-----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, Mm5Yvf9qbKLmHffYex5w1q+TpHQYVlArp9GkkqCa4HcZ63vgN5W8SQubhXFxrmqS aqFWYNxhqu+td6tEgbl/cQ== 0001193125-05-033861.txt : 20050222 0001193125-05-033861.hdr.sgml : 20050221 20050222101331 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-033861 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20041231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050222 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050222 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: K SWISS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000862480 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FOOTWEAR, (NO RUBBER) [3140] IRS NUMBER: 954265988 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-18490 FILM NUMBER: 05629610 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 31248 OAK CREST DRIVE CITY: WESTLAKE VILLAGE STATE: CA ZIP: 91361 BUSINESS PHONE: 8187065100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 31248 OAK CREST DR CITY: WESTLAKE VILLAGE STATE: CA ZIP: 91361 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)     
x   

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
     OR
¨   

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission file Number    0-18490


K•SWISS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware    95-4265988

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

31248 Oak Crest Drive,

Westlake Village, California

   91361
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code    (818) 706-5100


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each Class


  

Name of each exchange

on which registered


None    None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    x  Yes    ¨  No

The aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2004, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on such date was $527,958,380.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock outstanding at February 21, 2005 was 26,247,594 shares. The number of shares of the Registrant’s Class B Common Stock outstanding at February 21, 2005 was 8,380,128 shares.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the proxy statement for the Registrant’s 2005 Annual Stockholders Meeting are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

 


 

    

Caption


   Page

PART I

         

Item 1.

   Business    3

Item 2.

   Properties    10

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    10

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    10

PART II

         

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    11

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    13

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    14

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    22

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    24

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    50

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    50

Item 9B.

   Other Information    50

PART III

         

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    51

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    52

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management    52

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    52

Item 14.

   Principal Accounting Fees and Services    52

PART IV

         

Item 15.

   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules    53


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1.   Business

 

Company History and General Strategy

 

K•Swiss Inc. designs, develops and markets an array of athletic footwear for high performance sports use, fitness activities and casual wear under the K•Swiss brand. We also design and manufacture footwear under the Royal Elastics brand. Royal Elastics, a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading innovator of slip-on, laceless footwear. Sales of Royal Elastics brand were not significant during 2004.

 

K•Swiss was founded in 1966 by two Swiss brothers, who introduced one of the first leather tennis shoes in the United States. The shoe, the K•Swiss “Classic,” has remained relatively unchanged from its original design, and accounts for a significant portion of our sales. The Classic has evolved from a high-performance shoe into a casual, lifestyle shoe. We have emphasized in our marketing the commitment to produce products of high quality and enduring style and we plan to continue to emphasize the high quality and classic design of our products as we introduce new models of athletic footwear.

 

On December 30, 1986, K•Swiss was purchased by an investment group led by our current President. Thereafter we recruited experienced management and reduced manufacturing costs by increasing offshore production and entering into new, lower cost purchasing arrangements. Our products are manufactured to our specifications by overseas suppliers predominately in China. In June 1991 and September 1992, we established operations in Taiwan and Europe, respectively, to broaden our distribution on a global scale.

 

In May 2001, we formed a joint venture to license, produce and market a men’s, women’s and children’s collection of National Geographic outdoor-oriented and casual footwear. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we agreed with National Geographic to end our licensing agreement. Operations of the National Geographic brand have been accounted for and shown as a discontinued operation in the accompanying financial information.

 

In November 2001, we acquired the worldwide rights and business of Royal Elastics (“Royal”), an Australian-based designer and manufacturer of elasticated footwear. The purchase excludes distribution rights in Australia, which were retained by Royal Management Pty, Ltd.

 

The discussion during the remainder of this Item 1., other than backlog, trademarks and patents, and employees, relates solely to the K•Swiss brand.

 

K•Swiss is a corporation and was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 16, 1990. The Company is successor in interest to K•Swiss Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, which in turn was successor in interest to K•Swiss Inc., a California corporation. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms “we,” “us,” “K•Swiss” and the “Company” as used herein refers to K•Swiss Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Products

 

Our product strategy is two pronged. The first combines classic styling with high quality components and technical features designed to meet performance requirements of specific sports. We endeavor to use classic styling to reduce the impact of changes in consumer preferences as we believe that this strategy leads to longer product life cycles than are typical of the products of certain of our competitors. We believe that long product life cycles reduce total markdowns over the life of the

 

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products, thereby enhancing their attractiveness to retailers. This strategy also enables us to maintain inventory with less risk of obsolescence than is typical of more fashion-oriented products. The second product strategy uses fashion-oriented footwear sold principally on a futures only basis usually with little or no planned inventory position taken on these products. This strategy allows us to take advantage of trends in the marketplace that we identify while attempting to minimize the risk generally associated with this type of product.

 

Presently, we compete in the Classic category (casual), training, basketball, tennis and children’s footwear. Each product category has certain styles designated as core products. Our core products offer style continuity and often include on-going improvement. We believe our core product program is a critical factor in attempting to achieve our goal of becoming the “retailers’ most profitable vendor.” The core program tends to minimize retailers’ markdowns and maximizes the effectiveness of marketing expenditures because of longer product life cycles.

 

The following table summarizes our K•Swiss brand footwear into categories and sets forth the approximate contribution to revenues (in dollars and as a percentage of revenues) attributable to each footwear category for the periods indicated. All footwear categories come in both men’s (approximately 50% of 2004 revenues) and women’s (approximately 31% of 2004 revenues). Most styles within each footwear category are offered in men’s, women’s and children’s.

 

     Revenues (1)

 
     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

K•Swiss Footwear Category


   $

   %

    $

   %

    $

   %

 
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

Classic

   $ 313,833    67 %   $ 277,398    66 %   $ 185,212    66 %

Tennis/Court

     28,867    6       23,395    6       16,386    6  

Training

     38,487    8       35,914    8       16,640    6  

Children’s

     86,113    18       78,046    19       58,067    20  

Other (2)

     5,661    1       4,735    1       5,897    2  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

   $ 472,961    100 %   $ 419,488    100 %   $ 282,202    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Domestic (3)

   $ 392,889    83 %   $ 368,701    88 %   $ 245,058    87 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign (3)

   $ 80,072    17 %   $ 50,787    12 %   $ 37,144    13 %
    

  

 

  

 

  


(1)   For purposes of this table, revenues do not include other domestic income and fees earned on sales by foreign licensees and distributors.

 

(2)   Other consists of apparel, accessories, sport sandals and blemished shoes.

 

(3)   Included in “Totals.”

 

Footwear

 

Our product line through 1987 was primarily the Classic. The Classic was originally developed in 1966 as a high-performance tennis shoe. Since that time, the Classic has become a popular casual shoe. The upper of the Classic includes only three separate pieces of leather, which allows for a relatively simple manufacturing process and yields a product with few seams. This simple construction improves the shoe’s comfort, fit and durability. We have from time to time incorporated certain technical advances in materials and construction, but the Classic has remained relatively unchanged in style since 1966. In 2000, we launched Classic Luxury Edition, which sells for slightly more than the original version.

 

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The Classic, fueled by new products, has evolved into a category of shoes referred to as the Classic category. The Classic category is comprised of the Classic original, as described above, and its derivatives, and other casual athletic styles.

 

The Classic originals segment contains shoes that we intend to carry in our product assortment for several years. They generally have shoe characteristics such as d-rings and five stripes, and, because they are multiple season shoes, we maintain significant inventory positions of this segment. Significant inventory positions allow for effective electronic data interchange (“EDI”) programs with retailers that fit into our strategy of attempting to become the retailers’ most profitable vendor. The other casual athletic styles category includes the K-S Collection which comprises shoes offered for several seasons and they generally do not contain d-rings and have diffused or no stripes. Sometimes inventory is maintained on these products. Other casual athletic styles also includes the Limited Edition segment which is generally meant as a one-season offering. They are generally fashionable type shoes that are purchased from factories based only on futures orders received from retailers.

 

In 2000, we entered the training performance category to compete with moderately priced running shoes and moderately priced cross training shoes. In 2004, we entered the basketball category, which is included in the training category in the above table.

 

Apparel and Accessories

 

We market a limited line of K•Swiss branded apparel and accessories. The products are designed with the same classic strategies used in the footwear line. Classic styling allows us to appeal to a variety of new markets from an urban distribution to an upscale suburban consumer.

 

In 1999, we introduced a new 7.0 line of high tech tennis apparel to complement our performance 7.0 footwear. The product line consists of world-class apparel (skirts, shorts, tops, polo’s, dresses and warm-ups) for both men and women. We also offer a collection for the casual athletic consumer consisting of tee shirts, caps, socks and bags.

 

The apparel line is distributed through the large chain sporting goods stores as well as independent shoe and sporting goods dealers nationwide. The tennis apparel line is sold primarily through tennis specialty and tennis pro shops. It also offers us visible promotional opportunities.

 

Sales

 

We sell our products in the United States through our sales executives, and independent sales representatives primarily to a limited number of specialty athletic footwear stores, pro shops, sporting good stores and department stores. We also sell through our website which is becoming increasingly important to us particularly in light of our limited distribution. We also sell our products to a number of foreign distributors. We now have sales offices or distributors throughout the world. In 1992, we established sales offices and now have appointed exclusive distributors in much of Europe.

 

Financial information relating to international and domestic operations is presented as part of Item 8 of this report. See Note N to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Marketing

 

Advertising and Promotion

 

We believe that our strategy of designing products with longer life cycles and introducing fewer new models relative to our competition enhances the effectiveness of our advertising and promotions.

 

In 2004, we used television as our largest single marketing expenditure. The campaign was run primarily on network and cable television, and was supported by several sports, music and general interest/fashion magazines.

 

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Table of Contents

Advertising and promotion efforts in foreign markets are directed by local distributors. Our agreements with foreign distributors generally require such distributors to spend a certain percentage of their sales of our products on advertising and promotion. We control the nature and content of these promotions.

 

Domestic Marketing

 

Our current marketing strategy emphasizes distribution to retailers whose marketing strategies are consistent with our reputation for quality and service.

 

Our footwear products are sold domestically through 44 independent regional sales representatives and 9 Company-employed sales managers. The independent sales representatives are paid on a commission basis, and are prohibited by contract from representing other brands of athletic footwear and related products. These representatives sold to approximately 2,900, 3,000 and 2,900 separate accounts as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

During 2004, the Foot Locker group of stores and affiliates accounted for approximately 21% of domestic revenues. See Note K to our Consolidated Financial Statements. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues during this period.

 

We offer a “futures” program, under which retailers are offered discounts on orders scheduled for delivery more than five months after the order is made. There is no guarantee that such orders will not be canceled prior to acceptance by the customer. This program is similar to programs offered by other athletic shoe companies. The futures program has a positive effect on inventory costs, planning and production scheduling. See “Distribution.” In addition, we engage in certain sales programs from time to time that provide for extended terms on initial domestic orders of new styles.

 

We maintain a customer service department consisting of 18 persons at our Westlake Village, California facility. The customer service department accepts orders for our products, handles inquiries and notifies retailers of the status of their orders. We have made a substantial investment in computer equipment for general customer support and service, as well as for distribution. See “Distribution.”

 

In 1999, seeking to expand the brand’s reach, provide product distribution to consumers that do not otherwise have the ability to purchase our products and to take advantage of the new advances in technology and the internet, we initiated an effort to better utilize the internet and the World Wide Web. The approach was two pronged. The K•Swiss website (www.kswiss.com) was enhanced and is visually integrated with the current television campaign. The second part of the strategy led to the creation of a new entity called K•Swiss Direct. K•Swiss Direct’s function is to provide the end consumers an alternate method of acquiring our products when they cannot find the product in their local retail outlets or do not have reasonable access to retail outlets carrying the product. Using the internet, consumers can purchase select footwear and apparel, at prices competitive with our retailers, and have it shipped directly to them.

 

International Marketing

 

In 1991, we established a sales management team in Asia. We have exclusive distributors in certain Pacific Rim countries. Exclusive distributors of our products are generally contractually obligated to spend specific amounts on advertising and promotion of our products. We have also established exclusive distributors in other international markets.

 

To expand the marketing of our products into Europe, we opened our own office in the Netherlands in 1992.

 

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By the end of 2004, K•Swiss was working through 6 international subsidiaries and 16 distributors to market K•Swiss products in potentially 65 countries.

 

Distribution

 

During December 1997, we relocated our distribution facility. We maintain 371,000 square feet of warehouse space at two leased facilities in Mira Loma, California. See “Item 2. Properties.”

 

We purchase footwear from independent manufacturers located predominantly in China. The time required to fill new orders placed by us with our manufacturers is approximately five months. Such footwear is generally shipped in ocean containers and delivered to our facility in California. In some cases, large customers may receive containers of footwear directly from the manufacturer. Distribution to European customers and certain other European distributors is based out of the Netherlands office public distribution facility. We generally arrange shipment of other international orders directly from our independent manufacturers.

 

We maintain an open-stock inventory on certain products which permits us to ship to retailers on an “at once” basis in response to orders placed by mail, fax, toll-free telephone call or electronically. We have made a significant investment in computer equipment that provides on-line capability to determine open-stock availability for shipment. Additionally, products can be ordered under our “futures” program. See “Marketing—Domestic Marketing.” We ship by package express or truck from California, depending upon size of order, customer location and availability of inventory.

 

Product Design and Development

 

We maintain offices in Westlake Village, California and Taichung, Taiwan that include a staff of individuals responsible for the design and development of new styles for all global regions. This staff receives guidance from our management team in California, who meet regularly to review sales, consumer and market trends.

 

Manufacturing

 

In 2004, approximately 99% of our footwear products were manufactured in China and 1% in Taiwan. Although we have no long-term manufacturing agreements and compete with other athletic shoe companies for production facilities (including companies that are much larger than us), we believe that our relationships with our footwear producers are satisfactory and that we have the ability to develop, over time, alternative sources for our footwear. Our operations, however, could be materially and adversely affected if a substantial delay occurred in locating and obtaining alternative producers.

 

All manufacturing of footwear is performed in accordance with detailed specifications furnished by us and is subject to quality control standards, and we retain the right to reject products that do not meet specifications. The bulk of all raw materials used in such production are purchased by manufacturers at our direction. Our inspectors at the manufacturing facilities test and inspect footwear products prior to shipment from those facilities.

 

During 2004, our apparel and accessory products were manufactured in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea and the United States by certain manufacturers selected by us.

 

Our operations are subject to compliance with relevant laws and regulations enforced by the United States Customs Service and to the customary risks of doing business abroad, including fluctuations in the value of currencies, increases in customs duties and related fees resulting from position changes by the United States Customs Service, import controls and trade barriers (including

 

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the unilateral imposition of import quotas), restrictions on the transfer of funds, work stoppages and, in certain parts of the world, political instability causing disruption of trade. These factors have not had a material adverse impact upon our operations to date. Imports into the United States are also affected by the cost of transportation, the imposition of import duties, and increased competition from greater production demands abroad. The United States or the countries in which our products are manufactured may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duty or tariff levels, which could affect our operations and ability to import products at current or increased levels. We cannot predict the likelihood or frequency of any such events occurring. A change in any such duties, quotas or restrictions could result in increases in the costs of such products generally and might adversely affect the sales or profitability of K•Swiss and the athletic footwear industry as a whole.

 

Our use of common elements in raw materials, lasts and dies gives flexibility to duplicate sourcing in various countries in order to reduce the risk that we may not be able to obtain products from a particular country.

 

Our footwear products are subject to the United States customs duties which range from 8.5% to 10.0% of factory cost on footwear made principally of leather to duties on synthetic footwear ranging from 6.0% to 20.0% plus, for certain styles, $0.90 per pair and duties on moderately priced textile footwear ranging from 20.0% to 37.5%, for certain styles. Currently, approximately 98% of our footwear volume is derived from sales of leather footwear and approximately 2% of our footwear volume is derived from sales of synthetic and textile footwear.

 

A large portion of our imported products are manufactured in the People’s Republic of China (“China”). As a result of a previous dispute with China over the protection of intellectual property rights, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) is currently monitoring China’s adherence to a bilateral agreement with the United States to enforce intellectual property protections within China. In addition, recent concerns with China’s alleged failure to protect intellectual property rights and to comply with other commitments made as part of its accession to the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) have caused the U.S. government to indicate that it would consider filing a case against China in the WTO if China does not more readily fulfill its obligations. If the U.S. government takes action against China, the result of that action could, among other things, include the imposition of trade sanctions that could affect the ability of the Company to continue to import products from China.

 

Backlog

 

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, total futures orders with start ship dates from January through June 2005 and 2004 were approximately $224,233,000 and $224,863,000, respectively, a decrease of 0.3%. The 0.3% decrease in total futures orders is comprised of a 6.0% decrease in the first quarter 2005 futures orders and a 9.4% increase in the second quarter 2005 futures orders. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, domestic futures orders with start ship dates from January through June 2005 and 2004 were approximately $170,291,000 and $193,390,000, respectively, a decrease of 11.9%. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, international futures orders with start ship dates from January through June 2005 and 2004 were approximately $53,942,000 and $31,473,000, respectively, an increase of 71.4%. “Backlog,” as of any date, represents orders scheduled to be shipped within the next six months. Backlog does not include orders scheduled to be shipped on or prior to the date of determination of backlog.

 

The mix of “futures” and “at once” orders can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year and therefore “futures” are not necessarily indicative of revenues for subsequent periods. Orders generally may be canceled by customers without financial penalty. We believe our rate of net customer cancellations of domestic orders approximates industry averages for similar companies. Customers

 

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may also reject nonconforming goods. To date, we believe we have not experienced returns of our products or bad debts of customers materially in excess of industry averages for similar companies.

 

Competition

 

The athletic footwear industry is highly competitive. The largest marketers of footwear are Nike, adidas and Reebok. Each of these companies has substantially greater financial, distribution and marketing resources as well as greater brand awareness than us.

 

We have recently increased our emphasis on product lines beyond our Classic model. In the past, we have introduced products in such highly competitive categories such as court, boating, outdoor and children’s shoes. See “Products.” There can be no assurance that we will penetrate these or other new markets or increase the market share we have established to date.

 

The principal elements of competition in the athletic footwear market include brand awareness, product quality, design, pricing, fashion appeal, marketing, distribution, performance and brand positioning. Our products compete primarily on the basis of technological innovations, quality, style, and brand awareness among consumers. While we believe that our competitive strategy has resulted in increased brand awareness and market share, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain or increase our market share or respond to changing consumer preferences.

 

Trademarks and Patents

 

We utilize trademarks on all our products and believe that our products are more marketable on a long-term basis when identified with distinctive markings. K•Swiss® is a registered trademark in the United States and certain other countries. Our name is not registered as a trademark in certain countries because of restrictions on registering names having geographic connotations. However, since K•Swiss is not a geographic name, we have often secured registrations despite such objections. Our shield emblem and the five-stripe design are also registered in the United States and certain foreign countries. The five-stripe design is not presently registered in some countries because it has been deemed ornamental by regulatory authorities. We selectively seek to register the names of our shoes, logos and the names given to certain of our technical and performance innovations, including Aosta® rubber and Silicone Formula 18®. The ROYAL ELASTICS and Fleur de Lis trademarks used on ROYAL ELASTICS products are registered in many countries. Both marks are registered in the United States. We have obtained patents in the United States regarding the Bio Feedback® ankle support system, the Shock Spring® cushioning system incorporated into K•Swiss’ 7.0 System® performance tennis shoes and training line, the D.R. Cinch System®, the stability design incorporated into the Si-18® tennis shoe, and other features. We vigorously defend our trademarks and patent rights against infringement worldwide and employ independent security consultants to assist in such protection. To date, we are not aware of any significant counterfeiting problems regarding our products.

 

Employees

 

At December 31, 2004, we employed 242 persons in the United States, 176 persons in Taiwan and China, 48 persons in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands and 11 persons elsewhere.

 

Available Information

 

K•Swiss’ internet address is www.kswiss.com. We make available free of charge on or through our internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the

 

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Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material was electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“S.E.C.”). Materials K•Swiss files with the S.E.C. may be read and copied at the S.E.C.’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. This information may also be obtained by calling the S.E.C at 1-800-SEC-0330. The S.E.C. also maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the S.E.C. at www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a copy of any of the foregoing documents to stockholders upon request.

 

Item 2.   Properties

 

In August 1998, we moved into our new headquarters facility in Westlake Village, California. This facility, which is owned by us, is approximately 50,000 square feet. We occupy approximately sixty percent of this facility and lease the remaining portion.

 

We lease a 309,000 square foot distribution facility in Mira Loma, California. This lease expires in January 2007, subject to one option, which would extend the term of the lease for three years. We use the Mira Loma facility as our main distribution center. The effective monthly commitment for this facility is approximately $82,000.

 

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is, from time to time, a party to litigation which arises in the normal course of our business operations. We do not believe that we are presently a party to litigation which will have a material adverse effect on our business or operations.

 

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

On December 15, 2004, a special meeting of stockholders of K•Swiss was held. There were 20,902,617 shares of Class A Common Stock and 8,528,734 shares of Class B Common Stock represented at the meeting.

 

  (i)   An amendment to the Company’s 1999 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares subject thereto from 3,600,000 to 4,600,000 and to approve and ratify the Company’s 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, was approved with the following votes:

 

     Class A Votes

   Class B Votes

For

   16,490,254    85,287,340

Against

   4,372,944    —  

Abstain

   39,419    —  

 

  (ii)   An amendment to the Company’s Economic Value Added Bonus Plan, as amended, to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, was approved with the following votes:

 

     Class A Votes

   Class B Votes

For

   20,345,514    85,287,340

Against

   518,088    —  

Abstain

   39,015    —  

 

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PART II

 

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

K•Swiss Inc.’s Class A Common Stock began trading June 4, 1990 on the National Market System maintained by the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Nasdaq National Market) upon completion of our initial public offering. Per share high and low sales prices (in dollars) for the quarterly periods during 2004 and 2003 as reported by Nasdaq were as follows:

 

     March 31,

   June 30,

   September 30,

   December 31,

2004

                           

Low

   $ 21.41    $ 17.91    $ 17.06    $ 18.90

High

     28.45      26.30      20.79      30.01

2003

                           

Low

   $ 10.61    $ 12.18    $ 16.75    $ 17.75

High

     13.03      18.50      21.50      25.18

 

The Class A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol KSWS.

 

The number of stockholders of record of the Class A Common Stock on December 31, 2004 was 117. However, based on available information, we believe that the total number of Class A Common stockholders, including beneficial stockholders, is approximately 10,100.

 

There is currently no established public trading market for our Class B Common Stock. The number of stockholders of record of the Class B Common Stock on December 31, 2004 was 11.

 

Dividend Policy

 

The Board declared a quarterly dividend of 0.5 cents per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the last day of the first and second quarters of 2003. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of 1 cent per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the last day of the third quarter of 2003. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of 2 cents per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the last day of the fourth quarter of 2003. The board declared a quarterly dividend of 2.5 cents per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the last day of the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2004. The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, operations, capital requirements, our general financial condition and general business conditions. We are currently limited in the extent to which we are able to pay dividends under our revolving credit agreement. See Note D to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by K•Swiss of K•Swiss Class A Common Stock during the fourth quarter of 2004:

 

   

Total
Number

of Shares
Purchased


  Average
Price
Paid per
Share


 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of a Publicly
Announced

Program


 

Approximate Dollar Value or
Number of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Program


October 1 through October 31, 2004

  158,050   $ 19.42   158,050   $17,100 (A)

November 1 through November 30, 2004

  —       —     —     $17,100 (A)

December 1 through December 31, 2004

  11,120     27.17   11,120   4,989,510 shares (A), (B)
   
             

Total

  169,170   $ 19.93   169,170   4,989,510 shares (B)
   
             

(A)   In October 2003, the Board of Directors approved an additional $25 million stock repurchase program. This program was completed in December 2004. We repurchased these shares on the open market.

 

(B)   In October 2004, the Board of Directors approved an additional 5,000,000 share repurchase program. This program expires in December 2009. We repurchased these shares on the open market.

 

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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

 

The selected consolidated financial data presented below for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2004 have been derived from audited financial statements which for the most recent three years appear elsewhere herein. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with such financial statements, including the related notes thereto and the other information included herein.

 

     Year ended December 31,

     2004

   2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

     (In thousands, except per share data)

Income Statement Data

                                     

Revenues (1)

   $ 484,079    $ 429,162     $ 289,593     $ 237,252     $ 223,102

Cost of goods sold

     262,859      235,603       159,026       137,978       132,888
    

  


 


 


 

Gross profit

     221,220      193,559       130,567       99,274       90,214

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)

     122,262      106,267       79,258       60,722       58,773
    

  


 


 


 

Operating profit

     98,958      87,292       51,309       38,552       31,441

Interest income, net

     1,038      699       1,058       1,827       3,597
    

  


 


 


 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     99,996      87,991       52,367       40,379       35,038

Income tax expense

     28,745      34,199       20,554       16,074       13,979
    

  


 


 


 

Earnings from continuing operations

     71,251      53,792       31,813       24,305       21,059

Loss from discontinued operations, less applicable income taxes (2)

     —        (3,736 )     (3,116 )     (996 )     —  
    

  


 


 


 

Net earnings

   $ 71,251    $ 50,056     $ 28,697     $ 23,309     $ 21,059
    

  


 


 


 

Earnings per share

                                     

Basic:

                                     

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 2.04    $ 1.52     $ 0.87     $ 0.63     $ 0.51

Loss from discontinued operations

     —        (0.11 )     (0.09 )     (0.03 )     —  
    

  


 


 


 

Net earnings

   $ 2.04    $ 1.41     $ 0.78     $ 0.60     $ 0.51
    

  


 


 


 

Diluted:

                                     

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 1.96    $ 1.42     $ 0.81     $ 0.59     $ 0.49

Loss from discontinued operations

     —        (0.10 )     (0.08 )     (0.02 )     —  
    

  


 


 


 

Net earnings

   $ 1.96    $ 1.32     $ 0.73     $ 0.57     $ 0.49
    

  


 


 


 

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.100    $ 0.040     $ 0.019     $ 0.015     $ 0.015
    

  


 


 


 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

                                     

Basic

     34,917      35,396       36,700       38,591       41,131

Diluted (3)

     36,433      37,913       39,415       40,947       43,000

Balance Sheet Data (at period end)

                                     

Current assets

   $ 271,533    $ 213,895     $ 163,793     $ 140,888     $ 142,677

Current liabilities

     52,964      36,509       30,875       21,934       22,109

Total assets

     294,877      234,630       183,883       160,799       157,427

Total debt (4)

     6,750      —         —         —         1,046

Stockholders’ equity

     226,830      179,527       139,793       124,359       120,219

(1)   Freight billed to customers has been reclassified from selling, general and administrative expenses to revenues for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 in the amounts of $1,207,000 and $1,473,000, respectively.

 

(2)   In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company agreed with National Geographic to end our licensing agreement. Operations of the National Geographic brand have been accounted for as a discontinued operation.

 

(3)   Includes common stock and dilutive potential common stock (options).

 

(4)   Includes all interest-bearing debt and capital lease obligations, but excludes outstanding letters of credit ($1,682,000, $2,083,000, $4,560,000, $3,517,000 and $5,021,000 as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively).

 

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Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Analyst Reports

 

“Forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), include certain written and oral statements made, or incorporated by reference, by us or our representatives in this report, other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “S.E.C.”), press releases, conferences, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or any variations of such words with similar meaning. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Investors should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file with the S.E.C., including Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K. Some of the other risks and uncertainties that should be considered include, but are not limited to, the following: international, national and local general economic and market conditions; the size and growth of the overall athletic footwear and apparel markets; the size of our competitors; intense competition among designers, marketers, distributors and sellers of athletic footwear and apparel for consumers and endorsers; market acceptance of our training shoe line; market acceptance of new Limited Edition product; market acceptance of our basketball shoe line; market acceptance of non-performance product in Europe; market acceptance of Royal Elastics footwear; demographic changes; changes in consumer preferences; popularity of particular designs, categories of products, and sports; seasonal and geographic demand for our products; the size, timing and mix of purchases of our products; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results, including, without limitation, the fact that advance “futures” orders may not be indicative of future revenues due to the changing mix of futures and at-once orders; potential cancellation of future orders; our ability to continue, manage or forecast our growth and inventories; new product development and commercialization; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property; difficulties in implementing, operating and maintaining our increasingly complex information systems and controls; concentration of production in China; potential earthquake disruption due to the location of our warehouse and headquarters; potential disruption in supply chain, due to various factors including but not limited to natural disasters, epidemic diseases or customer purchasing habits; performance and reliability of products; customer service; adverse publicity; the loss of significant customers or suppliers; dependence on distributors; dependence on major customers; concentration of credit risk; business disruptions; increased costs of freight and transportation to meet delivery deadlines; the effects of terrorist actions on business activities, customer orders and cancellations, and the United States and international governments’ responses to these terrorist actions; changes in business strategy or development plans; general risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including, without limitation, exchange rate fluctuations, import duties, tariffs, quotas and political and economic instability; changes in government regulations; liability and other claims asserted against us; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in this report and other reports.

 

K•Swiss (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors can arise and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

 

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Investors should also be aware that while we communicate, from time to time, with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts or others contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

 

Overview

 

The Company designs, develops and markets athletic footwear for high performance sports use, fitness activities and casual wear under the K•Swiss brand, and also designs and manufactures footwear under the Royal Elastics brand. Royal Elastics is our wholly owned subsidiary. The categories of footwear we sell is explained in more detail in Item 1, under the subheading, “Products.” We market our products in the United States (through our sales executives and independent sales representatives) primarily to a limited number of specialty athletic footwear stores, pro shops, sporting good stores and department stores. We also sell our products through our website and to a number of foreign distributors.

 

In 2004, approximately 99% of our footwear products were manufactured in China. We have no long-term manufacturing agreements, but we believe that our relationships with our producers are satisfactory and that we will have the ability to develop alternative sources for our footwear. Our operations could, however, be materially and adversely affected if a substantial delay occurred in locating and obtaining alternative producers.

 

Because we record revenues when title passes and the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer, our revenues may fluctuate in cases when our customers delay accepting shipment of products. Our total revenues increased 12.8% in 2004 from 2003, due to an increase in the volume of footwear sold and an increase in the average underlying wholesale price, and our overall gross profit margins, as a percentage of revenues, were 45.7% and 45.1% in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Likewise, our overall selling, general and administrative expenses also increased to 25.3% of revenues in 2004 from 24.8% of revenues in 2003.

 

At December 31, 2004, our total futures orders with start ship dates from January through June 2005 were $224,233,000, a decrease of 0.3% from the comparable period of the prior year. Of this amount, domestic futures orders were $170,291,000, a decrease of 11.9%, and international futures orders were $53,942,000, an increase of 71.4%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we recognize that the athletic footwear industry is highly competitive. Each of the largest makers of footwear have substantially greater financial, distribution and marketing resources as well as greater brand awareness than us.

 

In 2004, our largest single marketing expenditure was television. Our marketing campaign was run mainly on network and cable television, and was supported by sports, music and general interest/fashion magazines. Our independent sales representatives sold to approximately 2,900 separate accounts as of December 31, 2004 (down from 3,000 as of December 31, 2003). Internationally, by the end of 2004, we were working through 6 international subsidiaries and 16 distributors to market our products in potentially 65 countries. Also, during 2004, the Foot Locker group of stores and its affiliates accounted for approximately 20% of total revenues.

 

In 2004, we had a net cash inflow of approximately $85,841,000 from continuing operating activities and a net cash outflow from investing activities due to the net purchase of property, plant and equipment. We anticipate future cash needs for principal repayments required pursuant to any borrowings under our lines of credit and, depending on future growth, additional funds may be required by operating activities.

 

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At December 31, 2004 we had $6,750,000 of debt and there was no debt outstanding at December 31, 2003 (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $1,682,000 and $2,083,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively), and our working capital increased $41,183,000 to approximately $218,569,000 at December 31, 2004 from $177,386,000 at December 31, 2003.

 

In December 2004, pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, we repatriated dividends of $22,700,000 related to foreign subsidiary earnings which were not considered indefinitely invested. We will receive an 85% dividends received deduction for eligible dividends, resulting in a lower effective tax rate. We will use these funds on qualified expenditures in the United States in accordance with our approved Domestic Reinvestment Plan.

 

On October 28, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock from time to time on the open market. This program was adopted because we believe repurchasing our shares can be a good use of excess cash. At December 31, 2004, there remains authorization to repurchase approximately 4,990,000 shares under this stock repurchase program.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note A to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

 

On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the carrying value of inventories, realizability of outstanding accounts receivable, sales returns and allowances, and the provision for income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. In the past, actual results have not been materially different from our estimates. However, results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We have identified the following as critical accounting policies, based on the significant judgments and estimates used in determining the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements:

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We record revenues when title passes and the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer, based on the terms of sale. Title passes generally upon shipment.

 

In some instances, we ship product directly from our supplier to the customer. In these cases, we recognize revenue when the product is delivered to the customer. Our revenues may fluctuate in cases when our customers delay accepting shipment of product for periods up to several weeks.

 

As part of our revenue recognition policy, we record the estimated income reductions from estimated sales returns and allowances. We base our estimates on historical rates of returns and allowances. However, actual returns and allowances in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from our estimates. If actual or expected future returns and allowances were significantly greater or lower than the reserves we had established, we would record a reduction or increase in the period in which we made such determination.

 

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Table of Contents

Accounts Receivable

 

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We estimate potential losses based on our knowledge of the financial condition of certain customers, as well as an assessment of the overall conditions at retail. Historically, losses have been within our expectations. If the financial condition of our customers were to change, adjustments may be required to these estimates. Furthermore, we provide for estimated losses resulting from differences that arise from the gross carrying value of our receivables and the amounts which customers estimate are owed to us. The settlement or resolution of these differences could result in future changes to these estimates.

 

Inventory Reserves

 

We also make ongoing estimates relating to the market value of inventories, based upon our assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If we estimate that the net realizable value of our inventory is less than the cost of the inventory recorded on our books, we record a reserve equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value. This reserve is recorded as a charge to cost of sales. If changes in market conditions result in reductions in the estimated market value of our inventory below our previous estimate, we would increase our reserve in the period in which we made such a determination and record a charge to cost of sales.

 

Other Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in legal proceedings involving contractual and employment relationships, product liability claims, trademark rights, and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities resulting from claims against us when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. We disclose contingent liabilities when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded liability. Estimating probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, in some cases including judgment about the potential actions of third party claimants and courts. Therefore, actual losses in any future period are inherently uncertain. Currently, we do not believe that any of our pending legal proceedings or claims will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. However, if actual or estimated probable future losses exceed our recorded liability for such claims, we would record additional charges during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of certain items in the consolidated statements of earnings relative to revenues.

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
         2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

Revenues

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of goods sold

   54.3     54.9     54.9  

Gross profit

   45.7     45.1     45.1  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   25.3     24.8     27.4  

Interest income, net

   0.2     0.2     0.4  

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

   20.6     20.5     18.1  

Income tax expense

   5.9     8.0     7.1  

Earnings from continuing operations

   14.7     12.5     11.0  

Loss from discontinued operations

   —       (0.8 )   (1.1 )

Net earnings

   14.7     11.7     9.9  

 

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Table of Contents

2004 Compared to 2003

 

Revenue and Gross Margin

 

Total revenues increased 12.8% to $484,079,000 in 2004 from $429,162,000 in 2003. This increase was attributable to an increase in the volume of footwear sold and an increase in the average underlying wholesale price per pair. The volume of footwear sold increased 12.3% to 19,014,000 pair in 2004 from 16,939,000 pair in 2003. The average wholesale price per pair was $24.94 in 2004 and $24.81 in 2003.

 

Domestic revenues increased 6.7% to $397,390,000 in 2004 from $372,443,000 in 2003. International product revenues increased 54.8% in 2004 to $84,603,000 from $54,640,000 in 2003. Fees earned by the Company on sales by foreign licensees and distributors were $2,086,000 for 2004 and $2,079,000 for 2003. International revenues, as a percentage of total revenues, increased to 17.9% in 2004 from 13.2% in 2003.

 

K•Swiss brand revenues increased 12.6% to $477,209,000 in 2004 from $423,696,000 in 2003. This increase was the result of an increase in the volume of footwear sold at slightly higher average wholesale prices per pair. The volume of footwear sold increased 11.8% to 18,683,000 pair in 2004 from 16,718,000 pair in 2003. The average wholesale price per pair was $25.03 in 2004 and $24.83 in 2003. The major changes in volume for footwear categories are as follows: Classics, training (includes basketball), tennis and children’s categories increased 12.1%, 8.6%, 20.9% and 10.1%, respectively.

 

Royal Elastics brand revenues increased 25.7% to $6,870,000 in 2004 (33% domestic) from $5,466,000 in 2003 (28% domestic).

 

We believe that the athletic and casual footwear industry experiences seasonal fluctuations, due to increased domestic sales during certain selling seasons, including Easter, back-to-school and the year-end holiday seasons. We present full-line offerings for the Easter and back-to-school seasons, for delivery during the first and third quarters, respectively, but not for the year-end holiday season.

 

At December 31, 2004, domestic and international futures orders with start ship dates from January through June 2005 were approximately $170,291,000 and $53,942,000, respectively, 11.9% lower and 71.4% higher, respectively, than such orders were at December 31, 2003 for start ship dates of the comparable period of the prior year. These orders are not necessarily indicative of revenues for subsequent periods because: (1) the mix of “future” and “at-once” orders can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year and (2) the rate of customer order cancellations can also vary from quarter to quarter and year to year.

 

Overall gross profit margins, as a percentage of revenues, were 45.7% in 2004 and 45.1% in 2003. Gross profit margin for 2004 was affected by product mix changes, international sales becoming a larger portion of revenues and changes in our at-once business. Our gross margins may not be comparable to some of our competitors as we recognize warehousing costs within selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Overall selling, general and administrative expenses increased 15.1% to $122,262,000 (25.3% of revenues) in 2004 from $106,267,000 (24.8% of revenues) in 2003. The increase in the amounts for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended December 31, 2003 were due to an impairment recognition and increases in advertising, bad debt and warehousing expenses offset by decreases in compensation and compensation related expenses and legal expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2004, impairment of $2,776,000 was recognized on the trademark and goodwill

 

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of the Royal Elastics brand based on many factors including the brand not growing as rapidly as we had expected. Advertising expenses increased 35.0% for the year December 31, 2004, as part of a strategic effort to drive higher revenues. Bad debt expenses increased 133.4% for the year ended December 31, 2004 as a result of the write-off of The Athlete’s Foot account as a result of the bankruptcy of that company. Warehousing expenses, excluding compensation and compensation related expenses, increased 13.9% for the year ended December 31, 2004, as a result of additional expenses incurred resulting from an increase in sales during the year ended December 31, 2004 and moving our warehouse location in Europe during the second quarter of 2004. Compensation and compensation related expenses, including commissions and bonus/incentive related expenses, decreased 6.9% for the year ended December 31, 2004, due to a decrease in bonus/incentive related expenses that was calculated in accordance with our bonus formula for the year ended December 31, 2004 offset by an increase in headcount and commissions (as a result of the increase in volume). Legal expenses decreased 53.9% for the year ended December 31, 2004, as a result of the defense and settlement of two lawsuits during the year ended December 31, 2003. Corporate expenses of $12,686,000 and $18,835,000, for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The decrease in corporate expenses during the year ended December 31, 2004 is due to decreases in bonus/incentive related expenses and legal expenses which have been explained above.

 

Interest, Other and Taxes

 

Overall net interest income was $1,038,000 (0.2% of revenues) in 2004 compared to $699,000 (0.2% of revenues) in 2003, an increase of $339,000 or 48.5%. This increase in net interest income was the result of higher average balances and higher average interest rates, offset slightly by interest expense on our lines of credit.

 

Our effective tax rate was 28.7% and 38.9% in 2004 and 2003, respectively. The $3,899,000 and $3,965,000 income tax benefit of options exercised during 2004 and 2003, respectively, were credited to additional paid-in capital and therefore did not impact the effective tax rate. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2004 is principally attributed to repatriating dividends of $22,700,000 related to foreign subsidiaries earnings, which were not considered indefinitely invested, with an 85% dividends received deduction, for eligible dividends, under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. We will use these funds on qualified expenditures in the United States in accordance with our approved Domestic Reinvestment Plan. The lower effective tax rate is also due to our UK operation having become profitable in 2004 thereby realizing net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $3,190,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, and adjustments to our provision for state income taxes.

 

The net loss from discontinued operations was $3,736,000 in 2003. Included in 2003 was a $2,000,000 settlement to terminate our agreement with National Geographic and a $746,000 impairment loss on the National Geographic license.

 

Net earnings increased 42.3% to $71,251,000 or $1.96 per share (diluted earnings per share) in 2004 from $50,056,000 or $1.32 per share (diluted earnings per share) in 2003.

 

2003 Compared to 2002

 

Revenue and Gross Margin

 

Total revenues increased 48.2% to $429,162,000 in 2003 from $289,593,000 in 2002. This increase was attributable to an increase in the volume of footwear sold partially offset by a decrease in the average underlying wholesale price per pair. The volume of footwear sold increased 50.2% to 16,939,000 pair in 2003 from 11,275,000 pair in 2002. The average wholesale price per pair was $24.81 in 2003 and $24.85 in 2002.

 

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Domestic revenues increased 50.1% to $372,443,000 in 2003 from $248,048,000 in 2002. International product revenues increased 37.2% in 2003 to $54,640,000 from $39,819,000 in 2002. Fees earned by the Company on sales by foreign licensees and distributors were $2,079,000 for 2003 and $1,726,000 for 2002. International revenues, as a percentage of total revenues, decreased to 13.2% in 2003 from 14.3% in 2002.

 

K•Swiss brand revenues increased 48.3% to $423,696,000 in 2003 from $285,780,000 in 2002. This increase was the result of an increase in the volume of footwear sold at slightly lower average wholesale prices per pair. The volume of footwear sold increased 50.4% to 16,718,000 pair in 2003 from 11,117,000 pair in 2002. The average wholesale price per pair was $24.83 in 2003 and $24.88 in 2002. The major changes in volume for footwear categories are as follows: Classics, training, tennis and children’s categories increased 51.4%, 110.7%, 49.2% and 38.5%, respectively.

 

Royal Elastics brand revenues increased 43.4% to $5,466,000 in 2003 (28% domestic) from $3,813,000 in 2002 (27% domestic).

 

Overall gross profit margins, as a percentage of revenues, were 45.1% in 2003 and 2002.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Overall selling, general and administrative expenses increased 34.1% to $106,267,000 (24.8% of revenues) in 2003 from $79,258,000 (27.4% of revenues) in 2002. The increase in the amounts for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002 was due to several factors. Advertising expenses increased 37.8% as part of a strategic effort to drive higher revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. Compensation expenses, which includes commissions and bonus related expenses, increased 44.9% due to an increase in headcount (as a result of the increase in volume) and as a result of an increase in revenues and earnings. Legal expenses increased 35.2% during the year ended December 31, 2003 in connection with the defense and settlement of two lawsuits. Corporate expenses of $18,835,000 and $12,887,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in corporate expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003, was primarily due to an 85.0% increase in compensation and bonus related expenses, as a result of an increase in earnings, and a 35.2% increase in legal expenses in connection with the defense and settlement of two lawsuits.

 

Interest, Other and Taxes

 

Overall net interest income was $699,000 (0.2% of revenues) in 2003 compared to $1,058,000 (0.4% of revenues) in 2002, a decrease of $359,000 or 33.9%. This decrease in net interest income was the result of significantly lower average interest rates as well as lower average balances.

 

Our effective tax rate was 38.9% and 39.2% in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The $3,965,000 and $4,474,000 income tax benefit of options exercised during 2003 and 2002, respectively, were credited to additional paid-in capital and therefore did not impact the effective tax rate.

 

The net loss from discontinued operations was $3,736,000 in 2003 compared to $3,116,000 in 2002. Included in 2003 was a $2,000,000 settlement to terminate our agreement with National Geographic and a $746,000 impairment loss on the National Geographic license.

 

Net earnings increased 74.4% to $50,056,000 or $1.32 per share (diluted earnings per share) in 2003 from $28,697,000 or $0.73 per share (diluted earnings per share) in 2002.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We experienced a net cash inflow of approximately $85,481,000, $34,904,000 and $30,330,000 from our continuing operating activities during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Cash provided by continuing operations in 2004 increased from 2003 due primarily to an increase in earnings from continuing operations and differences in the amounts in changes in inventories and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, offset by changes in deferred income taxes. Cash provided by continuing operations in 2003 increased from 2002 due primarily to differences in the amounts of changes in inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, as well as an increase in earnings from continuing operations.

 

We had a net outflow of cash from our investing activities during 2004 and 2003 due to the net purchase of property, plant and equipment.

 

In 2004 and 2003, the net outflow of cash from our financing activities was used for the purchase of our outstanding stock under our current stock repurchase program and to pay cash dividends, partially offset by proceeds from stock options exercised. In addition in 2004, the net outflow of cash was also offset by borrowings on our lines of credit.

 

We anticipate future cash needs for principal repayments required pursuant to our borrowings under our lines of credit facilities. In addition, depending on our future growth rate, additional funds may be required by operating activities. No other material capital commitments exist at December 31, 2004. With continued use of our revolving credit facility (as discussed below), we believe our present and currently anticipated sources of capital are sufficient to sustain our anticipated capital needs for the remainder of 2005.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2004, we completed our October 2003 $25 million stock repurchase program. However, prior to this, on October 26, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to repurchase through December 2009 up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock from time to time on the open market, as market conditions warrant. We adopted this program because we believe repurchasing our shares can be a good use of excess cash depending on our array of alternatives. Currently, we have made purchases under all stock repurchase programs from August 1996 through February 21, 2005 (the day prior to the filing of the Form 10-K) of 24.4 million shares at an aggregate cost totaling approximately $136,275,000, at an average price of $5.58 per share. See Part II—Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

In May 2003, we signed an amendment to our July 2001 agreement with a bank whereby we may borrow, in the form of an unsecured revolving credit facility, up to $15,000,000. The unused portion of this credit facility, which includes letters of credit and bankers acceptances, was $13,496,000 at December 31, 2004. This facility currently expires in July 2005. The credit facility provides for interest to be paid at the prime rate less 3/4% or, at our discretion and with certain restrictions, other market based rates. We pay a commitment fee of 1/8% of the unused line for availability of the credit facility. We must meet certain restrictive financial covenants as agreed upon in the facility.

 

Our Asian offices have agreements with a bank whereby they can borrow up to $5,250,000 in the form of unsecured revolving credit facilities. The unused portion of these credit facilities was $500,000 at December 31, 2004. Interest is to be paid at LIBOR plus 1.25%. The interest rate at December 31, 2004 was 3.71%. In January 2005, the bank increased these credit facilities to $12,250,000, to fund our short-term international working capital needs. This facility currently expires in July 2005.

 

Our European offices have agreements with a bank whereby they can borrow up to $4,500,000 in the form of unsecured revolving credit facilities. The unused portion of these credit facilities, which

 

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includes letters of credit and bankers acceptances, was $2,322,000 at December 31, 2004. Interest is to be paid on one facility at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% and on the other facility at IBOR plus 1.25%. The interest rates at December 31, 2004 were 3.71% and 3.67%, respectively. These facilities currently expire in July 2005.

 

At December 31, 2004 there was debt outstanding of $6,750,000 and there was no debt at December 31, 2003 (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $1,682,000 and $2,083,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively). The borrowings on our lines of credit occurred in mid-December 2004, and approximately $5,000 in interest expense was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2004 related to these lines of credit. The increase in debt was to fund our short-term working capital needs of our international subsidiaries.

 

At December 31, 2004, we were in compliance with all relevant covenants under each of the credit facilities described above.

 

Our working capital increased $41,183,000 to $218,569,000 at December 31, 2004 from $177,386,000 at December 31, 2003. Working capital increased during 2004 mainly due to higher revenues in 2004 compared to 2003.

 

We have historically maintained higher levels of inventory relative to sales compared to our competitors because (1) we do not ship directly to our major domestic customers from our foreign contract manufacturers to the same extent as our larger competitors, which would reduce inventory levels and increase inventory turns, and (2) unlike many of our competitors, we designate certain shoes as core products whereby we commit to our retail customers that we will carry core products from season to season and, therefore, we attempt to maintain open-stock positions on our core products in our Mira Loma, California distribution center to meet at-once orders.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

At December 31, 2004, our significant contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Payments due by period

     Total

   Less
than one
year


   One to
three
years


   Three
to five
years


   More
than five
years


Operating lease obligations

   $ 4,989    $ 2,400    $ 2,474    $ 115    $ —  

Product purchase obligations (1)

     58,141      58,141      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 63,130    $ 60,541    $ 2,474    $ 115    $ —  
    

  

  

  

  


(1)   We generally order product four to five months in advance of sales based primarily on advanced future orders received from customers. The amounts listed for product purchase obligations represent open purchase orders to purchase products in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not enter into any off-balance sheet arrangements during 2004 or 2003, nor did we have any off-balance sheet arrangements outstanding at December 31, 2004 or 2003.

 

Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by, for example, fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates. Our primary market risk exposure is the risk of unfavorable

 

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movements in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro. Monitoring and managing these risks is a continual process carried out by senior management, which reviews and approves our risk management policies. Market risk is managed based on an ongoing assessment of trends in foreign exchange rates and economic developments, giving consideration to possible effects on both total return and reported earnings.

 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

 

Sales denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which are primarily sales to customers in Europe, expose the Company to market risk from material movements in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency. The Company’s historical primary risk exposures have been from changes in the rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro. This trend is expected to continue. In 2004, the Company entered into forward foreign exchange contracts to exchange Euros for U.S. dollars and Pounds Sterling for Euros. The extent to which forward foreign exchange contracts are used is modified periodically in response to management’s estimate of market conditions and the terms and length of specific sales contracts.

 

The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and not to engage in currency speculation. The use of derivative financial instruments allows the Company to reduce its exposure to the risk that the eventual net cash inflow resulting from the sale of products to foreign customers will be materially affected by changes in exchange rates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The forward foreign exchange contracts are designated for firmly committed or forecasted sales. These contracts are generally expected to occur in less than one year.

 

The forward foreign exchange contracts generally require the Company to exchange Euros for U.S. dollars or Pounds Sterling for Euros at maturity, at rates agreed at the inception of the contracts. The counterparties to derivative transactions are major financial institutions with investment grade or better credit ratings; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk with these institutions. The credit risk is limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts should these counterparties fail to perform as contracted.

 

At December 31, 2004, forward foreign exchange contacts with a notional value of $20,966,000 were outstanding to exchange various currencies (principally U.S. dollars and Euros) with maturities ranging from January 2005 to August 2005 to sell the equivalent of approximately $8,066,000 in foreign currencies at contracted rates and to buy $12,900,000 at contracted rates. These contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. As of December 31, 2004, assets of $223,000 and liabilities of $1,190,000 have been recorded for the fair value of the forward foreign exchange contracts. Realized gains of $46,000 from cash flow hedges were recorded in cost of goods sold during the year ended December 31, 2004. Realized gains of $14,000 were recorded on the cash flow hedges in selling, general and administrative expenses due to hedge ineffectiveness during the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company did not enter into any derivative financial instruments during 2003 and did not have any derivative financial instruments outstanding at December 31, 2003.

 

The Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its operations or financial position relating to these forward foreign exchange contracts. Based on the Company’s overall currency rate exposure at December 31, 2004, a 10% change in currency rates would not have had a material effect on the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of its short-term borrowings on its working capital lines of credit. A 10% change in interest rates would not have had a material effect on the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.

 

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Inflation

 

We believe that distributors of footwear in the higher priced end of the footwear market, including ours, are able to adjust their prices in response to an increase in direct and general and administrative expenses, without a significant loss in sales. Accordingly, to date, inflation and changing prices have not had a material adverse effect on our revenues or earnings.

 

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements required in response to this section are submitted as part of Item 15(a) of this Report.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

K•Swiss Inc.

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying K•Swiss Inc. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that K•Swiss Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). K•Swiss Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design of the operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that K•Swiss Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, K•Swiss Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of K•Swiss Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and our report dated January 31, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON

 

Los Angeles, California

January 31, 2005

 

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Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Management of K•Swiss Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or supervised by, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures, that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s annual financial statements, management of the Company has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Based on this assessment, management did not identify any material weakness in the Company’s internal control, and management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004.

 

Grant Thornton LLP, the registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements, have issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, a copy of which is included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

January 31, 2005

 

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders

K•Swiss Inc.

 

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of K•Swiss Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of K•Swiss Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have also audited Schedule II of K•Swiss Inc. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. In our opinion, this schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be set forth therein.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of K•Swiss Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated January 31, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

January 31, 2005

 

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Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31,

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     2004

    2003

ASSETS


          

CURRENT ASSETS

              

Cash and cash equivalents (Note A4)

   $ 144,857     $ 81,455

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,009 and $2,079 for 2004 and 2003, respectively (Notes A13 and K)

     49,411       50,879

Inventories (Note A5)

     64,901       73,787

Prepaid expenses and other

     7,710       4,760

Deferred taxes (Notes A9 and G)

     4,654       3,014
    


 

Total current assets

     271,533       213,895

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net (Notes A6, A7 and B)

     8,228       8,596

OTHER ASSETS

              

Intangible assets (Notes A7, A8, C and L)

     4,700       7,301

Deferred taxes (Notes A9 and G)

     5,305       —  

Other

     5,111       4,838
    


 

       15,116       12,139
    


 

     $ 294,877     $ 234,630
    


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


          

CURRENT LIABILITIES

              

Bank lines of credit (Note D)

   $ 6,750     $ —  

Trade accounts payable

     22,262       19,359

Accrued liabilities (Note E)

     23,952       17,150
    


 

Total current liabilities

     52,964       36,509

OTHER LIABILITIES (Note F)

     15,083       15,234

DEFERRED TAXES (Notes A9 and G)

     —         3,360

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note H)

              

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Notes D and J)

              

Preferred Stock—authorized 2,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value; none issued and outstanding

     —         —  

Common Stock:

              

Class A-authorized 90,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value; 27,536,890 shares issued, 26,193,494 shares outstanding and 1,343,396 shares held in treasury at December 31, 2004 and 26,755,362 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003

     275       268

Class B-authorized 18,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value; issued and outstanding 8,411,028 shares at December 31, 2004 and 8,682,734 shares at December 31, 2003

     84       87

Additional paid-in capital

     36,692       31,059

Treasury Stock

     (27,000 )     —  

Retained earnings

     211,193       143,427

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings—
Foreign currency translation (Note A10)

     6,871       4,686

Net loss on hedge derivatives (Note A12)

     (1,285 )     —  
    


 

       226,830       179,527
    


 

     $ 294,877     $ 234,630
    


 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    2004

    2003

    2002

 

Revenues (Notes A13, K and N)

  $ 484,079     $ 429,162     $ 289,593  

Cost of goods sold (Note A14)

    262,859       235,603       159,026  
   


 


 


Gross profit

    221,220       193,559       130,567  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (Notes A13 through A16)

    122,262       106,267       79,258  
   


 


 


Operating profit

    98,958       87,292       51,309  

Interest income, net

    1,038       699       1,058  
   


 


 


Earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes

    99,996       87,991       52,367  

Income tax expense (Notes A9 and G)

    28,745       34,199       20,554  
   


 


 


Earnings from continuing operations

    71,251       53,792       31,813  

Loss from discontinued operations, less applicable income tax benefit of $2,360 and $1,983 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively (Note L)

    —         (3,736 )     (3,116 )
   


 


 


NET EARNINGS

  $ 71,251     $ 50,056     $ 28,697  
   


 


 


Earnings per common share (Notes A17 and A18)

                       

Basic:

                       

Earnings from continuing operations

  $ 2.04     $ 1.52     $ 0.87  

Loss from discontinued operations

    —         (0.11 )     (0.09 )
   


 


 


Net Earnings

  $ 2.04     $ 1.41     $ 0.78  
   


 


 


Diluted:

                       

Earnings from continuing operations

  $ 1.96     $ 1.42     $ 0.81  

Loss from discontinued operations

    —         (0.10 )     (0.08 )
   


 


 


Net Earnings

  $ 1.96     $ 1.32     $ 0.73  
   


 


 


Dividends declared per common share (Note D)

  $ 0.100     $ 0.040     $ 0.019  
   


 


 


Net Earnings

  $ 71,251     $ 50,056     $ 28,697  

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax—

                       

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes of $0, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively (Note A10)

    2,185       4,266       1,188  

Deferred loss on hedge derivatives, net of income tax benefit of $0, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively (Note A12)

    (1,285 )     —         —    
   


 


 


Comprehensive Earnings

  $ 72,151     $ 54,322     $ 29,885  
   


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Three years ended December 31, 2004

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

    Common Stock

   

Additional
paid-in

capital


    Treasury Stock

   

Retained

earnings


   

Accumulated
other
comprehensive

earnings


   

Total


 
  Class A

    Class B

      Class A

       
  Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

      Shares

    Amount

       

Balance at January 1, 2002

  44,913,588     $ 449     11,613,912     $ 116     $ 40,940     19,536,128     $ (68,686 )   $ 152,308     $ (768 )   $ 124,359  

Conversion of shares (Note J)

  1,129,566       11     (1,129,566 )     (11 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of options
(Note J)

  1,240,748       13     —         —         2,198     —         —         —         —         2,211  

Income tax benefit of options exercised

  —         —       —         —         4,474     —         —         —         —         4,474  

Purchase of treasury stock

  —         —       —         —         —       2,080,200       (20,449 )     —         —         (20,449 )

Dividends paid (Note D)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         (687 )     —         (687 )

Net earnings for the year

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         28,697       —         28,697  

Foreign currency translation (Note A10)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         —         1,188       1,188  
   

 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

  47,283,902       473     10,484,346       105       47,612     21,616,328       (89,135 )     180,318       420       139,793  

Conversion of shares (Note J)

  1,801,612       18     (1,801,612 )     (18 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of options
(Note J)

  706,976       7     —         —         2,289     —         —         —         —         2,296  

Income tax benefit of options exercised

  —         —       —         —         3,965     —         —         —         —         3,965  

Purchase of treasury stock

  —         —       —         —         —       1,420,800       (19,434 )     —         —         (19,434 )

Retirement of treasury stock

  (23,037,128 )     (230 )   —         —         (22,807 )   (23,037,128 )     108,569       (85,532 )     —         —    

Dividends paid
(Note D)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         (1,415 )     —         (1,415 )

Net earnings for the year

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         50,056       —         50,056  

Foreign currency translation
(Note A10)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         —         4,266       4,266  
   

 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

  26,755,362       268     8,682,734       87       31,059     —         —         143,427       4,686       179,527  

Conversion of shares (Note J)

  271,706       3     (271,706 )     (3 )     —       —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of options
(Note J)

  509,822       4     —         —         1,734     —         —         —         —         1,738  

Income tax benefit of options exercised

  —         —       —         —         3,899     —         —         —         —         3,899  

Purchase of treasury stock

  —         —       —         —         —       1,343,396       (27,000 )     —         —         (27,000 )

Dividends paid (Note D)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         (3,485 )     —         (3,485 )

Net earnings for the year

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         71,251       —         71,251  

Foreign currency translation (Note A10)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         —         2,185       2,185  

Net loss on hedge
derivatives (Note A12)

  —         —       —         —         —       —         —         —         (1,285 )     (1,285 )
   

 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2004

  27,536,890     $ 275     8,411,028     $ 84     $ 36,692     1,343,396     $ (27,000 )   $ 211,193     $ 5,586     $ 226,830  
   

 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

 

30


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K•SWISS INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 71,251     $ 53,792     $ 31,813  

Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     1,543       1,642       1,629  

Impairment on intangibles and goodwill

     2,776       —         —    

Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     7       6       3  

Deferred income taxes

     (10,305 )     (3,033 )     (2,511 )

Income tax benefit of stock options exercised

     3,899       3,965       4,474  

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

     1,828       (13,388 )     (5,924 )

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     9,166       (19,449 )     (7,939 )

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (2,957 )     (2,489 )     (571 )

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     8,273       13,858       9,356  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by continuing operations from operating activities

     85,481       34,904       30,330  

Net cash used in discontinued operations

     —         (1,898 )     (3,861 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     85,481       33,006       26,469  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (1,324 )     (1,770 )     (1,909 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     9       7       —    
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,315 )     (1,763 )     (1,909 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Borrowings under bank lines of credit

     6,750       —         —    

Repurchase of stock

     (27,000 )     (19,434 )     (20,449 )

Payment of dividends

     (3,485 )     (1,415 )     (687 )

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,343       1,755       1,819  
    


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (22,392 )     (19,094 )     (19,317 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,628       1,713       771  
    


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     63,402       13,862       6,014  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     81,455       67,593       61,579  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 144,857     $ 81,455     $ 67,593  
    


 


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                        

Cash paid during the year for:

                        

Interest

   $ 206     $ 339     $ 773  

Income taxes

   $ 37,656     $ 32,759     $ 15,828  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

31


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

1.   Nature of Operations

 

The Company designs, develops and markets footwear for high performance use, fitness and casual activities. The Company operates in an industry dominated by a small number of very large competitors. The size of these competitors enables them to lead the product direction of the industry, and therefore, potentially diminish the value of the Company’s products. In addition to generally greater resources, these competitors spend substantially more money on advertising and promotion than the Company and therefore dominate market share. The Company’s market share is estimated at slightly less than three percent. Lastly, the retail environment forecasted for the near term is difficult, which could put additional pressure on the Company’s ability to maintain margins.

 

The Company purchases significantly all of its products from a small number of contract manufacturers in China. This concentration of suppliers in this location subjects the Company to the risk of interruptions of product flow for various reasons which could lead to possible loss of sales, which would adversely affect operating results.

 

The United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) has expressed concern about the protection of intellectual property rights within China. The failure of the Chinese government to make substantial progress with respect to these concerns could result in the imposition of retaliatory duties on imports from China, including footwear, which could affect the cost of products purchased and sold by the Company.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company reached an agreement with National Geographic to end the licensing agreement. Operations of the National Geographic brand have been accounted for and shown as a discontinued operation in the accompanying financial information. See Note L.

 

2.   Estimates in Financial Statements

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.   Basis of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and joint ventures (see Notes L and M). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2003 and 2002 presentation to conform to the 2004 presentation.

 

4.   Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 is $6,542,000 and $18,409,000, respectively, of balances maintained in foreign bank accounts.

 

32


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

5.   Inventories

 

Inventories, consisting of merchandise held for resale, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Management continually evaluates its inventory position and implements promotional or other plans to reduce inventories to appropriate levels relative to its sales estimates for particular product styles or lines. Estimated losses are recorded when such plans are implemented. It is at least reasonably possible that management’s plans to reduce inventory levels will be less than fully successful, and that such an outcome would result in a change in the inventory reserve in the near-term.

 

6.   Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. For financial reporting and tax purposes, depreciation and amortization are calculated using straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated service lives of the depreciable assets. The service lives of the Company’s building and related improvements are 30 and 5 years, respectively. Equipment is depreciated from 3 to 10 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases.

 

7.   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

When events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a long-lived asset may be impaired, the Company estimates the future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from the asset to assess whether or not a potential impairment exists. If the carrying value exceeds the Company’s estimate of future undiscounted cash flows, the Company then calculates the impairment as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the Company’s estimate of its fair market value.

 

8.   Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 17, “Intangible Assets” as of January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 eliminates the requirement to amortize goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, requiring instead that those assets be measured for impairment at least annually, and more often when events indicate that an impairment exists. Intangible assets with finite lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. SFAS No. 142 applies to goodwill and intangible assets arising from transactions completed before and after the Statement’s effective date. In adopting SFAS No. 142, the Company has performed the transitional reassessment and impairment tests required as of January 1, 2002, and determined that the goodwill and trademarks of the Company have indefinite lives and that there was no impairment on these assets. The Company discontinued amortizing these assets on January 1, 2002. At the time of adoption, the Company had accumulated amortization pertaining to goodwill and trademarks of $2,976,000. The license agreement related to National Geographic was considered to have a finite life and was being amortized over the remaining term of the agreement that extended through December 2005. The National Geographic license agreement was written off in 2003. For additional discussion regarding the discontinuation of the National Geographic brand, see Note L.

 

33


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

9.   Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 is an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns.

 

10.   Foreign Currency Translation

 

Assets and liabilities of certain foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are taken directly to a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated by the effect of foreign exchange on recorded assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of the applicable Company entity and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

11.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, outstanding borrowings under the lines of credit, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

 

12.   Financial Risk Management and Derivatives

 

Sales denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which are primarily sales to customers in Europe, expose the Company to market risk from material movements in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency. The Company’s historical primary risk exposures have been from changes in the rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro. This trend is expected to continue. In 2004, the Company entered into forward foreign exchange contracts to exchange Euros for U.S. dollars and Pounds Sterling for Euros. The extent to which forward foreign exchange contracts are used is modified periodically in response to management’s estimate of market conditions and the terms and length of specific sales contracts.

 

The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and not to engage in currency speculation. The use of derivative financial instruments allows the Company to reduce its exposure to the risk that the eventual net cash inflow resulting from the sale of products to foreign customers will be materially affected by changes in exchange rates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The forward foreign exchange contracts are designated for firmly committed or forecasted sales. These contracts are generally expected to occur in less than one year.

 

The forward foreign exchange contracts generally require the Company to exchange Euros for U.S. dollars or Pounds Sterling for Euros at maturity, at rates agreed at the inception of the contracts. The counterparties to derivative transactions are major financial institutions with investment grade or better credit ratings; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk with these institutions. The credit risk is limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts should these counterparties fail to perform as contracted.

 

34


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

At December 31, 2004, forward foreign exchange contacts with a notional value of $20,966,000 were outstanding to exchange various currencies (principally U.S. dollars and Euros) with maturities ranging from January 2005 to August 2005 to sell the equivalent of approximately $8,066,000 in foreign currencies at contracted rates and to buy $12,900,000 at contracted rates. These contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. As of December 31, 2004, assets of $223,000 and liabilities of $1,190,000 have been recorded for the fair value of the forward foreign exchange contracts. Realized gains of $46,000 from cash flow hedges were recorded in cost of goods sold during the year ended December 31, 2004. Realized gains of $14,000 were recorded on the cash flow hedges in selling, general and administrative expenses due to hedge ineffectiveness during the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company did not enter into any derivative financial instruments during 2003 and did not have any derivative financial instruments outstanding at December 31, 2003.

 

13.   Recognition of Revenues and Accounts Receivable

 

Revenues include sales and fees earned on sales by licensees and are recognized when title passes and the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer, based on the terms of sale. Title passes generally upon shipment. In some instances, product is shipped directly from the Company’s supplier to the customer. In these cases, the Company recognizes revenue when the product is delivered to the customer. Revenues may fluctuate in cases when customers delay accepting shipment of product for periods up to several weeks. Provisions for estimated sales returns and allowances are made at the time of sale based on historical rates of returns and allowances. However, actual returns and allowances in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from these estimates. If actual or expected future returns and allowances were significantly greater or lower than established reserves, a reduction or increase would be recorded in the period this determination was made. The Company does not offer any product warranties.

 

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company estimates potential losses based on its knowledge of the financial condition of certain customers, as well as an assessment of the overall conditions at retail. Historically, losses have been within the Company’s expectations. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to change, adjustments may be required to these estimates. Furthermore, estimated losses are provided resulting from differences that arise from the gross carrying value of the Company’s receivables and the amounts which customers estimate are owed to the Company. The settlement or resolution of these differences could result in future changes to these estimates.

 

In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-10, “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs,” shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in sales and the related costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Shipping and handling costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $3,175,000, $2,542,000 and $1,758,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

14.   Cost of Goods Sold

 

Cost of goods sold includes the landed cost of inventory (which includes procurement costs of the Company’s Asian purchasing office and factory inspections, inbound freight charges, broker and

 

35


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

consolidation charges and duties), production mold expenses and inventory reserves. Cost of goods sold may not be comparable to those of other entities as a result of recognizing warehousing costs within selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

15.   Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits, advertising, commissions, travel expenses, bad debt expense, shipping and handling costs, data processing expenses, legal fees, professional fees, rent and other office expenses, product development activity expenses, depreciation and amortization, bank fees, utilities, repairs and maintenance expenses, gains/losses on foreign currency transactions/translations and other warehousing costs.

 

16.   Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses amounted to $41,566,000, $27,857,000 and $17,676,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company engages in cooperative advertising programs with its customers. The Company recognizes this expense, based on the expected usage of the programs, in advertising expense. The Company accounts for its cooperative advertising programs in accordance with Issue 1 of EITF No. 01-9, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).”

 

17.   Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised.

 

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations (shares in thousands):

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 
     Shares

   Per Share
Amount


    Shares

   Per Share
Amount


    Shares

   Per Share
Amount


 

Basic EPS

   34,917    $ 2.04     35,396    $ 1.41     36,700    $ 0.78  

Effect of Dilutive Stock Options

   1,516      (0.08 )   2,517      (0.09 )   2,715      (0.05 )
    
  


 
  


 
  


Diluted EPS

   36,433    $ 1.96     37,913    $ 1.32     39,415    $ 0.73  
    
  


 
  


 
  


 

The following options were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

Options to purchase shares of common stock (in thousands)

   18    341    116

Exercise prices

   $23.45–$23.71    $17.62–$23.71    $11.38–$11.85

Expiration dates

   December 2013–
February 2014
   July 2013–
December 2013
   May 2009–
December 2012

 

36


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

18.   Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an Amendment of SFAS 123,” encourages, but does not require companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.

 

During 2004, 2003 and 2002, 12,000, 62,000 and 6,000 options, respectively, were granted at exercise prices below fair market value. This resulted in net compensation expense of $345,000, $419,000 and $400,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. All other options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for such options granted.

 

In connection with the exercise of options, the Company realized income tax benefits in 2004, 2003 and 2002 that have been credited to additional paid-in capital.

 

Had compensation cost for the plan been determined based on the fair value of the options at the grant dates consistent with the method of SFAS No. 148, the Company’s net earnings and earnings per share would have been:

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net earnings (in thousands)

                        

As reported

   $ 71,251     $ 50,056     $ 28,697  

Add stock-based employee compensation charges reported in net earnings

     246       255       243  

Less total stock-based employee compensation expense, determined under the fair value method

     (2,175 )     (1,721 )     (1,299 )
    


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 69,322     $ 48,590     $ 27,641  
    


 


 


Basic earnings per share

                        

As reported

   $ 2.04     $ 1.41     $ 0.78  

Pro forma

     1.99       1.37       0.75  

Diluted earnings per share

                        

As reported

   $ 1.96     $ 1.32     $ 0.73  

Pro forma

     1.90       1.28       0.70  

 

The effects of applying SFAS No. 148 in this proforma disclosure are not indicative of future amounts. SFAS No. 148 does not apply to awards prior to 1995, and additional awards in future years are anticipated.

 

37


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE A—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES—(Continued)

 

19.   Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 retains the general principle of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” that inventories are presumed to be stated at cost; however, it amends ARB No. 43 to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facilities, freight, handling costs and spoilage should be recognized as current period expenses. Also, SFAS No. 151 requires fixed overhead costs be allocated to inventories based on normal production capacity. The guidance in SAFS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company believes that implementing SFAS No. 151 should not have a material impact on its financial condition.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share Based Payment,” which will require the Company to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments. SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) eliminates the use of APB Opinion No. 25. SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Early adoption for interim or annual periods for which financial statements or interim reports have not been issued is encouraged.

 

NOTE B—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property, plant and equipment as of December 31 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

         2004    

        2003    

 

Building and improvements

   $ 6,634     $ 6,607  

Furniture, machinery and equipment

     10,809       10,031  
    


 


       17,443       16,638  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (9,910 )     (8,737 )
    


 


       7,533       7,901  

Land

     695       695  
    


 


     $ 8,228     $ 8,596  
    


 


 

NOTE C—INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets as of December 31 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

         2004    

        2003    

 

Goodwill

   $ 4,618     $ 4,772  

Trademarks

     2,761       5,382  

Other

     8       8  

Less accumulated amortization

     (2,687 )     (2,861 )
    


 


     $ 4,700     $ 7,301  
    


 


 

38


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE C—INTANGIBLE ASSETS—(Continued)

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     2004

    2003

 

Beginning balance

   $ 7,301     $ 8,107  

Additional assets

     175       —    

Amortization of assets with finite lives

     —         (60 )

Impairment losses

     (2,776 )     (746 )
    


 


Ending balance

   $ 4,700     $ 7,301  
    


 


 

In applying SFAS No. 142, the Company has performed the annual reassessment and impairment test required as of January 1, 2004 to determine whether goodwill and intangible assets were impaired. In the first quarter of 2004, as a result of the annual reassessment and impairment test and after a review of sales, backlog, cash flows and marketing strategy, the Company determined that its investment in the Royal Elastics goodwill and trademark was partially impaired and recognized an impairment loss of $1,730,000. During the third quarter of 2004, after a subsequent review of sales, backlog, cash flows and marketing strategy, the Company determined that its remaining investment in the Royal Elastics goodwill and trademark was impaired and recognized an additional impairment loss of $1,046,000. In the first quarter of 2003, after a review of sales backlog, the Company determined based on estimated revenues, operating profits and cash flows that its investment in the National Geographic license was impaired and recognized an impairment loss of $746,000. See Note L for additional information on National Geographic. The remaining goodwill and intangible assets were not impaired.

 

NOTE D—BANK LINES OF CREDIT

 

At December 31, 2004 there was debt outstanding of $6,750,000 and there was no funded debt at December 31, 2003 (excluding outstanding letters of credit of $1,682,000 and $2,083,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively).

 

The Company’s domestic office has an agreement with a bank whereby it may borrow, in the form of an unsecured revolving credit facility, up to $15,000,000. The unused portion of this credit facility, which includes letters of credit and bankers acceptances, was $13,496,000 at December 31, 2004. This facility currently expires in July 2005. The credit facility provides for interest to be paid at the prime rate less 3/4% or, at the Company’s discretion and with certain restrictions, other market based rates. The Company pays a commitment fee of 1/8% of the unused line for availability of the credit facility. The Company must meet certain restrictive financial covenants as agreed upon in the facility.

 

The Company’s Asian offices have agreements with a bank whereby they can borrow up to $5,250,000 in the form of unsecured revolving credit facilities. The unused portion of these credit facilities was $500,000 at December 31, 2004. Interest is to be paid at LIBOR plus 1.25%. The interest rate at December 31, 2004 was 3.71%. In January 2005, the bank increased these credit facilities to $12,250,000, to fund the Company’s short-term international working capital needs. This facility currently expires in July 2005.

 

39


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE D—BANK LINES OF CREDIT—(Continued)

 

The Company’s European offices have agreements with a bank whereby they can borrow up to $4,500,000 in the form of unsecured revolving credit facilities. The unused portion of these credit facilities, which includes letters of credit and bankers acceptances, was $2,322,000 at December 31, 2004. Interest is to be paid on one facility at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% and on the other facility at IBOR plus 1.25%. The interest rates at December 31, 2004 were 3.71% and 3.67%, respectively. These facilities currently expire in July 2005.

 

The Company’s $15,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility contains a cross-default provision which indicates that if any defaults occur on any of the above mentioned facilities, then the Company would be in default on its $15,000,000 credit facility. Upon default, the bank may do one or more of the following: declare the Company in default, stop making additional credit available to the Company, and/or require the Company to repay its entire debt immediately and without notice. Upon the occurrence of default, the interest rate will reprice at a rate of 2% higher than prime rate less 3/4%.

 

Interest expense of $5,000 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2004 as a result of the borrowings on its lines of credit.

 

One of the credit agreements contains certain covenants and financial ratio requirements, including restrictions on dividend payments. At December 31, 2004, $72,530,000 was unrestricted as to the payment of dividends. Under the most restrictive covenant, the Company must maintain stockholders’ equity, less intangible assets and exclusive of treasury stock of at least $149,546,000 at December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all relevant covenants under each of the credit facilities described above.

 

NOTE E—ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accrued liabilities as of December 31 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     2004

   2003

Compensation

   $ 5,864    $ 5,363

Advertising

     6,773      2,773

Other

     11,315      9,014
    

  

     $ 23,952    $ 17,150
    

  

 

NOTE F—OTHER LIABILITIES

 

Other liabilities consist of amounts due under employee benefit plans, including the long-term portion of the Company’s Economic Value Added (“EVA”) incentive program and deferred compensation. The EVA incentive program amounts are at risk of forfeiture to the plan participants depending on the Company maintaining presently achieved levels of EVA. The amounts as of December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     2004

   2003

EVA incentive program

   $ 10,202    $ 10,741

Deferred compensation

     4,881      4,493
    

  

     $ 15,083    $ 15,234
    

  

 

40


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE G—INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes includes the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

 

         2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

Current:

                        

United States

                        

Federal

   $ 32,920     $ 31,375     $ 19,706  

State

     4,493       5,201       2,970  

Foreign

     1,637       656       389  

Deferred:

                        

United States

                        

Federal

     (9,139 )     (2,736 )     (2,259 )

State

     (893 )     (297 )     (252 )

Foreign

     (273 )     —         —    
    


 


 


     $ 28,745     $ 34,199     $ 20,554  
    


 


 


 

A reconciliation from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 

         2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

U.S. Federal statutory rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

State income taxes

   3.4     3.9     3.9  

Net results of foreign subsidiaries

   (1.2 )   (0.4 )   0.3  

Repatriation of subsidiary earnings

   (8.3 )   —       —    

Other

   (0.2 )   0.4     —    
    

 

 

     28.7 %   38.9 %   39.2 %
    

 

 

 

In December 2004, pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, the Company repatriated dividends of $22,700,000 related to foreign subsidiary earnings which were not considered indefinitely invested. The Company will receive an 85% dividends received deduction for eligible dividends, resulting in a lower effective tax rate. The Company will use these funds on qualified expenditures in the United States in accordance with its approved Domestic Reinvestment Plan. Future provision will not be made for appropriate United States income taxes on future earnings of selected subsidiary companies as these are intended to be permanently invested.

 

Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities given the provisions of the enacted tax laws. The net current and non-current components of deferred income taxes recognized in the balance sheets are as follows as of December 31 (in thousands):

 

         2004    

       2003    

 

Net current assets

   $ 4,654    $ 3,014  

Net non-current assets (liabilities)

     5,305      (3,360 )
    

  


Net asset (liability)

   $ 9,959    $ (346 )
    

  


 

41


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE G—INCOME TAXES—(Continued)

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows as of December 31 (in thousands):

 

     2004

    2003

 

Assets

                

State taxes

   $ 1,705     $ 1,612  

Bad debts reserve

     691       585  

Inventory reserve and capitalized costs

     971       713  

Sales return reserve

     805       160  

Impairment reserve

     462       —    

Bonuses

     3,888       4,206  

Deferred compensation plan

     1,875       1,743  

Other

     735       475  
    


 


Gross deferred tax assets

     11,132       9,494  

Liabilities

                

Unremitted earnings of a foreign subsidiary

     —         (8,614 )

Contingent purchase payments

     (154 )     (155 )

Other

     (1,019 )     (1,071 )
    


 


Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (1,173 )     (9,840 )
    


 


Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 9,959     $ (346 )
    


 


 

The Company did not record any valuation allowances against deferred tax assets at December 31, 2004. Management has determined, based on the Company’s history of prior operating earnings and its expectations for the future, that operating income of the Company will more likely than not be sufficient to recognize fully these deferred tax assets.

 

NOTE H—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company leases its principal warehouse facility through January 2007, under an agreement that provides for one option that would extend the lease for three years. In addition, certain property and equipment is leased primarily on a month-to-month basis. Future minimum rental payments under these leases as of December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31,


    

2005

   $ 2,400

2006

     1,936

2007

     538

2008

     91

2009

     24

Thereafter

     —  
    

     $ 4,989
    

 

Rent expense for operating leases was approximately $3,077,000, $2,874,000 and $2,084,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Sublease rental income was approximately $251,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

42


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE H—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES—(Continued)

 

The Company has outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $1,682,000 and $2,083,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These letters of credit, which have original terms from one to eleven months, collateralize the Company’s obligation to third parties for the purchase of inventory. The fair value of these letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements and is not significant at December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

The Company has product purchase obligations of approximately $58,141,000 at December 31, 2004. The Company generally orders product four to five months in advance of sales based primarily on advanced future orders received from customers. Product purchase obligations represent open purchase orders to purchase products in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding.

 

NOTE I—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

In 1988, the Company adopted a discretionary contribution profit sharing plan covering all employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. In 1993, the plan was amended to include a 401(k) plan. The expense for this plan was approximately $960,000, $1,007,000 and $564,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

NOTE J—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Each share of Class B Common Stock is freely convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the Class B stockholder. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share for all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, other than the election of directors. Holders of Class A Common Stock are initially entitled to elect two directors and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to elect all directors other than directors that the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect. If the number of members of the Company’s Board of Directors is increased to not less than eleven and not greater than fifteen (excluding directors representing holders of Preferred Stock, if any), holders of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect three directors. If the number of members of the Company’s Board of Directors is increased to a number greater than fifteen (excluding directors representing holders of Preferred Stock, if any), holders of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect four directors.

 

During 1990, the Company adopted the 1990 Stock Option Plan under which it was authorized to issue non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, and warrants to key employees. As amended, the number of options available for issuance under the 1990 Stock Option Plan was 6,600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. The options have a term of ten years and generally become fully vested by the end of the fifth year.

 

In 1999, the Company adopted the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan under which it was authorized to award up to 2,400,000 shares or options to employees and directors of the Company. In May 2002, the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan was amended to increase the number of options by 1,200,000 to 3,600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. In December 2004, the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan was amended to increase the number of options by 1,000,000 to 4,600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. The awards have a term of ten years and generally become fully vested by the end of the fifth year.

 

43


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE J—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

 

Combined plan transactions for 2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

     Shares

    Weighted
average
exercise
price


   Shares

    Weighted
average
exercise
price


   Shares

    Weighted
average
exercise
price


Options outstanding January 1

   3,669,270     $ 7.17    3,697,078     $ 4.75    4,555,492     $ 3.33

Granted

   331,799       19.43    809,832       14.08    558,334       9.29

Exercised

   (509,822 )     2.63    (706,976 )     2.48    (1,240,748 )     1.47

Canceled

   (103,997 )     11.68    (130,664 )     6.50    (176,000 )     5.71
    

        

        

     

Options outstanding December 31

   3,387,250     $ 8.91    3,669,270     $ 7.17    3,697,078     $ 4.75
    

        

        

     

Options available for grant at December 31

   1,003,230            232,032            913,866        
    

        

        

     

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year is as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

Exercise price is below market price at date of grant

   $ 19.19    $ 10.87    $ 9.19

Exercise price equals market price at date of grant

     9.26      8.59      5.33

 

The following information applies to options outstanding at December 31, 2004:

 

     Options Outstanding

   Options Exercisable

Range of exercise prices


   Number
outstanding


   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (years)


   Weighted
average
exercise
price


   Number
exercisable


   Weighted
average
exercise
price


$ 0.13–$ 3.19

   815,193    5    $ 2.02    371,933    $ 1.90

$ 4.27–$ 6.78

   731,758    6      6.17    164,443      5.93

$ 7.05–$10.00

   723,667    7      8.35    184,000      8.04

$11.17–$15.00

   486,000    8      11.99    8,001      11.52

$17.62–$23.71

   630,632    9      19.28    —        —  

 

Exercisable options outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002 were 658,362 and 847,526 options, respectively.

 

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

 

     2004

     2003

     2002

 

Expected life (years)

   5      7      6  

Risk-free interest rate

   3.52 %    3.30 %    3.82 %

Expected volatility

   50 %    58 %    59 %

Expected dividend yield

   0.5 %    0.2 %    0.2 %

 

44


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE K—CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and financial instruments used in hedging activities. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with high quality institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. As part of its cash and risk management processes, the Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, approximately 20%, 27% and 24%, respectively, of revenues were from one customer. At December 31, 2004 and 2003 approximately 32% and 38% of accounts receivable were from two customers. Credit risk with respect to other trade accounts receivable is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many geographies. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures and for international receivables from distributors, the use of letters of credit and letters of guarantee.

 

NOTE L—NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

 

In May 2001, the Company formed a joint venture with Rugged Shark, a designer and manufacturer of young, active-oriented footwear, to license, produce and market a men’s, women’s, and children’s collection of National Geographic outdoor-oriented and casual footwear. In 2003, the joint venture was terminated. Under the terms of the joint venture, the Company owned 75% of the new company and provided the infrastructure to design, develop, manufacture, distribute and market the line of National Geographic footwear. Rugged Shark owned 25% of the venture. Profits and losses of the joint venture were generally allocated 75% to the Company and 25% to Rugged Shark. Under certain circumstances, Rugged Shark was entitled to a special $1,000,000 profits allocation. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company was granted the right (the “Call”) to purchase from the minority member its minority interest in the joint venture. In addition, the Company had granted the minority member the right (the “Put”) to sell its minority interest to the Company. The Call and the Put were exercisable at any time during the period April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2007. The exercise price of the Call and Put was based on a multiple of earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation and amortization of the joint venture. Losses applicable to the minority interests of Rugged Shark exceeded the equity capital of the minority member. Accordingly, such excess losses applicable to the minority interests were charged against the majority interest.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company reached an agreement with National Geographic to terminate the licensing agreement for $2.0 million. The operations for National Geographic for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows (in thousands):

 

         2003    

        2002    

 

Revenues

   $ 869     $ 820  

Cost of goods sold

     3,814       1,709  
    


 


Gross loss

     (2,945 )     (889 )

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2,925       4,056  
    


 


Operating loss

     (5,870 )     (4,945 )

Interest expense, net

     (226 )     (154 )

Income tax benefit

     2,360       1,983  
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (3,736 )   $ (3,116 )
    


 


 

45


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE M—ROYAL ELASTICS

 

In November 2001, the Company acquired the worldwide rights and business of Royal Elastics, an Australian-based designer and manufacturer of elasticated footwear. The purchase excludes distribution rights in Australia, which were retained by the seller. This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Identifiable assets consisted primarily of a trademark of $3,300,000. The excess of purchase price over net assets acquired (goodwill) totaled $194,000. As of December 31, 2003, certain revenue levels were not met, therefore, the Company was no longer required to pay and did not pay contingent purchase payments of approximately $1.5 million to the seller.

 

In connection with the acquisition of Royal Elastics, the Company formed a joint venture with two of the sellers. Profits and losses of the joint venture during the first six years were to be allocated 100% to the Company. Following the sixth year, profits and losses were to be allocated 70% to the Company and 30% to the minority members. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company was granted the right (the “Call”) to purchase from the minority members their minority interest in the joint venture. In addition, the Company granted the minority members the right (the “Put”) to sell their minority interest to the Company. The Call and the Put were exercisable at any time during the period November 15, 2005 through November 15, 2007. The exercise price of the Call and Put was based on a multiple of pre tax earnings of the joint venture less any amounts previously paid by the Company under the purchase agreement. During the fourth quarter of 2003, the minority members resigned and gave up their rights to the Put. As a result of the minority members resigning in 2003, the Company owns 100% of Royal Elastics.

 

46


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE N—SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company’s predominant business is the design, development and distribution of athletic footwear. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are from the sales of footwear products. The Company is organized into three geographic regions: the United States, Europe and other international operations. Certain segment information that follows excludes the operations of the National Geographic brand, which was discontinued in 2003. Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2003 and 2002 presentations to conform to the 2004 presentation. The following tables summarize segment information (in thousands):

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
         2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

Revenues from unrelated entities (1):

                        

United States

   $ 397,390     $ 372,443     $ 248,047  

Europe

     46,148       26,260       17,258  

Other International

     40,541       30,459       24,288  
    


 


 


     $ 484,079     $ 429,162     $ 289,593  
    


 


 


Inter-geographic revenues:

                        

United States

   $ 4,054     $ 2,715     $ 2,276  

Europe

     98       134       158  

Other International

     15,795       11,272       9,141  
    


 


 


     $ 19,947     $ 14,121     $ 11,575  
    


 


 


Total revenues:

                        

United States

   $ 401,444     $ 375,158     $ 250,323  

Europe

     46,246       26,394       17,416  

Other International

     56,336       41,731       33,429  

Less inter-geographic revenues

     (19,947 )     (14,121 )     (11,575 )
    


 


 


     $ 484,079     $ 429,162     $ 289,593  
    


 


 


Operating profit (loss):

                        

United States (2)

   $ 94,823     $ 97,583     $ 64,278  

Europe

     5,148       (3,009 )     (5,533 )

Other International (2)

     7,697       6,288       3,209  

Less corporate expenses (3)

     (12,686 )     (18,835 )     (12,887 )

Eliminations

     3,976       5,265       2,242  
    


 


 


     $ 98,958     $ 87,292     $ 51,309  
    


 


 


Interest income:

                        

United States

   $ 837     $ 645     $ 913  

Europe

     90       37       24  

Other International

     134       25       150  
    


 


 


Total interest income

     1,061       707       1,087  

Interest expense:

                        

United States

     17       —         —    

Europe

     3       3       29  

Other International

     3       5       —    
    


 


 


Total interest expense

     23       8       29  
    


 


 


Interest income, net

   $ 1,038     $ 699     $ 1,058  
    


 


 


Income tax expense:

                        

United States

   $ 27,127     $ 33,460     $ 20,177  

Europe

     233       (21 )     (52 )

Other International

     1,385       760       429  
    


 


 


     $ 28,745     $ 34,199     $ 20,554  
    


 


 


 

47


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE N—SEGMENT INFORMATION—(Continued)

 

     Year ended December 31,

         2004    

       2003    

       2002    

Identifiable assets:

                    

United States

   $ 124,025    $ 127,380    $ 92,641

Europe

     14,377      26,350      14,737

Other International

     15,443      11,987      9,462

Corporate assets and eliminations (4)

     141,032      68,913      67,043
    

  

  

     $ 294,877    $ 234,630    $ 183,883
    

  

  

Provision for depreciation and amortization:

                    

United States

   $ 1,056    $ 1,209    $ 1,357

Europe

     349      326      195

Other International

     138      107      77
    

  

  

     $ 1,543    $ 1,642    $ 1,629
    

  

  

Capital expenditures:

                    

United States

   $ 997    $ 1,388    $ 1,203

Europe

     103      281      576

Other International

     224      101      130
    

  

  

     $ 1,324    $ 1,770    $ 1,909
    

  

  


(1)   Revenue is attributable to geographic regions based on the location of the Company subsidiary.

 

(2)   For the year ended December 31, 2004, operating profit includes impairment losses of $2,776,000 on the Royal Elastics trademark and goodwill, of which $1,632,000 and $1,144,000 of impairment losses were recognized in the United States segment and Other International segment, respectively.

 

(3)   Corporate expenses include expenses such as salaries and related expenses for executive management and support departments such as accounting and treasury, information technology, human resources and legal which benefit the entire corporation and are not segment/region specific. The decrease in corporate expenses during year ended December 31, 2004 is due to a decrease in bonus/incentive related expenses that was calculated in accordance with the Company’s bonus formula in 2004 and also due to the decrease in legal expenses as a result of the defense of two lawsuits which were settled in the second quarter of 2003. The increase in corporate expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003 were due to increases in bonus related expenses, that was calculated in accordance with the Company’s bonus formula in 2003, and legal expenses in connection with the defense and settlements of two lawsuits that were previously mentioned above.

 

(4)   Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, investments and intangible assets.

 

48


Table of Contents

K•SWISS INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

NOTE O—QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

 

Summarized quarterly financial data for 2004 and 2003 follows (in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

     First
Quarter


    Second
Quarter


    Third
Quarter


    Fourth
Quarter


   Year

 

2004

                                       

Revenues

   $ 152,020     $ 107,904     $ 135,799     $ 88,356    $ 484,079  

Gross profit

     69,766       49,753       61,749       39,952      221,220  

Net earnings

     21,768       13,188       20,681       15,614      71,251  

Earnings per share

                                       

Basic net earnings

   $ 0.62     $ 0.38     $ 0.59     $ 0.45    $ 2.04  

Diluted net earnings

     0.57       0.35       0.57       0.43      1.96  
     First
Quarter


    Second
Quarter


    Third
Quarter


    Fourth
Quarter


   Year

 

2003

                                       

Revenues

   $ 115,809     $ 111,629     $ 121,292     $ 80,432    $ 429,162  

Gross profit

     54,216       51,301       53,046       34,996      193,559  

Earnings from continuing operations

     16,900       13,826       15,504       7,562      53,792  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (3,256 )     (1,207 )     (398 )     1,125      (3,736 )

Net earnings

     13,644       12,619       15,106       8,687      50,056  

Earnings per share

                                       

Basic

                                       

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.47     $ 0.39     $ 0.44     $ 0.22    $ 1.52  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.09 )     (0.03 )     (0.01 )     0.03      (0.11 )

Net earnings

     0.38       0.36       0.43       0.25      1.41  

Diluted

                                       

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.45     $ 0.36     $ 0.41     $ 0.20    $ 1.42  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.09 )     (0.03 )     (0.01 )     0.03      (0.10 )

Net earnings

     0.36       0.33       0.40       0.23      1.32  

 

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Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2004, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2004 are effective in ensuring that (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the S.E.C.’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) have come to management’s attention that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer became aware of two significant deficiencies in the Company’s design of internal controls in the areas of segregation of duties related to (1) the Company’s customer service Amsterdam operations, and (2) the Company’s Mira Loma, California inventory management system regarding the development, testing and production environments for the system. The Company believes that these deficiencies did not affect the accuracy of its financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K. The Company is taking steps to correct these deficiencies. See “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting on pages 25 and 26, respectively.

 

Item 9B.   Other Information

 

None.

 

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Table of Contents

PART III

 

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The executive officers of K•Swiss are as follows:

 

Name


   Age at
December 31,
2004


  

Position


Steven Nichols

   62    Chairman of the Board and President

Preston Davis

   60    Vice President-Sales

Edward Flora

   53    Vice President-Operations

Lee Green

   51    Corporate Counsel

Deborah Mitchell

   43    Vice President-Marketing

David Nichols

   35    Executive Vice President

George Powlick

   60   

Vice President-Finance, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director

Kimberly Scully

   37    Corporate Controller

Brian Sullivan

   51    Vice President-National Accounts

Peter Worley

   44    Vice President-Product Development

 

Officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

Steven Nichols has been President and Chairman of the Board of K•Swiss since 1987. From 1980 to 1986, Mr. Nichols was a director and Vice President-Merchandise of Stride Rite Corp., a footwear manufacturer and holding company. In addition, Mr. Nichols was President of Stride Rite Footwear from 1982 to 1986. From 1979 to 1982, Mr. Nichols served as an officer and President of Stride Rite Retail Corp., the largest retailer of branded children’s shoes in the United States. From 1962 through 1979, he was an officer of Nichols Foot Form Corp., which operated a chain of New York retail footwear stores.

 

Preston Davis, Vice President-Sales since March 1991, joined K•Swiss in March 1987 as a consultant and served as Vice President-Sales from June 1987 to January 1989 and Vice President-Marketing from February 1989 to February 1991. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Davis owned and managed Preston Davis Associates, a marketing and sales consulting firm, specializing in sporting goods. From June 1982 through December 1985, Mr. Davis was Vice President-Sales for Kaepa, Inc., another athletic shoe company.

 

Edward Flora, Vice President-Operations since March 1994, joined K•Swiss as a consultant in June 1990 and served as Director-Administration from October 1990 to February 1994. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Flora was Vice President-Distribution for Bugle Boy Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, from 1987 through May 1990.

 

Lee Green, Corporate Counsel since December 1992, joined K•Swiss in December 1992. Mr. Green was formerly a partner in the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie. He worked in the firm’s Taipei office from 1985 to 1988 and its Palo Alto office from 1988 to 1992.

 

Deborah Mitchell, Vice President-Marketing since October 1994, joined K•Swiss in October 1994. Ms. Mitchell served as Director of Marketing for Fruit of the Loom, the largest manufacturer of men’s underwear, from December 1993 through October 1994. Ms. Mitchell worked at Procter and Gamble in various positions ending in brand management from 1984 through 1993 except while she was earning her degree from Harvard Business School.

 

David Nichols, Executive Vice President since May 2004, has held various position with K•Swiss since November 1995, including Executive Vice President of K•Swiss Sales Corp., and President of KS Amsterdam BV and K•Swiss Direct Inc.

 

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Table of Contents

George Powlick, Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since January 1988, Director since May 1991 and Chief Operating Officer since September 2004, joined K•Swiss in January 1988. Mr. Powlick is a certified public accountant and was an audit partner in the independent public accounting firm of Grant Thornton from 1975 to 1987.

 

Kimberly Scully, Corporate Controller since April 2003, joined K•Swiss in April 2003. Ms. Scully is a certified public accountant. From 2000 through April 2003, Ms. Scully was the Corporate Controller of SMTEK International, Inc., an electronics manufacturing services provider. From 1995 through 1999, Ms. Scully was a Corporate Accounting Manager of Home Savings of America, FSB, a $50 billion savings institution, which was acquired in 1998. From 1989 through 1995, Ms. Scully was an auditor in the independent accounting firm of KPMG LLP and became an audit manager in 1994.

 

Brian Sullivan, Vice President-National Accounts since December 1989, joined K•Swiss in December 1989. From 1986 to 1989, he was Vice-President and General Manager of Tretorn, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of tennis shoes. From 1984 through 1985, Mr. Sullivan was Vice-President of Sales of Bancroft/Tretorn, a tennis shoe manufacturer and distributor and predecessor to Tretorn. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Sullivan held various positions at Bancroft/Tretorn, including Field Salesperson, Marketing and Sales Planning Manager and National Sales Manager.

 

Peter Worley, Vice President-Product Development since May 1996, joined K•Swiss in May 1996. Mr. Worley worked for Reebok International, Ltd. from May 1986 through October 1989, and again from July 1991 through April 1996 in various merchandising and product line management positions, including Director of Classic, Director of Cross Training and Director of Tennis. From October 1989 through July 1991, Mr. Worley was Sport Product Manager of Bausch & Lomb’s Ray-ban Sunglass Division.

 

Except for the information disclosed above, the information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 19, 2005 to be filed with the S.E.C. within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11.   Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 19, 2005 to be filed with the S.E.C. within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 19, 2005 to be filed with the S.E.C. within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 19, 2005 to be filed with the S.E.C. within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders Meeting to be held May 19, 2005 to be filed with the S.E.C. within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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P ART IV

 

Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Financial Statements

 

     Page Reference
Form 10-K


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   25

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   26

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   27

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   28

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 2004

   29

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three years ended
December 31, 2004

   30

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended
December 31, 2004

   31

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   32-49

 

(b) Exhibits

 

  3.1    Amended and Restated Bylaws of K•Swiss Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1991)
  3.2    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of K•Swiss Inc.
  4.1    Certificate of Designations of Class A Common Stock of K•Swiss Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
  4.2    Certificate of Designations of Class B Common Stock of K•Swiss Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
  4.3    Specimen K•Swiss Inc. Class A Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
  4.4    Specimen K•Swiss Inc. Class B Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
  4.5    $400,000 324 Corp. 10% Junior Subordinated Debenture due December 31, 2001 originally issued to The Rug Warehouse, Inc. Pension Plan and Trust (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
  4.6    $100,000 324 Corp. 10% Junior Subordinated Debenture due December 31, 2001 issued to George E. Powlick (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
10.1    K•Swiss Inc. 1990 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended through October 26, 2004 (incorporated by reference to exhibit A to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the S.E.C. on November 15, 2004)

 

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Table of Contents
10.2    Form of Amendment No. 1 to K•Swiss Inc. Employee Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the 1990 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002)
10.3    K•Swiss Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended through October 28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002)
10.4    Form of Amendment No. 1 to K•Swiss Inc. Employee Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002)
10.5    K•Swiss Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
10.6    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993)
10.7    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan dated May 26, 1994 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994)
10.8    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan dated January 1, 2000 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999)
10.9    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002)
10.10    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan dated January 10, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003)
10.11    Amendment to K•Swiss Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan dated October 9, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004)
10.12    Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into by and between K•Swiss Inc. and directors (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-34369)
10.13    Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Steven B. Nichols dated as of May 18, 2000 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000)
10.14    Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Steven B. Nichols dated as of August 2, 2004 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004)
10.15    Lease Agreement dated March 11, 1997 by and between K•Swiss Inc. and Space Center Mira Loma, Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997)
10.16    Business Loan Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001)
10.17    Amendment No. 2 to Business Loan Agreement, dated May 27, 2003, between the Company and Bank of America (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003)

 

54


Table of Contents
10.18    Amendment No. 3 to Business Loan Agreement, dated November 1, 2004, between the Company and Bank of America
10.19    Amendment No. 4 to Business Loan Agreement, dated December 9, 2004, between the Company and Bank of America
10.20    K•Swiss Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, Master Plan Document (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
10.21    K•Swiss Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, Master Trust Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
14.1    K•Swiss Inc. Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Financial Officers and Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to exhibit 14 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
14.2    K•Swiss Inc. Code of Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees (incorporated by reference to exhibit 14.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004)
21    Subsidiaries of K•Swiss Inc.
23    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
31.1    Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14
32    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(c) Schedules

 

     Page

Financial Statement Schedules:

    

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   57

All supplemental schedules other than as set forth above are omitted as inapplicable or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

    

 

55


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

K•Swiss Inc.

By

 

/s/    GEORGE POWLICK


        George Powlick, Vice President, Chief     Operating Officer and Chief Financial     Officer
 
 

February 21, 2005

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature


  

Title


  

Date


/s/                  STEVEN NICHOLS


Steven Nichols

  

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

   February 21, 2005

/s/                GEORGE POWLICK


George Powlick

  

Vice President Finance, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Secretary and Director

   February 21, 2005

/s/              LAWRENCE FELDMAN


Lawrence Feldman

  

Director

   February 21, 2005

/s/                    STEPHEN FINE


Stephen Fine

  

Director

   February 21, 2005

/s/                    DAVID LEWIN


David Lewin

  

Director

   February 21, 2005

/s/                    MARK LOUIE


Mark Louie

  

Director

   February 21, 2005

/s/                MARTYN WILFORD


Martyn Wilford

  

Director

   February 21, 2005

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE II

 

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Column A


   Column B

   Column C

   Column D

    Column E

                Additions

          

Description


   Balance at
Beginning of
Period


   Charged to
Costs and
Expenses


   Charged to
Other
Accounts


   Write-offs and
Deductions, Net


    Balance at
End of
Period


Allowance for bad debts

   (2004 )   $ 2,079    $ 2,302    $ —      $ (2,372 )   $ 2,009
     (2003 )     1,479      1,266      —        (666 )     2,079
     (2002 )     993      760      —        (274 )     1,479

Allowance for inventories

   (2004 )   $ 3,228    $ 3,393    $ —      $ (3,862 )   $ 2,759
     (2003 )     2,120      4,280      —        (3,172 )     3,228
     (2002 )     1,512      1,754      —        (1,146 )     2,120

Allowance for sales returns

   (2004 )   $ 541    $ 7,368    $ —      $ (5,533 )   $ 2,376
     (2003 )     —        3,751      —        (3,210 )     541
     (2002 )     —        1,207      —        (1,207 )     —  

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

    
3.2    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of K•Swiss Inc.
10.18    Amendment No. 3 to Business Loan Agreement, dated November 1, 2004, between the Company and Bank of America
10.19    Amendment No. 4 to Business Loan Agreement, dated December 9, 2004, between the Company and Bank of America
21    Subsidiaries of K•Swiss Inc.
23    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
31.1    Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14
32    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

58

EX-3.2 2 dex32.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF K-SWISS INC. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of K-Swiss Inc.

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

K•SWISS INC.

 

George Powlick hereby certifies that:

 

ONE: He is the duly elected and acting Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of K·SWISS INC. (the “Corporation”).

 

TWO: The Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 16, 1990.

 

THREE: The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I: Name

 

The name of the Corporation is K•SWISS INC.

 

ARTICLE II: Definitions

 

For purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

(A) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

(B) “Sale” shall mean any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets.

 

(C) “Voting Power,” with respect to any matter, means the aggregate number of votes of all classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation eligible to be cast with respect to such matter voting as a single class.

 

ARTICLE III: Registered Office

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE IV: Purpose

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

ARTICLE V: Authorized Capital Stock

 

SECTION 1. Number of Authorized Shares. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred ten million (110,000,000) shares, consisting of one hundred eight million (108,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and two million (2,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

1


SECTION 2. Common Stock. The Common Stock shall consist solely of “Class A Common Stock” and “Class B Common Stock.” The authorized number of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be ninety million (90,000,000), and the authorized number of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be eighteen million (18,000,000); provided, that (a) the authorized number of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be increased by any concurrent decrease determined by the Board of Directors in the authorized number of shares of Class B Common Stock and (b) the authorized number of shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be reduced, and the authorized number of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be increased. Subject to the foregoing, the Board is hereby authorized to fix the designations, powers and preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the Class A Common Stock and of the Class B Common Stock and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, dividend rights (and whether dividends are cumulative), conversion rights, if any, voting rights (including the number of votes, if any, per share, as well as the number of members, if any, of the Board or the percentage of members, if any, of the Board each class or series of Common Stock may be entitled to elect), rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if any), redemption price and liquidation preferences of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may authorize the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common Stock, from time to time, subject to the foregoing and to provisions of the Certificate of Designations of Class A Common Stock and the Certificate of Designations of Class B Common Stock, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have no power to alter the rights with respect to Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock once such rights have been fixed by the Board. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has previously fixed the designations, powers and preferences, and relative, participating, optional and other rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as follows:

 

SECTION 2.1 Designations of Class A Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.1.1 Dividends and Distributions. The holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, along with holders of shares of Class B Common Stock and the holders of any other duly designated class or series of the Corporation’s Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends, payable in cash or otherwise, as may be declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, provided that each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be equal in respect of rights to dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation, and provided that in the case of dividends or other distributions payable in Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, including distributions pursuant to stock split-ups or divisions of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock which occur after the first date upon which the Corporation has issued shares of both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, only shares of Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class A Common Stock and only shares of Class B Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class B Common Stock, unless the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines in its discretion that it is more desirable to distribute shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to Class B Common Stock, in which case shares of Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class B Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.1.2 Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

(a) Each share of Class A Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by law, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that in the election of directors the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall vote as one separate class and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote as one separate class.

 

2


(c) In the election of directors, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders held after the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to elect two of the directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that (A) if the authorized number of directors of the Corporation, excluding the number of directors, if any, authorized pursuant to the second sentence of Article VIII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, is greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 15, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to elect three of the directors of the Corporation; and (B) if the authorized number of directors of the Corporation, excluding the number of directors, if any, authorized pursuant to the second sentence of Article VIII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, is greater than 15, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to elect four of the directors of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time no shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, holders of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to elect all of the directors of the Corporation (excluding directors, if any, authorized pursuant to the second sentence of Article VIII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation). The directors so elected by holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, voting as a class, shall serve until the annual meeting at which the term of office of such director’s class shall expire or until such director’s successor shall be elected and shall qualify, and at each subsequent meeting of stockholders at which the directorship of any director elected by the vote of holders of shares of Class A Common Stock under the voting rights set forth in this paragraph is up for election, said class voting rights shall apply in the reelection of such director or in the election of such director’s successor.

 

(d) Nothing herein shall prevent the Board of Directors from taking any action (i) to fix or alter the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the Class A Common Stock, provided that at the time such action becomes effective, no shares of Class A Common Stock shall have been issued, or (ii) to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock in a number equal to any concurrent decrease in the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock; provided that the Board of Directors may not take any action to decrease the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock. Any shares of Class A Common Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation may be held as treasury shares or may be retired and canceled and reissued.

 

SECTION 2.1.3 Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of the net assets of the Corporation, an amount for each share of such series of Preferred Stock equal to the amount fixed and determined by the Board in any resolution or resolutions provided for the issuance of such series, plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid on shares of such series to the date fixed for distribution, before any of the assets of the Corporation shall be distributed or paid over to the holders of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. After payment in full of said amounts to the holders of Preferred Stock of all series, the remaining assets of the Corporation shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.1.4 No Redemption. The shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be redeemable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may acquire shares of Class A Common Stock in any other manner permitted by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION 2.1.5 Nonconvertibility of Class A Common Stock. The shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be convertible into any other class or series of the Corporation’s securities.

 

SECTION 2.1.6 Amendment. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall not be amended in any manner that would materially and adversely alter or change the powers or special rights of the Class A Common Stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

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SECTION 2.2 Designations of Class B Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.2.1 Dividends and Distributions. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, along with holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of any other duly designated class or series of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends, payable in cash or otherwise, as may be declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, provided that each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be equal in respect of rights to dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation, and provided that in the case of dividends or other distributions payable in Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, including distributions pursuant to stock split-ups or divisions of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock which occur after the first date upon which the Corporation has issued shares of both Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, only shares of Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class A Common Stock and only shares of Class B Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class B Common Stock, unless the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines in its discretion that it is more desirable to distribute shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to Class B Common Stock, in which case shares of Class A Common Stock shall be distributed with respect to Class B Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.2.2 Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

(a) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to ten votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by law, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that in the election of directors the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote as one separate class and the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall vote as one separate class.

 

(c) In the election of directors, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

So long as any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect all of the directors at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that so long as any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding after the issuance by the Corporation of shares of Class A Common Stock, the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect all of the directors except that number of directors entitled to be elected by holders of Class A Common Stock. The directors so elected by holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a class, shall serve until the annual meeting at which the term of office of such director’s class shall expire or until such director’s successor shall be elected and shall qualify, and at each subsequent meeting of stockholders at which the directorship of any director elected by the vote of holders of shares of Class B Common Stock under the voting rights set forth in this paragraph is up for election, said class voting rights shall apply in the reelection of such director or in the election of such director’s successor.

 

(d) Nothing herein shall prevent the Board of Directors from taking any action (i) to fix or alter the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the Class B Common Stock, provided that at the time such action becomes effective, no shares of Class B Common Stock shall have been issued, or (ii) to decrease the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock in a number equal to any concurrent increase in the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, but not below the number of shares of Class B Common Stock then outstanding; provided that the Board of Directors may not take any action to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock. Any shares of Class B Common Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be retired and canceled and shall not be reissued.

 

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SECTION 2.2.3 Transfer of Class B Stock.

 

A. Except as provided in Section 2.2.3(B) hereof or pursuant to a written proxy executed on the Record Date (as defined in Section 2.2.3(A)(iii) below) and disclosed in writing to the Corporation on or before the Record Date, no person holding shares of Class B Common Stock or any beneficial interest therein (a “Class B Holder”) may voluntarily or involuntarily transfer (including without limitation the power to vote such Class B Shares by proxy or otherwise), sell, assign, devise or bequeath any of such Class B Holder’s interest in his Class B Shares, and the Corporation and the transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, if any (the “Transfer Agent”), shall not register the transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock, whether by sale, grant of proxy, assignment, gift, devise, bequest, appointment or otherwise, except to a “Permitted Transferee” of such Class B Holder which term shall include the Corporation and shall have the following additional meanings in the following cases:

 

(i) In the case of a Class B Holder who is a natural person holding record and beneficial ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock in question, “Permitted Transferee” means: (a) the spouse of such Class B Holder (the “Spouse”); (b) a lineal descendant of a great grandparent of such Class B Holder or of the Spouse (a “Descendant”); (c) the trustee of a trust (including a voting trust) for the benefit of such Class B Holder, the Spouse, other Descendant, or an organization contributions to which are deductible for federal income, estate or gift tax purposes (a “Charitable Organization”), and for the benefit of no other person; provided that such trust may grant a general or special power of appointment to the Spouse or to the Descendants and may permit trust assets to be used to pay taxes, legacies and other obligations of the trust or of the estate of such Class B Holder payable by reason of the death of such Class B Holder or the death of the Spouse or a Descendant, and that such trust (subject to the grant of a power of appointment as provided above) must prohibit transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock or a beneficial interest therein to persons other than Permitted Transferees as defined in subparagaph (ii) of this Section 2.2.3(A) (a “Trust”); (d) a Charitable Organization established by such Class B Holder or a Descendant; (e) an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, of which such Class B Holder is a participant or beneficiary, provided that such Class B Holder is vested with the power to direct the investment of funds deposited into such Individual Retirement Account and to control the voting of securities held by such Individual Retirement Account (an “IRA”); (f) a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Class B Holder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, provided that such Class B Holder is vested with the power to direct the investment of funds deposited into such plan or trust and to control the voting of securities held by such plan or trust (a “Plan”); (g) a corporation all of the outstanding capital stock of which is owned by, or a partnership all of the partners of which are, such Class B Holder, the Spouse and/or other Descendants, provided that if any share (or any interest in any share) of capital stock of such a corporation (or of any survivor of a merger or consolidation of such corporation), or any partnership interest in such a partnership, is acquired by any person who is not within such class of persons, all shares of Class B Common Stock then held by such corporation or partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed without further act on anyone’s part to be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and stock certificates formerly representing such shares of Class B Common Stock shall thereupon and thereafter be deemed to represent the like number of shares of Class A Common Stock in the manner set forth in Section 2.2.4(C) hereof; and (h) in the event of the death of such Class B Holder, such Class B Holder’s estate.

 

(ii) In the case of a Class B Holder holding the shares of Class B Common Stock in question as trustee of an IRA, a Plan or a Trust other than a Trust described in subparagraph (iii) of this Section 2.2.3(A), “Permitted Transferee” means: (a) the participant or beneficiary of such IRA, such Plan or such Trust, or the person who transferred such shares of Class B Common Stock to such IRA, such Plan or such Trust, and (b) a Permitted Transferee of any such person or persons determined pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this Section 2.2.3(A).

 

(iii) In the case of a Class B Holder holding the shares of Class B Common Stock in question as trustee pursuant to a Trust which was irrevocable on the Record Date (as defined below), “Permitted Transferee” means any person as of the Record Date to whom or for whose benefit principal may be distributed either during or at the end of the term of such Trust whether by power of appointment or otherwise. For purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there shall be one “Record Date,” which date shall be

 

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the record date for determining the persons to whom the Class B Common Stock is first distributed by the Corporation other than the date on which the Corporation first distributed Class B Common Stock to a corporation that immediately after such distribution owned all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

(iv) In the case of Class B Holder holding record (but not beneficial) ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock in question as nominee for the person who was the beneficial owner thereof on the Record Date, “Permitted Transferee” means such beneficial owner and a Permitted Transferee of such beneficial owner determined pursuant to subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (v) or (vi) of this Section 2.2.3(A), as the case may be.

 

(v) In the case of a Class B Holder which is a partnership holding record and beneficial ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock in question, “Permitted Transferee” means any partner of such partnership, provided that such partner was a partner in the partnership at the time it first became a Class B Holder.

 

(vi) In the case of a Class B Holder which is a corporation other than a Charitable Organization described in clause (d) of subparagraph (i) of this Section 2.2.3(A) holding record and beneficial ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock in question (a “Corporate Holder”), “Permitted Transferee” means (a) any shareholder of such Corporate Holder as of the Record Date or any Permitted Transferee of any such shareholder determined pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this Section 2.2.3(A); and (b) the survivor (the “Survivor”) of a merger or consolidation of such Corporate Holder, so long as such Survivor is controlled, directly or indirectly, by those shareholders of the Corporate Holder who were shareholders of such Corporate Holder as of the Record Date or any Permitted Transferees of such shareholders determined pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this Section 2.2.3(A).

 

(vii) In the case of a Class B Holder which is the estate of a deceased Class B Holder, or which is the estate of a bankrupt or insolvent Class B Holder, and provided such deceased, bankrupt or insolvent Class B Holder, as the case may be, held record and beneficial ownership of the shares of Class B Common Stock in question, “Permitted Transferee” means a Permitted Transferee of such deceased, bankrupt or insolvent Class B Holder as determined pursuant to subparagraphs (i), (v) or (vi) of this Section 2.2.3(A), as the case may be.

 

B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Class B Holder may pledge such Holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock to a pledgee pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as collateral security for indebtedness due to the pledgee, provided that such shares shall not be transferred to, registered in the name of or voted by the pledgee and shall remain subject to the provisions of this Section 2.2.3. In the event of foreclosure or other similar action by the pledgee, such pledged shares of Class B Common Stock may only be transferred to a Permitted Transferee of the pledgor or converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, as the pledgee may elect.

 

C. For purpose of this Section 2.2.3:

 

(i) The relationship of any person that is derived by or through legal adoption shall be considered a natural relationship.

 

(ii) Each joint owner of shares or owner of a community property interest in shares of Class B Common Stock shall be considered a “Class B Holder” of such shares.

 

(iii) A minor for whom shares of Class B Common Stock are held pursuant to a Uniform Transfer to Minors Act or similar law shall be considered a Class B Holder of such shares.

 

(iv) Unless otherwise specified, the term “person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations, firms, joint ventures, trusts and all other entities.

 

D. Any purported transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock not permitted hereunder shall be void and of no effect, and the purported transferee shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Corporation and no other rights

 

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against or with respect to the Corporation. The Corporation may, as a condition to the transfer or the registration of transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock to a purported Permitted Transferee, require the furnishing of such affidavits or other proof as it deems necessary to establish that such transferee is a Permitted Transferee. Each certificate representing shares of Class B Common Stock shall be endorsed with a legend that states that shares of Class B Common stock are not transferable other than to certain transferees and are subject to certain restrictions as set forth in the Certificate of Designations of Class B Common Stock previously filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

SECTION 2.2.4 Conversion of Class B Common Stock.

 

A. Each share of Class B Common Stock, at the option of its holder, may at any time be converted into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth in paragraph E of this Section 2.2.4. Such right shall be exercised by the surrender of the certificate representing such share of Class B Common Stock to be converted to the Corporation at any time during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation or at the office of the Transfer Agent, accompanied by a written notice of the election by the holder thereof to convert and (if so required by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent) by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Transfer Agent, duly executed by such holder or such holder’s duly authorized attorney, and transfer tax stamps or funds therefor, if required pursuant to paragraph G of this Section 2.2.4.

 

B. If, on the record date for any annual meeting of stockholders, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock then outstanding is less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock then outstanding, as determined by the Secretary of the Corporation, each share of Class B Common Stock then issued or outstanding shall thereupon be converted automatically into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth in paragraph E of this Section 2.2.4), and each share of Class B Common Stock then authorized but unissued shall thereupon automatically be deemed an authorized but unissued share of Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth in paragraph E of this Section 2.2.4). Upon making such determination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall promptly request from each holder of record of shares of Class B Common Stock that each such holder promptly deliver, and such holder shall promptly deliver, certificates representing all shares of Class B Common Stock held by such holder to the Corporation for conversion hereunder, together with instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation and Transfer Agent, duly executed by such holder or such holder’s duly authorized attorney, and together with transfer tax stamps of funds therefor, if required pursuant to paragraph G of this Section 2.2.4.

 

C. If the beneficial ownership (as determined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of any share or any interest in any share of Class B Common Stock changes, voluntarily or involuntarily, such that each new beneficial owner of such share of Class B Common Stock is not a “Permitted Transferee” (as defined in Section 2.2.3(A) hereof) of the beneficial owner of such share of Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such change in beneficial ownership, then each such share of Class B Common Stock shall thereupon be converted automatically into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth in paragraph E of this Section 2.2.4). A determination by the Secretary of the Corporation that a change in beneficial ownership requires conversion under this paragraph shall be conclusive. Upon making such determination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall promptly request from the holder of record of each such share of Class B Common Stock that each such holder promptly deliver, and each such holder shall promptly deliver, the certificate representing each such share of Class B Common Stock to the Corporation for conversion hereunder, together with instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation and Transfer Agent, duly executed by such holder or such holder’s duly authorized attorney, and together with transfer tax stamps or funds therefor, if required pursuant to paragraph G of this Section 2.2.4.

 

D. As promptly as practicable following the surrender for conversion of a certificate representing shares of Class B Common Stock in the manner provided in paragraphs A, B or C, as applicable, of this Section 2.2.4 and the payment in cash of any amount required by the provisions of paragraphs A, B, C and G of this Section 2.2.4, the Corporation will deliver or cause to be delivered at the office of the Transfer Agent to or upon the written order of the holder of such certificate, a certificate or certificates representing the number of full shares of Class A Common

 

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Stock issuable upon such conversion, issued in such name or names as such holder may direct. In the case of a conversion under paragraph A of this Section 2.2.4, such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the surrender of the certificate representing shares of Class B Common Stock. In the case of a conversion under paragraph B of this Section 2.2.4, such conversion shall be deemed to have occurred on the record date for such annual meeting on which the condition set forth in paragraph B is determined by the Secretary of the Corporation to have been met. In the case of a conversion under paragraph C of this Section 2.2.4, such conversion shall be deemed to have been made on the date that the beneficial ownership of such share has changed as set forth in paragraph C. Upon the date any conversion under paragraph A of this Section 2.2.4 is made, and all rights of the holder of such shares as such holder shall cease at such time, and the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time; provided, however, that any such surrender and payment on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall constitute the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes immediately prior to the close of business on the next succeeding day on which stock transfer books are open. Upon the date any conversion under paragraph B of this Section 2.2.4 is made, all rights of the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall cease, and such holders shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time. Upon the date any conversion under paragraph C of this Section 2.2.4 is made, all rights of the holder of such share as such holder shall cease at such time, and new beneficial owner or owners of such shares shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time.

 

E. In the event that the Corporation shall issue shares of Class A Common Stock to the holders of Class A Common Stock as a stock dividend or stock split, or in the event that the Corporation reduces the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock in a reserve stock split or stock combination, then the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of Class B Common Stock shall be adjusted such that the holder of the shares of Class B Common Stock shall receive the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that such holder would have received if such conversion had occurred immediately prior to the record date for the first such stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split or stock combination of the Class A Common Stock, as the case may be. In the event that the Corporation shall issue shares of Class B Common Stock to the holders of Class B Common Stock as a stock dividend or stock split, or in the event that the Corporation reduces the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock in a reverse stock split or stock combination, then the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of Class B Common Stock shall be adjusted such that the holder of shares of Class B Common Stock shall receive the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that such holder would have received if such conversion had occurred immediately prior to the record date for the first such stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split or stock combination of the Class B Common Stock, as the case may be. No adjustment in respect of dividends (other than stock dividends) shall be made upon the conversion of any share of Class B Common Stock, provided, however, that if a share shall be converted subsequent to the record date for the payment of a dividend (other than a stock dividend) or other distribution on shares of Class B Common Stock but prior to such payment, then the registered holder of such share at the close of business on such record date shall be entitled to receive the dividend (other than a stock dividend) or other distribution payable on such share on such date notwithstanding the conversion thereof or the Corporation’s default in payment of the dividend (other than a stock dividend) due on such date.

 

F. The Corporation covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available, solely for the purpose of issue upon conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon the conversion of all such outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation. The Corporation covenants that if any shares of Class A Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes of conversion hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued upon conversion, the Corporation will cause such shares to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. The Corporation will endeavor to list the shares of Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange upon which the

 

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outstanding Class A Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock which shall be issued upon conversion of the shares of fully paid and nonassessable Class B Common Stock, will, upon issue, be fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights.

 

G. The issuance of certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be made without charge for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such certificate is to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares of Class B Common Stock converted, then the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

 

SECTION 2.2.5 Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of the net assets of the Corporation, an amount for each share of such series of Preferred Stock equal to the amount fixed and determined by the Board in any resolution or resolutions provided for the issuance of such series, plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid on shares of such series to the date fixed for distribution, before any of the assets of the Corporation shall be distributed or paid over to the holders of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock. After payment in full of said amounts to the holders of Preferred Stock of all series, the remaining assets of the Corporation shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.2.6 No Redemption. The shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be redeemable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may acquire shares of Class B Common Stock in any other manner permitted by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION 2.2.7 Issuances of Class B Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not issue or reissue any shares of Class B Common Stock (other than pursuant to a contractual obligation of the Corporation to The Biltrite Corporation, a Delaware corporation, which contractual obligation exists as of the Record Date (as defined in Section 2.2.3 hereof) or pursuant to a stock split, stock combination or stock dividend) without the prior affirmative vote of the holders of at least 85% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

SECTION 2.2.8 Amendment. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall not be amended in any manner that would materially and adversely alter or change the powers or special rights of the Class B Common Stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 85% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

SECTION 3. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may authorize the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series. Shares of Preferred Stock that are redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation may be reissued except as otherwise provided by law. The Board is hereby authorized to fix or alter the designations, powers and preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, dividend rights (and whether dividends are cumulative), conversion rights, if any, voting rights (including the number of votes, if any, per share, as well as the number of members, if any, or the Board or the percentage of members, if any, of the Board each class or series of Preferred Stock may be entitled to elect), rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if any), redemption price and liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of such series subsequent to the issuance of shares of such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have no power to alter the rights of any shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding.

 

SECTION 4. Distributions Upon Liquidation. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of each series of Preferred

 

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Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of the net assets of the Corporation, an amount for each share of such series of Preferred Stock equal to the amount fixed and determined by the Board in the resolution or resolutions creating such series and providing for the issuance of such shares, plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid on shares of such series to the date fixed for distribution, and no more, before any of the assets of the Corporation shall be distributed or paid over to the holders of Common Stock. After payment in full of said amounts to the holders of Preferred Stock of all series, the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation shall be divided among and paid to the holders of shares of each class or series of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock without class or series in accordance with the resolution or resolutions of the Board creating such classes and series and providing for the issuance of such shares. If, upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the assets of the Corporation distributable as aforesaid among the holders of Preferred Stock of all series shall be insufficient to permit full payment to them of said preferential amounts, then such assets shall be distributed ratably among such holders of Preferred Stock in proportion to the respective total amounts which they shall be entitled to receive as provided in this Section 4.

 

ARTICLE VI: Annual Meetings of Stockholders

 

The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such time, on such date and at such place (within or without the State of Delaware) as provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Subject to any requirement of applicable law, the books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board or in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

 

ARTICLE VII: Call of Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a majority of the members of the Board. Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by any other person or persons or in any other manner.

 

ARTICLE VIII: Number of Directors

 

The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall be as specified in Section 3.2 of the Bylaws of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, but in no event shall such number be less than three (3) nor greater than twenty (20). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period in which the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting as a class, shall be entitled to elect a specified number of directors by reason of dividend arrearages or other contingencies giving them the right to do so, then and during such time as such right continues, (A) the then otherwise authorized number of directors shall be increased by such specified number of directors and the holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock, voting as a class, shall be entitled to elect such specified number of directors in accordance with the procedure set forth in the resolution or resolutions of the Board creating such series and providing for the issuance of such shares and (B) each such additional director shall serve until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his or her right to hold such office terminates pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the Board creating such series of Preferred Stock and providing for the issuance of shares of such series, whichever occurs earlier. Whenever the holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock are divested of such right to elect directors pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the Board creating such series and providing for the issuance of such shares, the terms of office of all directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock pursuant to such rights, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation or removal of directors so elected by the holders of such series, shall forthwith terminate and the authorized number of directors shall be reduced accordingly.

 

ARTICLE IX: Stockholder Action by Written Consent

 

Any election of directors or other action by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. The record date with respect to the determination of stockholders entitled to consent in writing to any action shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action to be taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation

 

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having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Any action by written consent shall be deemed effective as of the first day on which written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take such action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Any delivery under this Article IX to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

ARTICLE X: Election of Directors

 

SECTION 1. Term of Office. At each annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, directors shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

SECTION 2. Stockholder Nominees. Nominations by stockholders of persons for election to the Board shall be made only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI: Liability and Indemnification

 

To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (provided that the effect of any such amendment shall be prospective only) (the “Delaware law”), a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as director. The Corporation shall indemnify, in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law (but in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), any person (or the estate of any person) who is or was a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether or not by or in the right of the Corporation, and whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Corporation may, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such person against any liability which may be asserted against such person. The Corporation may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including without limitation a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such sums as may become necessary to effect the indemnification as provided herein. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law, the indemnification provided herein shall include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and any such expenses shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. The indemnification provided herein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Corporation to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law, nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification from the Corporation may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

ARTICLE XII: Amendment of Corporate Documents

 

SECTION 1. Certificate of Incorporation. In addition to any affirmative vote required by applicable law or any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or specified in any agreement, and in addition to any voting rights granted to or held by the holders of any series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, any alteration, amendment, repeal or rescission (any “Change”) of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (other than any Change that relates solely to Articles I, III or VI hereof) must be approved by a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the Voting Power. Subject to the foregoing, the Corporation reserves the right to alter, amend, repeal or rescind any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter prescribed by law.

 

11


SECTION 2. Bylaws. In addition to any affirmative vote required by applicable law and any voting rights granted to or held by the holders of any series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, any Change to Section 2.3, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 4.4, 7.1 or 8.3 of the Bylaws of the Corporation which Change is not unanimously approved by the directors of the Corporation then in office must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the Voting Power. Subject to the foregoing, the Board shall have the power to make, alter, amend, repeal or rescind the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XIII: Certain Supermajority Provisions

 

So long as any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, in addition to any affirmative vote required by applicable law or any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or specified in any agreement, and in addition to any voting rights granted to or held by the holders of any series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the following matters must be approved by the affirmative vote of 80% of the Voting Power: (i) any Change in any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (other than any Change that relates solely to Articles I, III or VI hereof); (ii) any Change to Section 2.3, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 3.11, 3.13, 4.4, 7.1 or 8.3 of the Bylaws of the Corporation which change is not unanimously approved by the directors of the Corporation then in office; and (iii) any Sale of the Corporation. So long as any shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, in addition to any affirmative vote required by applicable law or any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or specified in any agreement, and in addition to any voting rights granted to or held by the holders of any series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall not issue shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock having voting rights in excess of one vote per share without the approval of all of the directors of the Corporation.

 

FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

FIVE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, K• SWISS INC. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by George Powlick in Westlake Village, California, this 11th day of December 2003.

 

K• SWISS INC.
By:  

/S/ George Powlick


    George Powlick, Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

12

EX-10.18 3 dex1018.htm AMENDMENT NO.3 TO BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2004 Amendment No.3 to Business Loan Agreement dated November 1, 2004

Exhibit 10.18

 

LOGO

 

AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) dated as of November 1, 2004 is between Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank”) and K-Swiss Inc. (the “Borrower”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Bank and the Borrower entered into a certain Business Loan Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (together with any previous amendments, the “Agreement”).

 

B. The Bank and the Borrower desire to amend the Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in the Agreement.

 

2. Amendments. The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

(a) In paragraph number 7.8, entitled “Treasury Stock Purchase,” the amount “Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000)” is changed to “One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000)”.

 

3. Representations and Warranties. When the Borrower signs this Amendment, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that: (a) there is no event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, a default under the Agreement except those events, if any, that have been disclosed in writing to the Bank or waived in writing by the Bank, (b) the representations and warranties in the Agreement are true as of the date of this Amendment as if made on the date of this Amendment, (c) this Amendment does not conflict with any law, agreement, or obligation by which the Borrower is bound, and (d) this Amendment is within the Borrower’s powers, has been duly authorized, and does not conflict with any of the Borrower’s organizational papers.

 

4. Effect of Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

6. FINAL AGREEMENT. BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT EACH PARTY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT: (A) THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, (B) THIS DOCUMENT SUPERSEDES ANY COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, UNLESS SUCH COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS EXPRESSLY PROVIDES TO THE CONTRARY, (C) THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND (D) THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE PARTIES.


This Amendment is executed as of the date stated at the beginning of this Amendment.

 

Borrower:   Bank:
K-Swiss Inc.   Bank of America, N.A.
By:  

/s/ George Powlick


  By:  

/s/ M. Pastor


   

George Powlick,

Vice President & Director

      Authorized Signer

 

2

EX-10.19 4 dex1019.htm AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT, DATED DECEMBER 1, 2004 Amendment No. 4 to Business Loan Agreement, dated December 1, 2004

Exhibit 10.19

 

LOGO

 

AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 4 (the “Amendment”) dated as of December 9, 2004 is between Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank”) and K-Swiss Inc. (the “Borrower”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Bank and the Borrower entered into a certain Business Loan Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (together with any previous amendments, the “Agreement”).

 

B. The Bank and the Borrower desire to amend the Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in the Agreement.

 

2. Amendments. The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

  (a) In subparagraph number 1.6(a)(i), the phrase “180 days beyond the Expiration Date” is changed to “365 days beyond the Expiration Date.”

 

  (b) In subparagraph 1.6(a)(ii), the phrase “but not to extend more than 365 days beyond the Expiration Date” is added at the end of the sentence.

 

3. Representations and Warranties. When the Borrower signs this Amendment, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that: (a) there is no event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, a default under the Agreement except those events, if any, that have been disclosed in writing to the Bank or waived in writing by the Bank, (b) the representations and warranties in the Agreement are true as of the date of this Amendment as if made on the date of this Amendment, (c) this Amendment does not conflict with any law, agreement, or obligation by which the Borrower is bound, and (d) this Amendment is within the Borrower’s powers, has been duly authorized, and does not conflict with any of the Borrower’s organizational papers.

 

4. Effect of Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

6. FINAL AGREEMENT. BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT EACH PARTY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT: (A) THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, (B) THIS DOCUMENT SUPERSEDES ANY COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, UNLESS SUCH COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS EXPRESSLY PROVIDES TO THE CONTRARY, (C) THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND (D) THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE PARTIES.


This Amendment is executed as of the date stated at the beginning of this Amendment.

 

Borrower:   Bank:
K-Swiss Inc.   Bank of America, N.A.
By:  

/s/ George Powlick


  By:  

/s/ M. Pastor


   

George Powlick,

Vice President & Director

      Authorized Signer

 

2

EX-21 5 dex21.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF K-SWISS INC. Subsidiaries of K-Swiss Inc.

EXHIBIT 21

 

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

Unless otherwise noted, all of the entities listed below are wholly owned subsidiaries of K•Swiss Inc.

 

1.    K•Swiss Pacific Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.
2.    K•Swiss International Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of Bermuda.
3.    KS UK Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation.
4.    KS Amsterdam B.V., a Dutch corporation.
5.    K•Swiss S.A. de C.V., a Mexico corporation.
6.    K•Swiss Australia Pty. Ltd., an Australia corporation.
7.    K•Swiss International Services (BAARN) B.V., a Dutch corporation.
8.    K•Swiss Direct Inc., a California corporation.
9.    K•Swiss Sales Corp., a Delaware corporation.
10.    K•Swiss NS Inc., a Delaware corporation.
11.    K•Swiss Canada Corp., a Nova Scotia company.
12.    1166789 Ontario Inc., an Ontario, Canada corporation.
13.    KSI Germany GmbH, a Germany corporation.
14.    ERE Footwear Inc., a California corporation.
15.    ERE Footwear LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, owned 75% by K•Swiss Inc.
16.    Royal Elastics LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
17.    Royal Elastics Inc., a California corporation.
EX-23 6 dex23.htm CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

EXHIBIT 23

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We have issued our report dated January 31, 2005, accompanying the consolidated financial statements and schedule included in the Annual Report of K•Swiss Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the Registration Statements of K•Swiss Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 33-36505, effective August 23, 1990, File No. 33-77258, effective April 4, 1994, File No. 33-95650, effective August 10, 1995, File No. 333-79641, effective May 28, 1999, and File No. 333-91864, effective July 7, 2002) and on Form S-3 (File No. 333-37895, effective October 17, 1997 and File No. 333-60043, effective August 5, 1998).

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

January 31, 2005

EX-31.1 7 dex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Steven Nichols, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of K•Swiss Inc.;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  February 21, 2005

 

By:

 

/s/    STEVEN NICHOLS


   

Steven Nichols

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 8 dex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Certification of Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, George Powlick, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of K•Swiss Inc.;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  February 21, 2005

 

By:

 

/s/    GEORGE POWLICK


   

George Powlick

   

Vice President of Finance, Chief Operating

Officer and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32 9 dex321.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO/CFO PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 Certification of CEO/CFO pursuant to Section 906

EXHIBIT 32

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as an officer of K•Swiss Inc. (the “Company”), for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:

 

    The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

    The information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: February 21, 2005

 

/s/    STEVEN NICHOLS


Name:

 

Steven Nichols

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/    GEORGE POWLICK


Name:

 

George Powlick

Title:

 

Vice President of Finance, Chief Operating

Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 
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