of such tests to determine if contingency plans are necessary and to prepare such plans. The Company is dependent on its suppliers, joint venture partners, independent distributors and customers to implement appropriate changes to their computer systems to address the year 2000 issue. The failure of such third parties to effectively address such an issue could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Contingency plans for year 2000-related interruptions are being developed and will include, but not be limited to, the development of emergency backup and recovery procedures, remediation of existing systems parallel with implementation of the new systems, and replacing electronic applications with manual processes. These contingency plans are, however, subject to variables and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that the Company will correctly anticipate the level, impact or duration of potential non-compliance or that its contingency plans will be sufficient to mitigate the impact of any potential failures. Estimates of time and cost and risk assessments are based on currently available information. Developments that could affect such estimates and assessments include, but are not limited to, the ability to hold to the schedule defined for SAP and other package conversions; the ability to remediate all relevant computer code for those limited applications targeted to be remediated; co-operation and remediation success of the Company's suppliers and customers; and the ability to implement suitable contingency plans in the event of year 2000 system failures at the Company or its suppliers or customers. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 45. 11 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA
DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 180,070 $ 209,766 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (1998, $47,383; 1997, $44,003) 517,830 561,729 Inventory 535,168 563,735 Deferred income taxes 78,419 75,186 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 50,309 54,404 ---------- ---------- Total current assets 1,361,796 1,464,820 ---------- ---------- Property and equipment, net 172,585 156,959 Other non-current assets: Intangibles, net of amortization 68,648 65,784 Deferred income taxes 99,212 19,371 Other 37,383 49,163 ---------- ---------- 205,243 134,318 ---------- ---------- Total Assets $1,739,624 $1,756,097 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Notes payable to banks $ 48,070 $ 40,665 Current portion of long-term debt 86,640 121,000 Accounts payable 203,144 192,142 Accrued expenses 191,833 219,386 Income taxes payable 82,597 4,260 ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities 612,284 577,453 ---------- ---------- Long-term debt, net of current portion 554,432 639,355 Minority interest 31,972 32,132 Commitments and contingencies Outstanding redemption value of equity put options 16,559 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock, par value $.01; authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued 93,306,642 shares in 1998, 93,115,835 shares in 1997 933 931 Retained earnings 1,156,739 1,145,271 Less 36,716,227 shares in treasury at cost (617,620) (617,620) Unearned compensation (26) (140) Accumulated other comprehensive income (expense) (15,649) (21,285) ---------- ---------- 524,377 507,157 ---------- ---------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,739,624 $1,756,097 ========== ==========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 46. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 12 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 1996 Net sales $3,224,592 $3,643,599 $3,478,604 Other income (expense) (19,167) (6,158) 4,325 ---------- ---------- ---------- 3,205,425 3,637,441 3,482,929 ---------- ---------- ---------- Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 2,037,465 2,294,049 2,144,422 Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,043,199 1,069,433 1,065,792 Special charges 35,000 58,161 Amortization of intangibles 3,432 4,157 3,410 Interest expense 60,671 64,366 42,246 Interest income (11,372) (10,810) (10,609) ---------- ---------- ---------- 3,168,395 3,479,356 3,245,261 ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes and minority interest 37,030 158,085 237,668 Income taxes 11,925 12,490 84,083 ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before minority interest 25,105 145,595 153,585 Minority interest 1,178 10,476 14,635 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 23,927 $ 135,119 $ 138,950 ========== ========== ========== Basic earnings per share $ .42 $ 2.41 $ 2.06 ========== ========== ========== Diluted earnings per share $ .42 $ 2.32 $ 2.03 ========== ========== ========== Dividends per common share $ -- $ -- $ 0.225 ========== ========== ==========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 47. 13 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
ACCUMULATED COMMON UNEARNED OTHER STOCK RETAINED TREASURY COMPEN- COMPREHENSIVE SHARES TOTAL (PAR VALUE $.01) EARNINGS STOCK SATION INCOME (EXPENSE) BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995 111,015,133 $ 895,289 $1,096 $1,487,006 $(603,241) $(1,208) $ 11,636 =========== ========= ====== ========== ========= ======= ======== Comprehensive income: Net income 138,950 138,950 Adjustment for foreign currency translation (5,988) (5,988) --------- Comprehensive income 132,962 Treasury shares repurchased (14,379) (14,379) Issuance of shares to certain employees 43,278 1,450 1,505 (55) Amortization of unearned compensation 292 292 Shares repurchased and retired (18,931,403) (672,402) (190) (672,900) 688 Shares issued under employee stock purchase plans 157,134 4,044 2 4,042 Shares issued upon exercise of stock options 272,153 6,933 3 6,930 Put option contracts expired 39,840 15 39,825 Income tax reductions relating to exercise of stock options 2,385 2,385 Dividends declared (15,180) (15,180) ----------- --------- ------ ---------- --------- ------- -------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996 92,556,295 381,234 926 992,563 (617,620) (283) 5,648 =========== ========= ====== ========== ========= ======= ======== Comprehensive income: Net income 135,119 135,119 Adjustment for foreign currency translation (26,933) (26,933) --------- Comprehensive income 108,186 Issuance of shares to certain employees 9,532 431 (431) Amortization of unearned compensation 566 566 Shares repurchased and retired (313) 8 8 Shares issued under employee stock purchase plans 151,210 4,363 1 4,362 Shares issued upon exercise of stock options 399,111 10,044 4 10,040 Income tax reductions relating to exercise of stock options 2,756 2,756 ----------- --------- ------ ---------- --------- ------- -------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 93,115,835 507,157 931 1,145,271 (617,620) (140) (21,285) =========== ========= ====== ========== ========= ======= ======== Comprehensive income: Net income 23,927 23,927 Adjustment for foreign currency translation 5,636 5,636 --------- Comprehensive income 29,563 Issuance of shares to certain employees 14,704 458 (458) Amortization of unearned compensation 387 387 Shares repurchased and retired (114,920) (3,181) (1) (3,365) 185 Shares issued under employee stock purchase plans 223,583 3,821 2 3,819 Shares issued upon exercise of stock options 67,440 1,187 1 1,186 Put option contracts outstanding (16,559) (16,559) Premium received from unexercised equity put options 2,002 2,002 ----------- --------- ------ ---------- --------- ------- -------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998 93,306,642 $ 524,377 $ 933 $1,156,739 $(617,620) $ (26) $(15,649) =========== ========= ====== ========== ========= ======= ========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 48. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 14 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 1996 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 23,927 $ 135,119 $ 138,950 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 48,017 47,423 42,927 Minority interest 1,178 10,476 14,635 Deferred income taxes (83,074) (17,285) (6,333) Special charges 35,000 58,161 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of those arising from business acquisitions: Accounts receivable 63,951 (13,915) (107,082) Inventory 39,134 (47,937) 77,286 Prepaid expenses 4,734 (28,613) 22,650 Other 3,892 24,458 11,042 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (65,616) 18,295 67,769 Income taxes payable 80,634 (59,257) 18,419 --------- --------- --------- Total adjustments 127,850 (8,194) 141,313 --------- --------- --------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 151,777 126,925 280,263 ========= ========= ========= CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments to acquire property and equipment (53,616) (23,910) (29,999) Proceeds from business divestitures 6,887 --------- --------- --------- Net cash used for investing activities (53,616) (23,910) (23,112) ========= ========= ========= CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net borrowings (payments) of notes payable to banks 2,048 27,296 (36,947) Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees 5,008 17,163 13,362 Dividends paid (20,922) Repayments of long-term debt (121,016) (156,966) (1,290) Net proceeds from long-term debt 632,108 Proceeds from premium on equity put options 2,002 717 Dividends to minority shareholders (6,649) (3,900) (7,426) Repurchases of common stock (3,366) (686,266) --------- --------- --------- Net cash used for financing activities (121,973) (116,407) (106,664) ========= ========= ========= Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (5,884) (9,207) 1,485 ========= ========= ========= Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (29,696) (22,599) 151,972 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 209,766 232,365 80,393 --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 180,070 $ 209,766 $ 232,365 ========= ========= ========= Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 58,224 $ 59,683 $ 38,738 Income taxes paid 26,068 115,985 77,213
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 49. 15 NOTES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BUSINESS ACTIVITY The Company and its subsidiaries design and market sports and fitness products, including footwear and apparel, as well as footwear and apparel for non-athletic "casual" use, under various trademarks, including REEBOK, the GREG NORMAN Logo, ROCKPORT and footwear under RALPH LAUREN and POLO SPORT. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. RECOGNITION OF REVENUES Sales are recognized upon shipment of products. 50. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 16 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA ADVERTISING Advertising production costs are expensed the first time the advertisement is run. Media (TV and print) placement costs are expensed in the month the advertising appears. Advertising expense (including cooperative advertising) amounted to $143,471, $164,870, and $201,584 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company accounts for its stock-based plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and provides pro forma disclosures of the compensation expense determined under the fair value provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase. INVENTORY VALUATION Inventory, substantially all finished goods, is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed principally on the straight line method over the assets' estimated lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. INTANGIBLES Excess purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is amortized using the straight line method over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years. Other intangibles are amortized using the straight line method over periods ranging from 3 to 40 years. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Assets and liabilities of most of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated at current exchange rates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. Translation adjustments resulting from changes in exchange rates are reported as a component of comprehensive income. The cumulative translation adjustment at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was ($15,649), ($21,285) and $5,648, respectively. Other foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income. For those foreign subsidiaries operating in a highly inflationary economy or having the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, net nonmonetary assets are translated at historical rates and net monetary assets are translated at current rates. Translation adjustments are included in the determination of net income. INCOME TAXES The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("Statement 109"). Tax provisions and credits are recorded at statutory rates for taxable items included in the consolidated statements of income regardless of the period for which such items are reported for tax purposes. Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("Statement 128"). Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and have been restated, to conform to Statement 128 requirements. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 51. 17 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("Statement 130") in 1998 which established standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of comparative general-purpose financial statements. The statement became effective for the Company as of December 31, 1998. Statement 130 requires foreign currency translation adjustments, which prior to adoption were reported separately in stockholders' equity, to be included in other comprehensive income (expense). The adoption of Statement 130 resulted in revised and additional disclosures but had no effect on the financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Company. Comprehensive income is reported by the Company in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity. The information for 1997 and 1996 has been restated from the prior year's presentation to conform to Statement 130 requirements. SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 131 "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("Statement 131") in 1998. Statement 131 establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements. The information for 1997 and 1996 has been revised from the prior year's presentation to conform to Statement 131 requirements. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In March 1998, AcSEC issued Statement of Position 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP 98-1"), which requires capitalization of certain costs to develop or obtain internal-use software. SOP 98-1 is required to be adopted for years beginning after December 15, 1998. In April 1998, the AcSEC issued Statement of Position 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities" ("SOP 98-5"), which requires the costs of start-up activities to be expensed as incurred. SOP 98-5 is required to be adopted for years beginning after December 15, 1998. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("Statement 133"), which is required to be adopted for years beginning after June 15, 1999. Management of the Company does not expect the adoption of any of these standards to have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results from operations. RECLASSIFICATION Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation. 2. SPECIAL CHARGES In the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded a special charge of $35,000 ($23,674 after tax, or $0.42 per share) in connection with the Company's ongoing business re-engineering efforts. The charge was for personnel related expenses and certain other charges associated with the restructuring or adjustment of underperforming marketing contracts. The business re-engineering, which will result in the termination of approximately 485 full-time positions, should enable the Company to achieve greater operating efficiencies. The underper- forming marketing contracts have been terminated or restructured to focus the Company's spending on those key athletes and teams who are more closely aligned with its brand positioning. The charge consists of certain one-time expenses, substantially all of which will affect cash. The financial results for 1997 include special pre-tax charges of $58,161 ($39,161 after tax or $0.67 per diluted share) relating to restructuring activities in the Company's global operations. The restructuring charge relates to facilities consolidation and elimination, asset write-downs, personnel related expenses and the termination or restructuring of certain underperforming marketing contracts that no longer reflect the Company's brand positioning. The restructuring activities include reducing the number of European warehouses; establishing a shared services company that will centralize European administrative operations; and implementing a global management information system. The charge will cover certain one-time costs, of which approximately 70% will affect cash. Actual costs incurred in 1998 and 1997 did not differ materially from the Company's estimates. 52. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 18 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA Details of the special charge activity are as follows:
1997 1997 BALANCE 1998 1998 BALANCE CHARGES UTILIZATION 12/31/97 CHARGES UTILIZATION 12/31/98 Marketing contracts $25,000 $ $25,000 $18,476 $(28,734) $14,742 Fixed asset write-downs 16,500 (9,600) 6,900 (1,134) 5,766 Employee retention and severance 9,200 (800) 8,400 14,798 (15,983) 7,215 Termination of leases and other 7,461 (700) 6,761 1,726 (5,912) 2,575 ------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- $58,161 $(11,100) $47,061 $35,000 $(51,763) $30,298 ======= ======== ======= ======= ======== =======
The fixed asset write-downs relate to assets that will be abandoned or sold. The restructuring should enable the Company to achieve operating efficiencies, including improved inventory management, credit management, purchasing power and customer service and should provide the organization with access to a single global data base of company, supplier and customer information. The restructuring initiatives should also improve logistics, allow the Company to focus its spending on those key athletes and teams who are more closely aligned with its brand positioning and produce cost savings once completed during 1999. 3. DUTCH AUCTION SELF-TENDER STOCK REPURCHASE On July 28, 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase by the Company of up to 24.0 million shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to a Dutch Auction self-tender offer. The tender offer price range was from $30.00 to $36.00 net per share in cash. The self-tender offer commenced on July 30, 1996 and expired on August 27, 1996. As a result of the self-tender offer, the Company repurchased approximately 17.0 million common shares at a price of $36.00 per share. Concurrent with the Dutch Auction share repurchase, the Company's Board of Directors elected to suspend subsequent declarations of quarterly cash dividends on the Company's stock. Accordingly, the last dividend declared was for shareholders of record as of September 11, 1996. Suspension of the dividend will conserve substantial cash which the Company plans to utilize to reduce debt incurred as a result of the share repurchase. 4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 Land $ 8,699 $ 9,037 Buildings 68,776 75,380 Machinery and equipment 264,642 221,114 Leasehold improvements 56,701 48,663 -------- -------- 398,818 354,194 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 226,233 197,235 -------- -------- $172,585 $156,959 ======== ========
REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 53. 19 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA 5. INTANGIBLES Intangibles consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 Excess of purchase price over fair value of assets acquired $ 38,900 $ 33,579 Other intangible assets: Purchased technology 52,827 52,827 Company trade name and trademarks 47,678 47,254 Other 12,969 13,699 -------- -------- 152,374 147,359 Less accumulated amortization 83,726 81,575 -------- -------- $ 68,648 $ 65,784 ======== ========
6. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS The Company has various arrangements with numerous banks which provide an aggregate of approximately $974,000 of uncommitted facilities, substantially all of which are available to the Company's foreign subsidiaries. Of this amount, $340,000 is available for short-term borrowings and bank overdrafts, with the remainder available for letters of credit for inventory purchases. In addition to amounts reported as notes payable to banks, approximately $167,000 was outstanding for open letters of credit for inventory purchases at December 31, 1998. On August 23, 1996, in conjunction with the repurchase of its shares pursuant to the Dutch Auction self-tender offer, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreement underwritten by a syndicate of major banks ("Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement included a $750,000 revolving credit facility, expiring on August 31, 2002 which replaced the Company's previous $300 million credit line. The balance of the facility was a $640,000 six-year term loan (see Note 8). On July 1, 1997, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement. The amendment reduced the revolving credit portion of the facility from $750,000 to $400,000. The revolving credit facility is available to finance the short-term working capital needs of the Company as well as support the issuance of letters of credit for inventory purchases, if required. At December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit portion of this agreement. As part of the agreement, the Company is required to pay certain commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility as well as comply with various financial and other covenants. As part of the amendment, the commitment fees the Company is required to pay on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility as well as the borrowing margins over the London Interbank Offer Rate on the used portion of the revolving credit facility were reduced. The amendment further removed or relaxed various covenants. All other material terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement remained unchanged. On September 30, 1998 the Company further amended the Credit Agreement. The amendment relaxed certain financial covenants through June 2000, at which time they will return to their original levels. The Company utilizes a commercial paper program under which it can borrow up to $200,000 for periods not to exceed 270 days. This program is supported, to the extent available, by the unused portion of the $400,000 revolving credit facility. At December 31, 1998, the Company had no commercial paper obligations outstanding. The weighted-average interest rate on notes payable to banks was 8.5% and 7.1% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 7. LEASING ARRANGEMENTS The Company leases various offices, warehouses, retail store facilities and certain of its data processing and warehouse equipment under lease arrangements expiring between 1999 and 2006. 54. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 20 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA In March 1998, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for a Worldwide Headquarters and North American Operations facility scheduled to open in 2000. Under the agreement, the lessor purchases the property, pays for the construction costs and subsequently leases the facility to the Company. The initial lease term is six years with five two-year renewal options. Lease payments will commence the earlier of occupancy or March 27, 2001 and the expected annual payments are approximately $10,000. In June 1998, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for the purpose of financing construction costs for a new distribution facility in the Netherlands. Under the agreement, the lessor leased the land pursuant to a ninety nine-year ground lease, paid for the construction costs and subsequently leased the entire facility to the Company. The initial lease term is six years with one five-year renewal option. These leases provide for substantial residual value guarantees by the Company and include purchase options at the original cost of the properties. The maximum amount of the residual value guarantees relative to the assets under these two leases is projected to be $162,000. As part of these agreements, the Company is required to comply with various financial and other covenants. Minimum annual rentals under operating leases (excluding the Worldwide Headquarters and North American Operations facility lease discussed above) for the five years subsequent to December 31, 1998 and in the aggregate are as follows: 1999 $ 41,622 2000 31,711 2001 23,415 2002 18,943 2003 14,756 2004 and thereafter 23,734 -------- 154,181 Less: amounts representing sublease income 18,103 -------- $136,078 ======== Total rent expense for all operating leases amounted to $45,771, $45,827, and $46,751 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 8. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following:
DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 Variable Rate Term Loan due August 31, 2002 with interest payable quarterly $427,398 $497,398 Medium-term notes, bearing interest at rates approximating 6.75%, due May 15, 2000, with interest payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 100,000 100,000 6.75% debentures due September 15, 2005, with interest payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 99,103 98,953 Medium-term notes, bearing interest at rates approximating 6%, due July 15, 1998, with interest payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15 30,000 Medium-term notes, bearing interest at rates approximating 6%, due February 11, 1998, with interest payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15 20,000 Bank and other notes payable 14,571 14,004 -------- -------- 641,072 760,355 Less current portion 86,640 121,000 -------- -------- $554,432 $639,355 ======== ========
REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 55. 21 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA On August 23, 1996, the Company entered into a $1,700,000 Credit Agreement underwritten by a syndicate of major banks of which $950,000 was available in the form of a six-year term loan facility for the purpose of financing the Company's acquisition of common stock pursuant to the Dutch Auction self-tender offer (see Note 3). Based on the number of shares tendered, the Company borrowed $640,000 from this facility. The undrawn portion of $310,000 was immediately canceled upon funding of the share repurchase. The Credit Agreement included various covenants including restrictions on asset acquisitions, capital expenditures and future indebtedness, and the requirement to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio. Under the terms of the agreement there are various options under which the interest is calculated. On July 1, 1997, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement. This amendment left the remaining portion of the six-year term loan of $522,398 (as of July 1, 1997) on substantially the same payment schedule, after adjusting for the $100,000 in optional prepayments made in 1997. The amendment also removed or relaxed covenants pertaining to restrictions on asset acquisitions and sales, capital expenditures, future indebtedness and investments and reduced the borrowing margins charged by the banks on the variable rate term loan. All other material terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged. On September 30, 1998 the Company further amended the Credit Agreement. The amendment relaxed certain financial covenants through June 2000, at which time they will return to their original levels. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the effective rate of interest on the variable term loan was approximately 5.89% and 6.19%, respectively. In addition, the Company is amortizing fees and expenses associated with the Credit Agreement over the life of the agreement. Maturities of long-term debt during the five-year period ending December 31, 2003 are $86,640 in 1999, $195,833 in 2000, $110,212 in 2001, $147,527 in 2002 and $140 in 2003. 9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company sponsors defined contribution retirement plans covering substantially all of its domestic employees and certain employees of its foreign subsidiaries. Contributions are determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Aggregate contributions made by the Company to the plans and charged to operations in 1998, 1997, and 1996 were $14,394, $13,696 and $11,755, respectively. 10. STOCK PLANS The Company has stock plans which provide for the grant of options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock to key employees, other persons or entities who make significant contributions to the success of the Company, and eligible members of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, as long as the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. Under the 1994 Equity Incentive Plan, options may be incentive stock options or "non-qualified options" under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The exercise price of any stock option granted may not be less than fair market value at the date of grant except in the case of grants to participants who are not executive officers of the Company and in certain other limited circumstances. The exercise period cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant. The vesting schedule for options granted under the 1994 Equity Incentive Plan is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The 1994 Equity Incentive Plan also permits the Company to grant restricted stock to key employees and other persons or entities who make significant contributions to the success of the Company. The restrictions and vesting schedule for restricted stock granted under this Plan are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company also has an option plan for its Directors. Under this plan, a fixed amount of options are granted annually to all non-employee Directors. Grants of options under the Directors plan vest in equal annual installments over three years. 56. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 22 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA The Company has two employee stock purchase plans. Under the 1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, eligible employees are granted options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock through voluntary payroll deductions during two option periods, running from January 1 to June 30 and from July 1 to December 31, at a price equal to the lower of 85% of market value at the beginning or end of each period. Under the 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, for certain foreign-based employees, eligible employees are granted options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock during two option periods, running from January 1 to June 30 and from July 1 to December 31, at the market price at the beginning of the period. The option becomes exercisable 90 days following the date of grant and expires on the last day of the option period. Accordingly, no options are outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997. During 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, 223,583, 151,210, and 157,134 shares were issued pursuant to these plans. In June 1990, the Company adopted a shareholders' rights plan and declared a dividend distribution of one common stock purchase right ("Right") for each share of common stock outstanding. Each Right entitles the holder to purchase one share of the Company's common stock at a price of $60 per share, subject to adjustment. The Rights will be exercisable only if a person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock or commences a tender or exchange offer that would result in a person or group owning 10% or more of the outstanding common stock, or in the event that the Company is subsequently acquired in a merger or other business combination. When the Rights become exercisable, each holder would have the right to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, common stock of the surviving company having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. The Company can redeem the Rights at $.01 per Right at any time prior to expiration on June 14, 2000. At December 31, 1998, 13,157,869 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the Company's various stock plans and 69,748,284 shares were reserved for issuance under the shareholders' rights plan. The following schedule summarizes the changes in stock options during the three years ended December 31, 1998:
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NON-QUALIFIED OPTION EXERCISE STOCK OPTIONS PRICE PER SHARE PRICE Outstanding at December 31, 1995 6,156,917 $ 8.75 - $38.88 $24.96 Granted 4,436,947 26.75 - 41.63 31.32 Exercised (272,153) 8.75 - 37.02 25.41 Canceled (406,005) 11.38 - 37.02 31.10 ---------- --------------- ------ Outstanding at December 31, 1996 9,915,706 8.75 - 41.63 27.54 Granted 1,205,704 33.75 - 49.25 35.51 Exercised (399,111) 8.75 - 36.75 25.72 Canceled (534,680) 24.00 - 41.63 33.14 ---------- --------------- ------ Outstanding at December 31, 1997 10,187,619 10.63 - 49.25 28.26 Granted 4,187,889 12.63 - 31.88 13.69 Exercised (67,440) 10.63 - 28.87 17.60 Canceled (5,066,327) 12.63 - 49.25 32.21 ---------- --------------- ------ Outstanding at December 31, 1998 9,241,741 $11.37 - $48.37 $19.54 ========== =============== ======
At December 31, 1998, the exercise prices for outstanding options ranged from $11.37 to $48.37. Within that range, 6,709,022 options were outstanding between $11.37 and $18.37. Included in this range are 3,069,795 options exercisable at a weighted-average exercise price of $17.23. The weighted-average exercise price and average remaining contractual life of these options is $15.11 and 5.26 years, respectively. Additionally, 2,532,719 options were outstanding between $20.46 and $48.37. Included in this range are 1,150,927 options exercisable at a weighted-average exercise price of $29.81. The weighted-average exercise price and average remaining contractual life of these outstanding options were $31.26 and 6.44 years, respectively. On October 6, 1998, the Board of Directors approved a stock option exchange and restructuring program pursuant to which certain current employees of the Company that held stock options with exercise prices above market could elect REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 57. 23 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA to exchange all or none of their then outstanding above market employee stock options for a smaller number of new options, with a new four-year vesting schedule. The number of existing outstanding option shares exchanged for the new option shares was at a ratio of 1.25:1. The new options have an exercise price of $12.625 per share which was the current market price as of October 6, 1998. Executive officers of the Company who were also directors and certain other option holders were not eligible to participate in this program. Of the 9,932,000 option shares outstanding under the Company's stock option programs as of October 6, 1998, approximately 3,900,000 option shares (or approximately 40%) were eligible for this exchange and restructuring program. Substantially all of these options were exchanged by employees under the program. Shares granted in 1996 include a July grant to certain senior executives made in conjunction with the Dutch Auction. The options did not begin to vest until the end of 1998, and vesting extends for a period of up to five years ending in December 2002. Certain of these options were exchanged in 1998 pursuant to the Company's stock option exchange and restructuring program. In addition, during 1996 the Company reinstituted December as the month in which it grants its annual stock options to employees. The 1995 annual employee option grants were issued in February 1996. At December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, options to purchase 4,220,722, 4,324,208, and 3,983,278 shares of common stock were exercisable, and 3,648,581, 3,032,790, and 1,225,051 shares, respectively, were available for future grants under the Company's stock equity plans. Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by Statement 123, which requires that the information be determined as if the Company has accounted for its employee stock options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of that statement. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively: risk-free interest rates ranging from 4.2% to 7.7%; dividend yields of .00%, .00% and .68%; volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of .52 in 1998, .35 in 1997 and .27 in 1996; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of 3.5 years in 1998 and 4.2 years in 1997 and 1996. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's pro forma information follows (in thousands, except for earnings per share information):
1998 1997 1996 Pro forma net income $27,008 $127,506 $134,017 Pro forma basic earnings per share $ .49 $ 2.31 $ 2.03 Pro forma diluted earnings per share $ .49 $ 2.23 $ 2.00
The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 1998, 1997 and 1996 is $6.70, $13.09 and $10.76, respectively. Because Statement 123 is applicable only to options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994, its pro forma effect will not be fully reflected until 2001. 11. ACQUISITION OF COMMON STOCK Under various share repurchase programs from 1992 to 1995, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $800,000 in Reebok common stock in the open market or privately-negotiated transactions. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $126,600 available for future repurchases of common stock under these programs (See note 12). 12. EQUITY PUT OPTIONS During 1998, the Company issued equity put options as part of its ongoing share repurchase program. These options provide the Company with an additional source to supplement open market purchases of its common stock. The options were priced based on the market value of the Company's common stock at the date of issuance. The redemption value of the options, which represents the option price multiplied by the number of shares under option, is presented in the 58. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 24 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 1998 as "Outstanding redemption value of equity put options." At December 31, 1998, 625,000 shares of outstanding common stock were subject to repurchase under the terms and conditions of these options. In January 1999, the Company purchased the 625,000 shares under the terms of the equity put agreements for a net aggregate purchase price of $16,559. At December 31, 1997, no shares of outstanding common stock were subject to repurchase under the terms and conditions of equity put options. 13. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES On May 23, 1996, the Company finalized a long-term exclusive footwear licensing arrangement with Ralph Lauren to design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute men's, women's and children's footwear under the Ralph Lauren label. The agreement requires payment of certain annual minimum amounts for royalties and other compensation. The territory for the license initially included North America and is expected to expand worldwide as existing Ralph Lauren licenses expire subject to reaching agreement with Ralph Lauren as to business plans for the additional territories. In conjunction with the licensing arrangement, Reebok's subsidiary, The Rockport Company, Inc. acquired Ralph Lauren's prior licensee for the U.S. and Canada, Ralph Lauren Footwear, Inc. On June 7, 1996, Reebok completed the sale of substantially all of the operating assets and business of its subsidiary, Avia Group International, Inc. 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents and notes payable to banks: the carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate fair value. Long-term debt: the fair value of the Company's medium-term notes and debentures is estimated based on quoted market prices. The fair value of other long-term debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company's incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. Unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency exchange contracts and options: the fair value of the Company's foreign currency exchange contracts is estimated based on current foreign exchange rates. Fair market value of interest rate swaps: the fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps is estimated based on current interest rates. The carrying amounts and fair value of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
CARRYING AMOUNT FAIR VALUE ------------------- ------------------- DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 1998 1997 Long-term debt $641,072 $760,355 $629,789 $759,049 Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency exchange contracts and options 2,024 4,619 (2,817) 6,256 Interest rate swaps (3,622) 344 ======== ======== ======== ========
FOREIGN EXCHANGE FORWARDS AND OPTIONS The Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts and options to hedge its exposure for merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars that will be sold to customers in other currencies. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in net income except that gains and losses on contracts which hedge specific foreign currency commitments are deferred and accounted for as a part of the transaction. The Company also uses forward currency exchange contracts and options to hedge significant intercompany assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency. Contracts used to hedge intercompany balances are marked to market and the resulting transaction gain or loss is included in the determination of net income. Foreign currency losses realized from settlements of transactions included in other income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 were $12,000 and $8,100, respectively. The Company has used forward exchange contracts and options as an element of its risk management strategy for several years. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 59. 25 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA At December 31, 1998, the Company had option and forward currency exchange contracts, all having maturities of less than one year, with a notional amount aggregating $323,148. The contracts involved 12 different foreign currencies. No single currency represented more than 23% of the aggregate notional amount. The notional amount of contracts intended to hedge merchandise purchases was $160,586. Deferred gains (losses) on these contracts were not material at December 31, 1998 and 1997. INTEREST RATE SWAPS The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate movements by effectively converting a portion of its variable rate long-term debt from floating to fixed rates. These agreements involve the exchange of variable rate payments for fixed rate payments without the effect of leverage and without the exchange of the underlying principal amount. Interest rate differentials paid or received under these swap agreements are recognized over the life of the contracts as adjustments to interest expense. During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company entered into several amortizing interest rate swaps with a group of financial institutions having an initial notional value of $320,000 and expiring on December 31, 2000. The notional amount of the swaps is reduced each year in accordance with the expected repayment schedule of the Company's variable rate term loan. In January 1998, the Company entered into additional interest rate swaps in the amount of $150,000 with respect to the variable rate term loan. The terms of the swaps require the Company to make fixed rate payments on a quarterly basis whereas the Company will receive variable rate payments based on the three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $295,000 and $245,000 respectively. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and hedging instruments. The Company places cash equivalents with high credit financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. Credit risk on trade receivables is somewhat minimized as a result of the Company's worldwide customer base and the fact that no one customer represents 10% or more of the Company's net sales. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to hedging instruments. The counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions. The Company continually monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and places dollar and term limits on the amount of contracts it enters into with any one party. 15. INCOME TAXES The components of income before income taxes and minority interest are as follows:
1998 1997 1996 Domestic $(54,064) $(32,783) $(12,720) Foreign 91,094 190,868 250,388 -------- -------- -------- $ 37,030 $158,085 $237,668 ======== ======== ========
60. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 26 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
1998 1997 1996 Current: Federal $ 44,090 $(34,314) $ 1,961 State 3,572 (324) 4,534 Foreign 47,337 64,413 83,921 -------- -------- ------- 94,999 29,775 90,416 -------- -------- ------- Deferred: Federal (37,811) (8,940) (1,705) State (19,880) (1,900) (689) Foreign (25,383) (6,445) (3,939) -------- -------- ------- (83,074) (17,285) (6,333) -------- -------- ------- $ 11,925 $ 12,490 $84,083 ======== ======== =======
During 1992, the Company recorded a write-down in the carrying value of its Avia subsidiary in the amount of $100,000 with no corresponding tax benefit recognized in that year due to the uncertainty concerning the ultimate deductibility of the charge. In June 1996, substantially all of the operating assets and business of Avia were sold. After the sale, in December 1996, the Company requested a pre-filing determination from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding the deductibility of certain losses pertaining to the sale of Avia. In August 1997, the IRS notified the Company that it had approved the Company's tax treatment concerning the deductibility of the Avia losses and accordingly, a corresponding reduction in income taxes totaling $40,000 was recorded in the third quarter of that year. Undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $409,369, $405,265 and $517,309 at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, some portion of the distribution would be subject to both U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes, less an adjustment for applicable foreign tax credits. Determination of the amount of U.S. income tax liability that would be incurred is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation; however, unrecognized foreign tax credits would be available to reduce some portion of any U.S. income tax liability. Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate differ from amounts provided as follows:
1998 1997 1996 Tax at statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% State taxes, less federal tax effect 1.5 1.5 1.7 Effect of tax rates of foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures (5.1) (4.3) (1.6) Tax benefit from Avia losses (25.3) Amortization of intangibles 0.7 0.4 0.4 Other, net 0.1 0.6 (0.1) ---- --- ---- Provision for income taxes 32.2% 7.9% 35.4% ==== === ====
Deferred income taxes reflect the expected utilization of tax net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 61. 27 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA Net deferred tax assets are attributable to the following:
DECEMBER 31 1998 1997 Inventory $ 37,175 $ 30,238 Accounts receivable 26,641 24,973 Liabilities 11,849 26,714 Depreciation 8,436 6,117 Accrued special charges 11,707 14,452 Tax net operating loss carryforwards 69,707 10,424 Tax credit carryforwards 16,710 Other, net (4,594) (18,361) -------- -------- Total $177,631 $ 94,557 ======== ========
At December 31, 1998, the Company had U.S. federal and state and local tax net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax net operating loss carryforwards for certain foreign subsidiaries, the tax effect of which is approximately $69,707. These carryforwards will expire as follows: $7,029 in 2002, $15,580 in 2003, and $47,098 thereafter. The Company also has available tax credit carryforwards of approximately $16,710, which will expire as follows: $3,145 in 2002, $1,509 in 2003, and $12,056 thereafter. 16. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
1998 1997 1996 Numerator: Net Income $23,927 $135,119 $138,950 ------- -------- -------- Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share -- weighted-average shares 56,394 56,162 67,370 Dilutive employee stock options and equity put options 635 2,147 1,247 ------- -------- -------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share -- adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions 57,029 58,309 68,617 ======= ======== ======== Basic earnings per share $ .42 $ 2.41 $ 2.06 ======= ======== ======== Diluted earnings per share $ .42 $ 2.32 $ 2.03 ======= ======== ========
62. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 28 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA 17. SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION The Company designs and markets footwear and apparel products, under various brand names. All products are generally manufactured using similar manufacturing processes. Additionally, these products share similar distribution methods and are marketed and sold to a similar type of customer. Operating results are assessed on an aggregate basis to make decisions about resources to be allocated among the brands. Consequently, as permitted by the provisions of Statement 131, "Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," the Company has one reportable segment for financial statement purposes. Net sales to unaffiliated customers and long-lived assets by geographic area are summarized below:
1998 1997 1996 NET SALES: United States $1,790,143 $2,000,883 $1,935,724 United Kingdom 522,393 661,358 566,196 Europe 585,686 510,981 623,209 Other countries 326,370 470,377 353,475 ---------- ---------- ---------- $3,224,592 $3,643,599 $3,478,604 ========== ========== ========== Long-lived assets: United States $ 170,537 $ 175,744 $ 182,380 United Kingdom 28,697 23,565 23,422 Europe 30,138 14,388 16,950 Other countries 11,861 9,046 32,240 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 241,233 $ 222,743 $ 254,992 ========== ========== ==========
18. CONTINGENCIES The Company is involved in various legal proceedings generally incidental to its business. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the outcome of these proceedings, management does not believe that they should result in a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Included in these proceedings is a lawsuit filed by a former distributor in Brazil in which the plaintiff asserted a claim for damages in excess of $50,000. In April 1998, a court of first instance in Brazil awarded this distributor damages of approximately $15,000, plus interest and attorneys' fees. The Company appealed the ruling to a three-judge panel of the appellate court which upheld the trial court's decision by a vote of two to one. Because the appellate decision was not unanimous, the case is now being referred to a new panel of five appellate judges from the same court, who will decide the case on a de novo basis which means that the appellate panel will not have any obligation to defer to the factual or legal conclusions of the trial court or the first appellate panel, but the amount awarded must be within the parameters established by the minority and majority decisions of the prior appellate panel (a range from approximately $72 to approximately $15,000, plus interest and attorneys' fees). The Company continues to believe the trial court's decision is in error and will aggressively pursue all rights of appeal available to it. The accompanying consolidated financial statements contain no provision for loss with respect to this Brazilian lawsuit. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 63. 29 REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Board of Directors and Stockholders Reebok International Ltd. Stoughton, Massachusetts We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Reebok International Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Reebok International Ltd. and subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Boston, Massachusetts February 2, 1999 64. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 30 REPORT OF MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The management of Reebok International Ltd. and its subsidiaries has prepared the accompanying financial statements and is responsible for their integrity and fair presentation. The statements, which include amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments, have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and are free of material misstatement. Management has also prepared other information in the annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the financial statements. INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM Reebok International Ltd. and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting, which is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company's management and Board of Directors as to the integrity and fair presentation of the financial statements. Management continually monitors the system of internal control for compliance, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified. Even an effective internal control system, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations including the possibility of the circumvention or overriding of controls and therefore can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, internal control system effectiveness may vary over time. The Company maintains an internal auditing program that monitors and assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls system and recommends possible improvements thereto. The Company's accompanying financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, whose audit was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and included a review of the system of internal accounting controls to the extent necessary to determine the audit procedures required to support their opinion on the consolidated financial statements. Management believes that, as of December 31, 1998, the Company's system of internal control is adequate to accomplish the objectives discussed herein. Reebok International Ltd., /s/ Paul Fireman /s/ Kenneth Watchmaker PAUL FIREMAN KENNETH WATCHMAKER Chairman, President and Chief Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Financial Officer REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 65. 31 QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 1998 Net sales $880,123 $760,567 $ 878,335 $705,567 Gross profit 314,051 280,328 331,994 260,754 Net income (loss) (3,358) 6,146 28,229 (7,090) Basic earnings (loss) per share (.06) .11 .50 (.13) Diluted earnings (loss) per share (.06) .11 .50 (.13) -------- -------- ---------- -------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 1997 Net sales $930,041 $841,059 $1,009,053 $863,446 Gross profit 356,229 323,511 370,211 299,599 Net income 40,184 20,322 73,968 645 Basic earnings per share .72 .36 1.32 .01 Diluted earnings per share .69 .35 1.26 .01 -------- -------- ---------- --------
Net income for the first quarter of 1998 includes a special charge of $23,674 after taxes, or $0.42 per share, for personnel related expenses and certain other expenses associated with the restructuring or adjustment of underperforming marketing contracts. Net income for the fourth quarter of 1997 includes a special charge of $18,000 after taxes, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the restructuring of a number of marketing contracts. Net income for the third quarter of 1997 includes a tax credit of $40,000, or $0.68 per diluted share, as well as a special charge of $21,161 after taxes, or $0.36 per diluted share, for facilities consolidation and elimination, asset adjustments, and personnel related expenses associated with global restructuring activities. 66. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 32 DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORPORATE OFFICERS PAUL FIREMAN PAUL FIREMAN Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Reebok International Ltd. ANGEL R. MARTINEZ CARL J. YANKOWSKI Executive Vice President Executive Vice President Chief Marketing Officer President & Chief Executive Officer Reebok Division Reebok Division Reebok International Ltd. KENNETH WATCHMAKER Executive Vice President PAUL R. DUNCAN Chief Financial Officer Executive Vice President Reebok International Ltd. CARL J. YANKOWSKI Executive Vice President M. KATHERINE DWYER President & Chief Executive Officer President Reebok Division Revlon Consumer Products, USA Revlon, Inc. JAMES R. JONES, III Senior Vice President & WILLIAM F. GLAVIN Chief Human Resources Officer President Emeritus Babson College BARRY NAGLER Senior Vice President MANNIE L. JACKSON General Counsel Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. ANTHONY J. TIBERII Senior Vice President RICHARD G. LESSER President & Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer The Rockport Company, Inc. TJX Companies, Inc. LEO S. VANNONI GEOFFERY NUNES Treasurer Retired Senior Vice President & General Counsel Millipore Corporation THOMAS M. RYAN President & Chief Executive Officer CVS Corporation
REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 67. 33 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FORM 10-K Ernst & Young LLP For a copy of the Form 10-K Annual 200 Clarendon Street Report, filed with the Securities Boston, MA 02116 and Exchange Commission, write to: Office of Investor Relations Reebok International Ltd. 100 Technology Center Drive TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR Stoughton, MA 02072 BankBoston, N.A. is the Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Company's common stock and maintains the shareholder accounting records. The Transfer Agent should be contacted on questions of changes in address, name or ownership, Web Site lost certificates and consolidation of http://www.reebok.com accounts. When corresponding with the Transfer Agent, shareholders should state the exact name(s) in which the stock is registered and certificate number as well as old and new information about the account. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Reebok International Ltd. BankBoston, N.A. 100 Technology Center Drive c/o EquiServe Stoughton, MA 02072 Shareholder Correspondence Phone: (781) 401-5000 Post Office Box 8040 Boston, MA 02266-8040 Phone: (781) 575-3400 Facsimile: (781) 828-8813 ANNUAL MEETING Toll-free number outside Massachusetts (800) 733-5001 The Annual Meeting of Shareholders http://www.equiserve.com will be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at BankBoston, Long Lane Conference Room, Second Floor, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Shareholders of record on March 11, 1999 are entitled to vote at the meeting. STOCK INFORMATION The Company's common stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RBK. The following table, derived from data supplied by the NYSE, sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices during 1998 and 1997.
1998 1997 ------------------ ----------------- High Low High Low First 33 3/16 25 1/2 52 7/8 40 5/8 Second 32 1/2 27 49 7/8 37 1/8 Third 29 1/4 13 1/8 52 1/4 43 5/8 Fourth 18 1/2 12 9/16 49 1/2 27 5/8 ================== =================
The number of record holders of the Company's common stock at February 19, 1999 was 6,895. 68. REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 34 (C) 1999 Reebok International Ltd. All Rights Reserved. REEBOK, DMX and the Vector Logo [REEBOK the Vector Logo] are registered trademarks and ATTACK LIFE is a trademark of Reebok. ROCKPORT, PROWALKER, UNCOMPROMISE and the Lighthouse Logo are registered trademarks and SOUL SENSATION and WALKING PLATFORM are trademarks of The Rockport Company, Inc. GREG NORMAN and the Greg Norman Logo are registered trademarks of Great White Shark Enterprises, Inc. RALPH LAUREN, LAUREN BY RALPH LAUREN and POLO SPORT are registered trademarks and RLX and LAUREN are trademarks of Polo/Ralph Lauren. Design: Belk Mignogna Associates, New York Photography: (Cover) Graham MacIndoe; (pgs. 21, 29 and 30) Robert Fishman
EX-21.1 6 LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY 1 EXHIBIT 21.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Name Organization Ralph Lauren Footwear Co., Inc. Massachusetts RBK Thailand, Inc. Massachusetts Reebok Aviation, Inc. Massachusetts Reebok CHC, Inc. Massachusetts Reebok Foundation, Inc. Massachusetts Reebok International Securities Corp. Massachusetts Reebok Securities Holdings Corp. Massachusetts The Reebok Worldwide Trading Company, Ltd. Massachusetts The Rockport Company, Inc. Massachusetts Avintco, Inc. Delaware RFC, Inc. Delaware Reebok Austria GmbH Austria Rockport Gmbh Austria Reebok Belgium SA Belgium Reebok do Brasil Servicos Brazil a Participacoes Ltda Rockport do Brasil - Comercio, Servicos Brazil e Participacoes Ltda. R.C. Investments Ltd. Canada Reebok Canada Inc. Canada Reebok France (S.A.) France Rockport France S.a.r.L. France 2 EXHIBIT 21.1 - Page 2 SUBSIDIARIES OF REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Name Organization American Sports and Leisure Germany Vertriebs GMBH Reebok Deutschland GmbH Germany Reebok (China) Services Limited Hong Kong Reebok Far East Ltd. Hong Kong Reebok Trading (FAR EAST) Limited Hong Kong Reebok India Company India Reebok Technical Services Private Limited India Reebok Ireland Limited Ireland Reebok Italia S.r.l. Italy Rockport International Trading Italy Co. Italy S.r.l. Reebok Japan Inc. Japan Rockport Japan Inc. Japan Reebok Korea Limited Korea Reebok Korea Technical Services Korea Company, Ltd. Reebok (Mauritius) Company Limited Mauritius Rockport Mexico S.A. DE C.V. Mexico Reebok Distribution B.V. The Netherlands RBK Sport Europe B.V. The Netherlands Reebok International Finance B.V. The Netherlands Reebok Europe B.V. The Netherlands Rockport (Europe) B.V. The Netherlands 3 EXHIBIT 21.1 - Page 3 SUBSIDIARIES OF REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Name Organization Reebok Nederland (Retail) B.V. The Netherlands Reebok (Philippines) Services Co., Inc. Philippines Reebok Poland SA Poland Reebok Portugal Artigos Desportives Lda Portugal Reebok Russia (Retail) Inc. Russia Reebok Leisure SA Spain Reebok (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited South Africa Reebok Scandinavia AB Sweden Reebok (Switzerland) AG Switzerland Reebok (Taiwan) Services Company Taiwan Reebok Ukraine Subsidiary Enterprise Ukraine J.W. Foster & Sons United Kingdom (Athletic Shoes) Limited RBK Holdings plc United Kingdom Reebok Eastern Trading Limited United Kingdom Reebok International Limited United Kingdom Reebok Sports Limited United Kingdom Reebok UK Limited United Kingdom The Rockport Company Limited United Kingdom Rockport International Limited United Kingdom Reebok Pensions Management Limited United Kingdom EX-23.1 7 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP 1 EXHIBIT 23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Reebok International Ltd. of our report dated February 2, 1999, included in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders of Reebok International Ltd. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Reebok International Ltd. listed in Item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-24114, 33-32664, 33-62301 and 333-17955) and Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-6989, 33-15729, 33-53954, 33-14698, 33-15089, 33-32663, 33-54562, 33-53523, 33-53525, 33-53537 and 333-67249) and related prospectuses of our report dated February 2, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph with respect to the financial statement schedule included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Reebok International Ltd. /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Boston, Massachusetts March 19, 1999 EX-27 8 FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER 31, 1998 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 0000770949 REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD. 1,000 12-MOS DEC-31-1998 JAN-01-1998 DEC-31-1998 180,070 0 565,213 47,383 535,168 1,361,796 398,818 226,233 1,739,624 612,284 554,432 0 0 933 523,444 1,739,624 3,224,592 3,205,425 2,037,465 2,037,465 1,071,437 0 60,671 35,852 11,925 23,927 0 0 0 23,927 .42 .42
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